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Saturday, May 31, 2008

We've Something to Fear

“Teach me Your way, O Lord;
I will walk in Your truth;

United my heart to fear Your name” (Ps. 86:11).


In the first two blogs of this study we looked at each line of this great verse from the Psalms. The ways and the truth of God must be taught to us by Him, while humility is to be practiced by us. Our hearts are also to be united—we look to God alone as the one to devote our hearts to. When we are inundated with multiple ways, truths and lives to live, Jesus steps in and says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).


It is the unity of our hearts in particular that leads to one of the most important aspects of the Christian faith; we are told to fear God’s name. Understand that it is not an irrational fear for the sake of fear itself. Rather, it is a genuine respect for God that drives you to His feet. When we fear the Lord, we do not need to fear anything else. When we practice this kind of fear, we are then compelled to action.


A great example of this can be seen in the commissioning of Isaiah. Chapter six of Isaiah gives the account of a vision he was given of God. He “saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple.” He also witnessed amazing Seraphim flying around and giving praise to God. Isaiah’s response was: “Woe is me, for I am ruined!” He went on to show remorse for not only his own shortcomings, but the entire nation’s too.


This fear of God was not a solitary emotional scene which quickly died away. The Lord asked, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Isaiah, then, responded, “Here am I. Send me!” It was obvious that his fear of the Lord was more than a show on the surface, but went to very core of his being. He saw God as large, so he wanted to do large things for Him.


There is an interesting, and sometimes confusing, tension that arises from our study of the Bible regarding our relationship with God. We are to have a fear of God that places him in a proper place far above us. Yet, we are also reminded that He walks with us and sticks closer than a brother. How do we reconcile these two—that God is near and far, close and distant, intimate yet incomprehensible?


My wife and I recently saw the movie adaptation of C. S. Lewis’ Prince Caspian. One statement was made that was truly powerful, and one that I remembered vividly from my own reading of that book. Lucy, had seen a flash of the lion, Aslan, but no one else believed her. Later, she met him face to face.

“Aslan, Aslan, Dear Aslan,” sobbed Lucy. “At last.”

The great beast rolled over on his side so that Lucy fell, half sitting and half lying between his front paws. He bent forward and just touched her nose with his tongue. His warm breath came all round her. She gazed up into the large, wise face.

“Welcome, child,” he said.

“Aslan,” said Lucy, “you’re bigger.”

“That is because you are older little one,” answered he.

“Not because you are?”

“I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”


What is so great about this scene is the closeness she shares with the lion, who represents Jesus Christ. But, it is an intimacy that is laced with acknowledgement that He is “bigger.” I guess there is really no way to reconcile God being close and holy; we just recognize that this is so and remain wary of going to the extremes. We cannot view the Lord as a holy distant God who cannot possibly be known, as many of the philosophers throughout history felt. Also, we must beware of seeing God as merely a buddy, ignoring the fact that He is holy.


As we grow in Christ, we should naturally view God as being larger than we previously saw Him. Conversely, the more sanctified we become, the more we realize how short we fall, and that we need the Lord in an even greater capacity. Fearing God consists of simultaneous reverence and humility. This may be somewhat confusing to sort out, but remember, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”


What is interesting about David’s prayer is that he does not say, “United my heart to fear You.” Instead, he talks about revering God’s name. A name indicates recognition of someone—in God’s case, it is a designation of His power that also brings respect. We are taken beyond the fear of God to the point that even the mere mention of the Lord brings us shivers as we contemplate his awesomeness.


David’s verse seems to reveal a cycle in which we are to be constantly engaged. The only way we can learn of God’s ways, his truth, or have a united heart is from Him. He is the great initiator.  When he has bestowed these gifts of knowledge and unity upon us, we learn to fear His name. Through that fear—the correct view of the awesomeness of God—we have a greater capacity to receive truth, to learn more of his ways, and to grow with a united heart, free from the division that the enemy intends. Let us pray that this cycle continues.


Feel free to click on the dates below for the archives of the first two parts of this study. My next blog, on July 1st, will begin a three or four part study on James 5:16b, which reads, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”


I pray, as always, that God may richly bless you in ways that further His Kingdom.   
5:59 am est


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WHAT I AM DOING NOW

I am very excited about the task that the Lord has given to me regarding the pursuit of writing.  January of 2007 I completed the first draft of my book Six Steps to Prepare for Battle: Utilizing the Armor of God in Spiritual Combat.  During these past two years, I have been busy editing the book, assigning a couple outside readers, and educating myself on all of the other aspects of book publishing that was previously unknown to me. I have begun sending out my book manuscript to agents, while simutaneously seeking publication in various Christian magazines. 

It has been a very lengthy process, and I predict that it will not progress as quickly as I would like, for one reason...my family.  I have made a decision that I will not sacrifice the relationships with my wife, son or daughter for my personal pursuits.  Too many people involved in minstries neglect their families, who should be their primary ministry.  While I hope my kids will imitate my devotion to various ministries, both in and out of our local church, I do believe that family should not be ignored in the process. 

That being said, I do not see my goal of being a published writer as a selfish desire.  The reason I feel I am being led to write is so that other Christians can be encouraged, taught, and challenged as they embark on their daily spiritual excursions.  My prayer is that I can be used by God for His honor and glory.  I also work so that one day when I am standing before the throne of the Lord, He will look down at me and say, "Javan, you did a really good job!  I'm proud of the work you did!"  What greater goal can there be for us than to hear Jesus give His approval?  

PARTS OF THIS SITE

Everything I am trying to accomplish through this site centers around the fact that I am merely a vessel of the Lord's, working to advance His Kingdom. I plan to use the Blog on the Home page to write monthly articles based on Scripture that I am studying in my own Quiet Time.

On the Upcoming Book page, I include parts of the proposal package I am currently sending to literary agents. An overview of the book is given, as well as a table of contents and a chapter outline.

 The Selected Writings page highlights some of the past writing I have done. First, there are seven sermons I wrote and delivered as a part of V. I. P. Music Ministries. This is followed by three poems which have been published. I also include some of the articles I wrote for Heidelberg's newspaper when I was a student.

The About Me page isn't a full biography, but rather, consists of the parts of my past that lead up to my current ministry of writing. In college, I majored in music and this page shows how I got from singing and acting in various shows and groups to pursuing a writing ministry.

My Ministries
is a separate page because it looks at some of the other ministries that I am a part of and have previously been involved in.

The Music page will serve the purpose of praising God and edifying the Christian, rather than simply providing entertainment. I have given access to some of the lyrics I have written as a part of V. I. P. Music Ministries, as well as the song I wrote for my wife for our wedding. I also plan to have available CDs of Christian music that I collaborate on with another musician.

I have a background of acting in various shows in high school and college and have not really done much in this area until recently. I have added the Drama page to highlight some of the church drama I have been doing and plan to do. I am also writing drama skits for church that I would like to make available to whomever wants them.

The final page is Contact Me,where my mailing address, phone number and email can be found.

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There is a passage from the book of Isaiah that has become my favorite ever since I saw the movie "Chariots of Fire" as a kid.  This particular verse has always been a source of inspiration to me when I feel impatient or that things are just too difficult. Isaiah 40:31, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Looking at life through the lenses of God's Kingdom

All Writings Composed by Javan Rowe  

Layout & Design by Javan Rowe and Terry Partridge

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