What if God isn't Real?

"What if God isn't real?" Throughout my life I have struggled with this question.  Even at the age of 8, I remember waking up in the night crying, fearing that we might be mistaken.

In college, I went through an extensive period of research: I studied other religions, interviewed people of different faiths, and read many books, attempting to view the world objectively. I ended my time of exploration armed with many reasons to believe.

Even so, I still go back to my doubts at times. It is a battle I can never win  – I know I can never have complete proof. I must still choose God with my heart. That’s why we are called to faith – being certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 6:1)!

But I am constantly looking for things to teach me. This year, I read about emperor penguins. They are incredible animals, living every day in temperatures of about 60 degrees below zero. The mothers lay their eggs, then transfer them to the fathers, where they are kept warm sitting on the father’s feet.

The mothers travel up to 50 miles across frozen land to fish, having been totally without food for weeks. The fathers huddle together in masses for about 65 days, eating nothing the entire time. They shift positions by making the tiniest possible movements, taking care not to drop their eggs, rotating around the group so they each get a turn in the middle where it’s warmest.

The mothers return after the eggs have hatched, carrying a fish for their babies’ first meal. The chicks stay with their parents until their down sheds into a sleek coat, perfect for diving and protecting their fat stores. The penguins have timed the hatching perfectly with the season. The ice begins to break up, bringing open waters closer to the nesting site, so the babies don’t have far to travel for their first swim.

Isn’t it amazing what they go through, just by instinct?  I wondered, “Why did God make penguins? No one lives at the South Pole to see them.”  I thought about all the unknown sea creatures we have never explored, the innumerable stars in the sky we will never reach. Why are they there? I went to the Word to look.

"God saw all that he had made, and it was very good."
–Genesis 1:31

"The heavens declare the glory of God… Day after day they pour forth speech; …Their voice goes out into all the earth, … to the ends of the world."
-Psalm 19:1-4

God created these things because He is good, just like the creation He made. And they proclaim Him. He made them so we would know He is real! A friend asked me once, “Why doesn’t God make Himself more obvious?” I answered her, “He has! He probably wonders how we can not see Him all around us.”

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities… have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."
--Romans 1:20

There are so many wonders in the universe: the size of the planets, the way wasps make their nests, how small an embryo is when its heart begins to beat. And to think that this world is the imperfect version of creation!

I have always identified with the man who said, “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). It is a prayer I know I will always pray, but I continue to choose Christ. I hope that you look at the world around you with a fresh set of eyes today, knowing all of it was made so you would know that God is.

Bicky Tolar
Abilene, Texas

What Would Jesus Say?

For Christmas last year my brother in law gave me a book called The Greatest Words Ever Spoken.  In it, the words of Jesus are presented under about 200 topics. These have been divided into 9 categories by the author, Steven K. Scott, but only the book’s Introduction and 2 to 4 pages at the beginning of each of the 9 chapters are written by Scott. The rest of the words in the 489 page book are Jesus’ words; everything He said in the New International Version of the New Testament, without commentary or explanation.

I remember several years ago there was a movement among Christian youth groups, wearing bracelets bearing the initials WWJD - “What would Jesus do?”  I thought it was kind of a neat campaign, and commendable that those young people were not ashamed for all of their peers to know that they wanted to be like Christ. Wearing a bracelet to remind yourself of the teachings of Christ is not that different from what God commanded the Israelites to do in Numbers 15, “Throughout the generations you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at so you will remember all the commands of the Lord.”
Although I don’t see how anyone could object to people trying to base their actions on Jesus’ teachings, or to wearing a bracelet as a reminder, I remember seeing an article somewhere that said if you really want to do what Jesus would do, you should take off your WWJD bracelet and repent of falling prey to such a foolish marketing fad. . . .

While I was looking online for that article so that I could credit the author for his censure of WWJD bracelets, I came across a TRULY offensive item for sale!

For $17 plus $8 shipping you can find the answers you seek.

“This 11 inch pink velvet statue of Jesus offers 20 different answers to help you choose the right path. Ask a question  - the answer you seek magically appears. Your personal Jesus will respond with wisdom such as ‘Have faith’, ‘Yes my child’, or ‘Sinner’.”

And, by the way, there is an “Answer Buddha” as well. He is only 6.5 inches tall, but of course he’s fat. A couple of his 20 answers are “Meditate on it” and “Bend with the wind.”

. . . . However, this article is not about marketing fads or offensive items for sale on the internet. (When our blog leader, Randy D. doesn’t give us a specific topic or scripture to write about, I’m apt to wander off of a bit. . . .)

In his introduction to the book, The Greatest Words Ever Spoken, the author suggests that when a choice has to be made, WWJD? might not be the most important question. The question Christians should ask before choosing a course of action is WDJS - “What did Jesus say?”  In many cases we simply can’t know for sure what Jesus would do, so we are left to figure it out for ourselves. And figuring it out may take more wisdom and spiritual maturity than we might have in certain situations and at certain times.

We DO, on the other hand, have access to the words and teachings of Jesus to guide us in our decisions. His stories and teachings equip us with everything we need for guidance in every situation. If we will just stay in His Word.

And Jesus gave us incredible promises if we would use his words to guide our beliefs, decisions, and actions:
   “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32.

   And in Matthew 7:24-27,  “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

That’s what our choices and our hopes must be based on: The rock-solid foundation of the words of Christ.

Thank you, Father for Your Word of Truth. And for sending your beloved Son to put those truths into words and stories I can understand. Help me to order my priorities so that I will spend more time and give more of myself to studying Your Word. I pray through Jesus that I may gain a deeper understanding of the application of your Word for my life.

Lynn Anne Hughes

Stephenville, Texas

Why the Sabbath?

Jesus chose to heal, act, and challenge conventional religion.

As Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with Jesus and his followers.  When the Pharisees saw this, they asked Jesus’ followers, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Jesus left there and went into their synagogue, where there was a man with a crippled hand.  They were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they asked him, “Is it right to heal on the Sabbath day?” (Matthew 12: 9-10) 

Jesus encountered a group of people who only cared about being “right” and following the law.  They condemned Jesus because he wasn’t following their rules.  Their focus was to discredit Jesus, defend their religion, and hold on to their beliefs.  Amazing is their blindness and ridiculous criticisms as before their eyes Jesus miraculously helped and healed hurting people.  The Jewish religious leaders only saw rules being broken rather than lives being saved. 

Jesus approach was opposite of what everyone expected from the coming King.  He chose to be with tax collectors, prostitutes, lepers, homeless street people, beggars, and social outcasts; those that the law said not to associate with.  He healed, fed, touched, and taught these people and was not concerned with religion, but with loving people.  When asked, Jesus summed it up this way: “Listen, people of Israel!  The Lord our God is the only Lord.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.  The second command is this:  Love your neighbor as you love yourself.  There are no commands more important than these.”  (Mark 12:29-31)

Focusing on rules and law will keep you away from a close relationship with God.  Worrying over matters of opinion not salvation shift our heart away from loving others.   Living as a rule follower is a futile, frustrating, unsustainable path.   Aren’t you tired of trying to follow rules, of guilt, of the emphasis on matters other than loving God and loving your neighbor?    Aren’t you tired of the debate, the criticism, and the attempts to discredit others for their acts of faith?   Wouldn’t you like to have a passion for something real?   When confronting the Jewish religious leaders with their blindness Jesus said “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice”  (Matthew 9:13).   At the heart of our Christianity as God intended it to be is Christ himself calling us to mercy and love, not laws or rules. 

Scotty Elston

Shallowater, Texas

God's GPS for the Abundant Life

The GPS on our dash directs where and when to turn, I giggle as my husband, the “driver” doesn’t heed these directions.  Why do we have this “device” in our vehicle if we aren’t going to
follow its voice?  My husband assures me, it’s okay, he knows a better way to get to our destination.
I giggle again, as the GPS, “recalibrates” throughout our trip.

The magnitude of our decision to follow God’s GPS is NO laughing matter.  Eternity hangs in the balance. We have God’s remarkable provision for our eternal sanctuary. How can we think we know a better way.  There is no way but His way-Jesus, His Son, the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6).  Thankfully, He is patient with us as “drivers” trying to pilgrimage toward our heavenly home (2 Peter 2:9).

His Word:

• teaches
• warns
• inspires
• cautions
• counsels
• and encourages

us through the terrain of this life.  Trust in Him and His wisdom brings hope and peace, for we cannot see around the corners and over the hills.  We believe His promises are true and He is faithful, so we choose to follow His truth.

    David-“You shall not commit adultery.” “You shall not murder.”
    Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego-“You shall make no idols, do not bow down before them.”
    Peter-“Do not bear false witness.” “Feed My sheep.”

    Paul-“Love the Lord with all your heart, strength, mind and soul.  Love your neighbor as yourself.”

   
    Simple instructions to understand but often times difficult to obey.

    Blessings follow obedience, consequences follow disobedience. 

    Our lives are directed by the “GPS” we trust.

    Will it be His way or my way?

Why do I sometimes choose “my way” over His divine instructions and wisdom for abundant living?  He is faithful to forgive my sinful choices and stubborn ways-when I repent.  His Word lights the path for my feet. He is my strong tower and refuge.  May I heed the quiet, gentle voice of His Spirit directing my steps, my words, and my thoughts by way of His Living Word and Holy Spirit.

I’m reminded this week in His Word (1 Chronicles 13:1-14), David became angry with God when Uzzah instantly died for touching the Ark of the Covenant, as he reached out to stabilize it when the ox stumbled. David and the Israelites were not following God’s command regarding the ark.  Although it was a new cart, their wisdom was not God’s wisdom.  It was to be carried with poles on the shoulders of the Levites only.  If they had been obedient to God’s way, Uzzah would have not have died from his disobedient act.  How can we be angry at God for the consequences of our own disobedience?

Holy Father, Wise Counselor,
Your way is always right-even when it is difficult, help us to walk the narrow road that leads to that heavenly home.  May we be faithful to encourage everyone You have placed beside us, to remain faithful to You and Your Word, when the world entices us to the broad path, the easy way-leading to destruction.  Thank You, Father, for the Scriptures-Your eternal Word that shines a light for us, directs us to You, Your Son, Your forgiveness and blessed hope.  Thank You, LORD, for those You have put in place to proclaim and teach Your Word.

May we have ears to hear, and hearts to follow.
Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.
In His holy name we seek and ask these things, amen.

Mischelle Oliver

Stephenville, Texas

Simplify

I was recently helping to pack my parents house to facilitate their move to Stephenville. They had lived in their house for over 25 years and have been married 59 years. There was quite a collection of “stuff” in that house; some had not been looked at since it arrived from their previous home. We promised Mom we would make sure all of her “stuff” was safely moved. We have all of those belongings packed and moved into storage.  There is no room in the new apartment for everything, so we have simplified. It is much easier for my parents to care for the smaller apartment in its simplified mode.  After that packing/moving experience, I went to my home and cleaned out a closet. It is a start.  Jesus gives us a masterful guide to a simplified, fulfilled, joyful life.

Matthew 6:28-34 

²⁸And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, ²⁹yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³²For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. ³³But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  ³⁴ "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. 

I like simple.

Dear God, Help me to seek God and value family and people more than “things”.  Thank you for your guide to the simplified life.

Sherilyn Svien

Stephenville, TX