Why Believe?

Lessons

I was having a casual conversation with someone at work the other day and, as my life would have it, the topic somehow switched to God and Christianity. This person knew I worked a lot of hours and also came in on the weekends. They also knew it wasn’t always about work. He knew about our church and my beliefs.

They wondered why I would choose to come into the office instead of simply working from home. “Why would you come here when you spend so much time here anyway?” The answer to that question sometimes troubles me as well. So, I gave it some thought.

  • My girlfriend typically works on Saturdays so there really isn’t any point of staying home.
  • My office isn’t that far from where I watch the Sunrise on the weekends so that’s another convenience.
  • The landscapers don’t usually work the weekends at my office, but they do at home… a little more quiet for me.
  • Okay, big point… free coffee and fast Internet!

Alright, we got passed that one. What was his next round of questioning going to be? Then he hit me with it… “With all that’s going on in this world: the government scandals; school shootings and senseless murders in the streets; raging wildfires leaving hundreds homeless and some dead; and just a whole barrage of natural disasters happening throughout the world (volcanos, earthquakes, massive flooding) …how then, can you possibly still believe?”

I’ll save my personal responses to him for a little later but, for now, I’d like to share some of the reasons I found for believing from various other web sites and Christian Organizations where I study frequently.

The Net

You all know how much I Love the Bible. I hope you also understand how much the words written in the Bible mean to me and how much they’ve influenced my life. I have a confession for you though, and it might even surprise you.

As I’ve grown older, my vision has begun to fail me a little and, all too often, the typeface in the Bibles today are far too small for me to read. I’m also too stubborn and perhaps a bit too proud to carry glasses around with me.

My solution? Being the kind of techie, nerdy guy I can be, I found my answer on the Internet. Its actually a huge resource for me as I’ve found so many places I feel are truly dedicated to God, Jesus and The Holy Spirit.

If you, like I do, have access to these great, modern-day sources of information, I encourage you to use them and reach out to help you find some answers that just won’t seem to enter into your head. Is that God talking to you? You never know, do you?

…and why am I telling you all of this? People have asked me before, very specifically, “How do I read the Bible?” Well, here’s an answer for you.

The Bible

Quite obviously, this is the best source for you if you’re beginning to lose faith or have doubt in what you believe in.

When I first started my research for today, I came across this paragraph at http://www.BibleStudyTools.com (can’t seem to pull up the page anymore). It’s a (was) great place to drop in and browse through. There are quite a few interesting articles here which may provide more insight on your beliefs or lack thereof. Anyway, here is the paragraph I found:

It is so easy to forget God’s presence and power when we face uncertain and difficult times. Our faith falters and we doubt that God is with us, sometimes even doubting that He is real and who He says He is. God knew that we would struggle with unbelief and has spoken reassuring words to us through the Bible.

Yes, I agree 100%! Now let’s read through a few verses from The Bible and see if they can help relieve your doubts and increase your belief.

During Paul’s ministry, as he was addressing the people of Thessalonica, he told them about believing…

1 Thessalonians 2:11-13 – “For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.

Jesus Appears to His Disciples – Increasing their Belief

After His crucifixion and on the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After He said this, He showed them His hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

Then He came to Thomas, who hadn’t believed in what his brothers had told him. Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

All I’ve just spoken about came from the Gospel according to John. John tells us why he wrote these things down.

John 20:31 – “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

John, as well as all of the other Disciples, gave us their writings as they were taught by our Lord so that, we too, would believe and understand.

This is why it is so important for us to read our Bible. It really doesn’t matter if it is in printed form or you find your place in cyberspace, as I did. These are the words of God. Believe in them!

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Distractions

Let me go back to cyberspace for another moment. I believe we often lose our trust in the Word or belief in our God through the distractions of this world. On another helpful little site I found (http://BibleReasons.com), I found another interesting way to describe what I’d like to talk about.

Distraction from God is extremely dangerous. As believers we believe that God is the captain of our ship. When you start losing sight of your captain, you start trying to steer your own ship. Not only does this lead to going the wrong way, but it can lead you in the direction of trials, sin, missed opportunities, and missed blessings.

When you lose sight of your captain you start to fear and worry. You start to think I’m in this by myself.

Your captain promised to guide you and help you but instead of focusing on Him you started focusing on the huge waves and the other sailors around you.

As technology advances being distracted from God is becoming easier and easier. Distraction from God could be because of sin, but that’s not always the reason.

The main reason is life and getting caught up in the world. Reasons for distractions include ourselves, money, hobbies, relationships, cell phones, TV, and more.

Sometimes we’re consumed with our technology all day and we only acknowledge God right before we go to sleep with a quick 20 second prayer and this should not be.

The quick prayer we did was a selfish one at that and we didn’t even take the time to say thanks and give Him praise. In life we’re supposed to do God’s will not our will.

When we allow other things to consume our lives we drift away from God. Fix your eyes back on the captain. You know where to find Him. Satan always tries his best to distract us and when we get serious about having fellowship with the Lord he will try to distract you even more.

Don’t be afraid. God says, “draw near to me and I will draw near to you.” Keep praying. Many times people pray, but then get distracted and think it’s not going to work. Stay focused on the captain.

Spend time with your Lord like you would with your child or parent. Know that He is with you on the journey. He’s guiding you to the right place. If you persevere in prayer, at the right time He will answer. Have faith!

Do you remember when the Disciples were in their boat on the water and a huge storm arose? They panicked, were in fear of their lives and then they saw Jesus, walking towards them on the water. Jesus raised His hand towards the storm and said, “Peace, be still.” Immediately, the storm ceased, and the waters calmed.

Peter, being amazed at seeing his Teacher walking on the sea, cried out in Matthew 14, “Lord, if it is you, let me come to you on the water.” And Jesus said, “Come” …and Peter entered the water…

Matthew 14:30-31 – “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’”

Kind of like the little story the folks at BibleReasons.com told us isn’t it? Peter took his eyes off Jesus and began to drown in the sea. I think that would be my main point of the day… DON’T TAKE YOUR EYES OFF GOD!

Okay, Why do I Believe?

Alright, I’ve given you a few things to think about today. I hope you have understood and now have a means of strengthening your non-belief.

As I mentioned earlier, I was asked why I believe. After all that this world puts us through, how can I believe in God; in Christ; and in The Holy Spirit?

My answer is simple really, and I’ve just said it… “this world puts us through.” Yes, this world; this society; the non-believers around us… these things are not of God. They are of this world and not the world that God has promised us.

That is the very simple reason I believe and how I keep my faith. Through reading the Bible; praying every day, throughout the day (not just once); and asking God to help me ignore the things of this world! …and He always comes through for me as I have learned to recognize the signs.

On Distractions

Trust me… just like you, I am surrounded by distractions. Distracted at work; distracted at home; distracted among friends… distraction is all around me.

When I realize these distractions are taking me away from God and everything I truly believe in, this is what I do to help myself.

I stop whatever it is I’m doing, and I look to the sky…

  • When I see the Sun, I am reminded of The Son. I remember the sacrifice He made for all of us and how much He Loves each and every one of us.
  • When I see hear the thunder and see the lightning, I am reminded of God’s great power and how encompassing it really is. I know how God could easily strike down all that is evil; all that is against His word… but instead, He chooses to leave us to our own decisions.
  • When I see the rain coming and feel it on my face, I am reminded of how God cares for every living thing and that this is simply one of the ways He takes care of us.

Yes, I have distractions. But once I focus all my strength back on God, I know, I will get through all that is put in front of me.

In Conclusion

This world is a difficult place indeed. We are put through so many trials and tribulations every day of our lives. But we have something different. We have something others may not have… we have God… we have Jesus Christ… and when we pray, we are filled with The Holy Spirit.

Keep believing in God’s words. Don’t let the distractions of this world take from your faith in your God. Keep your eyes focused on Him and not on what society wants us to see.

Read your Bible, however you choose to do so but read it often. Read it out loud and hear the words to help you better understand their lessons. Read them with passion and let them fill your heart and soul with joy… feel the presence of The Holy Spirit! Look to the sky and feel His presence in all that is around you. Know He is there.

Lastly, yet most importantly. Pray. As I always talk about, pray… and believe!

Amen

Go with God; be good to one another; always stay humble; always be kind… God Bless!