Testimony: - We are without excuse!

I've believed in God for as long as I can remember. And I've always recalled that on Christmas, Jesus was born; and on Easter, He died, but rose again. I thank my parents and my church for providing me with that fundamental belief system. But, it wasn't until I started questioning why I believed this that it really started to sink in and matter to me. For the longest time, I believed this because I was told it was the truth. In reality, I guess I could have been categorized as one of those who believed that God existed and that if I were a good person, I'd get into heaven. I mean, I was a good kid growing up, c'mon, I deserve to be let in, right? Nope. All that doin' and bein' good wasn't going to get me anywhere. I needed to let Christ be in the driver's seat of my life. Doing this is the only way to have eternal life (see John 3:16).

So, how do I get there? Well, the easiest answer is to read about it - in the Bible. There are verses that tells us that we are without excuse (for not knowing that God's out there) and the reason is the fact that we can witness His creation, "the heavens and the earth." See Romans 1:19-20. And you know, I've never bought the scientific explanations for how the universe was formed or how man "evolved" - and I've got an engineering mind, scientific and logical. For example, the Big Bang theory works fine except for the fact that they (whoever they are) forgot to tell us where the gasses and "space matter" came from to initiate the big bang in the first place! If God put them there, then I buy that theory.

On another note, it's very easy to overlook small things. Most of the time, we're looking for God to move mountains in our lives. This is something I've struggled with quite a bit. In always looking for the "big miracles," we often miss out on the smaller ones He works out for us. When we miss those and, maybe, never even see a "big event," it's easy to start wondering if He's there. But when I take note of all the little things He's doing, I end up floored. You just never know how He's going to use a certain circumstance to further His Kingdome or Glorify Himself.

Favorite verse(s)? Romans 12:1-2 and Romans 1:19-20

I haven't scouered the Bible, searching for the perfect verse that means everything to me. I'm not sure there is one. In fact, I haven't probably even scouered a third of it. In light of that, I could have easily said John 3:16. That one's kind of a favorite of everyone - including myself. It lays it right out there in simple terms: if you want to live forever, turn your life over to Jesus.

Back to Romans... what's with this verse? Well, "in view of God's mercy" (re: John 3:16), Paul is now discussing our action in life. So, in addition to believing and thinking I'm a Christian, I must "walk the walk," so to speak. My mind needs to be transformed from focusing on the here-and-now to focusing on eternity. I need to sever myself from worldly ways and focus my thoughts and actions on God - something not easily accomplished in today's world that is full of distractions and a barrage of on-ramps to the road of temptation.

But, hold fast, for He is always with us, until the very end of the age. Do not get discouraged --- with Him, nothing is impossible.

What equipment do I use?

 

Steve's Bio Page - Paul's Bio Page

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