Monday, April 22, 2013

TEN MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT GOD # 4 - GOD IS ALIVE!

This blog isn't about me, it's about our Lord. However, many of you enjoy the personal stuff so I often share what's going on in my little corner of the world. I must admit, I'm always thrilled to go out into this big beautiful world that God has created - meet new people, see new things, and, if given an opportunity, share God's love and how the divine mixes into our everyday life - no matter where we are, or what we're doing - our God is there. "I am with you always. . .Matthew 28:20.

      I will continue now with writing "The Ten Most Important Things About God." In case you've missed the previous three, we've covered these points... #1God Has Written a Personal Message to Us", #2 - God Has Appeared on Earth in Human Form,  #3 - God Desires a Personal Relationship with His Children.

      Much of the world watched events unfold in the aftermath of the bombings at the Boston Marathon last week. Runners from all over the world come to compete in this famous race. I heard a man say that he was standing close to the finish line when the bombs exploded. He wasn't seriously injured, but a woman standing close to him, had all the fingers on one hand blown off by the explosion. There was a horrific earthquake in China last week, many were killed and so many are suffering.
      None of us know from day to day, or even moment by moment, when our life on earth will end, or be significantly altered. Another tragedy that may have been pushed aside by the press because of all the drama in Boston, happened in Texas last week. A huge factory caught on fire, then exploded killing and injuring many; homes were destroyed and lives were changed forever.
      There can be only one source of comfort during such difficult times. In fact, many of us don't need a terrible tragedy - the small disappointments and frustrations of everyday life can be enough for us to cry out "Abba, Father", Romans 8:15. This verse tells us that God's Spirit in us is not one of fear, we received the Spirit of sonship.  And, as God's children, we cry out to our heavenly Father. This is the very nature of one who believes.
      In order to cry out to our Father, we need to be convinced that He is alive, that He can hear us, and that He cares about us uniquely and individually.   

#Our God is alive.

"I know my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth." Job 19:25

      At first thought, this may not seem like such a big deal, but think of how many people down through the ages have worshiped and prayed to an idol, a dead god. I've watched people lay flowers and fruit at the feet of statues made of stone or clay, bow and pray to them in hopes of being heard. You can't expect something that isn't alive to respond. Where there is no life, there is no power to do anything, not punish or bless.
      I've heard these words so often, "How does anyone know that Christ rose from the dead, no one saw Him after they took Him down from the cross." Wrong, that is simply not true. The Bible records, in I Corinthians 15, that over five hundred people witnessed the risen Christ. It's very interesting to me that the Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus, recorded the fact that Jesus was the Christ and appeared alive the third day after His death on the cross. Josephus was not part of the religious world, he simply recorded the events of his time. You can find this in the book, The Works of Josephus, Complete and Unabridged, Book 18, chapter 3, pg. 480.   
      Many times in scripture Jesus claimed to be God. . .

"I and the Father are one." John 10:30.  The disciple, Philip, wasn't much different than many of us today. He had doubts. When Jesus was explaining that He was the way to the Father, Philip wanted Him to show them the Father. Jesus answered with this statement:
"Don't you know me Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father."
John 14:9
      The bones of Buddha and Muhammad are still in the ground. I don't believe either of them ever claimed to be the God. When Mary went to the tomb she was told, "He is not here; for He is risen as He said." - Matthew 28:6. Jesus is divine, He is God in the flesh, and He could not stay in the grave, because death had no power over Him.
      The good news for those who believe is that we too shall rise from the dead. We do so by imparted power (power of the Holy Spirit), but Jesus rose by His own power. Death had no dominion over Him. Our God is alive and we are alive in Him by the power of the Holy Spirit. As a justified person, I have not one sin held against me. If I could look into God's eternal book, I'd see that every debt of mine has been cancelled.
      I pray that the Lord has, or will, reveal this truth to you. It is He alone who can open our eyes and touch our heart.

Lord we praise your Holy Name as we stand in awe of what you have done for us. Thank you Jesus for paying the penalty for our sins, then rising up, alive again, to show us that we too will live eternally.