There is a notion in this world that we must find God—that he is aloof and distant, that he created everything, yet now is unavailable to us.
This notion extends itself into our lives, our culture, our world in one sense in that from that notion we conclude if we are to know God that we must find him, that we must pursue him, that we must somehow get his attention. We must build a resume of good works, or do something no one else can do, or punish or deprive ourselves in some way to the point of self-flagellation to demonstrate our determination and will to know God.
We must impress him, this notion tells us.
But that God is actually a “little g” god, for he is non-existent. It is the god of the false narrative of all that is in opposition (read: Satan and his forces) to the real God of this universe. For the very opposite is true. God is a powerfully self-revealing God. To miss God, it must be intentional, for there is so much God does to get our attention.
God constantly reveals himself and there is a continuous offer on the table for us, both individually and as the human race, to respond to in his offer of himself in a personal relationship with him. For God is not a God of religion, he is interested in you at the most basic and personal level—in a relationship.
He wants you to want him and know him, therefore he reveals himself in several ways. The first and most basic is that God has created this wonderful creation with his own hands from the wisdom of his own mind. The child in the backyard looking out into the heavens trying to take it all in is the first baby steps of humanity as the marvels of creation spark our minds and imaginations. It is the scientist and the astronomer that is the metaphor of this human child looking out into the sky to see if he can answer the deep and profound questions of humanity—are we alone? Is there someone else in this domain of eternity to walk alongside with, to share our hearts and souls with, to engage and improve and enjoy and find the answers we all seek?
It is God we seek. But we cannot seek him in any meaningful way except in ways he chooses, the ways he shows us, the ways in which he reveals himself.
He also reveals himself in a message―his written Word. When one takes the Bible seriously and examines it as the astronomer looks at the heavens or the biologist looks into the microscope, we will be knocked down with its power, for it is God that authored these words, the words of pure truth, beauty and redemption.
One would expect this God of the universe to write us a message in our language, the human language and one would expect it to be the best book, the most read book, the most translated book, the most confirmed book, of which it is.
And one would expect this book to contain the singular message from God, the message of all time, the message that brings us to him in this personal relationship, for he is a personal God.
And just what is that singular message of all time that overwhelms all other teachings, all other messages, all religions, all human thought?
It is the ultimate way God reveals himself to us―through the incarnation of Jesus Christ, God’s Son. He entered onto the dusty roads of this planet he created, died in our place for the sins we committed against him, in his perfect pure holiness, so we might respond to his revelation of himself by giving our lives to him and for him.
He is completely aware of you and knows your exact thoughts, pains, heartaches and sins even as you are reading these words.
He is truly a loving, pursuing God.
Stop now. Talk to him. Respond to him.
He is waiting.
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He builds his lofty palace in the heavens and sets its foundation on the earth; he calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out over the face of the land— the Lord is his name.
Amos 9:6 NIV
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We can come to know Christ through confession of our sins and repentance (turning away from sin). Let me encourage you to do this by talking to God through prayer. Here is an idea of how you might do that:
"Dear God, I believe your son Jesus Christ died in my place on the cross and rose from the dead on the third day following his death. I confess my sins, all of them, to you now with a humble heart. I repent of those sins and ask you to empower me with your Holy Spirit in overcoming further sin. Amen”
If you prayed this or a similar prayer committing your life to Christ and becoming one of his followers, let me encourage you to find a good, Bible-believing church. If you live in the Weslaco/Rio Grand Valley area of Texas, let me invite you to the church I attend, Mid-Valley Assembly (www.midvalleyassembly.com).
Begin talking to God in prayer and reading the Bible daily. A good way to begin to read the Bible is to start with the Book of John in the New Testament. Feel very free in connecting with me if you need any further help in your walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. You can do this via the above email or facebook page or this web page.
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Mercy Road Ministries was founded and now led by Ben Bounds. Ben has pastored churches across Texas for over thirty years and is an ordained minister with the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA). He holds a BA in Pastoral Ministry and Biblical Studies from Southwestern Assemblies of God College and did graduate theological studies at the BMA Theological Seminary.
Ben's first book, The Divine Chase: Responding to a Pursuing God, was released on 12.08.2017 through Westbow Press, a division of Thomas Nelson and Zondervan. It is available in paperback and hardback through your preferred bookseller (Mardels, Barnes and Noble, etc.) and paperback, hardback as well as ebook through online book retailers (www.christianbook.com, www.cokesbury.com, www.amazon.com, www.booksamillion.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, etc.).
Ben is the host of Staying in Bounds, an on-air Bible devotional broadcast multiple times daily on KWJV 103.7 FM Weslaco, TX which can also be heard worldwide online at www.kwjvthestar.com.
Ben and his wife, Linda, together have four adult children and nine grandchildren. They live in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.
Ben can be contacted for preaching engagements at benbounds695@gmail.com or 903.441.3279.
Ben can also be contacted via his website @ www.benbounds.com, which is also his blog and contains more information about his ministry.
Follow Ben @ https://www.facebook.com/mercyroadministries/ and this website www.benbounds.com.
© 2018 by Ben Bounds. All rights reserved.
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