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I recently had an interested conversation with a man of faith about the “fear of the LORD.” I’ve been meditating on it ever since. He said that people today try to explain away this bothersome Old Testament phrase… they argue that it means “to have awe and respect for God” rather than to be scared (like you would feel if you encountered something dangerous like a bear in the woods or someone who wanted to hurt you). I have made this very same argument in this very blog on multiple occasions… But no, he said, it really does mean FEAR, terrified, heart racing, pee in your pants FEAR (okay I added the “pee in your pants” part; the gentleman I was speaking to was way too polite to say that).

The enemy does not want to hear truth. The truth of Jesus Christ triggered the world then and it still triggers worldly people today. They stop up their ears, and gnash their teeth at it. Today they cancel, oppress, mock, slander, dox, deplatform, shadowban, suspend, boycott, and vilify the truth of Jesus Christ. We see it happening every day. The world boldly, unapologetically digitally stones anyone who dares to speak the truth of Jesus Christ. In Canada, pastors are already being arrested for refusing to shut their doors. We’ve been able to comfortably ignore persecution for most of our lives in this country. But now it is on our doorstep. Are you ready?

We find ourselves fallen, stuck here on this fallen planet, surrounded by fallen people. But God works through us anyway. There is much to be learned and gained from iron sharpening iron. Our character benefits when we get involved, stick it out despite the problems, and work to make OURSELVES lights that God can shine His love through.

“The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps. A wise man fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self confident.” Proverbs 14:15-16

I always find myself thinking that Proverbs perfectly describes our social media today. And that is all I’m going to say about that!

The same is happening today. Our mainstream cultural leaders try as hard as they can to silence Christians. In many places, those sharing Christ’s message are canceled, silenced, and even imprisoned and severely threatened so “that from now on they speak to no man in [Jesus’] name.” (v.17) We are shut down on social media, removed from schools, and banned from many other public forums. We are “commanded,” as the religious leaders commanded the early Christians, “not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.” (v.18) But a great awakening is taking place today around the world. More and more people are coming to Christ in a final great revival before He returns again. Be BOLD and take COURAGE, Christians! Nothing the enemy tries to do can stop it, “for we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard!” (v.20)

Notice the abrupt change in Peter. He had been the brash, unpolished, impulsive apostle. He ran away when Jesus was arrested and denied Jesus three times. Yet suddenly, Peter was full of confidence and courage. Suddenly, Peter, an uneducated fisherman, was preaching to crowds of people. The difference was the Holy Spirit. Peter was now filled with the Holy Spirit. This Holy Spirit can be the difference between being a fearful, foolish person and a courageous, wise warrior for Christ.

But many churches today don’t talk about “repentance.” Many churchgoers have never even heard that word. So many churches water down the gospel message and turn Jesus into a self-help guru. Jesus is just a way to be popular, happy, and successful. Many preachers today don’t even believe there is a hell. But if there is no hell, no judgement, or condemnation, then there is no sin or need for repentance. If there is no need for repentance, then Jesus didn’t need to die. If there are many ways to get to God besides Jesus, then Jesus didn’t need to die. All of these progressive ideologies that have crept into the church make a mockery of Jesus’ death…

The biggest shift that has ever taken place in the history of humankind had just happened. First, God came to us as a man and performed great miracles. Then He died and came back to life to provide a way of salvation for us. He was only here in human form for a few short years. But He returned in spirit form to stay with us for the rest of our time here on this planet. He’s not leaving us again. And this, THIS is the time period we currently find ourselves in.

Jesus had told them to wait in Jerusalem for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. And so we see the very first Christian church, comprised of all the 11 disciples (Judas Iscariot was obviously missing), Jesus’ mother Mary, and other followers of Jesus, about 120 people “continually devoting themselves with one mind to prayer.” (v.14) What would the church look like today if we were continually devoting ourselves with one mind to prayer?