THE FEAR OF THE LORD
Charles Box
The fear of the Lord is that
understanding of God's greatness and power and man's accountability toward Him.
A scriptural and saving knowledge of God is the greatest need of every person.
An unknown God can neither be trusted, served, nor worshipped. Belief in God is
the foundation principle of the Christian faith. The writer of the book of
Hebrews said, "Without faith it is impossible to please Him,…"
(Hebrews 11:6)
The fear of the Lord leads to finding the
knowledge of God. "If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as
for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find
the knowledge of God." (Proverbs 2:4-5) The fear of the Lord awakens
feelings of gratitude and love. The fear of the Lord leads us to the Bible so
that we might gain the knowledge of God.
The fear of the Lord causes us to depart
from evil. God commanded, "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord
and depart from evil." (Proverbs 3:7) He also said, "…By the fear of
the Lord one departs from evil." (Proverbs 16:6) No one who knows himself
should be conceited. There is no experience more humbling than to come face to
face with our own sins. One who thinks he knows everything will never come to
fear God. Watch and pray constantly against the spirit of self-conceit.
The fear of the Lord produces a satisfied
life. "The fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it will abide in
satisfaction; he will not be visited with evil." (Proverbs 19:23) A Godly
life is a happy and satisfied life, here and hereafter. The fear of the Lord
produces a true life. True life, genuine satisfaction and freedom from sin are
all blessings of the fear of the Lord.
The fear of the Lord will cause you to
obey the gospel quickly. To become a Christian you must hear the gospel and
believe (John 6:44-45), repent of sins (Acts 2:38), confess Jesus as Lord
(Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized into Christ. (Romans 6:3-4)
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IN OUR PRAYERS- SHUT-IN: Jason Duke (Camden Health Care), Levi
Towater (skilled care in Mount Juliet),
Jerry Young (Lakeside in McKenzie), and
Kay Miles (at home). ONGOING: Hank Rook, David Spain, Ernest Thorne, Randy Hatch, Laverne Hatch, Dwight Bullington, Ross
& Darnell Cole, Margie Martin,
and Mercedes Gibbons. UPDATES:
Mary Lou Christian (received a good report from doctors in Atlanta- will
return in a month to discuss a possible new medication), Jill Shomaker (in Vanderbilt Hospital), Charles Sisson (having trouble with a swollen hand), Jerry & Gaye Massey (at home not
feeling well), Randy Cochran (sick
at home), John Martin (sick at
home), Vickie Cox (at home not
feeling well), Sydney Parish (will
undergo hernia surgery at Vanderbilt on February 3rd), and Muriel Larkins (will have first cataract
surgery on February 4th).
FIFTH SUNDAY SINGING: We will have our Fifth Sunday Singing next
Sunday afternoon at 1:00. Be sure to be
here!
CHILDREN’S HOMES: Don’t forget the children’s homes container
on the table in the foyer. Thanks!
CLASS TOPICS: We are presently studying
the book of Revelation in our Sunday
morning auditorium class and How We Got
the Bible on Wednesday evenings. Come
and participate in these studies.
NEWS FROM LVIV: Stas reports that the congregation is doing
well. An American family of four from Arkansas will be meeting with them for
about six months. The father is a teacher from Harding University who will be
teaching in the university in Lviv. Also, a Christian lady from Ghana who is
studying in the university has contacted Stas and will hopefully be attending
worship. Stas and Ann are in Bila Tserkva for two weeks while Stas teaches in
the Bible Institute. Dima, Alyona, Bogdan, and Alina are carrying on the work
in Lviv.
MISSIONS NEWSLETTERS for December and January
from Steve Rook are posted on the
mission board in the hall. Be sure to
check them out.
HELP! Please help update our prayer list. If you
know of additions or changes that need to be made, be sure to inform Johnny
Mack. Thanks!
SCHOOL ITEM: Spiral
Notebooks (1 subject, 70 page). We need
13.
