It seems that there is no respect for God today in our society. It appears that we are told to respect so many other rights, but not the right to serve God. As a matter of fact, we can hardly impose our right to serve in most places other than our Churches. It seems that other rights are seemingly more important than the believers. This is causing a devastating effect today. It is obvious that at some point society has proclaimed that either God should be obsolete in our world or that God is irrelevant in all our world and that we should keep our belief within the proper confines. Although I agree that serving God is an individual choice (free will), I do not believe that there should be a mandate on what we as believers can and cannot do when it comes down to corporate decision making as a people. As believers we should be able to stand firmly and speak about our God, we should be able to raise our children to believe and trust in God, to pray openly and collectively in any and every structure, institution or at any event. However, this is not the case in the world we are living in today. It is sad to think if there is news about spirituality, godliness, goodness etc. that it has to be printed in a certain section of the newspaper or in certain magazines or certain television stations. When anything and almost everything negative has front page headlines and are the top stories on most of the news channels on television. It is reported over and over and over again. It is as if something is going forth so people are so accustomed to negativity that hearts are desensitized. Can it be assume that more people want to hear negative news rather than positive news and negative is more exciting than positive? Is our society more entertained with the negative? Is this because we do not fear God? Should we fear God? My attempt to answer this aged old question in these perilous times has much to do with the fact that when I look around I see little respect for God in our society and I believe that this contributes to a lot of what is going on. It is the lack of fear that has made our world what it is today. A world with people who do not understand God and do what they desire to do without any fear of consequences. We no longer believe that God disciplines and judges His people. We have become complacent, and feel that we have no need to fear. That God is good and will not allow a people that He loves to fear Him. It sounds strange to this generation of believers because they only view God as a friend. However, we must get back to the right fear of God as a people or we will continue to be misled. The fear of God is liken to an employee who is not “afraid” of his supervisor but through a “respect” of his position adheres to the established guidelines set in his job position knowing that if he does not work up to the expectations set before him that the supervisor has the potential and right to withhold a promotion, deny salary increases or to fire him/her. He works diligently to do what is expected of him in the position with an awareness of the consequences if he does not. He has the right fear of the authority over him and it gives him the proper respect for his superiors. Another example are children who fear their parent. It is a fear that comes from respect for the position that their parents hold. God’s children understand this concept and understand that God is never spiteful , unfair or vengeful in His dealing with us. God is love, but He does not like sin and allows us to correct any sin in our lives and restore a right relationship with Him when we fall short. If there were more people fearing a Holy, Loving God, there would be a whole lot less turmoil in this world. We should be so in tuned with God that we fear hurting God by being disobedient. Our love of God should make us afraid to hurt Him. It’s like your spouse or your children. We do not intentionally hurt our children or our spouse. We are careful in how we treat our spouse, children, family members and friends. Because we know if we treat them without love and respect then they will turn away from us. We should show the same love and respect to our Heavenly Father. Our relationship with God is a parent/child hierarchy and we all know that if we do not chastise our children into obedience they will remain in disobedient. We should not fear that God will let us down, or that He is not faithful, or just, or forgiving. We need not fear that God will fail us or give up on us, but rather that He is indeed faithful to finish what He has started. The “Fear of the Lord” refers to the awe and reverence we should have for God because we recognize that He is God and we are His creation, wholly dependent upon him. Fear should not be confused with fright; fear is the respect that we show God through humble submission. We must not only be aware of His loving kindness and tender mercies, but aware that He also is our judge.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Knowledge (Proverbs 1:7).

Blessings Always,
Rhonda

Featured in Goldsboro News Argus
Home Town Newspaper Article
4 Oct 09

WCLC New Life 105.1 in Jamestown, TN
October 23 – 11:30 EST

Marriott-Williamsburg, VA
18-19 Oct 09
Harvest Women’s Retreat

Harvest Christian Books & Music
24 Oct 09- Ballston Commons Mall
Arlington, VA
Please stop by!

[Show as slideshow]

WATC TV 57, ATLANTA LIVE
Taping in Norcross, GA
More Info To Follow….

Book Signing: Harvest Christian Books & Music
17 Oct 09- Manassas Mall, Manassas, VA
Please stop by!

When I woke up that morning to my alarm clock set at 4:00 am I proceeded to go about my morning routine. I went in my prayer closet, closed the door and sat down in the darkness. There was complete silence. Good, nobody stirring outside, no one awake in the house, peace. I began to pray. My prayer that morning was different. I always have awesome alone time with God in the early mornings, I talk, I thank Him, I praise and I listen. I had held on to my confirmation scriptures and after 6 months still recited them every morning (read the book). I began my prayer directly talking to God in my own special prayer language. What was on my heart was heavy, deep and intense. I prayed with fervor. So much so that afterward I could only think, “What was that all about?” Not understanding or not being able to think about much else, I decided to fast. I showered, got dressed and ran out to catch the bus. The commute to the Pentagon was 45 minutes. As I rode the bus I could not get my early morning prayer out of my mind. Arriving at the Pentagon I took the escalator to the 3rd floor to my office. As I road the escalator I got a good whiff of someone’s coffee but my spirit quickened and I thought, no coffee, eggs or toast for me today, I am fasting. As the events we all know all too well transpired on that day I began to understand what my prayer was all about. I realized that my prayer was a prayer of intercession. Intercession is pleading on behalf of another person or persons and serving as an advocate by the righteousness of God. There will always be something inside me that wonders if I could have done more, prayed longer, been more attentive to God’s words or if our government could have done more, been more prepared or operated in a manner as to prevent such a tragedy. The answers none of us will ever know. It happened and God allowed it. It is like when God allowed Peter to be sifted (Luke 22:31-32). God has a reason and as in Peter’s case God told Peter that it was to give him strength so that he could strengthen his brothers. God allowed the events of 9/11 to happen and He makes no mistakes. We know that God’s ways are not our ways. God’s ways are set up for purpose. Purpose takes strength, courage and ultimately Faith. Faith and assurance that He knows what the expected end is. Our Faith should be so strong that we know that even in a tragedy He will use it to strengthen His children and to build even stronger faith. In such a tragedy as 9/11 there are so many awesome testimonies, awesome survival stories and so many that gave there time and resources and so many who demonstrated their love for humanity and for our country. For those who lost loved ones I know you do not and never will understand why it was your loved ones that were chosen. But believe me one day we will all either know why or be to busy rejoicing with them to even care. 9/11 was and is about strength, courage, heroes, and honor and about those that lost their lives. They will never be forgotten; they are heroes and will go down in History as such. We stand tall and proud of our heroes and we honor them today and everyday. We also honor God because He is in control of all things. He does not make mistakes. He is not a human with an agenda that He hopes will work out or someone who is waiting for his ship to come in ect. He is the Lord of Lord and King of Kings and all His agendas and ships lead to prosperity and an expected end. He knows the beginning and the ending and nothing in between can stop His will from being done. We have a part to play so let us close our mouths and open up our ears and listen to what God has to say about the part we play. If we do not listen God will speak in a loud, strong, thunderous voice that we will hear. America let us pray and turn to God and hear His small, still voice that is full of loving kindness and tender mercies, less we allow His thunder to roar.

To all of those who lost loved ones on Sept 11 and to all my co-workers who lost their lives at the Pentagon; “We will all meet again some sweet day!”

Blessings,
Rhonda

Featured as a guest author on Calling All Authors.
Internet Radio broadcast – 29 Sep 09 at 3:00pm ET and 4:00pm ET
Details will be forthcoming on how “You” can listen!!

EC will be available at Harvest Christian Books & Music Stores starting 15 Aug 09:
Three locations:

14401 Telegraph Road
Woodbridge, VA
(703) 490-4040

Ballston Common Mall
4238 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, VA
(703) 248-0499

Manassas Mall
8300 Sudley Road
Manassas, VA
(703) 257-5939