For this is what the Lord says – He who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited – he says: “I am the Lord, and there is no other. I have not spoken in secret . . . " Isaiah 45: 18,19We are not called to a blind faith. Children accept facts with child like faith, and God honors that kind of faith, but He has also left plenty of evidence in our world that testifies to the truth of what He has declared.
In the Old Testament David proclaims, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” Psalm 19:1
In the New Testament the apostle Paul writes, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse” Romans 1:20
Beth Moore tells about a scientist and former atheist, John Clayton, who came to believe in God while attempting to prove that the Bible contradicts known scientific facts. In a book called The Source, which he co-authored with Nils Jarma, a case is made for creationism by assessing the vast improbability of our planet possessing all the conditions needed to support life by chance. With an explanation of how improbabilities work, these scientists came up with a mathematical equation of 1 in 15,000,000,000,000,000 odds that life on this world could have come about by chance. I don’t know how to read this number, but it seems to me that it may as well be a zero chance. The list of variables needed to spin our earth, with life as we know it, into motion is fascinating to read and only tells me that it had to be designed by someone who knew.
Beth puts out an interesting challenge. The challenge is to believers not only to have a stand of faith, but a walk of faith . . . being willing to access what we believe and learn about what we believe. I’ve had a number of chances to listen to Loui Giglio point out unbelievable things that the Hubble space telescope shows us today and scientific facts about our DNA that truly put Darwin in the dark ages. It turns out that the more we dig into science, the more we see how amazing God is and that He truly is Who He says He is. This is the foundation that helps me in times when I'm called to simply trust Him.
16 comments:
Fascinating post. To take this one step further...I have become even more convinced this week with the passing of my grandmother that not only did God create us here on earth but also our souls travel on to be with God in heaven. I don't believe for one second that a beautiful soul such as my Gram's will not live on. We don't just stop existing. And neither does God.
(word verification: sure...)
I enjoyed this post so much and I have been a fan of Beth Moore for years. I hope you have a lovely weekend.
And the older I get the more I realize that we don't know the half of it - much much less. Our God is an amazing God - worthy of worship, honor and glory. Thanks for a great post to honor the Lord.
MJ - I experienced what you said when I watched my Dad die. He was not a perfect man and he could have had some regret and guilt... as just before he died he was tossing and turning like he was possessed... we just comforted and assured him with words and Scripture.. then just before he took his last breath, he turned his face upward -like looking into the distance - his eyes focused, looking at something - intent - no fear - and he left us. It was like watching his spirit leave as he saw heaven awaiting...
I know this because he believed God is who he says he is, and I saw the change in his demeanor when the enemy let go of him.
These are hard words to write here... very personal .. not really what I had intended to share with this post, but it has become part of my experience in believing. It's not one I would have asked for, but I'm glad I was there to see.
I'll echo Karin here...
touching post Anneliese.
Yes and amen!
I was listening to a radio program and the man was talking about the campaign they are doing right now. ..putting billboards on buses saying...there is probably no god so go ahead and enjoy the rest of your life.
But. . .why do they bother? What difference does it make to them if a person choses to believe and has faith that God is who he says he is.
Once again another post that was perfect in timing for me today. I was just thinking the very things Annelise wrote about on my way into town this mornning. It is amazing to me that we "humans" are here living our day to day lives in such perfect design and function. How could there be anyone else in charge?
Thanks Annelise insightful post and for your personal thoughts as well. Every word reinforces the truths I belive.
Lori
Like others have said...the older we get the more we realize how little we really know. But this we do know...He is who He said He was. What an amazing God we serve!
We can trust in the great I Am - always! And the wonder of it all is that He who calls himself I Am created all things yet cares about every detail of my life!
Mmm, great, let's anthropomorphize the Divinity of this Life by calling it a "Him." Simply teaches more of a separation, which has in turn created the socially controlling aspects of Christianity that this society struggles with psychologically today.
GOD IS LOVE - *ALL* IS *GOD*.
Anonymous,
I have no idea what that big word means .. but thank you for your comment. I do agree that God is Love and would then add that Satan is the opposite. Those are the two sides at war with each other in this world. Having said that, I would venture to say that Christianity is no more socially controlling than he who is against Christianity. How controlling is what we see when man does not acknowledge the love of God and goes his own way .. the way that leads to so much suffering around us?
If good is light and evil is dark ... isn't it significant that one little match cannot be hid in a dark room... no matter how large. Is that the control that Satan hates?
Just some thoughts to think about.
Anneliese,
Thanks for your response.
I do not think dark is evil. We would have alot of problems on our hands if that were true, because it's pretty much dark half the time around here. And *that* is what bothers me about your religion, and those with the same basics as yours such as Islam and Judaism, is that you are so damn controlling - you try to tell people what is wrong and what is right. When in reality it is all interconnected, and what the heck do puny humans know anyway? Those who constantly speak of Satan and evil forces are in fact bringing those evil forces to life. I'm glad I graduated from religion long ago, I feel much more full of Divine Ecstacy without nonsensical human constraints. You think God wrote your book? Honey a whole bunch of men wrote your book. And then it was edited. And edited. And edited some more. Peace
I agree. This life is so dual, but the polarizations and the balance between are beautiful, not evil. That is where Christianity becomes dangerous. It creates a divide, a separation, it polarizes and perpetuates a category called 'evil' which does not exist naturally. Humans create evil, and it can only be done by closing the heart.
I'm actually glad I graduated from religion as well. You are right, religion tells people what to do ... people invented religion so that they could measure themselves ...whereas a relationship with God.. .who has proven Himself to me over and over again... is different. He does not force Himself on anyone. He has given us a free choice.
That means you have the right to choose what you want to believe and I also have a choice.
So I will write about what I believe and have personally experienced in my life... not asking anyone to read it unless they want to. I hope that is okay with you. I do not write with malice toward anyone.
Thank you Anneliese. Yes God has proved "Himself" to me and does so every second of every day. Miracles happen all around and I am simply a part of them *and* I play a part in creating them. All is God certainly, and that goes with the recognition that each of us is God too, when we return to the fundamental nature of unconditional Love. The blade of grass and the ant upon it and I are equals, beautiful expressions of Life. I believe Life is God. Many Blessings.
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