wbfrmsup@iowatelecom.net
Francis Harper Message for 6/28/2019
Dear Ones,
I recall seeing the words, “No Fear” displayed in car windows and in other conspicuous places. I believe this slogan was first selected by those who were boasting of their own strength and of their ability to take care of themselves. If this was the stance of those who posted these words, they will at some point in their lives, discover it to be a false premise.
I recall the scripture: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10). The word fear in this verse quite likely is speaking of showing respect, or reverence, for the Lord rather them being afraid of Him.
A.W. Tozer wrote: “The only fear I have is fearing that I may not be doing the will of God. I know if I am doing His will I have no reason to fear.” The Lord has said: “I, the Lord, am bound, when ye do what I say, but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise” (Doctrine and Covenants 81:3-b).
Neither Goliath nor David were filled with fear when they met to fight with one another. Goliath “said to David, come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field” (1 Samuel 17:44). He could have written “No Fear” on his shield.
“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield; but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee . . . that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel” (1 Samuel 17:45-46).
The disciples asked: “Master, tell us concerning thy coming? And he answered them . . . there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity, like the sea and the waves roaring. The earth also shall be troubled, and the waters of the great deep; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth” (Luke 21:24026).
Most of us believe we are living near the day of the Lord’s coming when men’s hearts will be failing them for fear as they witness things which are coming on the earth. As we encounter these fearsome things in the coming months, or years, we need to remember that faith is the antidote for fear. How strong is our faith? Our faith will be tested. Will our anchor hold in the storms of life? Is our faith “Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love”? (Hymns of the Restoration, We Have an Anchor #259).
“And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves; but he was asleep. And his disciples came unto him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us, else we perish. And he said unto them, why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm” (Matthew 8:23-27).
“Oh, for a faith that will not shrink, though pressed by every foe, that when in danger knows no fear, in darkness feels no doubt” (Hymns of the Restoration Hymn #278).
Those who have a strong, enduring faith, could have as their slogan, “No Fear.” Let this be our theme song: “God is my strong salvation, what foe have I to fear? In darkness and temptation, my light, my help is near. Though hosts encamp around me, firm to the fight I stand. What terror can confound me with God at my right hand? (Hymns of the Restoration, Hymn #288).
My Love to All,
High Priest Francis Harper
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Speak the Word of God With Boldness
The truth needs to be spoken boldly. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear . . . Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness (1 John 4:17-18).
The Saints of the first century prayed: “Grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word . . . and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:29, 31).
Stephen, was the first of many Christian martyrs, who boldly declared the truth in their generation. Stephen did not hesitate to speak the truth to those who resisted it. “And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the Scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council (Acts 6:10-12).
This did not intimidate Stephen. He bravely said to the elders of the Sanhedrin: “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart, and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost; as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers” (Acts 7:51-52).
“Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city, and stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul” (Acts 7:57-58). This was Saul of Tarsus who later became Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles.
After Saul met Jesus on the road to Damascus, “straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God” (Acts 9:20). After returning to Jerusalem, Saul endeavored “to join himself to the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. And he was with them [the apostles] . . . at Jerusalem. And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians; but they went about to slay him” (Acts 9:26-29).
The first century Christians fearlessly spoke the truth to all who resisted them. What did the early Christians possess causing them to be so bold and fearless in spite of the opposition they faced? First, many of them were eye-witnesses of the resurrected Lord, Jesus Christ; they had powerful testimonies that Jesus was much more than an ordinary mortal man, he was the Son of God. Secondly, they were “all filled with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:4). Lastly, being filled with the Holy Ghost, they were “humble and full of love,” which qualified them as servants of the Lord (Doctrine and Covenants 11:4-6).
All of us who “have desires to serve God are called to the work, for behold, the field is white already to harvest, and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perish not, but bringeth salvation to his soul” (Doctrine and Covenants 4:1-c).
That which qualified Stephen, Paul, Peter, and the many others who boldly spoke the Word of God in the first century will also qualify us as valiant witnesses in our day: 1) a testimony of Jesus, 2) filled with the Spirit, 3) Humble and full of love.
Be Bold!
Be Strong!
For the Lord thy God is with thee.
No comments:
Post a Comment