Seeking and Finding God

 In some religions, the infinite God is so remote, that He becomes an abstraction, or a frightening judge.

Human nature longs for a personal spiritual experience. We long for relationships, not only at a physical and emotional level but also spiritually, so religion leads us to venerate angels, saints, gods, goddesses or to submit unconditionally to spirit guides, gurus, rabbis, priests or pastors.

But the God of the Bible is infinitely great but also intensely personal. He makes Himself small, so we can know Him and love Him personally.

Perhaps you are not sure if you believe in God, or you are confused about what God might be like.

Try talking to God personally. You have nothing to lose.

You can say, as some atheists or agnostics have done. “God, if you are real, please let me find you.”

In the bible, many Jews were confused about religion. Many prayed to the gods of other nations. The results were terrible.

But God spoke to the Prophet Jeremiah.

Call to me, and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jer 33:3 NRSVue

You can talk to God and if you seek him with all your heart, you will find him.

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.

Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 
And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jer 29:11–13 NKJV

Gratitude Activates Faith

 In the Bible, Jesus healed countless sick, suffering and disabled people. This is one of the most prominent themes in the New Testament.

In the Gospel of Matthew, we read how Jesus healed all those who sought healing from him.

When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. Mt 8:16 NIV

When Peter first proclaimed the good news to non-Jews, he summarised Jesus' ministry in the following words.

And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. Acts 10:38 NLT

We read the same words in both Bible texts. Jesus healed everyone.

Was this a special offer when Jesus was on earth in the flesh before the cross?

Clearly not.

Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.

The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Jas 5:14–15 NRSV

Here we see the word SAVE. This is a translation of the Greek word SOZO:

This word in the Greek NT sometimes means SAVE and sometimes HEAL

It has always been God's will that the eternal salvation of the soul and salvation from illness should belong together.

We already see both together in the Psalms.

... who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, Ps 103:3 NIV

What is the basis for this confident faith in God’s healing?

Firstly, holding on to God's promises and testimonies, no matter what other Christians or even theologians say.

The second is found in the same psalm.

Gratitude.

Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, Ps 103:2–3 NIV 

Today, countless Muslims are experiencing miraculous healings in the name of Jesus. Millions of Muslims are converting to Jesus. Gratitude for miraculous healings is very often decisive.

In Europe we often see a completely different attitude. So many Christians do not react to miracles with gratitude, but with doubt.

The humanistic culture in Europe has taught us to question everything. Tragically, this way of thinking is not only found in  traditional churches, but also in some free churches.

One of the most important concepts in the Bible is PEACE:

Paul repeatedly greeted the churches in the New Testament with GRACE and PEACE:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Eph 1:2 NRSV

Paul wants to explain to Christians that they have peace through God's grace, that they are reconciled with God and should no longer fear God's judgement and punishment.

But Paul was also Jewish. The Hebrew word for peace is SHALOM:

Peace: shalo̱m also means (external as well as internal) well-being; welfare; well-being;

• God wants to restore us holistically, to reconcile us to himself.

• God wants to heal our wounded souls and broken hearts.

• God wants to free us from illness and all kinds of disabilities.

Not only in heaven, but here and now.

Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Mt 6:10 NRSV

If you have problems with this teaching, you cannot eliminate your doubts with your logical mind alone.

Try a new approach. Start with gratitude.
Reflect on all the help you have received in life.

There is nothing good in this world that does not come from God.

Jesus took your Shame and Guilt

 Jesus died for you to take your punishment upon himself. You no longer need to carry your shame. Don't be ashamed any more. Jesus hung stark naked on the cross to bear your shame.

But we do not believe in a deceased martyr. Jesus came back from the grave. He rose again in the flesh so that we can be sure that his promises are true and reliable.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,
and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” Jn 11:25–26 NASB95

What does it mean to believe in Jesus? Have you entrusted your life to Jesus?

When Jesus died, his disciples panicked and despaired. We, too, are weak. But despite their doubts and misunderstandings, they still loved Jesus.

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. Jn 20:19–20 NIV

But Thomas was not there. He was traumatised and could not believe until Jesus came to him too. Despite his doubts, he still loved Jesus. When he saw Jesus, the scales fell from his eyes.

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!” Jn 20:27–28 NIV

Jesus knew their hearts and his love for them was even stronger. So it is with Jesus and you. If your heart is attached to Jesus despite everything, you must be sure that his love for you is immeasurably stronger.

If you are like Thomas, if your heart is attached to Jesus, you have eternal life. Your old life is over.

WHAT IS GOD REALLY LIKE?

What is God really like? 

We can so easily get confused about this. 

• You look at your life and you match what you see against the high standards of religious virtue. You start to think of God as a fearsome judge and you hide from Him.

• Or you look around and you think, if there is a God, how could he be good, to make a world so full of cruelty and suffering?

• Or you look away from humanity in horror and see the glory and beauty of nature, so you long to be in harmony with the mysterious spiritual essence permeating all that beauty. 

• Love and relationships always disappoint you, so you despair of finding a personal God. Often people let you down and sometimes the church that preaches a personal God is no better, sometimes but not always.

With the limitations of our faulty human nature, there is no way out of this confused mess.

As children we enjoyed the love of our mother and father, or if not we longed to have such a love. We heard stories where people lived happily ever after and we wanted them to be true.

There is no way out and no way home to the dreams of our childhood.

But as I grew older, I found there were at least some people who had found love and peace and a heavenly hope that was not just shallow religion. Of course I was confused and disappointed by much of what I saw in Christian churches but I longed for something better. 

• I didn’t find it in the worship of natural beauty or in yoga or poetry. I didn’t find it in psychology or religion.

I found it in the lives of some people who followed Jesus. 

They were full of love and they accepted me. When I was with them, I felt a warm glow like an aura, a spiritual fragrance in the atmosphere. 
I felt a spiritual presence far warmer and sweeter and more comforting than the spiritual atmosphere around New Age people. There was a comfort that was real and inviting far better than anything I had ever known.

• 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV)    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 

  • who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.