How long?

How long do you desire me to wait?
You made your desire clear, that you wanted me in your life, yet still you turn away.
You speak to me often of the love you have, yet still you stand looking in from afar.
Matt. 7:7 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you.
The doors are thrown open. Here I am with my arms spread wide, waiting, wanting for you to come, yet you don't come.
I hear you talking to one another, yet still you don't approach me. Am I as a viper, readied to strike, injecting venom?
No! I am Love. And I long to share my love with you, but you hold me back at arms length as though I am a leper.
I offer you living water, that you never need thirst. Yet still you hunger after your worldly desires. Striving after your empty unfulfilling dreams, chasing after your almighty dollar with every beat of your unfeeling heart, holding court like you are some kind of worldly king, but alas your kingdom shall crumble.
Yet still my beloved I long to show you love, to heal your sickness, to lift you up, to fulfill your desires, to quench your thirst, to make you whole.
I AM WHO I AM.
I am the only way.
I am your only hope.
So again my beloved I ask, how long do you desire me to wait?
John 14:6 Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

I once was lost , but now I see

9:24 Then they summoned72 the man who used to be blind73 a second time and said to him, “Promise before God to tell the truth.74 We know that this man75 is a sinner.” 9:25 He replied,76 “I do not know whether he is a sinner. I do know one thing – that although I was blind, now I can see.” 9:26 Then they said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he cause you to see?”77 9:27 He answered,78 “I told you already and you didn’t listen.79 Why do you want to hear it80 again? You people81 don’t want to become his disciples too, do you?”
Does this not speak to us all? I know that I was blind and by the grace of God, I see. Is there any of you out there who could not testify to the truth of that? Yet we don't share our story with the conviction of someone who has had a miracle performed in their life. is the blind seeing anything short of that? Might a generation looking for a miracle, not be swayed by such? Is your story anything short of that miracle? Speak of Christ to a world in need.
I need what he did, because of what I've done
I need what he is, because of what I am
and he did what he did, because of who I am
Who are you and who do you have to thank for that?
Be blessed

The conversation, conclusion

Okay, doesn’t nothingness define non-existence?
More or less, that’s what I’ve been saying, God is nothing
But then to believe in nothing, would be a non-existent hypothesis.
Exactly what I’m telling you. God doesn’t exist he is nothing, what part of that don’t you understand?
We have already established your belief in God now it’s just a matter of your acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior, but we are showing now that atheism does not exist.
Yeah but now I’ve got you, because by your own argument if a thought is something and something exists then I have thought about it and I believe that atheism does exist, so now what do you have to say?
But your belief tells you to believe in nothing, nothingness is an inconceivable concept. Remember even in nothing there is something, so I don’t understand how a belief in nothing can be upheld.
It’s not really a belief in nothing; it’s a belief in no God.
We have already established however your belief in God, so how can that be a belief? Your belief structure has a flaw. If you would like to fix that we could discuss how you might find salvation through belief in Jesus Christ.
No thanks.
You don’t want to know the truth?
I know the truth I know what I believe.
So you are then assured of salvation?
I don’t know nothing about that, but I do know that what I believe is the truth to me.
So truth is relative then? Is that what you are saying?
Yeah, you know everybody has there own perception of what is true.
Wow it would be great if the law worked like that, no your honor that is not one of my laws so I can’t be charged with it.
Now you’re talking.
So I’m not really sure if you are an anarchist or a relativist. Do you know?
I’m hopeless
We all are that’s why we need Jesus that’s why he paid the price for our sins that’s why we can’t do it on our own. I’ve got to get going, you have a great day and may God bless you
You too

The conversation pt 2

So if I give you that, then you have to concede that God would cease to exist as soon as the thought was done.
Everything man has created originated from just a thought, I believe that you would be hard pressed to stop thinking about it. Just because something is not on your mind for a moment, that does not defer its relevance.
Yeah but if God is just a thought, then once the thought is gone then so is God.
What about when someone else thinks about the thought that you call god? To be completely honest though you have to understand that God is more than a thought, much more.
So you said that atheism couldn’t exist, how can you explain that?
What does your atheist religion claim you believe in?
It’s not a religion; it’s a lack of religion.
If that were true there wouldn’t be so many people out there trying to evangelize for atheism. I would call it one of the more aggressive religions there is. So what is it that your atheism worships?
Nothing, that’s the point, there is no God.
Define nothing.
How do you define nothing? It is nothing, now I have to ask you are you stupid?
Possibly, but think about it in nothing, still there is something.
Huh?
What’s in your hand?
Nothing.
Okay so if you cupped your hand would it hold air?
Yeah, kind of.
Isn’t air one of those life sustaining somethings?
Yes, but there is still nothing.
If it is something you require to stay alive how can you say it is nothing? Even in the vacuum of space there is something, in all places at all times there is something. Something is like God in that aspect.
So God is something?
See I knew you would come around.
No wait a minute.

The conversation pt 1

How are you doing?
I’d be doing a lot better if the weather would clear up.
Did God rain on your parade?
Something like that, but I don’t think it was God I’m an atheist.
I doubt it probably more agnostic.
What?
Atheism doesn’t exist.
What are you talking about I just said it did, God doesn’t exist.
What does God look like to you?
Nothing, I just told you God does not exist.
So is that your definition of existence then, being something?
Okay, I guess you could say that.
Is that rock something?
Yes.
Is the sidewalk something?
Yes.
Do they then exist?
In a manner of speaking, yes.
Is a thought something?
Yes.
So have you ever thought about God?
No.
Are you sure? Do you just jump to illogical conclusions without thinking?
No, you’re trying to twist my words around.
I’m trying to lead you into the light, that you might know the truth.
I have used logic to come to the conclusion that there is no God.
So you have thought about God?
Yeah, okay I have thought about God and I don’t believe.
Your logic is fooling you because you have already admitted you believe in God.
No I haven’t, you are not hearing what I’m saying.
I hear you clearly, I don’t think you are listening to yourself.
Whatever, I don’t want to talk about your God.
It’s not my God; It’s your God we are talking about.
I don’t believe in God.
I would have to argue that if you have not thought about God you couldn’t argue that there is no God. If one is going to argue that there is no God they would have to think about it. You can not argue against something you have not thought about, that is just stupid. Are you stupid?
No.
So you have thought about God?
Yes.
So if a thought is something and something is existence, then even if God is just a pure and simple thought, you have to admit He exists.
You can twist my words all you want, I still don’t believe.
We have established you do believe, even if God is just a thought, we just have to work on your salvation now.

Walk by faith

We are told Abraham was found righteous in God’s eyes through faith. That is the same for us, for it is through faith that we receive salvation. Though the circumstances may differ the result is the same. Abraham displayed his faith in God by being a loyal servant, by responding to God’s wishes with action. The same can be said for what God desires of us.
In truth the story of Abraham is a picture for us of what it is God desires of us and at the same time gives us a picture of what God was going to do for us. God told Abraham to leave his family and go to a strange land, he went. In fact everything God asked Him to do, he did without hesitation. Abraham had faith. In their old age God gave Abraham and Sarah the son they had waited and wished so long for. You have to know in your heart how much this elderly couple must have loved this son. Isaac grew to be a fine young man. Then Abraham was given a true test of faith. God said I know I promised you that through Isaac you would be blessed with a multitude of nations, but now I want him back. I want you to offer Isaac to me as a sacrifice. Okay, I don’t know about you but I believe that if I heard something like that, the first thing out of my mouth would be you’ve got to be kidding, get behind me Satan. You have to know, to almost feel the struggle that Abraham had to be going through. The same God that had so blessed him with this son he so loved, now wanted him back? The turmoil this must have caused in Abraham’s mind is beyond my comprehension. We all know Abraham chose to obey God, if not then you can find it in Genesis 22. This is a perfect example, of what God wants from us. No not to do away with our kids, but to go when He says go. He wants us to shine for the world the light that is Jesus Christ, He wants us to release our worldly desires and ambitions, to listen and accept His will. So here is Abraham taking the only son he and Sarah have up into the mountain to offer him up as atonement for sin. Let’s think about this for a moment, does it sound familiar in any way? As they walk along, Isaac loaded down with wood like a pack mule starts to think, he asks, dad we’ve got wood, we’ve got fire, where is the lamb? Abraham responds with God will provide himself a lamb for the sacrifice. God will provide himself, is that awesome or what? Do you catch the line of thought here? God showed us through this story that He would provide himself as atonement for our sin, that we might be found righteous through our faith. True he did stop Abraham from killing Isaac, but we receive a clear picture of the pain that God must have felt when his only Son died for our transgressions, and He did it without hesitation because he loves us and wants to be with us.
Jesus stepped down from God to be a man, so that we could be reconciled to him through faith in spite of ourselves.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16 (NASB)
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through me" John 14:6 (NASB)
Be blessed, walk by faith
Ross

Salvation

We have all sinned. That is part of who we are now as human beings. God hates sin, with all that he is. Because we live in sin we can never be reconciled to God, can never be in his presence and never share in his glory. That’s why God had to give to us of Himself, so that we could share in his eternity. Jesus lived for us a sinless life, to pay the price for our sin.
For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 1 Peter 2:21,22 (NASB)
So you see Christ came to provide for you an example of the life you should live. To be a perfect, sinless picture of what God desires of us all, He also laid down that life to pay the price God required to bridge the gap between us
And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live in righteousness; for His wounds healed us. 1 Peter 2:24 (NASB)
There is no other way we can accomplish this daunting task, no other way to be reconciled unto a just and righteous God. For just as a judge of our laws must uphold those laws so must God uphold His laws and hold us accountable for our transgressions of them.
In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God John 1:1 (NASB)
And the word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth John 1:14 (NASB)
He shined the light on the world, gave unto us life in the Father because of the atonement made on the cross, we may be saved, if we but ask. Ask Him into your heart, accept the saving grace provided on your behalf and live life reconciled to God because of the gift Jesus provided for us all. Escape the righteous judgment of God for not living by the rules He gave us. Accept the saving grace of Jesus Christ and be made new. Live life like the example that is Jesus
8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God Eph. 2:8 (NIV)
Be blessed
Ross

LOVE

In so much as we have undertaken to compile of the things that comprise love. Just as those eyewitnesses and servants of the word set out to demonstrate the love that is God. It seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated and tested His love from my very beginning . To write out for you in a rambling disorganized, almost illiterate manner, my most beloved brothers and sisters
God is love, Jesus is the light that shined and directed that love which is God into the world
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life John 3:16 (NIV)
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NIV)
Jesus stepped down from God to be a man to live with us in the sin we are even though he hates it and can't stand to look at it ,he chose to walk amongst it, to live with it and to die for it,so that we could be found righteous through nothing we did but through the love he demonstrated for us.How than should we behave? We should reflect that love to others, we should allow others to see Jesus through our actions, we should love others according to their need not by what we feel they deserve,we should love others without hope of any return. Freely you recieved, freely you should give.Think about it, what if Christ had only loved us as much as we deserved, I could say, see you in hell and I would be right. We would never know the glory of our Father, never be in his presense, never know his love because we don't deserve it. We would be dead in our transgressions.
As it is written, There is none righteous, not even one, Romans 3:10 (NAS)
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Romans 3:23 (NAS)
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (NIV)
So you see god gave according to our need, he loved us enough to shine the light of life upon our feeble existance, He loved us enough to give us the word and Jesus was the example by which we should strive to live
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another John 13:34,35 (NIV)
Love without fail, love according to the need, do not discern whether or not one is deserving, simply love and show others the love that Jesus gives to all who ask.
Be blessed
Ross