"The Love of Many Will Grow Cold”

Hearts Growing Cold

 

 

Jesus did say in the last days men’s hearts would wax cold and we truly see it like we’ve never seen before.  It really should not be a shock when we see those things which JESUS spoke about come to pass!  I have to remind myself of this.

 

“And,” Jesus said, “because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many 

will grow cold” (Matthew 24: 12).

 

2 Timothy 3:1–4 says, But, mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.

 

The word cold means lacking affection or warmth of feeling; unemotional. Callous means showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others and heartless means displaying a complete lack of feeling or consideration.  Boy, are we not seeing this behavior displayed right before our eyes?

 

I’ve looked in the faces of people possessed by demons.  I’ve had to deal with people whose hearts are callous, jealous, and downright evil.  Some smile in your face, but they despise you inwardly, just as Michal the daughter of Saul despised King David (2 Samuel 6:16).  I’ve been talked about, lied on, mistreated, dishonored, disrespected, envied, threatened, verbally attacked, but if God is for me, who can be against me (Romans 8:31)? I know there are other remnant believers who has gone through some of the same things. 

 

Lord knows, it could always be worse.  After writing this blog, my spiritual mother told me that a close friend pulled a gun out on her.  Lawd have mercy!

 

I must testify that the LORD has given me beauty for ashes and has honored me indeed and in ways that I cannot even articulate.  I give Him GLORY!  It’s dangerous to come up against God’s anointed.  We see what happened to Saul. Things did not end well for him at all. 

 

However, I’ve also ran across sweet, godly, thoughtful and precious men and women of God whose love and acts of kindness I will never forget. I forgive and bless those who have hurt me.  I have to bless my enemies and those who despitefully use and persecute me because this is what the Bible instructs us to do.  The LORD regularly reminds me that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers, darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12).  However, I dare not fellowship or be in a relationship with those that despise me and wish me harm and not good.

 

2 Corinthians 4: 8-10-We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed; always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown in our body.

 

Jesus said, you will know my disciples by the love they show toward one another. John 13:35-By this, everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.”

 

One of the Hebrew words for love is Avaha, meaning to give. Christ love asks, how can I alleviate your burdens?  How can I help you and ease or lighten your load?  It encourages, inspires, builds up as well as rebuke.

 

The Bible tells us to love not only in words but in deeds (1 John 3:18). The word compassion means sympathetic, pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.

1 Corinthians 13

Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It does not dishonour others,

it is not self-seeking,

it is not easily angered,

and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight 

in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects,

always trusts,

always hopes,

and always perseveres.

Love never fails.

 

When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus said, “Hear oh Israel the LORD, our GOD is one!  Love the LORD your God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength! And love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:29).

 

Sometimes you can see so much jealousy, ugliness, wickedness, ungodliness, and evil to the point where it can overwhelm you if you are not careful.  The adversary wants you to think that everyone is evil, selfish, heartless, and mean-spirited, but that’s not the case.  You can’t magnify them or give these people your energy, time, or thoughts.  They will reap what they have sown.  The same measure they give will be returned to them.   

 

God still has a few good men and women in the world today; those who are honest, loving, caring, and kind with the sincere heart of the Lord Jesus.  I have been so fortunate to meet such people, and for that, I am super grateful.  Although, they are few and far  between (rare).  Throughout the Bible, we see that God had righteous men and women strategically placed in different places for different seasons and reasons.  He uses who He pleases to execute His will, promises and His Word!

 

Even though Saul resented King David, his son Johnathan was knitted together with David like a brother. They had a special bond/relationship. God used the prostitute Rahab to hide Joshua and the spies.  Her life and the lives of her family members were saved because of her act of courage. Elijah had Elisha, who attached himself to the Prophet Elijah and received a double portion of his anointing. Be strategic about who you attach yourself to. Ruth vowed herself to her mother-in-law Naomi who was like a mother to her and received blessings and rewards. Naomi’s bitterness was turned into blessings.

 

I want to urge you to continue to love, continue to do what is right and just. God will reward you in so many different ways - peace, love, joy unspeakable, divine/perfect health, prosperity, strength, protection, supernatural insight/wisdom/blessed marriage, and so much more!  You can’t put a price tag on God’s blessings!  There is not enough money in the world that can buy them.  HE is indeed faithful, loyal, and trustworthy! There is none like Him, none beside Him, and none to compare to Him!

 

I want to encourage you to set your gaze on JESUS, the Author & Finisher of your faith.  Lover, Keeper, and Bishop over your soul.

 

Who is like you, glorious in his holiness, fearsome and glorious and doing wonders? ... Who is like to thee among the gods, O Lord? who is like to thee?  

Exodus 15:11

 

God will always assign a special person to help you walk through difficult times in your life and will show you the love of Christ.  I’ve seen it countless times.  When one person doesn’t do what they are supposed to do for you, He will raise up someone else.  As the old saying goes, one monkey don’t stop no show.  He will always rescue and take care of His own.

 

As believers in CHRIST, you will be hated, persecuted, ridiculed, and talked about, but remember JESUS said, they hated me first, so don’t be alarmed or surprised. It’s a part of this Christian walk. This walk is not for the faint of heart. JESUS has promised that those who endure until the end shall be saved.  Hallelujah!

 

Know this; He will give you double for your trouble. The blessings of the LORD will overtake and overshadow you!  He will give you recompense, restoration, and restitution for all you’ve been through. I am a living testimony!  I’m not telling you what I read or heard.  I’m telling you what I know to be the truth! All Glory to You LORD JESUS!  He will give you beauty for ashes, joy for mourning and the garment of praise for heaviness   (Isaiah 61:3). HE is a MAN of HIS WORD! HE cannot lie!

 

Let me say the blessings of the LORD are overtaking me like I can’t explain or properly articulate.  God has carried me, held me up with His mighty right hand and outreached arms. God’s PERMANENT BLESSINGS are upon me and my household. I give HIM ALL the GLORY!!

 

Who wouldn’t serve a GOD like this?

 

While the haters hate, I have seen the LORD JESUS prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies as He promised in His Word and as He showed me in a dream.   People think they are hurting you but are only hurting themselves.  GOD sees their filthy hearts and will judge them accordingly.  Many will fool men but can’t fool the GOD of Israel, the GOD of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Blessed be HIS GLORIOUS name forever and forever!  Unlike man, God looks at the heart and not the outer appearance. 

 

Because I am a giver, and I endeavor to do right and just according to the Word of God, the blessings of the LORD are chasing me down.  I can’t even tell it all.  He said when we give, He will give back to us good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.  He said He would cause men to give unto our bosoms.  Also, we are Sabbath and Feast-Keepers, which guarantee blessings and rewards on a whole different level.  Since celebrating God’s appointed Feasts, the spiritual insights have been beyond words.  Words cannot describe the personal intimacy and fellowship that has increased with the LORD. 

 

I love to help God’s people.  However, when it becomes one-sided and not reciprocated then we have a problem. There are some people who only wants to be on the receiving end. It doesn’t work that way.  We are supposed to help one another.  There are times when you have to draw a line in the sand and not allow people to take your kindness for weakness or take advantage of you.

 

GOD will always reward us when we do what is RIGHT (in His eyesight, not ours) and help His people.  However, if your heart is defiled and wicked, don’t expect certain blessings or answered prayers until you repent and get right with the LORD and those you have wronged. 

 

In my closing, people need to be cognizant of how they loosely throw around the words, “I love you.”  I implore you to research what the true biblical word love means.  Do you truly have the “Love of Christ”?  When I say these words, for me, it’s the God kind of love. Love is an action word, not just lip service.  Truthfully speaking, there is only a remnant who exudes this true authentic genuine love of CHRIST.  

 

I have watched how the elderly and less fortunate are mistreated, used and taken advantage of, and observed the social and economic injustices and inequalities in the world.  It’s really sad and displeasing to God, and He is taking notice.  Evil doing is a stench in the nostrils of a Holy God.  He will reward you according to your deeds whether evil or good.  

 

The Bible tells us that those who He loves, he does chastise.  As a mouthpiece of God, I implore you to repent and turn away from your wicked/evil ways while you have time and do what is right/just in His eyesight.

 

Jesus said I didn’t come to bring peace but a sword!  “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword [of division between belief and unbelief] 

Mathew 10:34.

 

 

Nobody But JESUS!

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:11

You may be asking, what do I mean by the title, Nobody but Jesus?  Well, I’m glad you asked.  With an unexpected loss of a loved one, a demonic attack against my body, having to serve as a caregiver, working on projects and looking at evil, wicked and ungodly people, and other things that I am not at liberty to speak on right now, let me tell you, it was a rough season. But I’m still standing because of nobody but Jesus! He has been my Rock, my Fortress, my Strong Tower. He has been my Wonderful Counselor, Comforter, Great Physician and my Therapist!  He is a Keeper!  He is the Bishop and Shepherd over my soul and a promise keeper indeed!  He is my Sustainer! He is my EVERYTHING! There are truly no words to describe HIM or MAGNIFY HIM!  There are no words that can really articulate what He means to me!

 

I thank GOD for the EFFECTIVE, SINCERE, HOT, FIERY PRAYERS of RIGHTEOUS MEN AND WOMEN THAT AVAILS MUCH 

(James 5)!  

 

It all started back in February. I went to my parents’ house to bring them some chicken from Boston Market. After warming up their food, I ate a small piece of the outside of the chicken.  It was kind of hard. Had I known what would have transpired from eating that small piece of hard chicken, Lord knows, I would have left that crap alone.  Lord have mercy! Trust me; it wasn’t even worth the forthcoming suffering. When I got home, it felt like it got stuck in my chest.  Let me tell you; it was the worse feeling ever.  My husband and I kept praying, and I kept drinking lots of water, trying to get it down, but it would not budge.  I thought I was going to have to go to the hospital or urgent care.  After continuing this for a few hours, it eventually went down.  Praise God! However, from there on, things got worse.  I couldn’t eat any solid food or swallow any pills for almost 40 days. This was the kicker, not being able to swallow any pills.  So, every time a doctor would give me medication in pill form, I couldn’t take it.  I had to call and ask them if I could get it in capsules or in a pill that I could open and pour on my food. It was getting tiresome. My body was super sensitive at the time.   I was stressed about taking any kind of pharmaceuticals or eating food, period. I would go into a panic attack because I had an allergic action to almost everything.  It was like a nightmare, but God held me up with His mighty right hand and outstretched arms!  What a mighty and awesome God we serve!!  Nobody but JESUS!!!

 

I went to various doctors, specialists, Urgent Care and went to the hospital twice. I lost 46 pounds.   I was losing weight really fast.  My mother told me that I was losing weight too fast like I could stop it.  This made me really nervous.  I didn’t want to look like a skeleton.  (I had prayed for God to help me lose weight, but not like this).  I will be more specific with my prayers from now on. 

 

We have to be mindful to speak life and not death.  For the Bible tells us that life and death are in the power of our tongue, and we will eat the fruit thereof.  Now, I never speak negativity over my life, but I did prior to this incident. I had to rebuke it and bind it quickly when I realized what I said.  Sometimes we can speak curses playfully and jokingly out of ignorance and wanting to be comical. However, I couldn’t help but wonder if what I said contributed to this physical attack. Thank God He knows that we are but flesh.

 

I contacted a lady who is a prayer warrior from a church I use to attend, and she prayed with me and suggested that I drink some holy water that a friend had given to her from a Pastor out of town.  She shared different testimonies of healing.  She even sent me a picture of her nephew, who the doctors had given up on. He had lost a lot of weight but was healed by the LORD and could eat a full meal a day after drinking the water. My faith was pumped up like it was on steroids. I couldn’t wait till the next day to get some solid food into my belly. I needed something that would stick to my stomach. I felt like I was starving. I was praying that I wouldn’t suffer malnutrition due to not getting enough nutrients through the little broth and small amount of my protein shakes that I could ingest. I collected the water from her and began to take sips throughout the day, saying, “in the name of JESUS,” with every sip.  I drank it for about two weeks, but still no healing.

 

I had no bowel movements for weeks.  Not to be gross, but my bowels were mainly mucus.  They are normal again. Praise God! 

 

In the meantime, I was still providing caregiving duties.  I was weak. I was tired. I was totally stressed out.  I was drained, but I stayed in God’s face!  I stood on my healing scriptures. I took communion when I could get it down. I stayed under my tallit (prayer shawl), and I reached out to prayer warriors for prayer. I would get on a 6 am prayer call almost daily, and whenever a word of healing was spoken, I would grab hold of it and stand on it with every fiber of my being.  It was hard work! There were days when I felt like I would pass out because my body was so weak, but God!

 

I called places to inquire about getting vitamin IVs to go in my arm because I lacked the necessary nutrients. My body began to reject almost everything for a while. I could only take sips of water at a time.  I didn’t want to become dehydrated.  It was a chore to keep the water down, stay focused and positive, and stay in the Word of God.  I ate the Word of God; I slept the Word; I diligently sought and stood on His Word. I meditated on God’s Word day and night and night and day!

 

I was managing until after about 21 days without solid foods. I would have given anything for pizza or a cheeseburger.  Oh, my goodness!  I was tired of watching others eat and enjoy their meals.  I would cry out like blind Bartemeus – Thou Son of David, have mercy on me (Mark 10:47)!

 

I watched my husband eat some of my favorite foods for a while before I couldn’t bear it anymore.  While I was eating chicken broth, he was eating pizza.   I had to repent, but there were many days when I wanted to slap my husband upside his head for eating and smacking in front of me and telling me how good the food was.  I spent my birthday at Urgent Care while giving all of my food gift cards to my husband and watching him devour the food like a savage. Finally, I started to get really irritable and cranky.

 

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of all their troubles! Psalm 34:17

 

I am an alternative medicine kind of girl, always seeking out natural herbs and remedies, but even that couldn’t help me this time.  I could always rely on my herbal supplements, but my body was rejecting almost everything for a time.  Oh my God!  I had to literally trust God to save me.  All I had to rely on was JESUS.  Nobody, but JESUS!

 

That old serpent and adversary was tormenting me with negative thoughts. I couldn’t sleep in my normal position. I had to sleep with my head elevated, or else I would feel so miserable, so I wasn’t sleeping as well as normal.  Throughout this ordeal, after eating anything, I had to stay up for at least 4 -6 hours before going to bed.  All of this was taking a toll on me.

 

I was experiencing anxiety attacks.  I had to take progesterone and magnesium spray with me everywhere to rub my skin to help calm me down.  It was downright frightening.  I had never had anxiety like this.  It was worse when I was riding in the car and before going to bed. It was out of control, like panic on steroids.  It took so much out of me.  I was having heart palpitations and had to see a cardiologist for a series of tests. I thank God they didn’t find any issues.  Hallelujah!

 

He sustained me through this very scary and difficult ordeal as only He alone could do.  There comes a time when “Nobody, but JESUS” can help you!  Mama, daddy, husband, children, or friend cannot help.  The doctors were limited to what they could do, and some simply didn’t care. Some of them were terrible.  With all due respect, every health care worker is not a hero. I’ll leave that alone as another blog for a different day. However, there are some god-sent doctors, and one of them I must give kudos to is my new doctor, Dr. Dang. Right off the bat, she was able to help me navigate my symptoms.   May God’s permanent blessings rest upon her and her family.  Also, my precious husband, Pastor and everybody who stood in the gap for me!  

 

The doctors wanted me to do invasive testing, but I didn’t feel comfortable with this. My husband kept telling me to hang in there and wait on the LORD.  He kept telling me to trust God and have faith that He was going to heal me.  This all sounded good for a while, but then I got tired of hearing that.  I told him God uses the doctors to do their part, and I would just have to do what I have to do. Finally, after almost a month without solid foods, I didn’t want to wait anymore.  I told the LORD that He needed to make haste to help me heal me and not delay. Around the 40th day, I could smash up certain soups with meat and eat it.  Hallelujah!!!  I was ELATED, HAPPY, and beyond ECSTATIC!   Who would have thought that I would be this excited to eat soup?  

 

Hebrews 6:12 - We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who, through faith and patience, inherit what has been promised.

 

 

My husband truly prayed, fasted, encouraged me, and weathered this storm with me when I wanted to give up.  I thank God for him. Lord, knows I do! I spent many days in tears, crying out to God to make haste to help and heal me!  

 

My meals now consisted of malto-meal, soup broths, certain protein shakes, and water.  There were days when I couldn’t get much food or water down.  I was diagnosed with thrush and dysphasia, which made my mouth extremely dry and difficult to swallow.  It was terrible.  I never experienced anything like this before. Nonetheless, I knew things could be worse.  I had to fight and pray against the spirit of fear.  It was major spiritual warfare!  We had to put on the whole of armor of God.  The adversary was trying to tell me that I will never be able to eat my favorite foods again or my favorite lattes.  JESUS, not my lattes, please, sir!  I was reading comments and posts online about people not being able to eat solid foods.  People were saying how they would give anything to eat a hamburger again.  My husband kept telling me - you are going to eat steak, hamburgers and anything you want again!  He kept speaking life and healing to my body and kept going into our prayer room!  I thank God for a godly husband who could go to God and intercede on my behalf.

 

As I moved throughout the days and nights, driving, cooking, cleaning, etc. I would declare, “In the NAME OF JESUS!” There is supernatural power in that name. There is HEALING, DELIVERANCE, MIRACLES, SIGNS, WONDERS, BREAKTHROUGH in that name. I didn't only declare this once or twice. I was consistent. Like Jacob, I refuse to let Him go until He blessed me (Genesis 32:26)!

 

I would put on my praise music and bask in it.  I got in the presence of the LORD JESUS!  I got off the phone and social media.  When you are looking for a healing, you have to put out the negative people, doubters, and naysayers like Jesus did with Jarius' daughter that was brought back from the dead (Mark 5:21).  It was no joke.  This was a very serious time for me.  I laid on my scriptures and audio healing scriptures day and night. You have to eat, sleep, read and diligently seek His Word until you get that breakthrough and answered prayers!

 

It’s amazing how people can take a doctor’s prescriptions as directed, sometimes three or four times a day, but when it comes to standing on God’s scriptures on healing, they will do it only once and expect instant results. Sometimes, God heals immediately, and sometimes we have to endure the sickness for a season and for some even for a lifetime.   

 

I called and went to numerous Holistic places for some relief but found none.  I prayed day and night consistently - LORD, bring me some relief! Please, LORD! I kept writing in my journal - LORD JESUS, bring RELIEF NOW! The relief finally came. Nobody but JESUS! Three weeks ago, I enjoyed eating meatloaf and pizza, but I couldn’t eat the hard crust.  I ate homemade smothered chicken, a Five Guys burger, and I made a homemade banana pudding that was good to my soul. I was able to eat my favorite foods once again and my favorite iced mocha/caramel latte. Recently, I ate a steak.  Oh, my goodness. God, you are so awesome.  I give you praise, honor, and glory!  

 

Like the one leper, I return to you LORD JESUS to say THANK YOU! THANK YOU!  THANK YOU! Also, a special thanks to Dr. Dang for her kindness, concern, patience, and correct diagnosis.   

 

You shall live and not die but declare the works of the living God 

(Psalm 118).

 

Like many, I didn’t have the best earthly physicians or the best health insurance, but I had the GREATEST Physician ever, Dr. JESUS.

 

Key things that helped me get through this:

Effective prayer - Call on prayer warriors and the elders (James 5)

Pick up your sword – The Word of God (Ephesians 6)

Standing on healing scriptures (Proverbs 3:8)

Put out negative folks (Mark 5) – Surround yourself with people who have faith and who believe in God’s miracle-working power!

Praying in the spirit – Building myself up in my most Holy faith, praying in the spirit (Jude 1:20).

Keep a repentant and clean heart – (Psalm 51).

Laughter is like medicine.  Make sure to do your best to get your daily dose (Proverbs 17:22).

 

I don’t know why the Lord permitted this to happen.  However, I know that the scriptures say, “All things work together for good to those who love the Lord.”  I do know what the devil meant for evil God will turn around for good.  Because of the weight loss, I pretty much had to go out and buy a new wardrobe.  I’m truly grateful for that.  

Prior to this ordeal, I had begun eating better and cooking my own food, and I will continue to eat healthier because my body is the temple of the living God.  

 

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:38).

Devine M.

GOD - "Where is My Honor"?

One dictionary defines the word "protocol" as "the official procedure of rules governing affairs of state or diplomatic occasions." In meeting any high-ranking dignitary, there is an unspoken etiquette that needs to be learned and adopted, or else there might be dire consequences. 

There is a CERTAIN PROTOCOL that we should adhere to when it comes to our King! There is a CERTAIN CONDUCT and PROCEDURE that He requires of us! Because HE is HOLY!!! 

Holy Holy Holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory!!! 

Isa 6:1-4 - In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two, they were flying. And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy the whole earth is full of his glory." At the sound of their voices, the doorposts and thresholds shook, and the temple was filled with smoke. 

The most common meaning of protocol is "a system of rules that explain the correct conduct and procedures to be followed in formal situations."  Since there are specific protocols for earthly kings, queens, leaders, and high-ranking dignitaries, there most certainly has to be one for the God of Israel, Abraham, Issac, and Jacob! Before the actual audience takes their place before God, you would be escorted into a room where a Palace official will explain the correct procedure and protocol for several minutes. He would probably say: I am here as a Kingdom Ambassador/official to explain the proper procedure and protocol when it comes to appearing before our King! For He is the King of ALL Kings! He's the Lord of ALL Lords!! He's the God of ALL Gods!! God told Moses - take off your shoes, for you are standing on holy ground! You have to be clean. Your heart must be pure. You have to be Holy. For without holiness, no man can see a Holy, Extraordinary, Terrifying yet Loving God who is abounding in steadfast love toward us. 

Psalms 51:7 - Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 

Revelation 21:27 - And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither [whatsoever] worketh abomination, or [maketh] a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. 

2 Corinthians 7:1 - Having, therefore, these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. God is righteous and abounding in compassion and love, patience, kindness, and longsuffering towards us!! 

HE IS TO BE HONORED!

Malachi 1:6 - "'A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?' says the LORD of hosts to you, So, how do we honor God? We honor Him by obeying His commands and following His Instructions. If you don't know his Word, you won't know his commandments. You must be a student and doer of His Word! The only way you will learn of His ways and characteristics is to READ and STUDY HIS WORD! We're to give him our best in ALL that we do!! The Bible tells us that you honor with your lips only, but your hearts are far from me! We cannot treat God in any way that we please. We cannot just talk to Him in any old way. He is to be honored, feared, respected, and reverenced! 

1 Samuel 2:30 - I am the LORD, the God of Israel. I promised to always let your family serve me as priests, but now I tell you that I cannot do this any longer! I honor anyone who honors me, but I put a curse on anyone who hates me.

Hebrews 12:28-29 - Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,  for our God is a consuming fire. There is a certain protocol that we need to follow when it comes to our KING! PROTOCOL TOWARD THE KING!! 

HE IS TO BE FEARED! 

Proverbs 9:10 - The fear of God is the beginning of Wisdom! Proverbs 31:30- Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. This type of fear refers to reverence for Him. When you fear God, you stand in awe of Him and respect Him. When you have that reverential fear for Him, you do ALL within your powers to walk in His ways, serve Him, and love Him with every fiber of your being. You do whatever is humanly possible to please Him. We live a life free of sin when we truly fear and love Him because sin becomes less appealing as we seek to honor the one true and living God. 

HE DESERVES THANKSGIVING

Psalms 100 - Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and enter His courts with praise! Be grateful until Him and bless His Holy Name! We make a joyful noise to Him through songs of praise and worship. Psalm 95:1-3 says: Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the LORD is a great God and a great King above all gods. 

HE IS TO BE GLORIFIED! 

We glorify God when we demonstrate through words or actions, His glorious character or deeds. Modeling the character of Jesus is a good way to glorify God because we are showcasing His attributes. We also praise God when we repent of our sins and embrace and practice true religion. When we glorify God, we bring Him honor. 

HE IS TO BE REVERENCED AND PRAISED 

What does it mean to revere GOD? It means to delight in Him, glorify, regard, or treat with deep respect, high regard, and high esteem! 

Psalm 22:22-23 - I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly, I will praise you. You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! Jesus said if we keep quiet, the stones will cry out! 

Luke 19 37-40 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." We Serve our King In service to God, our King, we must do whatever He tells us to do! 

WE OBEY OUR KING 

True obedience is required of all who claim to love God. John 14:21 - Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them." 

In John 2: 1-5, On the third day, there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine." Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it." 

WE LOVE OUR KING  

Deuteronomy 10:12, 20-21 records, "And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes." Mark 12: 29 - Jesus replied, "This is the most important: 'Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is One Lord, 30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Thou shalt have no other God before HIM! Love him with your whole heart! 

Psalm 148 calls all creation in heaven and earth to worship Yahweh. God is Lord over all, and as such, even the heavens declare the glory of God. The angelic beings, the sun, moon, and stars are all called to honor this Holy God because he is our worthy Creator. Next, the earthly things are called upon to praise God, every mountain and hill, fruitful trees and cedars, beasts, birds, kings and common people, men, women, and children. God is worthy of our praise, and his name alone shall be exalted. 

You cannot play with a Holy God because you will be judged for it!  It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31). 

In the Old Testament, God taught the Israelites how to show proper reverence by giving them hundreds of laws related to holiness and worship. His presence dwelt in Ark of the Covenant, and the Israelites could not touch it. Otherwise, they would be struck dead if they dishonored the holiness of God. Similarly, the Holy of Holies inside the tabernacle also required the highest level of reverence. Those who disobeyed God's command about entering this holy place died instantly. (Leviticus 22:9, Numbers 4:20) The purpose of this experience was to show the Israelites and us today that God deserves reverence and He must not be trifled with. 

WHO IS THIS GOD? 

He is the self-existent one! He is omnipotent, omniscient, and omipresent! He is Sovereign! He is Creator and Sustainer of all things in heaven and in the earth. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End! God is unchanging, and He is faithful. God is love! He is Elohim, El Shaddai, and Yahweh! He is the Shepherd, the Husbandman, and a Refuge! God is all-sufficient, and He is God all by Himself! And so much more. We cannot help but worship, honor, and reverence the one true God of the universe and Possessor over heaven, earth and beneath the earth!

Rev 7: 11-12 - All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:

“Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!”