Atheism: They Know there is a God

             Some of you might be confused by this title. Some of you might be thinking, take off the “they know” and just leave “there is a God.” That would make better sense wouldn’t it? But, proving God isn’t what I want to talk about. In fact, God proves himself; Im just here to defend Him. You see, the title above is correct. Atheists know there is a God. They just dont want there to be one.

             Think about it, all the evidence supports a Creator. There is nothing that evolutionist can come up with that we (creationist) can’t disprove. Creation itself  cries a Creator. His atributes are clearly seen (Romans 1:19-20). If studied in detail, logicly there is a Creator. Charles Darwin once wrote about the human eye. He said,

“To suppose that the eye with all its inimitable contrivances for adjusting the focus to different distances, for admitting different amounts of light, and for the correction of sperical and chromatic aberration, could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I freely confess, absured in the highest degree.”

          The big man himself doubted his own faith. Charles Darwin knew there was a Creator, but refused to believe in Him.

          So why is it that, even though all the evidence point to a Creator, we have Atheists? There’s a five letter word that sums it all up: Pride. Those who dont believe in God only do so because they dont want to own up the their sin. Romans 1:21-23 says,

“Because, although the knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thanful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man, and birds and four-footed animals and creeping thing.”

          You see, its not just believing in a Creator, but believing in God. If they claied God as Creator, then they are no longer in control of their lives.

          If you asked some evolutionists why the dont believe in a Creator, some will studder and not give you a straight-forward answer. Its because they dont know why they believe what they believe. They’re just evolutionists because it’s what they learned in school and it’s accepted worldwide. But there are some who believe it because they think it’s what the evidence shows to be the right way. In reality, they’ve done their research, they just want to rule their own lives. Mark Cahill (evangelist) told a story once about an atheist he met. Mark asked him him why he didn’t believe on God. He answered, “If i believe in God, then I can no longer control my own life. I dont believe in God because I don’s want their to be one.” I believe this man is a true atheist. He know there is a God, but admits that he just doesnt want their to be one.

             All the evidence is present. Design is obvious. Pride, sin, stops this group of people from believing in Jesus Christ. Richard Dawkins, the Darwin of today, once said,

“We have seen that living things are too improbable and too beautifully ‘designed’ to have come from existence by chance.”

            Its is because of men like Dawkins that people don’t believe in God. They are fed faulse lies and believe them because these people are the so-called “experts.”

            I truly believe we can change the hearts of those who dont want a God, but we can reach those who blindly follow them. Let’s show them the real evidence, and as Christmas approachs, tell them the real story of Christ.

5 Day Bible Devotions: Peace

Day 1:

                What is peace? What does it feel like to have true peace? How does having peace witness to others? Why does God want us to have peace? Why is it important to stay away from wrathful people?

                Over the next five days we’ll be answering these questions about peace and its importance in our lives. One thing a lot of people don’t know is that true peace is something only God can give. Hebrews 12:14-15 says, “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root up bitterness springing up cause trouble , and by this many become defiled.”

                The pursuit of peace is part of being a Christian. If you don’t pursue peace from our Creator, then we aren’t following Him. There’s no in between when it comes to pursuing peace; you either pursue peace or you pursue wrath.  When you have peace in your life things go the way God planned for them to go. When wrath controls your life things turn for the bad. God gives us the gift of peace through His Son. All we have to do is accept it. When you let God control your life you have more peace then you could ever imagine. That’s God’s gift to you. True Peace. Will you still worry about things? Yes. That’s part of our human nature. But with God controlling your life things will turn out for the better. That’s part of God’s promise.

                As you go through out your day remember God’s promise of peace. When you feel like you’re going to lose your temper, remember what God asks you to do. He calls you to peace. Live it out.

 

 

Day 2:

                Have there ever been times in your life when you felt like the world was coming down on you? I’m pretty sure there has. There’s always going to be times in our life when we feel as if we can’t go on. That’s part of living in a fallen world. There’s going to be difficult times. But God gives us hope.

                When there’s peace in your life, you know it. Colossians 3:15 says, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Let God’s peace rule you. The more you let peace rule you, the easier your life is. Having God’s peace is like having a someone with you at all times, who knows what’s going to happen in your life, that can tell you the right decision to make every time. The problem is, we don’t always listen to this Guide. We like to find out on our own what would happen if we chose the other way.

                True peace comes by surrendering everything over to Him. That’s the only way to obtain it. That’s the only way to feel His presence in your life. That’s the only way to be truly happy. If you don’t believe me then try it for yourself. I promise it will be the best decision you ever make. Make it today. Surrender to Him and have true peace.

 

 

Day 3:

                Have you ever looked at someone and seen pain and struggle? I have. In fact sometimes that someone is me. There are times in my life when I struggle; and there are times when I can see it in other peoples’ eyes. 1 Peter 4:8 says, “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love cover a multitude of sins.’”

                Living out the peace that God has given you is one of the best witnessing tools. There are millions of people out there searching for peace and don’t know where to look. By showing them that you don’t worry as much about things, or your no longer looking for answers, is a great way of showing them God’s love. A lot of people these days look at God as uncaring and harsh. Not as someone that loves them. Yes we need to fear God’s sovereignty, but He’s someone that loves them and cares for them, just like He loves you and me.

                If we can show others that, it makes things a lot easier to verbally witness to them. By showing them in our actions and words, it shows them that we truly believe what we say we believe. If people don’t see us living out what we say to believe, then they don’t see a difference in our lives and theirs. Showing them that we’re happy and proud of what God has done for us let’s others know that we’re serious about it.

                Live a peaceful and happy life, doing so witness to others. Love them. Show them God’s love, and what He’s done in your life. I challenge you to examine how you live. Are you grumpy or angry? Do you complain a lot? This week live a worry free life and let others know it!

 

 

Day 4:

                Are you around people who are mad, angry, or grumpy all the time? Do they have a short temper and often have outburst? Does it affect your attitude? Proverbs 22:24-25 says, “Make no friendship with and angry man, and with a furious man do not go, lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul.”

                Yesterday we talked about how showing the peace in our life witness to others. Well, other peoples’ attitudes influence our attitude. Being around angry people can pull us away from our peaceful attitude. It’s very important that we stay around those striving for peace as well. When our attitude changes for the worst, then we lose our witness.

                Controlling how we act around others shows that we’re committed to what we claim to follow. If people can see that we stay away from questionable scenarios, then they can see the change in our lives. It’s very important that we live what we claim. It’s the best witness tool out there. Are there going to be times when we won’t be that witness? Yes.  We’re not perfect. That why God had to send His Son. We will mess up and lose that witness. But striving to be is just as important.

                As you go though out your day, be aware of who you’re around and how they’re influencing your attitude. When you feel your attitude change, take moment and recollect yourself. Be that witness.

 

 

Day 5:

                Isn’t great to have this peace in our lives? Don’t you just want to wake up every day and thank Him for this wonderful gift?

                God gave us this peace because He loves us and wants us to be happy. Psalm 119:165, “Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.” God loves you. Pursuing His peace and using it as a witness of Him is all He wants from us.

                Think about everything we’ve covered this past week, what peace is, using it as a witness, staying away from wrathful people. How can you apply it all to your life? How can you use for Christ?

                Think of your normal routine, how can you show your peaceful attitude to others in the way you act and speak? Try not getting grumpy when you wake up, saying “thank you” and “you’re welcome.” Letting others go first and giving of your time to help them.

                Think of things this week to do that would show the change in your life. This is what makes God happy. Living what you claim. Living you life dedicated to Him.

The Comming Evangelical Collapse

Here’s an article I found that talks about our falling generation.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20090310/cm_csm/yspencer

The God Who Dreamed

I found this article in a devotional. Max Lucado wrote it in his book A Gentle Thunder. It said:

        Seated at the great desk, the Author opens the large book. It has on words. It has no words because no words exist. No words exist because no words were needed. Beyond Himself, there are no ears to hear them, no eyes to read them. The Author is alone.

       And so He takes the great pen and begins to write. Like an artist gathers his colors and a woodcarver his tools, the Author assembles His words.

       There are three. Three single words. Out of these three will pour a million thoughts. But on these three words, the story will suspend.

       He takes His quill and spells the first. T-i-m-e.Time did not exist until He wrote it. He, Himself, is timeless, but His story would be encased in time. The story would have a first rising of the sun, a first shifting of the sand. A beginning…and an end. A final chapter. He knows it before He writes it.

      Time. A footprint on eternity’s trail.

      Slowly, tenderly, the Author  writes the second word. A name. A-d-a-m.

      As He writes, He sees him, the first Adam. Then He sees all the others. In a thousand lands, the Author sees them. Each child. Instantly loved. Permanently loved. To each He assigns a time. To each He appoints a place. No accidents. No coincidences. They begin with design.

       The Author makes a promise to these unborn: In My image, I will make you. You will be like Me. You will laugh. You will create. You will never die. And you will write.

       They must. For each life is a book, not to be read, but rather a story to be written. The Author starts each life story, but each life will choose his or her own ending.

       What a dangerous liberty. How much safer it would have been to finish the story for each Adam. to script every option. It would have been simpler. It would have been safer. But it would not have been love. Love is only love if chosen.

        So the Author decides to give each child a pen. “Write carefully,” He whispers.

        Lovingly, deliberatly, He writes the third word, already feeling the pen. E-m-m-a-n-u-e-l.

        The greatest mind in the universe imagined time. The truest judge granted Adam a choice. But it was love that gave Emmanuel, God with us.

        The Author would enter His own story.

        The Word became flesh. He, too, would be born. He, too, would be human. He, too, would have feet and hands. He, too, would have tears and trials.

        And most importantly, He, too, would have a choice. Emmanuel would stand at the cross roads of life and death and make a choice.

       The Author pauses as He writes the pages of His own pain. He could stop. Even the Author has a choice. But how can a Creator not create? How can a writer not write? And how can Love not love? So He chooses life, though it means death, with hope that His children will do the same.

       And so the Author of Life completes the story. He drives the spike in the flesh and rolls the stone over the grave. Knowing the choice He will make, knowing the choice all Adams will make, He pens, “The End,” and closes the books and proclaims the beginning. “Let there be Light!”

Surrounded

         I find it so amazing at how much we influence our peers by the way we act. What we say, what we do, it all leaves an impression of who we really are on them. Have you ever considered that one action, one word, could totally change someones perspective of you. It takes one second to screw up your testimony. One of my favorite verses in the bible is Hebrew 12:1-2. It says, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us lat aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

         My favorite part of those verses is when it talks about being surrounded by witnesses and laying aside all sin so we can be the best example of Christ. That was pretty much a summary of those really long verses, which by the way is one complete sentence. We had a professor from Beeson University at Samford University speak at our church this morning. He talked about how you can comprehend what Christianity is in one act as apposed to twenty years of study. What he meant was how we respond to certain situations. The passage of scripture he used was Psalm 1 which says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in it he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the river of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, but like a chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way ungodly shall perish.”
            I love how it say “his delight is in the law of the Lord.” We should be delighted to do God’s will. We should be delighted to follow His commands. But often times it becomes a chore. And when it becomes a chore it starts to show in our attitude too others. When the unsaved see the way we act too our faith, then they don’t see any difference in being saved or not. Jesus says in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lanpstand, and it gives light to all who are in house. Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

          Not delighting in God’s law causes your light to be hidden. Let it shine. The way you act and talk has more of and influence on others then you could ever imagine. Be that influence that changes live for Christ.

Once a Year

      Once a year we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Once a year I read Luke 2. Once a year I sing all those Christmas songs. Once a year. Why? Christ’s birth on this earth is the beginning to is death, His death is my salvation. Should we not celebrate His birth and death all year long? We spend over a month preparing for one day. That’s pretty amazing. Now you probably think I’m some sort of a Grinch. I love this time of year, and just like every other Christmas lover, I want it to be Christmas all year long. But not in the sense that I wake up every morning to find presents under our tree. No, I want to celebrate my Savior’s birth and death. It’s those two things that ensure my eternity.

      How does Christ’s birth ensure your eternity? You might be asking. Well it’s quite simple really. Christ had to be born on this earth, had to grow up on this earth, had to be faced with the same temptations we are in order for His death to count as justification of my sins. You see, if Christ had just came on this earth as a man and died the same day he wouldn’t have lived a sinless life. In order for us to have redemption we need someone to take our place on the cross. We need someone sinless. We need someone who can conquer death. That’s why we celebrate Christmas. But let’s not celebrate it once a year, prasie God all year long for His birth, death, and resurrection. Romans 10:9, “If you canfess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

A Father’s Love Letter

My Child,

                You may not know Me, but I know everything about you.¹ I know when you sit and when you rise.² I am acquainted with all your ways.³ Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.⁴ For you were made in My image.⁵ In Me you live and move and have your being.⁶ For you were My offspring .⁷ I knew you even before you were born.⁸ I chose you when I planned creation.⁹ Your were not a mistake for all your days are written in my book.¹⁰ I determined your exact time of birth and where you would live.¹¹ You are fearfully and wonderfully made.¹² I covered you in your mother’s womb.¹³ I took you out on the day you were born.¹⁴ I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know Me.¹⁵ I am not distant or angry but the complete expression of love.¹⁶ And it is My desire to lavish My love to you simply because you are My child and I am your father.¹⁷ I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.¹⁸ Every good gift you receive comes from My hand.¹⁹ For I am your provider and meet all your needs.²⁰ My plan for you has always been for hope.²¹ Because I love with an everlasting love.²² My thoughts to you are countless as the sand on the sea shore.²³  And I rejoice over you with singing.²⁴ I will never stop doing good to you.²⁵ For you are My treasured passion.²⁶ I desire to establish you with all My heart with all My soul.²⁷ I want to show you great and marvelous things.²⁸

 If you seek Me with all your heart you will find Me.²⁹ Delight in Me and I will give you the desires of your heart.³⁰ For it is I who gave you those disires.³¹ I am able to do more for you than you could possible image.³² For I am your greatest encourager.³³ I am also the father who comforts you in all your troubles.³⁴ When you are broken hearted I am close to you.³⁵ As  a shepherd carries a lamb I have carried you close to My heart.³⁶ One  day I will wipe away ever tear from your eyes.³⁷ And I will take away all the pain you have suffered of this earth.³⁸ I am your father and I love even as I loved My son Jesus.³⁹ For in Jesus My love for you is revealed.⁴⁰ He is the exact representation of My being.⁴¹ He came to demonstrate that I am for you not against you.⁴²  And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. Jesus died so that you and could be reconciled.⁴³ His death is the ultimate expression of My love to you.⁴⁴ I gave up everything I loved so that I might gain your love.⁴⁵ If you will receive the gift of my son Jesus you will receive Me.⁴⁶ And nothing will separate My love for you again.⁴⁷ Come home and I will throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen.⁴⁸ I have always been father and will always be father.⁴⁹ My question to you: will you be my child? ⁵⁰ I am waiting for you.⁵¹

 

Love,

Your Dad

Almighty God

 

 

 

1.      Psalm 139:1                           39.   John 17:23

2.      Psalm 139:2                           40.   John 17:26

3.      Psalm 139:3                           41.   Hebrews 1:3

4.      Matthew 10:29-31                 42.   Romains 8:31

5.      Genesis 1:27                          43.   2 Cor. 5:18-19

6.      Acts 17:28                              44.   1 John 4:10

7.      Jeremiah 1:4-5                       45.   Romains 8:32

8.      Ephesians 1:11-12                 46.   1 John 2:23

9.      Psalm 139:15-16                    47.   Romains 8:38-39

10.  Acts 17:26                              48.   Luke 15:7

11.  Psalm 139:14                         49.   Ephesians 3:14-15

12.  Psalm 139:13                         50.   John 1:12-13

13.  Psalm 71:6                             51.   Luke 15:11-32

14.  John 8:41-44

15.  1 John  4:16

16.  1 John 3:1

17.  Matthew 7:11

18.  Matthew 5:48

19.  James 1:17

20.  Matthew 6:31-33

21.  Jeremiah 29:11

22.  Jeremiah 31:3

23.  Psalm 139:17-18

24.  Zephaniah 3:17

25.  Jeremiah 32:40

26.  Exodus 19:5

27.  Jeremiah 32:41

28.  Jeremiah 33:3

29.  Deuteronomy 4:29

30.  Psalm 37:4

31.  Philippians 2:13

32.  Ephesians 3:20

33.  2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

34.  2 Corinthians 1:3-4

35.  Psalm 34:18

36.  Isaiah 40:11

37.  Revelation 21:3-4

38.  Revelation 21:4

Courtesy of FathersLoveLetter.com

Biblical Political Worldview Part 3 of 3

I have found the answer to our economy, presidential election and anything else that’s wrong in America (which is pretty much everything). 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and seek my face and pray and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 

                I was listening to Max Lucado talk about our problems in America. He said that the only way for God to help America and fix these problems, is for us to follow what 2 Chronicles says. America has so fallen from Christ that we don’t even recognize Him anymore. Israel did the same thing over and over again and God always took them back. All we have to do is return to Christ. But (yes there’s a but) we have to turn as a nation. We can turn as individuals, and we need to, but it takes unity of a nation for God to forgive us of our sins. My youth pastor is always talking about unity in our youth group because there’s times when we need to come together to accomplish the problems ahead. That’s what America needs. Unity. Unity in Christ. Let’s come together as a nation to seek Christ so that He may forgive us of our sins.

                Max Lucado wrote a prayer that I think we all need to pray. It says,

Our friends lost their house
The co-worker lost her job
The couple next door lost their retirement
It seems that everyone is losing their footing

This scares us. This bailout with billions.
These rumblings of depression.
These headlines: ominous, thunderous-
“Going Broke!” “Going Down!” “Going Under!” “What Next?”

What is next?

We’re listening. And we’re admitting: You were right.

You told us this would happen.
You shot straight about loving stuff and worshipping money.
Greed will break your heart, you warned.
Money will love you and leave you.
Don’t put your hope in riches that are so uncertain.

You were right. Money is a fickle lover and we just got dumped.

We were wrong to spend what we didn’t have,
Wrong to neglect prayer and ignore the poor,
Wrong to think we ever earned a dime. We didn’t. You gave it. And now, tell us Father, are you taking it?

We’re listening. And we’re praying.
Could you make something good out of this mess?

Of course you can. You always have.
You led slaves out of slavery,
Built temples out of ruins,
Turned stormy waves into a glassy pond and water into sweet wine.

This disorder awaits your order. So do we.Through Christ,
Amen

 

                If we can all pray this prayer, then we can then take the next step to being that nation after Christ. What’s the next step, you might be asking? Well it’s letting our leaders know that we won’t take any of their unbiblical leadership. Let‘s let them know that we won’t take it anymore. We are a nation after Christ. Pray that prayer, and let’s be that Nation That Seeks.

Biblical Political Worldview Part 2 of 3

I start this next part with the same words I did the last post. Everything that I write is my view on those issues. If you want to know my view then read the Word of God. With that said let’s get started.

                I was unsure of what to write for part two. I was googleing a few things and come across this question, “What is the Christian view for this presidential election 2008”? There were a few responses. One read, “There is not one ‘Christian view.’ There are a millions of Christians in America. Our views range from ultra conservative to ultra liberal. There are Catholics, Episcopalians, Baptist, several other denominations, as well as other non-denominational believers. No one has a monopoly of God.”

                I agree with if on some part of that but then again not really. I agree with the fact there is not one monopoly of God, however there is one “Christian view” and that is the Word of God. Every question is answered in the Bible. We just have to find it. Now I’m Baptist but that doesn’t mean I think everyone should be. I think there should be no denominations. We are all Christians and are all part of the body of Christ. That means we should all be part of one church.

                You might be asking the question, what does is have to do with having a Biblical Political Worldview? It has everything to do with that. We, has Christians, shouldn’t be separated, especially when it comes to deciding our next leader of this blessed country. We should vote for the person that’s willing to speak about his faith in Christ. But what is there’s no candidate who’s speaking about his faith? Well America, we’ve then official fallen’ from Christ. In order to be that Generation That Seeks we must put Christ in everything, even if that means being the laughing stock of your school and friends.  Voice your beliefs then maybe, just maybe, America can come back to Christ the way our founding fathers intended. Like I said, every question is answered in the Bible; sometimes we just have to look extra hard.

Biblical Political Worldview Part 1 of 3

                Before I begin this Biblical Political Worldview, I just wanted to inform you that if I reference upon any political spectrum that that’s my view upon that subject. If you disagree with my views, I have no problem with that. I just found if appropriate to inform you upon such matters.

                I wrote a previous post about economic matter and the presidential election (Tough Times). Although I didn’t go into detail about politics, I did mention though that our elections (notice it’s plural) are nothing more than a popularity contest. I was watching the vice presidential debate, and both candidates were trying their best to beat each other up. They did it in the means by only listing part of the facts. They went back and forth all night only telling half the truth. Lt got so bad that I couldn’t tell who was telling the truth and who wasn’t. That’s sad, and that came from both candidates. I also heard both of them talking about changing America. Every presidential candidate talks about changing America. I have yet seen one do those changes they’ve promised.  A friend of my posted a blog that talked about who was going to take the stand (http://godswarrior.wordpress.com/). I commented her saying that we need to take the stand. As a Generation That Seeks we can change the future of America. We can bring America back to Christ. But we must have a Biblical Political Worldview. In order to do that we must find God’s morals and compare them with these candidates. The only real way to find the truth in these candidates is to go to God’s word. In Isaiah 9:6c says: And the GOVERNMENT shall be on HIS shoulders.

                As of right now our government is issuing a bailout out plan to better our market and market. The Senate has already approved it and we’re wanted on the House of Representatives. I found the answer to our economy and market in God’s word.

                In Matthew 6:19-21 it says: Do not lay up for yourselves treasure on earth where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

                Matthew 19:21 says: Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow me.”

                You’re probably wondering what any of that has to do with fixing our economy and market. Well, if our mind and heart is on is on Christ then we won’t worry with money and investing in the market. It’s people who’ve made wrong decisions in the past, whose mind and heart weren’t on Christ, that set this county in a whirl wind.  If we keep this “we can do it without Christ” attitude going, we will fall as a country. Christ is the only answer to our problems. That includes this country.

                I hoped you enjoyed part 1 of this series. There’s more to come regarding having a Biblical Political Worldview. Check in in a few days for part 2.