That is an awesome question!!! The truth is God spoke the world into existence. He didn’t use some elaborate machine or create some fantastic formula … He simply spoke it and it became true. Look at all the different passages in the Book of Genesis where it says, “And God said…”
Let’s start with the very first passage in the Bible, which is Genesis 1:1. It reads, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Then after that sentence the Bible describes what the earth was like by telling us it was formless and empty and that darkness was over the surface of the deep. (Genesis 1:2)
Then, what happens? God says, “Let there be light.” And guess what? There was light! And God sees that the light is good and separates it from the darkness. God then decides to call the light day and the darkness, night. (Genesis 1:3-5)
The rest of the first chapter of Genesis is God speaking the rest of the world into existence and creating the plants and animals and, finally, creating man. And look what He says about man! God says, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26) So, not only did God speak us into existence, we are representations of Him! You and I and everyone else in this world are image-bearers of the Lord God!!! Isn’t that cool?
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Sunday, 10 July 2011
How is it possible that God has been here forever because it seems like everything should have a beginning?
Yahoo! I love that question because friends ask me that question all the time! I could easily give them the standard Biblical answer that “God has always been here and He has no beginning and no end and He will always be here because He is eternal.” But, I usually get that deer-in-the-headlights look when I say that.
So, here’s my way of explaining it: Imagine being able to go back in time to the days of the pilgrims as they were colonizing this country and trying to explain to them how a helicopter works or how an iPod works. Remember, there’s no such thing as electricity, gas engines, batteries, etc. So, how do you explain how those things work to people that have never seen stuff like that? You see, we’ve grown up with so much technology that we just accept what is there without really trying to understand how it works. But trying to explain something so difficult that we casually accept to someone who’s never experienced would be very challenging.
Let’s apply that thinking to the idea of God being eternal. Truth: God’s eternal power is clearly seen in the creation of our universe but our brains have a hard time wrapping around that idea. And we kind of know what eternity is but we don’t fully understand it. So, what do we do? We try to explain it in terms we can see and understand. But how do we explain eternity to people (all of us) who are stuck in the passage of time? We usually start by trying to simplify the idea!
The Bible is our place to start. The Bible simply says God “is.” Remember Moses? When he asked the Lord God what His name was, do you remember what God said? He said, “Tell them I AM” Exodus 3:14). Revelation 1:8 and 4:8 says that God is, God was and God is to come.
We know tht time is a measurement of physical change. Time, though, has only existed since the creation of the universe. Genesis 1:1, the very first book and chapter of the Bible, says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” God created everything, so time started at creation.
We also know from Genesis 1:1 that God was BEFORE the creation of the heavens and the earth becuse He was there to create it. That makes God timeless (eternal) because He created time! So, to answer your question in the simplest of terms, God has been here for all eternity and will be here for all eternity.
Thank you for a great and challenging question!
So, here’s my way of explaining it: Imagine being able to go back in time to the days of the pilgrims as they were colonizing this country and trying to explain to them how a helicopter works or how an iPod works. Remember, there’s no such thing as electricity, gas engines, batteries, etc. So, how do you explain how those things work to people that have never seen stuff like that? You see, we’ve grown up with so much technology that we just accept what is there without really trying to understand how it works. But trying to explain something so difficult that we casually accept to someone who’s never experienced would be very challenging.
Let’s apply that thinking to the idea of God being eternal. Truth: God’s eternal power is clearly seen in the creation of our universe but our brains have a hard time wrapping around that idea. And we kind of know what eternity is but we don’t fully understand it. So, what do we do? We try to explain it in terms we can see and understand. But how do we explain eternity to people (all of us) who are stuck in the passage of time? We usually start by trying to simplify the idea!
The Bible is our place to start. The Bible simply says God “is.” Remember Moses? When he asked the Lord God what His name was, do you remember what God said? He said, “Tell them I AM” Exodus 3:14). Revelation 1:8 and 4:8 says that God is, God was and God is to come.
We know tht time is a measurement of physical change. Time, though, has only existed since the creation of the universe. Genesis 1:1, the very first book and chapter of the Bible, says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” God created everything, so time started at creation.
We also know from Genesis 1:1 that God was BEFORE the creation of the heavens and the earth becuse He was there to create it. That makes God timeless (eternal) because He created time! So, to answer your question in the simplest of terms, God has been here for all eternity and will be here for all eternity.
Thank you for a great and challenging question!
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
Why didn’t Jesus do what Satan told him to do?
Jesus is also God. And our God is all-powerful and sovereign. That means that all things were created by Him and for Him. This would include Satan.
Satan is a created being. He is not equal to God and Satan cannot make God do anything. God created Satan. Because Jesus is God, Satan cannot tell Jesus what to do. Of course, there are several instances where Satan tries to tell Jesus what to do; in fact, in the book of Matthew, chapter 4, we see Satan try and tempt Jesus in the desert. But, Jesus does not give in to Satan and uses the word of God to resist him.
Never forget that you have the strength of Jesus in you. Jesus died for all of us and we are saved because of His sacrifice. When you feel pressured by friends to do things that are wrong, ask for Jesus’ help. If you ever have any doubts about Jesus’ abilities, just think of Philippians 4:13, which reads:
“I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.”
Satan is a created being. He is not equal to God and Satan cannot make God do anything. God created Satan. Because Jesus is God, Satan cannot tell Jesus what to do. Of course, there are several instances where Satan tries to tell Jesus what to do; in fact, in the book of Matthew, chapter 4, we see Satan try and tempt Jesus in the desert. But, Jesus does not give in to Satan and uses the word of God to resist him.
Never forget that you have the strength of Jesus in you. Jesus died for all of us and we are saved because of His sacrifice. When you feel pressured by friends to do things that are wrong, ask for Jesus’ help. If you ever have any doubts about Jesus’ abilities, just think of Philippians 4:13, which reads:
“I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.”
Friday, 19 February 2010
I’ve heard that Jesus is God. Is that true?
That is a very awesome question! And the very simple answer can be found by looking at our Bibles.
In the Book of John, which is the fourth book in the New Testament, Jesus tells his disciples, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.” (John 14:9-11)
Jesus is explaining that He is God! The Bible clearly shows that Jesus knew that He had been here since the creation of the Earth because he told His disciples and followers, “I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I AM!" (John 8:58)
There are many other places in the Bible in which Jesus says that He is God, too, but I particularly love these verses because Jesus doesn’t mince words or speak in parables here … He is pretty clear that if you’ve seen Him, you’ve seen the Father and that He is in the Father and the Father is in Him.
In the Book of John, which is the fourth book in the New Testament, Jesus tells his disciples, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.” (John 14:9-11)
Jesus is explaining that He is God! The Bible clearly shows that Jesus knew that He had been here since the creation of the Earth because he told His disciples and followers, “I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I AM!" (John 8:58)
There are many other places in the Bible in which Jesus says that He is God, too, but I particularly love these verses because Jesus doesn’t mince words or speak in parables here … He is pretty clear that if you’ve seen Him, you’ve seen the Father and that He is in the Father and the Father is in Him.
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
If God was made somehow, could he have been made from the planets somehow or the universe?
Well, that’s a very interesting question! Unfortunately, in order to answer it, we have to make an assumption that God was somehow created. And, we know, through Scripture, that God is not a created being. God has always been here, is here now, and will be here forever. In fact, God created the Earth and the Heavens and the universe and the planets.
I know that seems hard to understand. Many Biblical scholars have tried for years to try and answer or explain it in a way that makes some sort of sense to us. But, there are just some things that go beyond explanation … things that only God, the Father, knows. And, this is where faith comes in.
There are just some things in the Bible that we must accept as truth even if we can’t completely understand it or explain it. And we accept them based on a faith that God is who He says He is and has the ability to do the improbable. I mean … how do we explain that the Earth is exactly the right distance from the sun so that we either don’t burn up or that we don’t freeze up? How do we explain the tilt and the rotation of the earth is just right and that one rotation equals one day and one night? How do explain why you and I breathe air but fish breathe water? How do we explain how a holy and perfect God can come to earth as Jesus and live among us in this sinful world and then go willingly to the cross and die for us so that we could live forever?
There are so many other examples of God’s greatness that we just can’t explain but we know them to be true.
So, could He have been made from the planets or the universe? Absolutely not.
I know that seems hard to understand. Many Biblical scholars have tried for years to try and answer or explain it in a way that makes some sort of sense to us. But, there are just some things that go beyond explanation … things that only God, the Father, knows. And, this is where faith comes in.
There are just some things in the Bible that we must accept as truth even if we can’t completely understand it or explain it. And we accept them based on a faith that God is who He says He is and has the ability to do the improbable. I mean … how do we explain that the Earth is exactly the right distance from the sun so that we either don’t burn up or that we don’t freeze up? How do we explain the tilt and the rotation of the earth is just right and that one rotation equals one day and one night? How do explain why you and I breathe air but fish breathe water? How do we explain how a holy and perfect God can come to earth as Jesus and live among us in this sinful world and then go willingly to the cross and die for us so that we could live forever?
There are so many other examples of God’s greatness that we just can’t explain but we know them to be true.
So, could He have been made from the planets or the universe? Absolutely not.
Saturday, 7 November 2009
If God and Jesus are the same, then how does God only know when Jesus is returning?
This is a very thought provoking question and it’s been debated by Biblical scholars a lot. First, there is absolutely no doubt that Jesus and God are one in the same. That is important to remember. The Holy Spirit is also God. So, there is one God but He reveals Himself in three ways: God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit.
So, Jesus may very well know when He is returning but He is referring to the greatness of the Father when He says "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13:32) Also, Jesus is likely not trying to act independently from the Father. It’s like He’s saying, “The Father is in charge, just as I can’t do anything that the Father doesn’t have me do, so it’s up to the Father when this day will occur.
Another widely accepted interpretation is that what Jesus what really saying is that no one will “make known” the hour of the coming of Jesus except God, the Father. God will have the full authority to announce Jesus’ second returning. This theory is based on scholars doing a word study on the ancient texts and breaking down the Greek word “eido” which we’ve translated as “know.”
These Biblical scholars believe also that Jesus, being God, knew when he was coming again but that He was leaving the announcement to God, the Father, to make. That only the Father will “make known” the return of the Son.
Okay, so is that a little confusing? It’s okay. It confuses me too but I believe it is the best way to interpret that passage.
So, Jesus may very well know when He is returning but He is referring to the greatness of the Father when He says "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13:32) Also, Jesus is likely not trying to act independently from the Father. It’s like He’s saying, “The Father is in charge, just as I can’t do anything that the Father doesn’t have me do, so it’s up to the Father when this day will occur.
Another widely accepted interpretation is that what Jesus what really saying is that no one will “make known” the hour of the coming of Jesus except God, the Father. God will have the full authority to announce Jesus’ second returning. This theory is based on scholars doing a word study on the ancient texts and breaking down the Greek word “eido” which we’ve translated as “know.”
These Biblical scholars believe also that Jesus, being God, knew when he was coming again but that He was leaving the announcement to God, the Father, to make. That only the Father will “make known” the return of the Son.
Okay, so is that a little confusing? It’s okay. It confuses me too but I believe it is the best way to interpret that passage.
Thursday, 5 November 2009
If Jesus was born, who gave birth to God?
Okay, so this is one of those questions where the answer is so confusing it sometimes even makes me scratch my head and say, “Huh???” But, here is the answer in the simplest way that I can describe it:
God is infinite, which means He has always existed and he will always exist. He is eternal. He, therefore, doesn’t have an age or a birthday.
Let me try and explain it like this, time is a measurement of physical change. But, time has only existed since the creation of the universe. Let’s look at Genesis 1:1, the very first book and chapter of the Bible. It says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” So, we can say that time started with this creation, right? We can start a timeline based on this sentence, couldn’t we?
But, we also know from this sentence that God was BEFORE the creation of the heavens and the earth. That means that God is timeless. And, because He is timeless, He is not physical and is not confined to physical change. Say what?!?!?
Also, try and imagine this…God is perfect, which means he can’t get any better or any worse. He NEVER changes. God has always been absolutely perfect.
So, if we take that statement to its conclusion, whatever God says is right is right and whatever God says is wrong is wrong. True right and wrong is, therefore, timeless!!!
Ouch, my brain hurts.
God is infinite, which means He has always existed and he will always exist. He is eternal. He, therefore, doesn’t have an age or a birthday.
Let me try and explain it like this, time is a measurement of physical change. But, time has only existed since the creation of the universe. Let’s look at Genesis 1:1, the very first book and chapter of the Bible. It says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” So, we can say that time started with this creation, right? We can start a timeline based on this sentence, couldn’t we?
But, we also know from this sentence that God was BEFORE the creation of the heavens and the earth. That means that God is timeless. And, because He is timeless, He is not physical and is not confined to physical change. Say what?!?!?
Also, try and imagine this…God is perfect, which means he can’t get any better or any worse. He NEVER changes. God has always been absolutely perfect.
So, if we take that statement to its conclusion, whatever God says is right is right and whatever God says is wrong is wrong. True right and wrong is, therefore, timeless!!!
Ouch, my brain hurts.
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
How is Jesus alive if God is always alive?
Cool question! And the very cool answer can be found by looking in our Bibles.
In the Book of John, which is the fourth book in the New Testament, Jesus tells his disciples, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.” (John 14:9-11)
Jesus is explaining that He is God! There are many other places in the Bible in which Jesus says that He is God, too, but I particularly love these verses because Jesus doesn’t mince words or speak in parables here…He is pretty clear that if you’ve seen Him, you’ve seen the Father and that He is in the Father and the Father is in Him.
So, if Jesus is God and God is alive…then, Jesus is alive! Does that make sense? It can be a little confusing but once you realize that Jesus is God then you’ll know that He’s alive right now and watching over you!
In the Book of John, which is the fourth book in the New Testament, Jesus tells his disciples, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.” (John 14:9-11)
Jesus is explaining that He is God! There are many other places in the Bible in which Jesus says that He is God, too, but I particularly love these verses because Jesus doesn’t mince words or speak in parables here…He is pretty clear that if you’ve seen Him, you’ve seen the Father and that He is in the Father and the Father is in Him.
So, if Jesus is God and God is alive…then, Jesus is alive! Does that make sense? It can be a little confusing but once you realize that Jesus is God then you’ll know that He’s alive right now and watching over you!
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Why is God called “The Rock”?
God is referred to as a rock often in the Bible. You see the reference in both the Old and New Testaments. When the Bible talks about God being a rock, it is using a metaphor comparing two things that are alike. The Bible often uses metaphors to help us understand something. When God is referred to as a rock it represents constancy, strength, power, presence, a strong support, and refuge or a safe place that protects.
One of my favorite verses that refer to God as a rock is Psalm 18:2, it says “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.” When David wrote the words of this Psalm he was going through hard times but he kept his focus on God. He found comfort and security knowing God was with him. David is a wonderful example to us.
We can (and should!) look to God as our rock, the one who is always there for us to protect and support us, and a place where we can find security.
One of my favorite verses that refer to God as a rock is Psalm 18:2, it says “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.” When David wrote the words of this Psalm he was going through hard times but he kept his focus on God. He found comfort and security knowing God was with him. David is a wonderful example to us.
We can (and should!) look to God as our rock, the one who is always there for us to protect and support us, and a place where we can find security.
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Will God be upset and not talk to you if you litter?
That could NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER happen. God doesn’t want us to litter because He wants us to take good care of what He’s given us charge over. BUT, He will ALWAYS talk to you. He loves His children and He wants to have a fabulous relationship with you. Your parents don’t stop talking to you when you mess up do they? God is exactly the same way. So God does love you no matter what, but He’d probably rather you didn’t litter.
Sunday, 16 August 2009
How can God be 3 people at once?
He’s not. God is NOT 3 people at once. What He is, though, is 3 persons in one. Stick with me & let me explain - - - it’s really not that complicated.
The idea that God is 3 persons in one is called the trinity. The word trinity means three together. A trinity is three persons together in one. (A tricycle is three wheels on one cycle; a triangle is a shape with three angles.)
The Bible doesn’t actually use the word trinity. (BTW, the Bible also doesn’t use the word Bible, so don’t let that bug you!) So where does the idea come from? Check this out --- The Bible is the Word of God. God inspired certain men (Moses, Joshua, King David, Paul, John and others) and their words were recorded and became our Bible. One of the big deals about the Word of God is that it does not contradict itself. This means it does not say one thing in one place, and then the opposite in another.
So check out this verse --- James 2:19 NIV. What does it say? It says that there is only one God.
Now check out this one --- 1 Peter 1:2 Msg. God the Father has his eye on each of you, and has determined by the work of the Spirit to keep you obedient through the sacrifice of Jesus. May everything good from God be yours! Who has His eye on everyone? God the Father.
And this verse --- Romans 1:1-4 NIV. Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. What did the Spirit declare? That Jesus is God. Jesus is the second person of the trinity.
And this verse --- Acts 5:3-4 Msg. Peter said, "Ananias, how did Satan get you to lie to the Holy Spirit and secretly keep back part of the price of the field? Before you sold it, it was all yours, and after you sold it, the money was yours to do with as you wished. So what got into you to pull a trick like this? You didn't lie to men but to God." To whom did Ananias lie? To the Holy Spirit who not a man but is God. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the trinity.
Three persons in one God is a little bit (not exactly though) like five fingers on 1 hand! Or 3 wheels on one cycle. Or three angles in one shape. Each is separate but makes up the whole.
Extra evidence! Read Matthew 28:19; Matthew 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 13:14. Do it, OK?
And here’s the deal for those who want to know ---
There is only one God.
There is a person called “the Father” and He is God.
There is a person called “the Son” (also called “Jesus” or “Christ”) and He is God.
There is a person called “the Holy Spirit” and He is God.
The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three separate persons.
So, our one God is three persons, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! This is what the Bible says. And now you know!
The idea that God is 3 persons in one is called the trinity. The word trinity means three together. A trinity is three persons together in one. (A tricycle is three wheels on one cycle; a triangle is a shape with three angles.)
The Bible doesn’t actually use the word trinity. (BTW, the Bible also doesn’t use the word Bible, so don’t let that bug you!) So where does the idea come from? Check this out --- The Bible is the Word of God. God inspired certain men (Moses, Joshua, King David, Paul, John and others) and their words were recorded and became our Bible. One of the big deals about the Word of God is that it does not contradict itself. This means it does not say one thing in one place, and then the opposite in another.
So check out this verse --- James 2:19 NIV. What does it say? It says that there is only one God.
Now check out this one --- 1 Peter 1:2 Msg. God the Father has his eye on each of you, and has determined by the work of the Spirit to keep you obedient through the sacrifice of Jesus. May everything good from God be yours! Who has His eye on everyone? God the Father.
And this verse --- Romans 1:1-4 NIV. Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. What did the Spirit declare? That Jesus is God. Jesus is the second person of the trinity.
And this verse --- Acts 5:3-4 Msg. Peter said, "Ananias, how did Satan get you to lie to the Holy Spirit and secretly keep back part of the price of the field? Before you sold it, it was all yours, and after you sold it, the money was yours to do with as you wished. So what got into you to pull a trick like this? You didn't lie to men but to God." To whom did Ananias lie? To the Holy Spirit who not a man but is God. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the trinity.
Three persons in one God is a little bit (not exactly though) like five fingers on 1 hand! Or 3 wheels on one cycle. Or three angles in one shape. Each is separate but makes up the whole.
Extra evidence! Read Matthew 28:19; Matthew 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 13:14. Do it, OK?
And here’s the deal for those who want to know ---
There is only one God.
There is a person called “the Father” and He is God.
There is a person called “the Son” (also called “Jesus” or “Christ”) and He is God.
There is a person called “the Holy Spirit” and He is God.
The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three separate persons.
So, our one God is three persons, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! This is what the Bible says. And now you know!
Friday, 31 July 2009
How come we can't see the face of God, but many people looked Jesus in the eye?
That is an awesome question! And it’s kind of a complicated question too! Here is some bad math to help explain the answer. Did you know that 1 + 1 + 1 = 1? What I am trying to show is that there is only one God but He appears in three different forms.
There is God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Bible clearly shows that no one has ever seen God, the Father. John 1:18 says, “No one has ever seen God, [the Father] but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.”
John 6:46 says, “No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father.”
In fact, even in the Old Testament, Moses could not look upon God. In Exodus 3:2, God appeared to Moses as a burning bush. In Exodus 19:9 and 24:5, God covers himself in a thick cloud and can only be heard.
But, the best example of God not showing His face (as God the Father) is from Exodus 33:20-23 where it says, “But, He said, ‘you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.’ Then the LORD said, ‘There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.’”
And do you want to know why that is? It is because we are sinful people and sin cannot be in the presence of the Father. Jesus was the only one who could look upon God because he was without sin. Bottom line, if we saw God in our sinful state, we would die because He is Holy, Righteous and Pure. He hid himself from Moses because He knew Moses would die if Moses saw Him.
One of the cool things is that the Bible says that the Glory of God was so pure and bright that, even from behind, it turned Moses’ skin and hair completely white. The Bible describes Moses’ face as completely radiant. In fact, Moses had to wear a veil when he was around people because of it.
So, that’s why we can’t see the face of God, the Father. No one has. BUT, a lot of people saw God, the Son. You see, Jesus is God but He is also a man. He came to us in human form to teach us and to set the example for us and to ultimately die for us. God can’t die but a man can. So Jesus was a man and had all the attribute of a human being, including being able to be seen by other people.
It’s a weird contradiction because you’d think you couldn’t look Jesus in the eye because He’s God and God doesn’t allow us to see Him…but, because He’s also man, Jesus let’s us see Him, feel Him and hear Him.
There is God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Bible clearly shows that no one has ever seen God, the Father. John 1:18 says, “No one has ever seen God, [the Father] but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.”
John 6:46 says, “No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father.”
In fact, even in the Old Testament, Moses could not look upon God. In Exodus 3:2, God appeared to Moses as a burning bush. In Exodus 19:9 and 24:5, God covers himself in a thick cloud and can only be heard.
But, the best example of God not showing His face (as God the Father) is from Exodus 33:20-23 where it says, “But, He said, ‘you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.’ Then the LORD said, ‘There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.’”
And do you want to know why that is? It is because we are sinful people and sin cannot be in the presence of the Father. Jesus was the only one who could look upon God because he was without sin. Bottom line, if we saw God in our sinful state, we would die because He is Holy, Righteous and Pure. He hid himself from Moses because He knew Moses would die if Moses saw Him.
One of the cool things is that the Bible says that the Glory of God was so pure and bright that, even from behind, it turned Moses’ skin and hair completely white. The Bible describes Moses’ face as completely radiant. In fact, Moses had to wear a veil when he was around people because of it.
So, that’s why we can’t see the face of God, the Father. No one has. BUT, a lot of people saw God, the Son. You see, Jesus is God but He is also a man. He came to us in human form to teach us and to set the example for us and to ultimately die for us. God can’t die but a man can. So Jesus was a man and had all the attribute of a human being, including being able to be seen by other people.
It’s a weird contradiction because you’d think you couldn’t look Jesus in the eye because He’s God and God doesn’t allow us to see Him…but, because He’s also man, Jesus let’s us see Him, feel Him and hear Him.
Thursday, 30 July 2009
What is God's name?
His name is God. In the Bible, different names were used to describe different aspects of God’s character. It’s also I Am, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Immanuel (God is with us), Jehovah (self-existent or eternal), Elohim (God the Creater), El Roi (the God who sees), Jehovah-Rapha (the God who heals), Jehovah-Shammah (the Lord is there), El Elyon (God Most High), Jehovah-Sabaoth (the Lord of Hosts)……this list is HUGE and goes on. Of course, the name for God that we lift up the highest is Jesus. With names used to describe God's character, there is just SO MUCH of Him to know. It’s wonderful to get to know more about God through learning His various names.
Thursday, 16 July 2009
How old is God?
God is infinite, which means He has always existed and he will always exist. He is eternal. He, therefore, doesn’t have an age or a birthday.
Let me try and explain it like this ... time is a measurement of physical change. But, time has only existed since the creation of the universe. Let’s look at Genesis 1:1, the very first book and chapter of the Bible. It says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” So, we can say that time started with this creation, right?
But, we also know from this sentence that God was BEFORE the creation of the heavens and the earth. That means that God is timeless. And, because He is timeless, He is not physical and is not confined to physical change. God has no age. He is ageless.
Let me try and explain it like this ... time is a measurement of physical change. But, time has only existed since the creation of the universe. Let’s look at Genesis 1:1, the very first book and chapter of the Bible. It says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” So, we can say that time started with this creation, right?
But, we also know from this sentence that God was BEFORE the creation of the heavens and the earth. That means that God is timeless. And, because He is timeless, He is not physical and is not confined to physical change. God has no age. He is ageless.
Friday, 10 July 2009
If God says in Thessalonians that he’s going to call people to heaven, why does he say in Revelation that demons are going to kill a third of mankind?
Wow! Awesome question!
I started by finding the verses I think you were asking about. Here they are:
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
16For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
Revelation 9:14-19
14It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." 15And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. 16The number of the mounted troops was two hundred million. I heard their number.
17The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur. 18A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths. 19The power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury.
At first, this does seem a bit confusing, so let’s break this down and understand it. First, do you see that in Thessalonians God is calling people to heaven, but in Revelation it is again God who has sent the angels (even though they may be evil angels) to destroy a third of mankind?! Is that even more surprising, or what? (That’s important to understand, though … read on …)
In order to understand the Bible correctly, we have to understand that God gave these words to us and – because this is how awesome God is – one part of the Bible will agree with another part of the Bible. It becomes our job to understand it correctly! In order to do that, one of the things we have to understand is the “context” of the verses we are reading. Go grab a dictionary and look up the word, “context.” (go do that right now, and then finish reading this.)
So you see that “context” means the words, and sentences, and even the story that comes before and after the verse we are reading, AND (and this is very important) it affects the meaning and our understanding. If I tell you to go ahead and pick out a shirt to wear, but I don’t tell you whether we are going to a funeral or a football game, then you can easily pick out the wrong shirt (and obviously you would want a different shirt for those two times.) It would help if I gave you the “context” of why you needed to grab another shirt, right?
OK, back to Thessalonians and Revelation … what is the context of those verses? Take a few minutes right now to read the verses that come before and after the verses we are talking about (take a minute to do that right now …)
Here’s what’s going on with those two letters:
In 1 Thessalonians: the apostle Paul, Silas and Timothy have visited Thessalonica, a Greek city, on one of their missionary journeys. They started a church there, and many of the people who came to that church did not know God. The people there were enthusiastic about getting to know God, but they also had a lot of questions. And they didn’t always come up with the right answers!
Paul wrote back to that church (that’s the letter of 1 Thessalonians) to correct some of the errors they had made. One of the main issues he is writing about concerns what happens to people who believe in God when Jesus returns. You see, Paul was worried that the church there (because it was so young) would abandon their commitment to following Jesus, so Paul is writing to correct them and ALSO to encourage them!
SO – in 1 Thessalonians, the apostle Paul is encouraging new believers in Jesus Christ to hang in there even though things were at times a bit confusing and difficult.
Revelation was written by the apostle John at the very end of his life. John’s purpose was to comfort Christians who were going through really rough times; and Christians were being heavily attacked and persecuted during those days. John is telling his readers that the ultimate victory belongs to Jesus but – as you probably noticed – he uses some pretty wild and imaginative images to get his ideas across. He talks about horses of different colors and lakes of fire and swords coming out of mouths and WOW! how do we understand all that? Well, let’s remember that this letter is intended to comfort people (not to scare them, though the apostle John is not afraid to scare people into trusting Jesus!) and then recognize that this type of writing is called “apocalyptic.” (that’s a big word, but it just describes a kind of writing that uses lots of visions and wild images.) This is a little bit like how The Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia stories are also pretty wild, but there are good stories and message there, right? Apocalyptic literature was a style of writing used to encourage people who were really being persecuted. Does that make sense to you?
In these verses in Revelation, Jesus is making it clear that those who don’t follow him (read verse 20 to see what all people were doing!) were going to be separated from him forever – and that sounds way harsh. But the context of this part of the story shows that ultimately God wins, Satan loses, and those who follow Jesus and accept him as their Savior, get to be with him forever. See, that’s the encouraging part that people needed to hear – and that’s the bigger picture that you and I have to understand. If we just see God as this God who is going to slay one third of mankind and we don’t realize that that third is the third that has rejected God, then we wonder if he is a mean God, or if we’re going to get killed like that.
SO – in Revelation, the apostle John is encouraging all believers in Jesus Christ to remain committed to him and to be comforted by the fact that in the end he wins, and Satan loses, even though things were way tough, confusing and difficult right then.
I started by finding the verses I think you were asking about. Here they are:
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
16For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
Revelation 9:14-19
14It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." 15And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. 16The number of the mounted troops was two hundred million. I heard their number.
17The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur. 18A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths. 19The power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury.
At first, this does seem a bit confusing, so let’s break this down and understand it. First, do you see that in Thessalonians God is calling people to heaven, but in Revelation it is again God who has sent the angels (even though they may be evil angels) to destroy a third of mankind?! Is that even more surprising, or what? (That’s important to understand, though … read on …)
In order to understand the Bible correctly, we have to understand that God gave these words to us and – because this is how awesome God is – one part of the Bible will agree with another part of the Bible. It becomes our job to understand it correctly! In order to do that, one of the things we have to understand is the “context” of the verses we are reading. Go grab a dictionary and look up the word, “context.” (go do that right now, and then finish reading this.)
So you see that “context” means the words, and sentences, and even the story that comes before and after the verse we are reading, AND (and this is very important) it affects the meaning and our understanding. If I tell you to go ahead and pick out a shirt to wear, but I don’t tell you whether we are going to a funeral or a football game, then you can easily pick out the wrong shirt (and obviously you would want a different shirt for those two times.) It would help if I gave you the “context” of why you needed to grab another shirt, right?
OK, back to Thessalonians and Revelation … what is the context of those verses? Take a few minutes right now to read the verses that come before and after the verses we are talking about (take a minute to do that right now …)
Here’s what’s going on with those two letters:
In 1 Thessalonians: the apostle Paul, Silas and Timothy have visited Thessalonica, a Greek city, on one of their missionary journeys. They started a church there, and many of the people who came to that church did not know God. The people there were enthusiastic about getting to know God, but they also had a lot of questions. And they didn’t always come up with the right answers!
Paul wrote back to that church (that’s the letter of 1 Thessalonians) to correct some of the errors they had made. One of the main issues he is writing about concerns what happens to people who believe in God when Jesus returns. You see, Paul was worried that the church there (because it was so young) would abandon their commitment to following Jesus, so Paul is writing to correct them and ALSO to encourage them!
SO – in 1 Thessalonians, the apostle Paul is encouraging new believers in Jesus Christ to hang in there even though things were at times a bit confusing and difficult.
Revelation was written by the apostle John at the very end of his life. John’s purpose was to comfort Christians who were going through really rough times; and Christians were being heavily attacked and persecuted during those days. John is telling his readers that the ultimate victory belongs to Jesus but – as you probably noticed – he uses some pretty wild and imaginative images to get his ideas across. He talks about horses of different colors and lakes of fire and swords coming out of mouths and WOW! how do we understand all that? Well, let’s remember that this letter is intended to comfort people (not to scare them, though the apostle John is not afraid to scare people into trusting Jesus!) and then recognize that this type of writing is called “apocalyptic.” (that’s a big word, but it just describes a kind of writing that uses lots of visions and wild images.) This is a little bit like how The Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia stories are also pretty wild, but there are good stories and message there, right? Apocalyptic literature was a style of writing used to encourage people who were really being persecuted. Does that make sense to you?
In these verses in Revelation, Jesus is making it clear that those who don’t follow him (read verse 20 to see what all people were doing!) were going to be separated from him forever – and that sounds way harsh. But the context of this part of the story shows that ultimately God wins, Satan loses, and those who follow Jesus and accept him as their Savior, get to be with him forever. See, that’s the encouraging part that people needed to hear – and that’s the bigger picture that you and I have to understand. If we just see God as this God who is going to slay one third of mankind and we don’t realize that that third is the third that has rejected God, then we wonder if he is a mean God, or if we’re going to get killed like that.
SO – in Revelation, the apostle John is encouraging all believers in Jesus Christ to remain committed to him and to be comforted by the fact that in the end he wins, and Satan loses, even though things were way tough, confusing and difficult right then.
Monday, 6 July 2009
Is it okay to kinda be scared to talk about Jesus? … I want to tell my friends. I don’t know what to say.
I hope that the TRACK lessons, and especially the game we have been playing in Small Group, give you some ideas on how to talk about Jesus (build a friendship, bring them to TRACK or a cool church event, or share God’s story), but I also want to share something with you from the Bible.
Put this letter down, and go to the Gospel of Mark, and read chapter 9, verses 14 through 24.
Did you catch verse 24? “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Even during the days when Jesus walked the earth, it was difficult to understand Jesus completely. Jesus is the Son of God, and although the Bible gives us everything we need to know about Jesus, there is much that we wonder about! We just can’t understand God completely, our brains just ain’t good enuf! That also means our faith can be challenged. And it means it can be difficult to talk about Jesus and our faith to others, even our close friends!
It is absolutely OK to kinda be scared to talk about Jesus BUT you don’t have to be!! Here’s what I mean … the Holy Spirit has come to give us power to help share the Gospel and talk about Jesus. God the Father doesn’t speak to us in loud words anymore (like He did with Adam and Eve), Jesus doesn’t walk the earth anymore (like He did 2000 years ago), BUT the Holy Spirit is right now our helper and our counselor and our guide as we connect with other people. That’s very cool! And remember, there is a time to talk about Jesus, there is a time to be like Jesus in action instead of word, and there is a time to just be a kid having fun and not worrying about it at all! Let the Holy Spirit guide you! (And talk to your mom and dad about this, too!)
Put this letter down, and go to the Gospel of Mark, and read chapter 9, verses 14 through 24.
Did you catch verse 24? “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Even during the days when Jesus walked the earth, it was difficult to understand Jesus completely. Jesus is the Son of God, and although the Bible gives us everything we need to know about Jesus, there is much that we wonder about! We just can’t understand God completely, our brains just ain’t good enuf! That also means our faith can be challenged. And it means it can be difficult to talk about Jesus and our faith to others, even our close friends!
It is absolutely OK to kinda be scared to talk about Jesus BUT you don’t have to be!! Here’s what I mean … the Holy Spirit has come to give us power to help share the Gospel and talk about Jesus. God the Father doesn’t speak to us in loud words anymore (like He did with Adam and Eve), Jesus doesn’t walk the earth anymore (like He did 2000 years ago), BUT the Holy Spirit is right now our helper and our counselor and our guide as we connect with other people. That’s very cool! And remember, there is a time to talk about Jesus, there is a time to be like Jesus in action instead of word, and there is a time to just be a kid having fun and not worrying about it at all! Let the Holy Spirit guide you! (And talk to your mom and dad about this, too!)
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
If God and Jesus are the same and God can't see us because he is so holy, how can Jesus come and not make God not holy because they are the same?
Hmmm…this is a very well thought-out question. And, to be honest, I’m not quite sure what you are asking but here goes:
First of all, God and Jesus are the same person. In fact, God is a…get ready for a new word…triune being. Triune (pronounced tri-yoon) means that God is three separate and distinct personalities in one being. He is God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit.
This was one of the hardest things for me to grab hold of when I first became a Christ Follower. But, here’s a simple way to explain it: your dad is a father to you. He is also a husband to your mom. And, he is also a teacher in T.R.A.C.K. One person but three different and distinct personalities. Does that make sense?
Okay, the next part of your question suggests that God can’t see us because He is so holy. I think this is where the confusion is setting in. You are correct in that God is holy and perfect. But, God is also all-powerful, all-knowing and ever-present. Not only that but God is aware of everything and can perceive everything too. So, God can see us. Not only can He see us, He knows everything about us! God knows every little detail about you all the way down to the number of hairs on your head and the thoughts in your brain! He is with you all the time when you are awake and when you are sleeping.
So, now that we know God can see us, let’s look at the last part of your question. You asked, how can Jesus come and not make God not holy because they are the same? Remember, Jesus, even though He was a man, lived a perfect and sinless life. Jesus was holy just like God. I know that is hard for you to imagine because it is hard for me to imagine! I mean, c’mon! Jesus was a carpenter! You don’t think at some time when he was building something He didn’t hit his thumb with a hammer and get mad at the hammer??? But, you know what? According to the Bible, Jesus was without sin. He was perfect.
So, Jesus never made God “not holy.” And (here comes another confusing part), remember what we said about God earlier, that He is a triune being? Because God is holy and perfect and without sin, Jesus is also holy and perfect and without sin. And, because Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit is holy and perfect and without sin.
So, just to wrap this up in a workable package, Jesus is God and is holy and perfect. He came to earth as a man but is still holy and perfect during His life. Because Jesus is God but is also a man, He sees us and experiences all the same emotions and feelings that mankind experiences and feels. Jesus, all the way up to His death on the cross, never sinned but took the sins of the world on his shoulders.
Now picture this. Here is a perfect, sinless man who ends up taking the sin of the world on His shoulders and dies on the cross for us. Here is a man who was with God His entire life but who had to be separated from God in order to take that sin for us because a holy and perfect God can’t even be in the presence of sin. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, experienced the separation from God that sin creates. This is the same separation from God that occurs when we sin against Him. Every time we sin, at that very moment, we are separated from God.
But, here’s the great news. Jesus redeemed us. All that means is that Jesus traded His life for us so that we wouldn’t perish but have eternal life. Because He gave His life for us, He provided a “bridge” for that separation from God. Remember what Jesus says in John 14:6? He tells us all that, “I am the truth, the way and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
First of all, God and Jesus are the same person. In fact, God is a…get ready for a new word…triune being. Triune (pronounced tri-yoon) means that God is three separate and distinct personalities in one being. He is God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit.
This was one of the hardest things for me to grab hold of when I first became a Christ Follower. But, here’s a simple way to explain it: your dad is a father to you. He is also a husband to your mom. And, he is also a teacher in T.R.A.C.K. One person but three different and distinct personalities. Does that make sense?
Okay, the next part of your question suggests that God can’t see us because He is so holy. I think this is where the confusion is setting in. You are correct in that God is holy and perfect. But, God is also all-powerful, all-knowing and ever-present. Not only that but God is aware of everything and can perceive everything too. So, God can see us. Not only can He see us, He knows everything about us! God knows every little detail about you all the way down to the number of hairs on your head and the thoughts in your brain! He is with you all the time when you are awake and when you are sleeping.
So, now that we know God can see us, let’s look at the last part of your question. You asked, how can Jesus come and not make God not holy because they are the same? Remember, Jesus, even though He was a man, lived a perfect and sinless life. Jesus was holy just like God. I know that is hard for you to imagine because it is hard for me to imagine! I mean, c’mon! Jesus was a carpenter! You don’t think at some time when he was building something He didn’t hit his thumb with a hammer and get mad at the hammer??? But, you know what? According to the Bible, Jesus was without sin. He was perfect.
So, Jesus never made God “not holy.” And (here comes another confusing part), remember what we said about God earlier, that He is a triune being? Because God is holy and perfect and without sin, Jesus is also holy and perfect and without sin. And, because Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit is holy and perfect and without sin.
So, just to wrap this up in a workable package, Jesus is God and is holy and perfect. He came to earth as a man but is still holy and perfect during His life. Because Jesus is God but is also a man, He sees us and experiences all the same emotions and feelings that mankind experiences and feels. Jesus, all the way up to His death on the cross, never sinned but took the sins of the world on his shoulders.
Now picture this. Here is a perfect, sinless man who ends up taking the sin of the world on His shoulders and dies on the cross for us. Here is a man who was with God His entire life but who had to be separated from God in order to take that sin for us because a holy and perfect God can’t even be in the presence of sin. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, experienced the separation from God that sin creates. This is the same separation from God that occurs when we sin against Him. Every time we sin, at that very moment, we are separated from God.
But, here’s the great news. Jesus redeemed us. All that means is that Jesus traded His life for us so that we wouldn’t perish but have eternal life. Because He gave His life for us, He provided a “bridge” for that separation from God. Remember what Jesus says in John 14:6? He tells us all that, “I am the truth, the way and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Sunday, 28 June 2009
Is God a man or a woman?
God has chosen to be known as having a male character. Everywhere in the Bible, God is referred to as "Him" and "He." So God wanted people to understand Him as a "Him" and a "He."
What is a little confusing for people is that there are both masculine and feminine names for God. For example, the name of God used to describe God as being just (as in justice) is masculine, while the name of God used to describe God as personal and close is feminine.
Names, especially in ancient days, reflect the attributes of God. Attributes are His qualities and His characteristics. For example, I might act "motherly" to a baby child, cooing and rocking and loving her, but that does not make me a woman. I am still a man; I am just acting motherly. It is the same with God. Images and names of God acting both fatherly and motherly can be found throughout the Bible. God displays a perfect mix of masculine and feminine qualities such as unconditional love, infinite patience, immense strength, and never-ending support!!
God, however, is neither a man nor a woman. He is not physical as we are. Likewise, He does not have a hand or a finger or a face or a back or any other physical part because He is NOT physical. He is Spirit.
What is truly remarkable is that God chose to reveal Himself to us in the person of Jesus Christ, who was born a baby boy and grew to be a man! He has also chosen to be known in the Trinity as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
What is a little confusing for people is that there are both masculine and feminine names for God. For example, the name of God used to describe God as being just (as in justice) is masculine, while the name of God used to describe God as personal and close is feminine.
Names, especially in ancient days, reflect the attributes of God. Attributes are His qualities and His characteristics. For example, I might act "motherly" to a baby child, cooing and rocking and loving her, but that does not make me a woman. I am still a man; I am just acting motherly. It is the same with God. Images and names of God acting both fatherly and motherly can be found throughout the Bible. God displays a perfect mix of masculine and feminine qualities such as unconditional love, infinite patience, immense strength, and never-ending support!!
God, however, is neither a man nor a woman. He is not physical as we are. Likewise, He does not have a hand or a finger or a face or a back or any other physical part because He is NOT physical. He is Spirit.
What is truly remarkable is that God chose to reveal Himself to us in the person of Jesus Christ, who was born a baby boy and grew to be a man! He has also chosen to be known in the Trinity as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Do I have to read the Bible every day?
I’m going to answer that question by asking a question of my own…do you have to talk to your parents every day? I’ll bet you’re thinking, well, of course I have to talk to my parents everyday. Maybe you’re saying, well, no I don’t have to talk to them everyday but I like talking to them everyday.
Well, guess what? The Holy Bible is God’s Word. And, it’s God’s way of talking to you. It’s His way of letting you get to know Him and He really, really wants you to know Him.
There are some incredible stories in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament. The story of Adam and Eve, the story of Moses, the story of David and Goliath or Samson and Delilah, the story of King Solomon…I could go on and on.
Do you like love stories? The Holy Bible is the greatest love story ever written! The stories of God’s love for us are endless. My favorite is how He gave His one and only Son to die for us so that we could have eternal life with Him in Heaven!
I remember when I first became a Christian and I picked up a Bible. It was so thick! I thought to myself, seriously??? I’m supposed to read this whole thing? Ummm, are there any DVD’s I can watch or maybe a thinner version? I didn’t even know where to start! Do I read it like a book from one cover to the other? Or, do I start with the Old Testament then read the New Testament? It seemed so overwhelming.
But, then, my small group leader said, “Start with the book of John in the New Testament.” He said it was all about God’s love for us. So, I flipped to John and saw that it was only twenty-one chapters. I said, “I can handle this!” And, before I knew it, I had read an entire book of the Bible. It was awesome!!! It made me want to read more. So, I started reading books of the New Testament. Then, my wife said, “Try reading a Psalm and a Proverb a day.” And she meant just one psalm and one proverb, not the whole book of Psalms and Proverbs. How easy is that???
And because it’s God’s way of talking to you, you end up wanting to know more and more. You find yourself just immersing yourself in God’s Word! Believe it or not, every little thing you will ever face, good and bad, is mentioned in the Bible. Every question you’ll ever have, God has an answer for and it’s in the Bible.
So, to answer your question…do you have to read the Bible everyday? I guess you really don’t have to but why wouldn’t you since God really wants to talk to you every day.
Well, guess what? The Holy Bible is God’s Word. And, it’s God’s way of talking to you. It’s His way of letting you get to know Him and He really, really wants you to know Him.
There are some incredible stories in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament. The story of Adam and Eve, the story of Moses, the story of David and Goliath or Samson and Delilah, the story of King Solomon…I could go on and on.
Do you like love stories? The Holy Bible is the greatest love story ever written! The stories of God’s love for us are endless. My favorite is how He gave His one and only Son to die for us so that we could have eternal life with Him in Heaven!
I remember when I first became a Christian and I picked up a Bible. It was so thick! I thought to myself, seriously??? I’m supposed to read this whole thing? Ummm, are there any DVD’s I can watch or maybe a thinner version? I didn’t even know where to start! Do I read it like a book from one cover to the other? Or, do I start with the Old Testament then read the New Testament? It seemed so overwhelming.
But, then, my small group leader said, “Start with the book of John in the New Testament.” He said it was all about God’s love for us. So, I flipped to John and saw that it was only twenty-one chapters. I said, “I can handle this!” And, before I knew it, I had read an entire book of the Bible. It was awesome!!! It made me want to read more. So, I started reading books of the New Testament. Then, my wife said, “Try reading a Psalm and a Proverb a day.” And she meant just one psalm and one proverb, not the whole book of Psalms and Proverbs. How easy is that???
And because it’s God’s way of talking to you, you end up wanting to know more and more. You find yourself just immersing yourself in God’s Word! Believe it or not, every little thing you will ever face, good and bad, is mentioned in the Bible. Every question you’ll ever have, God has an answer for and it’s in the Bible.
So, to answer your question…do you have to read the Bible everyday? I guess you really don’t have to but why wouldn’t you since God really wants to talk to you every day.
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
When you want to ask God a question but then you don’t want to ask, what do you do?
I am going to ask you to read something, and then I am going to ask you two questions before I answer your question. Ok, here goes …
Please read Psalm 139; read the whole thing. Go ahead and do that right now, and then finish reading this note.
Pretty awesome Psalm, isn’t it? So now here are my two questions for you …
1. After reading that Psalm, do you think God knows you?
and 2. do you think that you can trust God?
Take a minute and really think about those two questions. When you are done answering those questions, then read my answer to your question.
Answer: God is really much bigger than we can imagine, or know. The deal is, he is not so big that he is like a far away God even though there are millions of other people in the world. Instead, he is so big that he can and does know you even though there are millions of other people in the world! That’s an amazing God! He knows everything about you. Sometimes you want to hide some stuff from him, but you just can’t. Now, if you’re not honoring God, then the idea of him knowing everything about you is kind of uncomfortable. However, if you need him – no matter what for – then its very cool to be able to lean on him and ask him anything and talk to him about anything.
Check this out – he will never love you any more and he will never love you any less than he does right now! God loves you completely and perfectly, and he will never abandon you, no matter what! You may ask God anything at any time, no matter what.
So what do you do? If you need to let him know something, just let him know. Ask for forgiveness if you need to (get honest with him, ok?), and then talk to him and ask him your question.
Please read Psalm 139; read the whole thing. Go ahead and do that right now, and then finish reading this note.
Pretty awesome Psalm, isn’t it? So now here are my two questions for you …
1. After reading that Psalm, do you think God knows you?
and 2. do you think that you can trust God?
Take a minute and really think about those two questions. When you are done answering those questions, then read my answer to your question.
Answer: God is really much bigger than we can imagine, or know. The deal is, he is not so big that he is like a far away God even though there are millions of other people in the world. Instead, he is so big that he can and does know you even though there are millions of other people in the world! That’s an amazing God! He knows everything about you. Sometimes you want to hide some stuff from him, but you just can’t. Now, if you’re not honoring God, then the idea of him knowing everything about you is kind of uncomfortable. However, if you need him – no matter what for – then its very cool to be able to lean on him and ask him anything and talk to him about anything.
Check this out – he will never love you any more and he will never love you any less than he does right now! God loves you completely and perfectly, and he will never abandon you, no matter what! You may ask God anything at any time, no matter what.
So what do you do? If you need to let him know something, just let him know. Ask for forgiveness if you need to (get honest with him, ok?), and then talk to him and ask him your question.
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