this is god!

If I told you that I was going to take my brand-new Jaguar to the bike shop for repairs because it would be cheaper and I knew a guy – you’d think I was insane.

If I told you the doctor found spots on my lungs, but I thought he was exaggerating the seriousness of the situation and I had decided to just ride it out – you’d think I was an idiot.

Of course, you would take an expensive vehicle to the manufacturer if something went wrong. Who would know better how to fix it? And of course, if you became ill with a potentially life-threatening disease, you would follow the advice of the best doctor you could find. You might even visit more than one in your search for healing.

We are more than a complicated, intricate machine. We are a million different parts and pieces all coming together. The insides and the outsides, the interior of our thoughts and emotions, and the magnificent, always amazing exterior, combining to make the most brilliant marvel of creation. We can actually have the Spirit of God residing in us! (I Corinthians 6:12 – don’t you know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit?)

Why is it then that we so often look everywhere but to God for the answers to our questions?

Life is truly complicated.

We do need help; we do need answers. It’s amazing how far people will go to avoid God in their search. But, if you have enough sense to take your vehicle to the right mechanic, and enough sense to get yourself to the right doctor, shouldn’t you have enough sense to come before the One who made you to find answers to your problems.

I can see two main reasons why people don’t go to the Lord in search of answers to life’s complicated, and even dire, situations.

Reason # 1 – they don’t believe such a God exists.

What kind of God?

A personal one. One who cares about the spots on your lung, or your trouble in your marriage, or the heartache borne from years of bad decisions. They don’t realize that God bends His ear down to hear the brokenhearted whispers of the lonely and the desolate. They don’t know the depth that His love and forgiveness can reach. They don’t know that God is the great burden lifter. It is a great sorrow to carry life’s burden without the help of the One who made you and desires to walk the way with you.

He not only carries your burden, but He carries you as well!

Reason #2 – they know God exists, but they don’t want to give in, or submit, to His will.

They view God’s presence in their life as a negative, not a positive. Kind of like an interfering, over enthusiastic, nosy neighbor, always showing up with his flashlight to catch you doing something wrong.

This is not God!

This is God.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11

This is God.

His mercy endures forever! (Psalm 136 -- twenty-six times!)

This is God.

We can approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of trouble. (Hebrews 6:14).

A future -- Mercy – Hope – Confidence – Grace – Peace -- Help

Does this sound like an unapproachable God? Does this sound like a God who is far off -- who doesn’t care?

Or does this sound like a God who is reaching out to people, wanting them to come to Him and have a relationship with Him?

I don’t care how strong you think you are: you are not made to go it alone. It is not a sign of weakness to trust in the Lord. It’s the wisest decision you will ever make.

If you are a believer who is timid about letting God hold the reins, it’s time to let go. He saved you, now let Him lead you. He will do a much better job for you than you can do for yourself. There is no wisdom greater than God’s. Let it go!

If you have not made a decision to ask Christ to be your Savior, today’s the day! Your sins are forgiven by the blood Jesus shed on the cross. God’s forgiveness is complete – you can come to His throne boldly! He has made a way. Don’t neglect this great gift.

If you would like to ask Christ into your heart, please pray:

Jesus, please come into my heart and live. I ask for your forgiveness for my sins and receive you as my personal Savior. Thank you for the gift of salvation. Please lead me and guide me in my next steps. Amen.

**If you would like prayer, counseling, or are looking for a church, please go to ggwo.org