The Fear of the Lord - by James Tharp

I’m convinced that American people need to hear more about “The fear of God!” We read in Proverbs 1:7 (NIV) that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

A serious study of the Bible is the most important experience anyone has ever undertaken. This is because the Bible is the most important book in the world. It is like no other book. Over one billion copies of the Bible have been printed, and it has outsold and out circulated every other book since printing began.

I personally feel that it is unfortunate for both the church and the world that about 200 years ago an historical questioning of the Bible began that led to a revival of unbelief. This first began in Europe, and it soon spread to the U.S.A. Now in this 21st century we are seeing and hearing from progressive modernists bold arguments denouncing and denying any place for the Bible.

It is impossible to imagine what modern civilization would be like without the influence of the Bible. However, here in the western world it appears that all too many politicians, educators, and even some church leaders are questioning the authority of the Bible. Dr. Howard Kelly has pointed out “Where the Bible is dishonored, life becomes cheap.” The Bible is the Word of life. Everyone should read it until they realize that this Holy Book truly reveals that God’s provision for our eternal salvation can only come through our believing and trusting Jesus Christ as our personal Savior.

In the Psalms we often read about “the fear of God.” In almost every case, the word “fear” has to do with warning unbelievers about the wrath of God for rejecting His Son as Savior.

I truly fear for the lost soul who has no respect for or fear of a loving God who would go to such extreme suffering to save us from eternal destruction Wise souls will take seriously what they read and humble themselves for prayer and repentance and faith in the One who can save: our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus asked a question that we should consider seriously— “What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Time and again we read in the Bible that a human soul is foolish who neither fears God nor trusts Christ for his or her salvation from sin and Hell.

THE CHRISTIAN’S SECRET OF POWER - by James Tharp

Jesus warned that a time of weakness in His church would come as we near the end of the Church Age. He said, “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:12, NIV).

Our Lord Jesus Christ never intended His followers to live the Christian life merely on their own strength. Yes, He calls us to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him, to unashamedly take our stand for Him, and share our faith with others. But He also calls us to influence a lost world and become to them light and salt—to shine out and make a difference as we seek to win others for Christ. 

In one of the last sermons he preached before his retirement and recent death, Evangelist Billy Graham expressed His regret that “never have I seen the church so weak, and that grieves me; but what grieves me more is I’ve never seen the world so wicked.” It is my growing conviction that unless the church returns to Pentecostal power we will never see the Spirit-anointed prayer warriors required for the kind of spiritual awakening so desperately needed to prepare the church and the world for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

It is my concern that we spiritual leaders get back to the secret of the Christian’s power for living the Christian life—the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised that “when the Spirit comes upon you, you shall receive power!” Now it is true that when we are born again and receive Christ as Savior, we are given the Holy Spirit in that experience. He indwells us and will enable us for the life we are called to live. In so many of our evangelical churches we seem to be faithful in proclaiming the Gospel to win people to Christ but, unfortunately, we don’t always help the new Christian understand that they are to learn to relate faithfully to the Holy Spirit. For as they learn to walk in the Spirit they will discover more power as they obey.