Friday, 18 July 2014

THE FEAR OF GOD


PROVERBS 1; 7
 The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom
The Swahili people have a saying ‘’Ogopa uishi’’
The brave ones die several times before their due date so it is said
What we want to tackle today is the KEY INGREDIENT to knowing God and having a fruitful relationship with God.
The word fear is pronounced yare [yaw-ray] meaning fearing, most reverent
Fear also means dread or reverence for God
It is the melt down, crunching, humbling effect that comes to oneself on the understanding the awesomeness o god
What it is it that puts a stop at some of the things you do if not God?
Unfortunately we are living in times when the fear of God is of no consequence.
Pe7ople live their own lives and any correction is termed as judgment or called ‘’holier than thou ‘’
7 key indicators of the fear of god in ones life
1.     Evaluate yourself Honestly
Isaiah 6.5 ‘’ Then flew one of the Seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar.
Consider your former ways and how close you are to the lord
What good is it you have achieved or rather it is by the grace of God.
The mere fact that you were once destined for hell and now your sins have been cleansed is reason enough to live life full of fear and reverence to Jehovah.
You are not living by and for yourself rather you are a slave of the lord.
This needs to be the driving force of our living.
It is what made Paul to declare ‘for me to die is Christ and to live is gain’ living the life of Christ is living the life of sacrifice every day, life of accusation and counter accusations.
It won’t be smooth sailing but the fear of God will see you through.
For this will be your driving force.
That touch of Christ needs to spur you to a new level
Where by it is no longer I who is but Christ living in me. Galatians 2.20

2.     Accept Heavenly Separation Isaiah 6.6-7
The fear of God will separate you from some if not most of the things you think really matter in your life.
This fear will not allow you to oppress people and step on their toes because you are the boss so to say
It will not allow you bragging rights and if any is that your sins have been forgiven and not by power or by might but by the sprit of God.
Instead this fear of God creates a humbling effect upon ones life.
The best thing that the fear of God does is to allow every child of God access to the father. Hapa hakuna kuzuiliwa!


3.     Boldness and Desire to serve, live & Die for God. Isaiah6.8
The message of God is fear God, but do not fear the assignment
People who fear God speak to the world that does not want to hear what they say.
As you live a life of reverence for God, you will be called names
You will be shunned; the devil will send arsenals along your way.
Be ready to walk it alone: But keep in mind He has promised never to leave you or forsake you.
Be sure not everyone will buy your message. But remember you are a messenger of God who fears God and not man
Allow me to indicate that the fear of God in your life will have the ironic but justly deserved effect of hardening the callous hearts of rebellious people and so rendering the warnings of judgment. Daniel 5.22
Do not expect people to clap for you as you give warnings and judgment.

4.     Be Ready To Stand Your Ground & Eat the Consequences of it.
Daniel 6.5
Here we have the ‘’den of lion’s’’ experience
One amazing thing is that the person who was thrown in had fellowship with the lions before they formed a circle of protection around him as they watched him sleep.
On the other hand, the King could not manage any sleep.
Friends allow me to declare to you that the fear of God on your life will cause you to enjoy even your darkest night.
 On the other hand your enemies, the enemies of the cross will be having it cross for them selves.
The bible declares that be still and know that I am God.
This stillness is engraved in the fear of the Mighty one of Jacob
The brokenness and trembling before Yahweh is the one that attract such grace.
And with this grace is the unrelenting favor of the Most High.
This favor propels they that wait upon the lord onto greater heights.
To attract it, FEAR the Lord.
Your fear and reverence for God may lead to a set up but stand up firm for the battle is not yours but the lord’s. However, you have a duty of standing in the gap whatsoever.
Amidst all these things be sure to face Jerusalem-the city of promise. Jesus is my Jerusalem. It is the place of answered prayers the place of ordered attention.
Daniel 6.10 and 2Chronicles 6.36-39
Your fear for God should make your resolve bolder.
For you know those who know their God shall do exploits.
Bwana Asifiwe Sana!

5.     Fear the lord Your God and serve him only. Deuteronomy 6.13
No double standards will be entertained
With fear of God there is no playing to the gallery
It is serious business. Ni kumaanisha bila majezo! In this phrase, is the sense of reverent trust and total commitment not faint!

Psalm 34.8-14
‘’Our God is a jealous God
Either you serve Him or you suffer his wrath
God watches over you to know whether there is this particular fear or not.
One thing you can be sure of is facing his wrath if you digress.
People who fear God are never coerced to prayer, lift up their hands or worship with tears rolling down their chicks as people watch them.
They know whom they are connecting with.
Their surrounding does not concern them.
After all there is only one jealous God who deserves my worship.
And this worship is not dictated by what or who the surrounding is or could be.
It is all about God and not me
Therefore stop staring at me with bewilderment.
You know what; it is not I but Christ living in me
The real me died along time ago, so if you are concerned with me, flesh passé, you are in for a rude shock.
Glory to the king of kings! The King who reigns both now and forever more!
Do not test and never attempt testing the lord by fearing things or people, rather fear God.

6.     Total provision, Psalm 34.9
O fear the Lord, you his saints: for there is no want for them who fear the Lord.
Those who trust God will lack nothing.
Are you looking for peace, Love, Joy then learn to Fear God
You are looking for joyful marriage and enjoyable job or career, fear God.
Remember that the fear of God is the beginning of God.
God declares I am the God who teaches you to make you to make wealth.

7.     Your way of life ‘Actions speak louder than words’
The fear of the lord is learned.
It is not instant coffee neither is it the touch of an electric switch
It is not automatically founded in us
By the way you and I have to grow in the fear of God.
Be ready to learn and be taught
There are rules and the rules are not just symbols, but laws that have to be obeyed and followed.
The fear of the Lord through listening and learning
Be careful to follow all and not just part.
The fear of God is total and not partial fear
Children must be taught to hear and learn to fear the Lord
-Living in truth
-No tampered scales
-Practicing life of forgiveness
-Clean Heart- holding no grudges.

And may God his self bequeath bountiful blessing upon his word
Amen!!

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