Remember!

I've heard it said that it takes more faith to believe that God doesn't exist, than to believe that He does. It's quite true. For if one believes that an organ as small as an eye can capture the sun and the moon, all on its on, great faith has been demonstrated.

Ironically, the Bible states “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” ‭‭ (Romans‬ ‭1:20‬ ‭NIV‬‬) http://bible.com/111/rom.1.20.niv

If people are without excuse, and know that God does exist, how can anyone " not believe". The Bible actually addresses this as well. “Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused.”(Romans‬ ‭1:21‬ ‭NLT‬‬).

In other words, some people refuse to acknowledge God despite the evidence, and resist worshipping Him as God. They worship other gods. People who reject God, think of foolish ideas of what God is like. Some say God accepts every religion and everyone has a place in heaven. Some don't want to accept the fact that God is holy and perfect and He hates our sin. Some say they are their own God.

But what happens when people reject the true and living God who so loved the world that He gave us His only Son Jesus to die for our sins; the God who created heaven and earth? (John 3:16, Genesis1)

“So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭1:24-25‬ ‭NLT‬‬ http://bible.com/116/rom.1.24-25.nlt

“For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭1:26-27‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/rom.1.26-27.nkjv

“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭1:28-31‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/rom.1.28-31.nkjv

How should believers respond to unbelievers who have refused to accept the true and living God? We remember. Remember that the righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, and that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:22-23). Remember. All includes you and me too. Remember the greatest two commandments are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and love your neighbor as yourself.(Mark 12:30-31) Remember that you are God's ambassador.(II Corinthians 5:20) You represent the gospel of love. This is how believers respond to unbelief. We remember!

My Way?

Recently I offered advice to one of my children about caring for their toddler. However, the parent kindly responded, stating that their choice for their child was good. In other words, thanks, but no thanks - for the advice.

Three days later, I was saddened to find that there were mild consequences that might have been a result of the actions taken by the parent. I wondered, Lord why don't my children know that I love them and I wouldn't steer them in the wrong direction.

I hadn't expected an answer. But as gentle as a lamb, from deep within came the God-thought, "why don't you know that whatever I direct you to do is best because I love you?"

I was stunned, but understood. As foolish as it is, I have wrestled with the Lord. At times, I have not been fond of His decisions and directions. Ironically, sometimes I failed to remember that it's the principalities and powers of spiritual wickedness who are against me. That's who I should be wrestling with, not God! (Ephesians 6:10-18).

God is always for us! That's because God is love, and His love is perfect. (1John 4:16). Therefore, we need not fear, pout, or be anxious about anything (1 John 4:18, Philippians 4:6). The Message Bible puts it this way “So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? (Romans‬ ‭8:31-32).

Trusting in the Lord's way, instead of our own brings life, peace, favor, wisdom, direction and even health. (Proverbs 3:1-8). We all desire every one of those blessings and in great quantity. Yet, we deceive ourselves when we presume that we can have abundant life by doing things our way. (John 10:10)

The next time you are faced with a God choice, that differs from yours, remind yourself of the following facts. God is Love, God is perfect and His plans for you are always good. God is for you, not against you. Ask the Lord to help you trust Him more, as He works out the details of your life for your good! (Romans 8:28)

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55:8-9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬). Father really does know best -therefore, His way is best. Not yours!

Birthing A God-Dream

What is your deepest desire? What is that thing you hope for, and dream about, but just can't seem to attain? Think about that for a moment. Would God say to you, that dream you've dreamed that seems to be out of your reach is all about ME?

How can you be certain that your dream is a God dream? A God dream brings glory and honor to God, helps you fulfill your purpose, and will bless others. God is the only One you'll ever meet whose plan is all about Him, but really feels as though it's all about you.

You've been pregnant with the dream and - the wait - the weight, the pause, the heaviness of something that feels overdue. There's no denying, your discomfort has been real. As you've waited, you've experienced deep pain. Pain so deep, you incorrectly presumed a miscarriage of the dream was imminent. Do not allow your discomfort to become confused with death, the death of a dream.

Return to the One Who planted the seed, the dream. Repent of any unconfessed sin. Read the manual (Bible) in preparation for your delivery. Respond by obeying what you've read. Remember God's timing differs from yours. Rely upon God! He who started this good work in you will be faithful to complete it. (Philippians 1:6 Hebrews 12:2).

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.” ‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭2:3‬ ‭NKJV ‬‬http://bible.us/114/hab.2.3.nkjv “For since the beginning of the world Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, Nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him.” (‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭64:4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/isa.64.4.nkjv)