WHAT DO YOU FEAR?

In our increasingly dangerous world, think of what we have to fear: ominous terrorist threats, frightening crime rates, increasing natural disasters (by the way I just came back to California for the holidays from Fort Gordon, Georgia and I was welcome by three quakes in two weeks), sobering energy crises, ..., God. YES! God. Ironic, isn't it, that in a world full of fearful things, the single source of our refuge and safety is also the ONE we are instructed to fear but many people instead of fearing the CREATOR have a lot more fear of HIS CREATION.
To fear God is to sense His awesomeness. When we acknowledge that greatness and trust in Him, we no longer want to walk in darkness but desire to walk in the light since He is Light.
Psalm 112:1 "Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments."
Proverbs 10:27 "The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened."
Proverbs 14:26-27 "In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death."
It is true, you know it and I know it! What is that you may ask? Well, that is that we fear more man than Almighty God who created man. Many people go day by day thinking more on what man is going to say or do rather than thinking (if thinking at all) on what Almighty God has to say or will do in our lifes.
Matthew 10:28 "And 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 soul and bldy in hell."
Proverbs 29:25 "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe."
As we start this new year, let's have this resolution: "...Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man" Ecclesiastes 12:13
Psalm 128:1 "Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways."

WAITING FOR GOD

Author Henri Nouwen has observed that the first pages of Luke's gospel are filled with people who were waiting: Zacharias and Elisabeth, Mary and Joseph, Simeon and Anna were all waiting for the fulfillment of a promise from God. But instead of passively waiting, they were actively looking to the Lord each day, what Nouwen calls being "present to the moment."
Simeon, for example, was controlled not by hopelessness but by the Spirit who prompted him to go into the temple. His words of praise when he saw the child Jesus, the promised Messiah, resound as an example of patient hope in God: "For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of they people Israel." Luke 2:30-32
Many of us find ourselves waiting on God for an answer to a prayer or the fulfillment of a promise "But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John." Luke 1:13
His word comes to us, just as it did to those who were swept up in the events that marked the first Christmas: "And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God." Luke 1:30
"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." Luke 2:10
As we listen to God in His Word and obey Him, we'll discover His goodness and power as we wait. Remember this: "Time spent waiting on God is never wasted."

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT

During my devotions I came across these verses:
Romans 11:19-20
"Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear."

Ephesians 2:1-6
"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. BUT GOD, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

I Peter 2:7-10
"Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but NOW HAVE OBTAINED MERCY."

I am very thankful that He saved me and called me out from darkness into his marvellous light because of His great mercy. How about you? Let me bring this to mind: "It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23