Do I need God to live?

Do I need God to live?

Obviously not. Many people live without God.

Is it a question of creation?

Stephen speaking beautifully through the Spirit while his face shined like an angel … (Acts 7:48-50) Yet the most High dwells not in temples made with hands; as says the prophet,
Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will you build me? says the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?  Has not my hand made all these things?

(Ps 33:6-8) By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.  He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap: he lays up the depth in storehouses.   Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

I personally know beyond any doubt that I need Jesus.
Am I insane? -probably.

I think a clue comes from James. Every good gift comes from the Father of light and do the word so that I don’t deceive myself.

(Jas 1:17) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
or Father of light

(Jas 1:22) But be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

A person without God lives and is unaware that they need God or that God even exists.
Firstly it is rare that they have no experience of God whatsoever. Usually there is an event in a person’s life where they feel betrayed and abandoned by God. Its not that God is mad at them but they are mad at God. So admitting this seems healthy.

Other arguments include that we could not be created without God that we can’t sustain our own lives and our eternal life – after death is in jeopardy of being in a punishing place.

(Col 1:17) And he is before all things, and by him all things are held together.

When I was young and up until the time I was 15 I did not believe in God. I remember playing with a rocket for hours and seeing how high I could throw it. I had fun. I lived without God.

Or so I thought.

One day I wanted to find in the bible the part where Jesus said knock and the door will be open to you. so I read and read to find it. Something happened when I read that book. Things started to make sense. When I finally got to the part about knock and the door will be opened I was in tears my conversion completed.

Honestly it is hard for me to even consider life without God. The answer that we can’t live without Him is so obvious to me. Not that I’m any smarter or better than someone who thinks they are living without Jesus. God really loves them. He really loved me when I was a child playing and not knowing any better.

It is not a hidden knowledge. He will tell you all you want to know whenever you want and whatever you want. I remember one night being at my grandparents house and feeling lonely. I prayed and asked God some questions.
He promised me that He would always answer my questions.
He promises that to everyone.

But I don’t hear God.

Hearing God is like believing in Him.

It is not genius that God doesn’t reveal himself to the blind. It is the way of life.
Flesh and evil have been separated from His goodness.

It takes the Holy Spirit to understand spiritual things.
Its not spooky. God will pour His Holy Spirit out on anyone who asks.

He is not particular or only giving to those who are special in some way.
In fact the less ‘good’ a person seems in our fleshy worldly way of thinking the more desirable they are to God.

He loves the shepherds, tax collectors and Samaritans. This means any person who we have aversion to.

I have gotten off track – sorry.   A person can think they are living without God but it’s a deception.  It’s like getting used to walking around in the dark or being born blind. What an amazing realization a person born blind must feel when they begin seeing?

 

Second part:
Everything that happens has other attributions than God. What I mean is that medicine can do miracles etc. Its kind of like other reasons can be given for anything.  Consider Jesus. A blind (to Jesus) person will think that Jesus was alive a long time ago and was a good person who said some good things.   How do they account for Him saying He was God. – a moment of impropriety?   How do they account for millions of people following Him up to this day testifying that He is alive now? – mass hysteria.  The reasons for staying blind are not so compelling but are enough to insulate from the alternative which is considering Jesus as a real and alive person and God.

I get it when someone has a really evil experience with someone who claims to be a Christ follower. I even understand that all of us who claim to be christian are really messed up not great lovers and have a lot of problems.  But don’t give up on trying to know Him. If a movie star was that popular and He came to your door would you at least try to meet with him? Maybe.

‘ Father, it is so easy to get side tracked. Help me focus on you. Help me listen to exactly what you want me to do and when. You know people’s hearts I don’t.’

‘Thank you Jesus for healing blindness by shining the light of truth.  Forgive me for thinking I know the entire truth. You are the truth. Set me free.’

‘Father forgive me. I am sorry for thinking I know better what someone needs than you. I only know what I need to know now for this situation. Help me carry this attitude throughout today.’

 

Interesting note: There is a peace that comes even saying the word ‘today’. It is like a reminder goes off that says ‘relief – I don’t need to worry. Its just one day.’  Instead of focusing on all I can’t do. Do the one thing I can right now.

(Matt 6:33 & 34 NET) But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.
It is not that Jesus never looks at the past. It is important to remember great stories and learn and be reminded of important lessons. And it is good to have hope for the future and be prepared for His return. But I can not live in the past or the future. I live now.

 

 

 

 

Ampersand = 7
Today I learned where the ampersand is on my keyboard. I’m a little slow. Why would God make and = 7? Seven is supposed to be like a perfect number.
I think because He is a God of and. He wants us to ‘and’ with Him.
He wants us to ‘and’ with everyone by inviting not judging and by sharing ourselves and listening.

‘Father give me your strength to be vulnerable and protect me when I listen.’