August 2013 Archives
Do They Know God Cares?
We are at a camp in California about 20 miles from a fire which has already burned over 50,000 acres. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be in the path of that fire. Even where we are, the air is thick with smoke, and ash is falling from the sky. My heart is heavy as I think of those who are having to evacuate with the understanding that they may not have a home to go back to. This happens somewhere in the west every year but there is something about being this close that makes it much more real to me.
As reality sinks in, I wonder how many of those people know God. It’s easy for Christians to hang out with other Christians and be grateful for their salvation but do you ever stop to think about those who are lost without God? As I look around at the people I go by when I’m out and about, I wonder if they even care about the condition of their soul but the sad part is that one day they will.
I hate to admit it but I am very hesitant to share my faith. Not that I hide it but it would take a lot for me to walk up to someone that I don’t know and ask if they know Jesus. Apart from the Spirit’s leading, I’m not even sure that is the way to go but the Spirit knows who has ears to hear, and I hope I don’t get so self-absorbed and comfortable in my salvation that I fail to hear His voice directing me to talk to someone. I pray I never fail to smile and give a kind word that might speak to someone who needs to know that God cares about them. People die every day. Tomorrow, it could be your best friend or neighbor. It could be a family member that you are at odds with. Pray for the people you know who don’t know Him and ask for His wisdom to know how to best shine His Light so that they too may be assured of a Home in Heaven full of absolute peace and joy. Don’t stop interceding until God answers your prayer. I believe if we are faithful to fervently intercede on behalf of our unsaved loved ones, those prayers will avail much.
Yes, There is a God
We just drove from Michigan to California in the last week. I feel so blessed to be able to enjoy God’s marvelous masterpiece which we call Earth. As we rode through Colorado, Utah and Nevada, I listened to my brother explain the various theories for how these mountains came to be. My main thought: How can anyone believe there is no God? Everywhere I look, I see beauty that surpasses anything a human mind could think up. If we were any closer to the sun, we would get burned up. If we were further away, it would be too cold for life to exist. Yes, God created everything perfectly.
Yet many claim He doesn’t exist. I often wonder if they really believe that or if they just feel a need to convince themselves (and/or others) of that myth for some reason. I have a friend who has claimed to be an atheist yet can quote the Bible better than I can at times.
Only a fool says there is no God. Our very lives point to the fact that, indeed, there is a God. He is the creator and ruler of this universe. He is the One who gives life and takes it away. He is the One who loved us so much that He sent His Son to die a cruel death so that one day, we will not only know that He exists but we will see that He exists. Those who deny His existence now will have to acknowledge it then. What a sad day that will be for those people.
Believing in God may be an act of faith but it is much easier for me to believe that He exists than to believe that He doesn’t. I’ve no doubt I will see Him one day and, when I do, I pray that He will be able to look at me with eyes of love and call me His good and faithful servant. May I radiate with His peace, love and joy so that no one will be able to truly think that there is no God.
Give God Your All
It’s a beautiful Sunday morning here in Colorado. It’s hard to believe my friends back east will be getting out of church soon while here they are just going to church. Time zones are interesting.
The last couple days, God has brought Proverbs 3:5-6 to mind: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” I am trying to do that lately. It’s easy to let the pace of life move faster than I can keep up with it but my days do not go well that way. I want my whole life to be focused on Him, doing nothing but following Him because He knows the road I should take. On that road is peace and safety and joy in serving Him wholeheartedly. Lord, help me to be faithful.
As you begin another week, take time today to evaluate your life and ask God if you are still doing what He desires you to do. In the scheme of things, life is really short. We can’t afford to waste one second of this life God has given us. The song is true when it says, “all to Him I owe.” He deserves all we have to give and more. Let’s be faithful to give Him our all. He is worthy!
Change and the Passing of Time
This has been quite the year. Hectic doesn’t quite do it justice but it’s the closest word I can think of to describe what this year has been like. This has been the primary reason I have not posted more lately. Even now, I’m looking at the calendar wondering where the first half of this year has gone. I’m not sure but I’m very aware that it is gone forever, never to be recovered. I can only look forward to the rest of the year and hope I make the most of each day as it comes because, before I know it, it too will be in the past and I will be a much older individual.
I hope you all are having a great year so far. I’m looking ahead to Christmas already but I realize a lot will happen between now and then. The biggest news for me lately is that my brother and his wife and myself have started a new ministry. I’m sure I’ll explain more about that once our website is up and running so stay tuned. I don’t like change so I get a little scared if I think about it too much but I feel like God is leading and I have no doubt that He who began this work in us will complete it.
Have a blessed evening and don’t stop holding to the Unchanging Hand.
