Chapter Six God's Higher Calling - God's Design for our lives.

That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. ~ 1 Thessalonians 2:12 God’s Higher Calling isn’t a “holier than thou” philosophy. However, it is a holier living policy. We need to apply the idea of holiness into our lives. It is the only way we can glorify God with our lives. We are to Be HOLY. “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” ~ 1 Peter 1:16. We are to strive to go up higher because it pleases the LORD. God has designed our lives for a purpose. His design is for us to live lives holy and set apart from the world. “But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.” ~ Psalms 4:3. God longs for us to have a sweet fellowship with Him. But we cannot attain this relationship until we have a proper understanding of who God is. To have this proper view, we must first understand the concept of what it is to Fear the LORD. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” ~ Proverbs 1:7. So many times in Christian circles the concept of Fearing the LORD is over looked. I believe that if we truly understood this concept we would not have so many living a mediocre Christian life. This is the core of the matter! The fear of the LORD is the foundation to living God’s Higher Calling. Without it, anything we try to do in the name of the LORD is just empty show. Christians that seem to be living a higher standard but don’t have a proper understanding of the Fear of the LORD, will appear superficial. We shouldn’t have standards and be involved in service just because our church, our friends, or even our Pastor says so. We should be doing these things because we generally wholeheartedly fear the LORD and want to please Him. We need to fear the LORD above all else. The fear of the LORD and the Love for the LORD should drive us to go farther for him. So many times our selfish fear stops us from going forward for the LORD. The fear of man keeps us from witnessing. The fear of the unknown keeps us from doing God’s Will. The LORD has a precious plan for our lives but the only way we can accomplish this plan is by fearing the LORD and casting down that other fear. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. ~ 2 Timothy 1:7. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. ~ 1 John 4:18. These passages are referring to the fear of man. We are not to have this paralyzing fear that stops us from living our lives for the LORD. Have you ever gotten to the place where the situation was so overwhelming that you just wanted to flee? Instead of taking a stand and being strong in the LORD, you found yourself wanting to run? Even David found himself engulfed by his circumstances. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. ~ Psalms 55:6. There are many things in this world that will cause us to fear. But that is not where we as Christians should live. So many times our comfort zone keeps us from truly being a witness for Christ. There will be a cross road that every Christian faces. Here at the fork in the road the signs point so clearly. In front of us is a glorious path that is filled with God’s unfathomable blessings and to the right of us is a darkened path. On this darkened path is a line of people stretched far as the eye can see. These people are shouting discouraging words. Intermingled with them are our own thoughts of doubts, fears and discouragements. The other path looks so clear and uncluttered. To enter this path we but need just go through the gate. That gate is the Fear of the LORD. Here is where all of God’s knowledge begins. When we just dwell on what the LORD wants us to do without caring what men think everything becomes clear. And I can say “I ,may face this trial but God is here with me and I fear him above all the petty disapproving thoughts.” You might wonder why the fear of the LORD is so important. And the answer is very simple... If I do not fear the LORD above all else then people will change my mind and I become a double minded person. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. ~ James 1:8. We end up basing our convictions on what others think and not on “Thus saith the LORD.” Take the scenario of three friends: Julie, Tom and Peter. Julie has a conviction regarding a certain issue, but her friend Tom has a different conviction regarding the same issue. Their friend Peter comes to them and asks what they think about this issue. Julie shares her conviction and Tom his. Peter is also a people-pleaser, so when Julie tells him here conviction Peter agrees with it. But when Tom shares his conviction that is different from Julies, Peter finds himself agreeing to please Tom. Peter doesn't go to the Word of God, instead he runs to his friends. Let’s face the truth, every single one of us is a people-pleaser in some shape or form. One person might outwardly say they don’t care what people think, but they really do because they run to five or six people for advice on the situation they are facing. Another person might be the overly sensitive type and anything someone says can easily upset them. Another might be a person that cares for others very deeply and they often find themselves getting walked over by others. We need to step away from being a people-pleaser. We can do this by doing one thing and that is striving to please God. "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." ~ Hebrews 11:6. First, we cannot please God without faith. Secondly, we cannot have faith in God without trust. Thirdly, we cannot trust God if we have a wrong view of God. Fourthly, we cannot have a right view of God if we do not seek Him. So as we dive into what the fear of God is, I pray that you will seek to understand what the fear of Lord and why it is truly our driving force in the Christian life. God has a better design for our lives than so called “Christendom” claims as Christian living. We can live this better designed life if we but tap into the joy of fearing the LORD. A mediocre Christian does not fear the LORD. The mediocre Christian shows no remorse in living a lower standard. They look upon those with higher standards as “holier then thou” Christians. So popular in our day and age is the idea that “I’m saved by grace, and I can do whatever I want as long as I confess my sin according to 1John 1:9. However, a Christian that fears the LORD cannot blatantly sin. They don’t want to sin. They are aware of their sin nature and try to avoid situations that cause them to fall. Have you ever done something knowing full well you were sinning against God? Did you have this thought “I’ll confess it later?” I know I have been there. And at that moment I was not fearing God. Fearing the LORD is not just a point that you attain in your life never having to come cross it again. But as with everything else in the Christian life it is a moment by moment thing. One moment I could fear the LORD and the next I’m not. Why? Because to fear the LORD, I must be filled with the Spirit of God, without the Spirit I cannot fear the LORD. It is a constant state of being. The thoughts and motives must be constantly checked out, they need to be tried often by the LORD as the Psalmist said: “Try my reigns and my heart and see if there be any wicked way in me.” So what is the Fear of the LORD? It is “that indefinable mixture of reverence, fear, pleasure, joy and awe which fills our hearts when we realize who God is and what He had done for us.”~ The Joy of Fearing God by Jerry Bridges. God’s Higher Calling is only able to be lived when we have wisdom and wisdom comes only when we fear the LORD. Fearing the LORD comes when we follow God’s straight path and avoid sin. Let’s look at some verses that speak about the fear of the LORD. ~ That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. ~ Deuteronomy 6:2. If we fear the LORD we will keep God’s commandments and statutes ~ Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. ~ Deuteronomy 6:13. Because we carry the name of the LORD we must live our lives holy. We will serve Him and love Him if we fear Him. ~ And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. ~ Deuteronomy 6:24. God keeps us and gives us good things when we keep His statues and Fear Him. ~ And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, ~ Deuteronmy 10:12 If we have the Fear of the LORD we will walk in the His ways, we will love Him and we will serve Him with all our heart and soul. ~ Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. ~ Deuteronomy 10:20. We cleave to the LORD and His ways and serve and proclaim His name when we fear the LORD. ~ And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always. ~ Deuteronomy 14:23. If we fear the LORD we will tithe and offer our first fruits to Him. The Lord God will have preeminence in our lives if we truly fear His name ~ Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. ~ Joshua 24:14. When we fear the LORD it will cause us to serve Him in sincerity and truth and all things that were first in our lives will be cast out. Things such as television, other people's views, selfish desires, worldly views… etc. Fill in the blank. Put in those things that take your time away from praying to the LORD and searching out His Word. For those things must get put aside and the LORD must become our All in All! ~ If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God: ~ 1 Samuel 12:14. Obedience is a fruit of fearing the LORD, rebellion is a fruit of the selfish me first heart! ~ Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. ~ 1 Samuel 12:24. The fear of the LORD will cause our hearts to reflect on God's truth and we serve the LORD and praise Him for all the wonderful things He has done for us! ~ Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever. ~ Psalms 118:4. God's Mercy endureth forever. His mercy extends to all. If we fear the LORD, we will love those that God loves. We will have mercy on those that God has mercy on. And we will forgive those that God bestows forgiveness upon. ~ Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. ~ Proverbs 3:7. If we fear the LORD will not use our own wisdom or words. We will take what we know and go to God's Word and search out if it is true or false. Many a time we think we are speaking truth but that truth is based upon what we think or feel is right and not on what God says. And if we fear the LORD, we will not maybe not someday but we will at that very moment depart from evil! ~ Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days. ~ Hosea 3:5 The fear of the LORD will cause us to return and seek the LORD. Ask yourself these questions: When is the last time I sought the LORD and He showed me something I had to give up? And did I give it up or am I still holding on to it? And if I gave it up, did I pick it back up again? "The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?" ~ Amos 3:8. A person who continues in sin and is constantly blind to the Holy Spirit's leading does not have a proper fear of the LORD. "And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land." ~ Jonah 1:9 Jonah said he feared the LORD but his life did not show it. He had all the right words but he was not living what he was saying. Are you living what you are saying? Remember your actions speak louder then words. Practical Questions: 1. When I get convicted over my sin am I quick to confess it and let it go, or do I hang on to it thinking it’s not that bad? 2. Do I see my sin as being black in God’s eyes or do I find myself justifying it? 3. Do I let the fear of others paralyze me from witnessing and living a sold out Christian life? 4. Would I rather talk about other things then of Godly things? 5. Do I think there should be a balance and that I shouldn’t have to talk about God all the time? 6. Is God in all my thoughts? 7. Do I just go forward without asking “Is this something that pleases you LORD?” 8. Do I let God guide me or do I just go by what others say? 9. When circumstances come my way do I easily get overwhelmed or do I find myself looking up? Am I quick to quit or am I quick to trust the LORD? 10. Would I rather do what I want over what God wants? Particular Answers to the Questions above. Question 1: A. Those who are quick to confess sin and let it go are showing the fruits of Fearing the LORD B. Those who hang on to sin are showing that selfishness reigns in their hearts and Christ has long been removed from the throne. Question 2: A. Those who see their sin as God sees it will fear the LORD B. Those who do not see their sin as black and wicked in the sight of God will not fear the LORD. Question 3: A. Those who fear what others think over what God says have placed man over God. People have become big in their eyes while God has grown small. B. But those who refuse to be moved from the principles of God’s Word and who care more about what God thinks over man have shown that God alone is their judge. Question 4: A. Those who would rather talk about things outside of Godly things (even if those things aren’t necessarily wrong) are showing that God is not their utmost desire. B. Those who would rather speak of God Word and proclaim what He has been teaching them exhibit that God is in all their thoughts. Question 5: A. Those who think there should be a balance show a heart attitude of “Sunday Christians but not Monday Christians” B. Those who feel that Christ should be the center of every conversation show that He alone is their life. Question 6: A. “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.” ~ Psalms 10: 4. B. “Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.” ~ Psalms 12:1. Question 7: A. Those who won’t ask if their outfit, attitudes, actions, thoughts, etc. Please the LORD show that they truly don’t care what the LORD thinks. B. Those who care about what the LORD thinks will keep their thoughts in check with God’s Word, they will seek to live holy separate lives. Question 8: A. Those who take what others say without Going to God for direction and guidance are fools and simple. “O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.” ~ Proverbs 8:5. B. “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” ~ Psalms 19:7. Question 9: A. “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.” ~ 2 Samuel 22:31. B. “In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?” ~ Psalms 11:1. Question 10: A. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” ~ John 3:30. B. “I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” ~ Psalms 16:8. Are you convicted yet? I know I am. When is the last time I witnessed to someone? When is the last time God was found in my thoughts? When is the last time I really prayed over souls and for others. If we have the heart of God we will have a heart for souls! If we fear the LORD, we will be a witness to all those around us. When is the last time I cried over a lost soul? “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”~ Ps. 126:5. This verse is a promise. And do you know that God puts our tears into a bottle and records them? “Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?” ~ Ps. 56:8. These aren’t tears of self-pity but rather tears shed for a soul and tears shed over a brokenness of sin. We are to shed tears of compassion. We are to have compassion towards others. Ask yourself this: have I become complacent in showing compassion to my brothers and sisters in Christ? “And of some have compassion, making a difference:”~ Jude 1:22. This has always been one of my favorite verses. The Lord gives each of His children gifts to use for His service. These gifts are not talents, they are not things that you can do on your own. You have to be filled with the Holy Spirit and living God’s Higher Calling to use them. The LORD has given me the gift of compassion. If I don’t plug into God’s Higher Calling, I find that I can’t have compassion for others and selfishness has taken over. Search out and find the gift He has given you and use it! Some of you have been given the great ability of words. You can either use those words for evil of for God. Remember this “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” ~ Proverbs 18:21. Don’t use that ability for sarcasm or for attacking a brother. But rather use that ability to witness to all those around you! My tongue and your tongue is to be used for God’s glory. God gets glory when we witness and also when we edify the brethren. “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” ~ James 1:26-27. Watch what you say! All of use struggle in the area of the tongue. It is just a little thing but it can cut deeper then any sword! “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” ~ James 3:6-18. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. ~ 2 Timothy 1:7 A tired lonely girl stood all alone she thought, With trouble, care and fear gripping at her door. Quietly in the stillness for the Lord she sought. Her heart echoed, And now, Lord, What wait I for? A question pierced her heart, Where oh girl is your hope? She wondered at why Trust is always the center core, And how many times she on her own tried to cope, She longed as David must have to have wings to soar. Fear can grip the heart to keep that one from living, Failing to Trust the LORD will stop one from growing, But oh to have God’s Power with all it’s giving To be equipped with all the fruit of the Spirit in going. The girl then realized that she could have all the Love The Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness Faith, Meekness, and Temperance all from God above. These things are given to serve God with our Best, no less. The Love of Christ must constrain us to go Forth For Him alone, with no want of anything more Then For His Love and all it’s worth. And if we trust Him, in His steps our hearts will soar. God wants good things for His own And longs for us to have His mind And be at peace in Him Alone All things we can truly find! Little heart don’t waver when the tempest rise high Little mind don’t lean on what you think you find Little life don’t fail to be spent because of fear you might die, And little mouth don’t fail to pray for all man kind.