The Mystery of God

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” -1 Corinthians 3:19-20

Belief in God does not mean I think I know it all.  Belief in God is admitting I don’t know it all and accepting that there is more than what we can physically see.  Life is temporary.  Our reality is temporary.  We will all wither away and pass from this reality in the blink of an eye.  So is our existence all pure luck and chance?  Simply because there are seemingly endless galaxies, we happened to end up here on this planet that has all the perfect details worked out for life to exist?  Wow, we are pretty lucky—if there’s any such thing as luck.  But scientists don’t believe in luck, they believe in cause and effect.  So what is our cause? 

Is death the end?  Death is all we have to look forward to?  As we all had a beginning we have an end too? If that’s the case then what would be the point of any of it?  There wouldn’t be a point. If we simply exist with no cause then why is there so much beauty?  Why is there love?  Why is there connection?  Why are there morals?  Why are there contrasts like good and evil, night and day, light and darkness?  Why do we exist if we simply die and become nothing again?  If we end as nothing wouldn’t that counter act our existence at all, making our own reality questionable?  This brings up the questions like “are we even here?”  Well the answer is yes, we are here.  

In my search for truth I surrendered my life to a creator, a higher being that we call God.  Through this process and seeking to know this being I have had many deep spiritual experiences.  Experiences that let me know I am not alone.  These experiences are my proof, they are all I need for peace.  I know I am watched over and even more importantly I know I am loved.  It was not the unanswered questions that led me to God but the power of His Spirit that drew me in.  It wasn’t that through a debate I came to the conclusion that there must be a God, but it was through the supernatural power of things I’ve experienced and seen that I’ve come to have faith.  

“Your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” -1 Corinthians 2:5 

The connection I have encountered with God cannot be explained.  It’s something you have to experience yourself.  The signs of God are all around us.  Look up at the beauty in the sky or look at the miracle of a new born life.  Know that He is right there just waiting for you to turn to Him.  He is right in front of all of us knocking at the door to our hearts.  

Jesus said “behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in to him.” –Rev 3:20 

With all the beauty and love in the world I have mentioned there is obviously a dark side to it.  Very clearly in our world there is evil, hate, greed, lust, malice, deceit, envy and all kinds of darkness.  Many humans are clearly corrupt.  There is good and evil—this does not need to be argued—and we all have both in us.  The Bible calls this dark side in us sin.  Our sinful nature draws us to be selfish though we know it is wrong.  Our sinful nature builds our pride and tells us that we are the most important thing in the universe, though again we know this to be wrong.  Our sinful nature tells us we should go after the lusts of the flesh and pursue our own greed and desire for money.  Our sinful nature tells us to do a lot of things, but the point is there’s something else in us that tells us this behavior is wrong.  This is our God given gift of a conscience that I believe is meant to guide us to God.  Through our conscience we sense that there is darkness in us.  Only light can bring out this darkness.  This is why we need a savior.  We need help to change from our sinful ways and turn to light.  This help can be found through Christ.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  -John 3:16 

Christ bore the sin of the world on the cross so that we might be saved.  He took on the darkness of the world and overcame it!  On the cross He said “it is finished.”  This was God’s plan all along and through His love He wants to know you, help you and walk with you through life, bringing you a peace that is beyond understanding. 

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” –2 Corinthians 5:21 

If you feel lost in life, there is hope.  If you feel like you are in bondage, there is freedom.  If you feel you are unloved, you are wrong.  Give God a chance for He loves you more than you could ever understand.  

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.

-Psalm 139:13-14 

I pray that you would have an encounter with our Creator and His love for you.  I pray that you would soften your heart to hear the Lord’s call and turn your life to the light of the world—Jesus Christ! 

We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 

But as it is written:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 
-1 Corinthians 2:7-9

Hear Him!

His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” -John 2:5

And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, Hear Him!” -Luke 9:35

“Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness,
You who seek the Lord:
Look to the rock from which you were hewn,
And to the hole of the pit from which you were dug.” -Isaiah 51:1

What is Jesus asking you to do today? Listen to Him!

Lord I pray that we would have open ears to hear you and a heart to obey.  May your Spirit not be hindered in us but overflowing with living waters! In Jesus name!

Hold Fast To The Truth

He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day.
-Psalm 91:4-5

The enemy loves to fling his arrows at us.  Just when we think everything is going good the serpent creeps up and starts questioning God’s word, whispering lies in our ear.  It’s his only trick and he’s been doing this since the beginning of man.  The Bible only accounts of man without sin for about 2 chapters and then we have the first question of the Bible—the serpent asking Eve, “Has God said?”  He constantly questions the word of God because this is all he can do.  He is a liar and a deceiver of many but know if we have the truth of God’s word as our armor he cannot harm us.  His arrows may sting when they hit, they may even bruise and weaken us, but with the armor of God they will not penetrate.  With the armor of God we will be able to defend ourselves.  With the armor of God and Christ as the head to our army we will be victorious!

The Lord gives voice before His army,
For His camp is very great;
For strong is the One who executes His Word.
-Joel 2:11

So hold fast to the truth! Hold fast to the hope that has been placed in you in Christ Jesus! Hold fast to the man you are becoming by the grace and guidance of the Holy Spirit.  For we have heard the voice of the Lord so do not let the enemy rob you.   For “having believed you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Eph 1:13-14) So “put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Eph 6:11)

 Jesus said:
“Behold, I am coming quickly!
Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.”
-Revelation3:11

Be Transformed!

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” –Romans 12:2

There are two parts to man—the spirit and the natural.  The natural part of man is what the Bible often refers to as our “flesh.” I realize my flesh will never be satisfied.  Man was created to walk in the Spirit but our flesh calls us to darkness and wishes for us to remain there.  Lust by nature and definition cannot be satisfied.  Our carnal lusts will continually want more.  It is only through Christ that we can walk in the Spirit and seek the will of God in our lives. 

The Chuck Smith commentary on this verse states: “Many people seek to relate man to animals, because they want to live like them. Animals don’t possess a spirit and live solely on a body-conscious level.  So, the man who wants to feel free of any responsibility to God disclaims his spiritual capacities and proclaims himself a highly evolved animal. He’s constantly searching for the missing link between himself and the ape.  Natural man does have a missing link, but it’s not between man and the animal kingdom, but between man and God.  Man, once created in the image of God, has fallen from the spirit-controlled being he once was to the flesh-controlled creature he has become.”

Once we have tasted the goodness of the Lord our spirit is never content unless we are walking in the will of God.  If we are Christians but led by our flesh, then we are not walking in the will of God and this will only bring confusion, bondage, strain, depression and discontent.  That is not the joy the Bible talks about.  Jesus offers a way out and a way to freedom—it’s called being a disciple.  The way to freedom is to simply follow Jesus, so what do we have to do to be a disciple of Jesus?

Jesus said: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Be strong today and be encouraged because Christ is with you!  When your flesh calls you to darkness rely on the power of Christ and His word to lead you from temptation.  

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” -1 Corinthians 10:13 

 Glory to God and Christ our Savior!

Do You See Him?

Do you see Him?
The stars declaring an endless glory
The rays of light streaming through the clouds from the sun
A rainbow after a storm
A full moon at night before morning is born

 Do you hear Him?
The wind rustling by
Birds chirping singing a song of praise
The stillness in the night
The crumple of a tree branch and leaves falling in flight 

Do you feel Him?
A presence overwhelming
A feeling of belonging and knowing you are home
A touch to your heart that no one else can reach
A restoration of connection to an undeserved grace 

Do you know Him?
For He knows you
The soft voice from within saying,
“I love you, I hear you and I’ll never let go”

Get Out of the Cell!

For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.  Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.  (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8)

For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. (Romans 8:13)

Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)

Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:34-36)

Christ has opened the jail cell door so go out and be free.  Why stay in the cell? There is no room for darkness in our lives when Christ dwells in us, and we in Christ.  It is no longer just “you.”  It is a “we” now as Christ is with you.  If you try to sanctify yourself you will fail.  It’s time to rely on the power of Christ in you to remove that sin that has been keeping you in the cell.  You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you and it is only this way that victory will be found.  All glory must go to God.  

 If indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:21-24)

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2)

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. (Romans 8:5)

It’s time to walk in the Spirit.  It’s time to leave the jail cell.  It’s time to bring darkness to light. It is time for a new season in Christ!  All glory to God forever!

-I Want To Believe In God [dot com]

The Endless Cycle of Hopelessness

“Men are in a restless pursuit after satisfaction in earthly things. They will exhaust themselves in the deceitful delights of sin, and, finding them all to be vanity and emptiness, they will become very perplexed and disappointed. But they will continue their fruitless search. Though wearied, they still stagger forward under the influence of spiritual madness, and though there is no result to be reached except that of everlasting disappointment, yet they press forward. They have no forethought for their eternal state; the present hour absorbs them. They turn to another and another of earth’s broken cisterns, hoping to find water where not a drop was ever discovered yet.” –Charles Spurgeon

This is an amazing quote that describes the lusts and desires of men all over the world.  Men constantly spend their whole lives working for money, pleasures and possessions but never find fulfillment.  They keep searching and searching trying to satisfy their flesh with temporary pleasures that soon go away and leave them looking for the next fix.  It is a ball and chain that bonds men to self-gratifying desires and leaves them thirsty like drinking salt water.  Life really is vanity without God, an endless cycle of hopelessness. 

“Come, all you who are thirsty,
   come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
   come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
   without money and without cost.
 Why spend money on what is not bread,
   and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
   and you will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me;
   listen, that you may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
   my faithful love promised to David.”

-Isaiah 55:1-3 

Jesus said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me as the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 

The world will let you down. The world will not fulfill the desires of our hearts. CS Lewis said, “If I discover within myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”  Our hearts long for a connection with God.  Until you make this connection fulfillment will not be found.  I spent years of my life chasing dreams, success, lusts, pleasures and money.  It gets you nowhere.  There is rest found in Christ.  Praise the Lord for I saw the light! 

“Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.” –Isaiah 55:6 

“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” –Psalm 37:4 

-I Want To Believe In God [dot com]

There Is No Room for Darkness

There are many forms of darkness in this world. Darkness exists to shadow the light, but where there is light darkness yields, and is always overcome. It is only when we let the darkness come in that the light begins to be shadowed. It is when we let the light burn out that darkness sees its chance and pounces. We must keep the lamp fueled, for as long as we have light darkness cannot rule.

“But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.” (1 Corinthians 6:17)

There is no room for darkness in our lives. Christ lives in us and if He is in us how can we allow darkness? Separate yourself from the bondage of the world. We are in Christ! The power of the living God is within us! We must be diligently keeping watch and by the power of Christ Jesus we will overcome!

-I Want To Believe In God