(New Beginnings for God’s Friends Series)
 
Bro. Bot Balbero
Jan. 27, 2010
 
     Christians need to be strong.  Our strength does not come from us. It comes from the Lord.  Hence, we need not fear.  And thank God because we are still in the process of fearing the Lord.

     What happened to that fear?  Did it strengthen you?  Or, is it up to now a false evidence appearing real (FEAR)?

     We might be doing things as if we are strong because of the fear of the Lord.  But it might be appearing real, still.  Bigger opportunities, bigger responsibilities.  Bigger opportunities to glorify the Lord.  Since we are facing a lot of challenges, we are bound to strengthen and again fear the Lord.  More fearful.  We need more courage today, more strength to fear the Lord.

     The Israelites were people delivered from slavery.  From Egypt, they were going to the promise land.  Like Moses, their leader, he was also so busy... like the Friends of the Divine Mercy.  He too had problems and struggles.  The setting was the same as that of a community.

     The leaders were also tired because the same people, the same persons, the same individuals were working.  They were getting tired.  Give assignments to others with qualifications as can be read in Exodus 18:21 – “... But you should also look among all the people for able and God-fearing men, trustworthy men, who hate dishonest gain, and set them as officers over groups of thousands of hundreds, of fifties and of tens...”

     What is this fear? This is a different kind of fear.  It is not "false evidence appearing real,”  as if dedicated, as if good, as if diligent, as if holy.
 
     That’s why if one is given an assignment, he does it with dedication, but it was a failure.  And what do we need?  Fear of God again.
 
     Faith Empowered Against Restrictions (FEAR).  Whatever happens, there is no word as “depende” (it depends).   As Prov. 14:27 says, “The fear of the Lord is the fountain of life, that a man may avoid the snares of death.”

     Why fountain of life? Because it has a source.  There is a mother, there is a father.  There was life because there is completeness.  What is the message?  The fear of God is the father of courage and the mother of success.  Isn’t it that the success of men was because of women, and the strength of women is men?

     It is the fountain of life.  That’s why, we, to prove that we fear God, should aim for perfection.  We have faced a lot of challenges, many responsibilities and encountered failures, so therefore aim for perfection.  Even if we do not reach perfection, at least, we are near to that.

     Never use the words, “we are limited.”  Sometimes, the fear that we develop is not that we are not capable, but we are afraid that we might prove that we can do something great.  And that is frightening.

     We tend to be afraid we might become famous, rich, etc.  To become great is fearful.  Many Christians are afraid of the things they can do because they have done their best and therefore there remains only to be great.

    Do you think the person beside you can become great? Aim for perfection.

     What else are we reminded of the situation?  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."

     Only when you are no longer afraid of this world will you begin to succeed.  In our effort in the ministry, always be reminded that the more we depart from this world, the more we become nearer to eternity.

     We should have reached the level that we have overcome worldly fear.  So what if I’m poor? I know I’m saved.  So what if I’m sick? I know I’m saved.  The more we become closer to God, the more we create distance from this world.

     We should be discerning of what we want and what we need.  We should know that.  Christians who serve the Lord should be able to fear God than things.  Fear the Creator than the creations.

     Remember, we stand tallest when we are on our knees.  We must be humble, simple.  Simple people are easy to satisfy; hence, they easily become happy. People with happy hearts enjoy serving the Lord.

     We do not work in the vineyard of the Lord looking for tools.  Tools were already given us.  We need not look for things, e.g. cars, properties etc. for us to serve God.

     Dt. 10:12-13 says, “And now, Israel, what does the Lord, your God, ask of you but to fear the Lord, your God, and follow his ways exactly, to love and serve the Lord, your God, with all your heart and all your soul, to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord which I enjoin you today for your own good? Think! The heavens, even the highest heavens, belong to the Lord, your God, as well as the earth and everything on it.”

     Fear of God is the needle that pierces us that it may carry a thread to bind us to heaven.   Some of us instead of thread, there is a need for a stronger string-- a cord, twine or rope is needed to be made closer to God.  It is no longer a needle is required but a post.
 
     A tool is required to be attached to God, and that is fear.  Follow His commandments.  Walk while we work.  Remember, to move mountains, you need to have a pick.  We need to work. We need to volunteer and not point fingers to other people.  Let us not allow that only few people are being blessed.  Volunteer to do the work for God.

     Ecc. 12:13 says, “The last word,  when all is heard: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is man’s all; because God will bring to judgment every work with all its hidden qualities, whether good or bad.”

     He who fears something, gives it power over Him.  Christians should connect to what is good.