GOD'S PRESENCE IN A BROKEN WORLD

ARE YOU THERE GOD ? There are days when this question seems to resonate throughout the Christian community. Each and every day seems to bring a feeling of more Craziness to our lives….at least from a Worldly sense. Since the “Fall” in the Garden, mankind has been UNDONE. Our Original Sin created a separation from God, both Physically and Spiritually. I often pray for many I Love to Find God in their lives, and See and Hear HIS VOICE. It is truly difficult to know that they have hardened their hearts and want nothing to do with God….or they are simply “Overwhelmed” with the world, life, strife, and hopelessness. And Yet…in the Words Of Jesus…"“ THESE THINGS I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU, THAT IN ME YOU MAY HAVE PEACE. IN THE WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TRIBULATION,; BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER, I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD.” John 16:32. For many, circumstances Do Feel Overwhelming ! Health Issues; Financial Issues; Family Issues….so many ISSUES ! WHERE CAN I TURN ! The answer is actually very Simple, and yet SO HARD FOR MANY. JESUS. The answer is JESUS ! Turn To Him. The world is a tumultuous caldron; a place where Storms rise and fall Continually…JESUS OFFERS REST AND PEACE…HOPE ! All Around Us Are Flashing Headlines Of Division And Chaos. Not a day goes by without some major headline promoting corruption, division and FEAR. Unlike the world, however, scripture provides a different message ! “FEAR NOT FOR I AM WITH YOU. BE NOT DISMAYED FOR I AM YOUR GOD. I WILL HELP YOU AND STRENGTHEN YOU, AND LIFT YOU UP WITH THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF MY RIGHT HAND. Isaiah 41:10. God has a way more hopeful and steadfast vision for our lives. STEADFAST ! While the world and culture promote endless change and new morality and values, GOD HAS GIVEN MANKIND A SOLID FOUNDATION TO LIVE UPON AND POWER AND AUTHORITY TO BE UNDER. There are many people who reject God. Many people who do not Recognize His Presence And Creative Power also. When I take a look around me, I SEE UNIQUENESS EVERYWHERE ! We are not some random gathering of matter and cells. Take a look at the unique looks, qualities, functions, personalities, gifts, and intricate properties of every single thing your eyes can see. The human body itself is so specifically and amazingly put together that our science and medicine can barely scratch the surface of all the multi-faceted functions they encounter.Mankind tries so hard to explain and hypothesize about all that exists, but our answers just create More Questions. IN GOD ALONE WILL WE FIND TRUTH AND UNDERSTANDING:)

FOR BY HIM ALL THINGS WERE CREATED, IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH, VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE, WHETHER THRONES OR DOMINIONS OR RULERS OR AUTHORITIES- ALL THINGS WERE CREATED THROUGH HIM AND FOR HIM. Colossians 1:16

YET FOR US THERE IS ONE GOD, THE FATHER, FROM WHOM ARE ALL THINGS AND FOR WHOM WE EXIST, AND ONE LORD, JESUS CHRIST, THROUGH WHOM ARE ALL THINGS AND THROUGH WHOM WE EXIST. 1 Corinthians 8:6

I PRAISE YOU, FOR I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE. WONDERFUL ARE YOUR WORKS; MY SOUL KNOWS IT VERY WELL. Psalm 139:14

DEATH. DO YOU FEAR IT ? Might seem like a crass question, but believe me, It Is Not ! The world has no answer for it. Mankind continuously tries to conquer it, explain it, and Avoid It…Yet, I AM NOT AFRAID OF IT. The Reason ? JESUS :) As a follower of Jesus, I know WHO I AM AND WHOSE I AM. Scripture tells us much about Life, and how to Live It, but it also addresses Death. JESUS OVERCAME DEATH ….just like HE OVERCAME THE WORLD ! Many, many people reject the very HOPE that would deliver them from Fear, and provide the very answers to Eternal Life. His name is JESUS. As I get older, I realize just how ridiculous it is to put your Faith and Focus on things that are Temporary. So many things change in life as we age. Physical abilities, Cognitive abilities; they affect everything we do and what we are Unable To Do. In our personal moments of reflection we can see the things that cause us the most trouble and open our path to SIN. I have found that when I strike out on my own, without God, I never see the richness of HIS BLESSINGS ! How about YOU ? The world tells us to count on ourselves; We are powerful and in Control. Really ? How many of us have experienced Health Issues, tragedies, addictions, and just plain old unexpected circumstances….that we didn’t see coming ? Those Times are when it is SO Important to KNOW THAT GOD IS BESIDE YOU ! Having spent some time in the Homeless Community in Phoenix, I have seen what it means to be ALONE, and it is not a good place at all. Each person I have met and prayed with ended up in a place they never saw coming. Addiction, Bad Choices, Bad Luck, Things Not Anticipated…all allowing them to Be In A Place They Never Wanted To Be. Even with all the programs, outreach, and care, the only true answer is CHANGE. Change of Focus and Trust…and that leads directly to JESUS !

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. John 3:16

FOR THE SON OF MAN CAME TO SEEK AND SAVE THE LOST. Luke 19:10

TRULY, TRULY I SAY TO YOU, WHOEVER HEARS MY WORD AND BELIEVES HIM WHO SENT ME HAS ETERNAL LIFE. HE DOES NOT COME INTO JUDGEMENT, BUT HAS PASSED FROM DEATH TO LIFE. John 5:24

I am baffled when I meet people who reject God. Many have a confidence that They have all the answers. Many feel that They are wise. Many think that the intellect and Prowess of Mankind stands above all else…and it just happened with a BANG, or an evolution of something crawling out of mud and water. I Think It Comes From Two Basic Things: PRIDE AND FEAR ! True wisdom comes from GOD. Truth comes from GOD. Moral Clarity and Values come from GOD. Scripture is the Gateway and the LIght that will shine in our Minds and Hearts to SHOW US GOD’S PERFECT PATH. It takes Commitment, Focus, Belief, and Faith….Which path will YOU TAKE ? Once you know, then it is time to BEAR WITNESS IN YOUR LIFE AND SHARE THE GOSPEL MESSAGE :) Followers Of Christ are meant to be Bold and Active in The Lord’s Kingdom. The Kingdom Is HERE NOW ! Church attendance, knowledge and serving are good things, but the real secret is KNOWING GOD ! KNOWING YOUR IDENTITY AND YOUR CALLING ! Jesus made it so very clear : “ TEACHER, WHICH IS THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT IN THE LAW ?” JESUS REPLIED; ‘ LOVE THE LOD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND. THIS IS THE FIRST AND GREATEST COMMANDMENT. AND THE SECOND IS LIKE IT. ‘ LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ ALL THE LAW AND PROPHETS HANG ON THESE TWO COMMANDMENTS. Ask yourself a question : What would the world actually BE LIKE if people followed those words ? SEEK JESUS AND FIND YOUR ANSWER :) FIND TRUTH IN CHRIST/JAA

GO THEREFORE AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Matthew 28: 19-20