Serve God with reverence and fear

Serve God with reverence and fear.

John Francis

 

The Bible daily by disciple John

Hebrews 12:28-29 

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved 0r shaken, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.

You and I have received something so amazing so wonderful so valuable that we are not to take God for granted but to show God our reverence meaning: honour or respect felt or shown: especially: profound adoring awed respect. Now I believe that many churches I have known fail the test as far as reverence is concerned, and I will tell you how I have reached that conclusion.

If Prince Charles joined us in Church next Sunday, how would we treat him? To start with, would we call him Charley and treat him as one of us. The answer is no. Yet we are constantly referring to Lord Jesus by his first name with no reverence.

If you look at Hebrews 5:7 it says that our Lord Jesus offered up prayers to God our Father,with strong crying and tears … in that he feared. This is a description of His reverence for God our Father. If He therefore can show reverence how much more should you and I, who are mere humans, show reverence for God, because He is a consuming fire.

Prayer: Thank you our loving Heavenly Father for loving us while we were sinners and calling us out of darkness to serve you in this world that your will be done and your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Heb 12:28  Do you see what we've got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. For God is not an indifferent bystander. 

Heb 12:29  He's actively cleaning house, torching all that needs to burn, and he won't quit until it's all cleansed. God Himself is Fire! The Message Bible

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved,.... Not the kingdom of glory; eternal glory is a kingdom, and it is an immovable one; and is a free gift of God, and may be said to be now received; God's people are called unto it, and are made meet for it, and have a right unto it, and have it in faith and hope, and in Christ their head and representative: but the kingdom of grace, under the Gospel dispensation, is meant: there are several things in this dispensation which are called a kingdom; as a Gospel church, the Gospel itself, and the privileges and blessings of grace bestowed, especially spiritual and internal ones, Mat_25:1 and the whole dispensation is called the kingdom of heaven, Mat_3:2. Christ he is King, believers are his subjects, the Gospel is his sceptre, and the ordinances are his laws and appointments, and all are immovable; and a man may be said to receive this kingdom, when he is delivered from the power of darkness, is regenerated, and has the blessings of grace actually bestowed on him, and is brought to Zion: 

let us have grace; by which is meant, not thankfulness for so great a blessing, though this is highly requisite and necessary; nor the favour of God, though, as the reception of the kingdom springs from hence, a sense of it ought to abide; nor the habit or principle of grace in the heart, unless particularly the grace of faith, and the exercise of it, should be designed; but rather the doctrine of grace, the Gospel, is intended; and the sense is, εχωμεν, "let us hold it", as the Ethiopic version renders it; let us hold the Gospel fast, and a profession of it: the Vulgate Latin and Arabic versions read, "we have grace"; this goes along with the immovable kingdom; all that have truly received the one, have the other: 

whereby we may serve God; God is to be served, and not a creature, nor the elements of this world, the ceremonial law, and its rites: nor is he to be served in any form, only in a spiritual way; and without holding to the Gospel, there is no serving him in an evangelic manner; the true and right way of serving him is as follows: 

acceptably; in Christ, in the Gospel of His Son, and by faith in Him, without which it is impossible to please God: 

with reverence; of the majesty of God, with shame for sin, and with a sense of unworthiness: 

and godly fear; which has God for its author and object, and which springs from His grace, and is increased by discoveries of His goodness; and which is consistent with faith, and spiritual joy; see Psa_2:11.

Beware of false prophets

Beware of false prophets.

John Francis

 

The Bible daily by disciple John

Matthew 7:15-16 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Please remember that false prophets will always say what is pleasing and encouraging, and will sometimes bring in a small amount of scripture to fool the hearers. On the outside they are mild and gentle like sheep but inside they are ravenous wolves. That is they are pretending to be sheep when in fact they are enemies of the flock of God.

Our Lord Jesus said we should be able to discern which are the false prophets by the fruit that comes from their ministry. When we look carefully often below the surface, there is not the love for God and their fellow man, which is the mark of a true prophet.

A true prophet will hate sin, and the causes of sin, and will constantly be encouraging the congregation to walk in obedience to God, also will stress the importance of God's will being done in our lives. The true prophets in the Old Testament would give the message from God to Kings, even though they knew it could cost them their lives.

Prayer: We thank you Heavenly Father for the true prophets you send and we pray you will help us to discern and identify the false prophets that your will be done, your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

"No fear of God in this place."

"No fear of God in this place."

John Francis

 

The Bible daily by disciple John

Genesis. 20:11 And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.

When I read what Abraham did by subterfuge, when he claimed that Sarah was his sister I don't think it was necessary wrong, because no harm happened to either Abraham or his wife. Also God spoke to Abimelech king of Gerar and as a result he feared Abram and more important, the people started fearing God.

When there is no fear of God, people are careless about their lives, and they do not obey what God says in the Bible. I know there are a lot more scriptures that exhort us to fear God. I believe that we Christians should have an awe and respect for God that shows every time we speak, and by all our actions.

I remember a preacher saying some years ago that we should not be using the name of our Lord in a casual way. This struck home with me, and after thinking about what he was saying, I have since then I have tried to prefix the name Jesus with "Lord" or follow the name Jesus with "Christ" said Lord.

Prayer: Thank you Lord our God for revealing to us the importance of giving you proper respect and reverence and the need for us to walk in holiness that your will be done your kingdom come. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

They took no oil with them

They took no oil with them.

John Francis

 

The Bible daily by disciple John

Matthew 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them.

Whenever oil is mentioned in a parable it is usually symbolic of the Holy Spirit. When I read this parable, which is often referred to as the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, I'm thinking about all the Christians who have decided to ignore  the Holy Spirit gifts listed in 

1 Corinthians 12.7-10 What wonders we would have seen if everyone was gifted with the Holy Spirit, we would have healings, miracles and words of knowledge that would convince sinners that God knows everything about them, so that they repent.

We would have prophecy that would both encourage and show the saints how they should walk with God. We would always have interpretation when tongues were spoken. We would have discernment to know good from evil. We would have faith that moves mountains. It is so sad that people read about these things, and somehow decide it does not apply to them, and miss out on the power of God given to us so that we would be witnesses in this evil world.

The Bible tells us to seek the spiritual gifts and use them for the Glory of God. I and others have done this, and have received the gifts of the Holy Spirit, so I know it works. If you don’t claim these gifts you might be asked at judgement why you have wasted the gifts to be used for God's glory. You will also be like the foolish virgins who had no oil to light their lamps.

Prayer: Thank you our Heavenly Father for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and we pray that we will receive all the gifts that we need to serve you that your will be done, your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

John Francis

 

 The Bible daily by disciple John

Matthew 27:54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

Most centurions were promoted from the ranks after distinguishing themselves in battle. So they were known for their skill and courage, and always fought at the front, which meant a lot of them got killed. With this in mind you can see we have a tough soldier familiar with war, who was frightened by what he saw, when they crucified our Lord Jesus.

The earth quake was frightening, but also people who had died, some from hundreds of years ago, came back to life and were walking around the streets. It had gone very dark for three hours, while our Saviour hung on the cross until he died, and at that moment we had the tearing of the temple curtain, from top to bottom, and the earthquake it must have been terrifying. God will do something in our society soon that is going to bring a great fear of God on everyone. Yes, I said fear, just like that centurion. Nothing less will shake this country out of the apathy that is everywhere in our society. Our God who will give our country a last chance to turn away from sin. We will have another revival and God will send His harvesters.

Prayer: Thank you our God and Father for loving us so much, that you want all to be saved and to come to the full knowledge of your truth, that your will be done and your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

GOD'S UNFAILING LOVE

GOD'S UNFAILING LOVE
"And I'll keep on carrying you when you're old. I'll be there, bearing you when you're old and gray. I've done it and will keep on doing it, carrying you on my back, saving you." 
-- Isa_46:4.

WHAT A marvelous promise is this! In days of foreboding, when we fear what may lie behind the veil of the impenetrable future!
Disease? Poverty? Suffering? Bereavement? 
We cannot tell, but we may turn in confidence to our God. 
He knows just how much we can bear, for He has made us: 
"I have made, and I will bear, and will deliver you."

Even to old age! The hoar-frost may silver the head, the sound of the grinding may be low, the silver cord may be frayed even to the breaking, lovers and friends may have passed on to the other world; like the last apple on the bough, we may be left alone; but in the second childhood as in the first--"Even to your old age--I will carry you"; "For Himself hath said, I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee. So that with good courage we say, The Lord is my Helper, I will not fear" (Heb_13:5).

PRAYER
O God, our Father, we are Thine, May we never doubt Thy enduring mercy. We thank Thee! AMEN.

Isaiah 46:4
And even to your old age I am he,.... The same he ever was, the eternal and unchangeable Jehovah; the same in his love and affections; in his sympathy and care; in his power and protection; in his promises, truth, and faithfulness to his people, in their last days, as at the first moment of their conversion; and therefore they are safe; see Psa_102:27, 

and even to hoar hairs will I carry you (n); which is doing more than the most tender parent does, or can, or need to do! God will not leave his people in the decline of life, when pressing infirmities are upon them, and they stand in as much need as ever of being bore up, supported, and carried: wherefore it follows, 

I have made; these persons, not merely as creatures, but as new creatures; they are formed for myself; they are my sons and daughters, the works of my hands: I have an interest in them, 

therefore I will bear, even I will carry: from the first of their regeneration, to their entrance into glory; See Gill on Isa_46:3; 

And will deliver you; out of all affliction; out of all temptations; out of the hand of every enemy; from a final and total falling away; from a body of sin and death; from death eternal, and wrath to come; and even at last from the grave and all corruption. 


(n) This seems to express more than old age, as Ben Melech observes hence the Jews say, a man sixty years old is come to old age, and one of seventy to hoary hairs.

Israel's Response to the Law's Demand

Israel's Response to the Law's Demand
Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, "All that the LORD has said we will do, and be obedient" . . . 
Today you have proclaimed the LORD to be your God, and that you will walk in His ways and keep His statutes, His commandments, and His judgments, and that you will obey His voice.  
(Exo_24:7 and Deu_26:17)
God's law demands wholehearted obedience. "This day the LORD your God commands you to observe these statutes and judgements; therefore you shall be careful to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul" 
(Deu_26:16). 
When the Israelites heard this summary requirement of the law, they confidently promised that they would obey. "Today you have proclaimed the LORD to be your God, and that you will walk in His ways and keep His statutes, His commandments, and His judgements, and that you will obey His voice." 
Forty years earlier, when the Lord first gave His law to His people, they responded in a similar fashion. 
"Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, 'All that the LORD has said we will do, and be obedient'."  
Their intentions were certainly commendable. However, their performance was definitely unacceptable. Even before they had departed from the mountain where the law was given, they plunged into disobedience. "They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a molded calf, and worshiped it" (Exo_32:8). 
Soon after the death of Joshua (who led them into the Promised Land), they repeatedly rebelled against the Lord their God. The book of Judges documents this clearly: "And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD" (Jdg_3:12); "And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD" (Jdg_4:1); 
"Then the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD" (Jdg_6:1); 
"Then the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD" (Jdg_10:6).  

Twelve hundred years later, Stephen would summarize Israel's history of disobedience. "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you" (Act_7:51).
What a sobering evaluation of those who were so confident of obeying the law of God.  

Dear Father, I humbly bow before You, confessing that I am so often like the children of Israel. I confidently promise to live in obedience to Your will. Then, I quickly stray from Your path and indulge my own will. Thank You for Your forgiving grace. Yet, I earnestly cry out for more. I need Your transforming grace to renew my inner man unto increasing obedience to You, through Jesus, my Lord, Amen.