The congregation at Cove Mission of Hope opened the service with special prayer for France. We are in a very unsteady world and without God we would be very afraid.
We would say we are only human, therefore it is very hard to remember that God has control no matter what the circumstances. We must stay in the word and pray daily to keep the fear under control.
We want to welcome Brother Dale Honeycutt and tell those who have been absent for various reasons how happy and blessed we are to have them this morning. Also we sang a Birthday Blessing to Sister Charlene Taylor -- we pray she will have a great year ahead and God's blessings will be poured upon her and her wonderful family.
Following our congregation singing several hymns, Brother Daniel Cartwright sang "Without Him." In this beautiful song we are told of the very deepest reasons for staying close to our Lord. When Brother Bob took the pulpit he asked, how many have ever faced fear. Of course we all admit that fear has at sometime been a feeling we have experienced.
He then spoke of the two different types of fear. The first is a reverent fear of God who expects us to respect Him at all times. Psalms speaks in many verses of the fear of the Lord and the results of not acknowledging the power of our maker. Chapter 111 Verse 10 tells that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. In 33 Verse 8 we are again reminded that all the earth should fear Him and the inhabitants shall stand in awe of Him. In 18 we find that the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him, upon those who hope in His mercy. Psalms 101 Verse 1 says "Blessed is the man that fears the Lord and delights in his commandments."
So a fear of the Lord is a good thing and necessary to find favor with God. It is like the children that we raise, if they didn't respect the correction of their parents, what kind of problems would we face? There is a right way to fear and we need to read the word and search the ways in which we can yield to the spirit of the Lord with a loving fear. The second fear we face is a completely different type of emotion. This fear is of things that attack our security such as the people of France have faced.
These ungodly people want to destroy those who seek to live a life of normality. In Matthew Chapter 10 Verse 28 we are instructed to fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both body and soul in hell. The way to obey this commandment is to lean on the Lord and not to our understanding, for His ways are so much higher than ours. Psalms 23 Verse 14 helps us to have faith that we can stand in the presence of fear.
We find that the secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant. Verses 12 and 13 of Chapter 25 really gives us that hope that comes from his word. It states what man is he that fears the Lord? Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease: and his seed shall inherit the earth.
The story of the children of Israel and how their fear caused them to wander aimlessly for such a long time when the land of promise was there for the taking. We are sometimes fearful that we can't find the will of the Lord and all the time he is in complete control. Let us look at the results of each type of fear and choose the way we will allow God to bring us through each episode.
He speaks to us and assures us that we do not have to be afraid. Can you imagine the fear in the heart of Joseph's brothers when they realized he could and did have power over them. They had betrayed him but he forgave the deeds of those who caused jealousy to overtake them. This story is told in Genesis Chapters 30 through 48. I would suggest you read this for yourself and be shown the reason for fear when we disobey.
In closing Pastor gave the last scripture in this message, Luke Chapter 11 Verses 9-13. We are in these words given the promise that we can ask anything in faith believing and it shall be done. In knowing this we can overcome any fear that comes our way. So often fear hinders us from accomplishing the Lord's will. I'm so glad that we have a loving Father that keeps us in all things no matter how big or small.
I ask now that all who read this will pray as never before for our leaders that they will see the coming of the Lord is very near. God Bless You and Be Safe is the prayer of us at the Cove Mission of Hope.
Religion on 11/19/2015