God Word
Three Reasons to Believe in God Physical Evidence there is a God
You can know that God exists
We know about people in history thanks to records or lasting contributions an individual has made. We also trust there are people out there we may never encounter ourselves—for instance, a neighbor’s sister who lives abroad. You’ll never meet her. But you’ve seen gifts she’s sent. You’ve heard others talk about her. And your neighbor confirms he adores his sister. What’s not to believe?
Knowing God is real can also be confirmed in many ways. Put these three to the test for yourself.
What do you know about God?
Physical Evidence there is a God
Witnesses testify that God is real
Some people think it takes a dramatic sign or a physical miracle to be convinced of God’s existence. After all, it took the voice of the Lord to convert Paul (see Acts 9:3–4). But the scriptures also state that signs are unnecessary to truly believe. It’s actually the other way around—when you first show faith in God, “signs shall follow them that believe” (Mark 16:17).
God’s Grace
1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 (ESV)
2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Take a minute to take stock of your faith. Would people around you see the convictions of your faith in your words and actions? Would they identify you as a Christian? How comfortable would you be telling people to imitate you so that they might also be imitators of Christ?
Consider asking someone that you are around each day if they identify you as a Christian. Ask why they answer the way that they do. Is it your actions or just what you are involved in on Sundays?
From God Word
Word for today
Psalm 148:7-14The world that was created for praise – verse 7
The weather that fulfills His word – verse 8
The wonder of the land, trees, and animals – verses 9-10
The way praise applies to humanity – verses 11-12
The worthiness of God to receive all praise – verse 13
The will of God for His people – verse 14
Verse for Meditation
Verse 13 – “Let them praise the Name of the LORD: for His Name alone is excellent: His glory is above the earth and heaven.”
“I praise You, Lord, for my family, my friends, my home and all that I possess, and the beautiful surroundings, like the trees, mountains, rivers, and oceans – they all speak of You.”
God Word For Today
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (NLT)
From God Word Today
Genesis 22:9-10 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.
Sometimes God plants desires in our hearts.
A dream, a hope, a vision for a better life.
Sometimes God asks us to give it up for Him.
Abraham and Sarah wanted a child.
Nothing out of the ordinary for a married couple.
But they couldn’t have one.
After trying to manipulate the situation,
Like having Sarah’s maid, Hagar, be a surrogate mother,
They remained unsatisfied
With a child they couldn’t call their own.
Finally, they gave up,
Then God promised again,
A year later,
When they were in their nineties,
The Abrahams miraculously had their first child.
I can imagine the joy within their hearts.
And maybe disbelief.
Here, finally, after decades of waiting,
The tears, the calculations, manipulations,
They’re finally holding this bundle of joy,
A laughing boy,
His sweet scent of milk,
Bright eyed stare.
He’s so soft, so lovable
Abraham must have been a proud father.
He must’ve fed his boy, and played with him,
But one day,
Probably five years later,
God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son.
The thoughts of Abraham aren’t recorded in the bible.
His possible inner conflict–
“Why? Why did you promise? Why did you give?
Why are you taking away?
All that is recorded
Is Abraham trekking up the mountain
His feet dragging
With his beloved
As He prepares the altar,
Ties his son,
Like Abraham,
God has planted many dreams in my heart.
I’ve had these dreams since I was very little.
Dreams to have a family,
And children.
Dreams to live in a big city
In a foreign country.
I’m not going to wrestle anymore.
I’m not going to ask why.
I’m not going to calculate, manipulate
God is asking me–
What if you live in the same apartment?
Have the same job?
What if you’re alone for the rest of your life?
Until you grow old and die?
As long as you have me,
Each question,
A stab.
But like Abraham,
I don’t want to live for my dreams,
Or an unrealized future anymore.
Everything in me,
Is for Him.
This borrowed life temporary,
My will is broken.
My core shattered.
I’m clinging to Him.
And I know in my heart,
That just as long as I have Him,
Everything else in the world can fall apart.
And I’m sure,
(It’s just not going to happen today)
I’m sure
That one day
From The Word of God For Today
God and his word are one and the same. The Apostle John tells us, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (Jn. 1:1). God cannot be separated from his word, or go back on his word. Unfortunately for us, we tend to get separated from our words. We sometimes agree to do things for people and then we later have to back out.
God’s word is eternal. Because God himself is eternal, there is a real sense in which he cannot speak a word that is not eternal. That is so different from us mortals, because we cannot speak a word that is eternal, unless we happen to be speaking the word of God. Jesus said in Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” For instance, Paul once based his teaching about the compensation of God’s ministers (1 Cor. 9:9) on the dusty ancient law of Deuteronomy 25:4. This law forbids the muzzling of an ox as it is treading out the grain. No, God’s word does not pass away, but it continues on to be profitable for all teaching and instruction in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16).
God’s word is alive (Heb. 4:12). How different this is from all other words we read and hear. How this contrasts with yesterday’s newspaper. We would scarcely waste our time reading it since it is already outdated and a thing of the past. God’s word is never a thing of the past, outdated or dead. Again, in one sense, God cannot even speak in the past tense since he is ever living. What he said he is saying; what he commanded he is commanding, what he hated he still hates and what he loved he still loves. Sometimes it may appear that a certain word of God is dead. But we must not be fooled. God’s word is like a seed. It can lie dormant for a thousand years but when it is mixed with faith – poof! Suddenly new life springs forth.
the earth—.”
Because of all this, we know that we are serving a God who can be trusted. He can be trusted in all areas of our lives. Let us look at a few of these areas.
His word can be trusted in matters of our salvation. In Hebrews 7:25, it is said: “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” The scripture says, “…Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom. 10:13). It is just that easy. Millions have found this simple instruction to work. As the world-renown evangelist, Billy Graham, has often remarked, “God said it, I believe it, and that settles it!”
His word can be trusted in matters of our sanctification; of our walk before God; of our discipleship. Satan always attempts to undermine our position with God. One of his favorite tools is condemnation. How often we have to resort to God’s simple word to combat him. God says in Romans 8:1: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus….”
In reality we are disciples of the word. Jesus said this in John 8:31, “…If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.” As disciples of the word we sometimes have to take a stand against “voices,” if those voices emanate from the wrong source. We have to take a stand against “feelings.” Occasionally, we even have to take a stand against “facts.” After all, it was a “fact” that Abraham and Sarah were too old to have children. It was also a “fact” that hungry lions eat people and fiery furnaces burn them up, as in the case of Daniel and the Hebrew children. So we see, faith produces its own facts. These facts will endure because they are based upon the eternal word of God.
Encouragement For Your Marriage
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church.”
Ephesians 5:25
What a golden example Christ gives to his disciples! Few masters could venture to say, “If you would practise my teaching, imitate my life;” but as the life of Jesus is the exact transcript of perfect virtue, he can point to himself as the paragon of holiness, as well as the teacher of it. The Christian should take nothing short of Christ for his model. Under no circumstances ought we to be content unless we reflect the grace which was in him. As a husband, the Christian is to look upon the portrait of Christ Jesus, and he is to paint according to that copy. The true Christian is to be such a husband as Christ was to his church. The love of a husband is special. The Lord Jesus cherishes for the church a peculiar affection, which is set upon her above the rest of mankind: “I pray for them, I pray not for the world.” The elect church is the favourite of heaven, the treasure of Christ, the crown of his head, the bracelet of his arm, the breastplate of his heart, the very centre and core of his love. A husband should love his wife with a constant love, for thus Jesus loves his church. He does not vary in his affection. He may change in his display of affection, but the affection itself is still the same. A husband should love his wife with an enduring love, for nothing “shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” A true husband loves his wife with a hearty love, fervent and intense. It is not mere lip-service. Ah! beloved, what more could Christ have done in proof of his love than he has done? Jesus has a delighted love towards his spouse: He prizes her affection, and delights in her with sweet complacence. Believer, you wonder at Jesus’ love; you admire it—are you imitating it? In your domestic relationships is the rule and measure of your love—“even as Christ loved the church?”
