I've been asking God for years now why people that I know—and many whom I love—believe so differently than I do on specific subjects that are being pushed as normal in the world today. How could He so very specifically be telling me one thing and telling someone else something that just isn't lining up?
It just doesn't seem very Godlike, you know?
As much as I hate to be the bearer of bad news, He's given me the answer and I'm not allowed to sit on it another minute. So, I'm going to give it to you straight.
It's because you haven't made the decision to take every word that is written in the Bible as truth. Therefore—in those areas for sure—you're not hearing from God. 😔 And, because you've got the line of communication blocked, you're in danger of believing in a lie.
You can sputter and spout at me all you'd like but I'm going all in on this one. I'm putting it all up against my personal relationship with God and have no doubt no one will change my opinion. However, I, oh, so hope that I can sway yours.
That's because once you've connected with the Creator on a personal level, everything changes. From that point on, revelation after revelation will hit you with such clarity—Talk about standing amazed in the presence! There's no way you'll ever let the world teach you about God ever again.
So, please, I implore you to clear your mind of any feelings of anger or resentment that you may be experiencing right now. Keep reading instead of clicking out. God would be guiding you with loving thoughts, right? Negative thoughts are straight up from the evil one—if you believe God is real, then, surely, you believe the devil is too. And, he does not want me stacking the deck against him.
Guess what?
I have to try and help you understand that God isn't just an all-powerful being that we throw hopes, prayers, and dreams at as we go through life. Believing that at any time, He might deem our prayers as worthy enough to answer. I've got this image in my head of Him sitting on His throne granting our requests with a benevolent smile as some type of reward for a job well done. Can you see that too?
The only problem with that picture is this. That's not how God operates. Nor, are the prayers that don't get answered a form of punishment. It's not because we're not worthy enough to ask that nothing happens. Sometimes, the answer is just a straight-up no—that's because God knows what's best for us. Sometimes, the timing just isn't right. And, sometimes, it's the wall we've built between us and God that's causing a problem. He will not be a "fairy godfather" kind of God.
First and foremost, using any form of condemnation to reprimand isn't God. He truly is love and would never speak to us in a way that belittles or condemns. Took me a while to figure that out though because the devil is well practiced at the art of deception. It's his typical mode of operation. He uses this tactic alone to keep many souls from finding out who they truly were created to be. He uses anything he can to keep chipping away at our hope until there's nothing left of it.
If that happens, he's got a good chance of keeping us where he wants us. If we haven't ever asked Jesus into our hearts at all by that point, he wants to keep us from ever finding our way to Him. If you have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life, he wants to keep you from walking the path God planned for you.
He knows it won't keep you out of heaven but it will affect your day-to-day more than you will ever know. And how we live our lives affects others every step of the way too.
Weaving the tangled web
You could say none of this is our fault really because, after all, Satan put his evil plan into action the second that Eve took a bite of the fruit. Little by little, the worldview became louder and because it included putting us in charge of our destiny, we'd squelch down any thoughts of misgiving and march merrily on with the crowd. God's people were lured further and further away from the truth in teeny tiny increments.
As generations passed, more and more people lost sight of the fact that God wants a one-on-one relationship with us. Even those of us who came to profess Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives weren't taught everything we need to know. Not because of the evil intent of our teachers, but because evil has infected the church.
The devil is obsessed with destroying mankind's relationship with God. And, let me tell you, he's made great strides in the 60-year span of time that I've been on this earth. I have literally watched our society become more—and still more—desensitized to the idea of treating others as we would want to be treated. Instead, we follow merrily along with the worldview that says to get the most out of life, we need to be more focused on "what's in it for me?" And, sadly, a lot of people attach a "no holds barred" clause as well.
In this quest for personal fulfillment, the line between what's wrong and what's right has been smudged so badly that it's getting hard to see where it belongs. Fear of being chastised, even ostracized, by friends and family keep many who see the error in this thinking silent.
Things are growing darker in the world because of it.
Some say they acknowledge God's existence while communing with nature in their own backyards. I mean, it is hard to deny God's existence when out in the midst of creation! Still, unless you are so closely in tune with God that He's downloading revelation after revelation, odds are you won't do much growing there.
He needs us to be willing to grow.
I'm speaking from experience by the way not just thumping my Bible to punctuate my words as I pass judgment on you. I spent my time "communing" away from the church. Looking back, it's one of my greatest regrets. That said, I'll continue.
The devil has been hunting souls for thousands of years. He knows how best to get in your head and that's by keeping you isolated.
Think about it.
It would be so much easier to hide the truth and fill someone's head with lies if no one's around to mentor them, to help them discover all that God's word has for them to learn. Meanwhile, try to lure them to become more connected with the worldview in some way at every turn. Thereby, putting God further back in their conscious thought as they scramble to keep up with busy family schedules or rush off to hang out with their friends at the end of a long work day. And, of course, everybody's working for the weekend... but going to church doesn't even make the list of oh, so many.
Some don't feel the need to walk in the doors of a church because everyone knows that churches are full of hypocrites. Therefore, there's no need to associate with the people there—except for the fact that God's Word commands uniting with a body of believers. You can read more about acting as part of the body in 1 Corinthians 12. And, the truth that "nobody's perfect" covers the reason those "hypocrites" need to be there.
The world started telling us way back—and somehow the church, in large part anyway, actually fell for it—that we needed to leave the old school Bible ways by the wayside. Look around. By mega-church standards, at least, a lot of churches today clearly embrace the "you do you, let them do them" spin on living life.
The kicker
That said, you need to know that going to church might be harming your relationship with the Father if you don't know your Bible.
Some religious institutions have chosen to openly embrace worldviews even though they stand against what the Bible teaches. God's people are being taught that tolerance means to let people do what they will. It's not our job to "judge" only God can do that. We're just supposed to love everyone and love means there are no boundaries.
That's just plain silly.
Before things get heated and spiral out of control, let's hold up for just a minute here.
Seriously. Let's look at that philosophy from a parental perspective—tolerance means allowing everyone to do what they will. What kind of child will you raise if you are "tolerant" of their every whim? Didn't take long to form a mental image of that scenario, did it?
Personally, I don't think I care to find out if my image matches up with the real deal.
How about you?
What if it's not your kid that's out of line? Are you more likely to speak up when they're acting out or just roll your eyes and look the other way?
It's hard to tell someone they're doing wrong—especially when we have a firm grasp on the fact that we are far from perfect ourselves. It's also hard to speak up for what's right when we feel outnumbered.
Paul told his protégé, Timothy, that mankind would find themselves right where we are today—read for yourself. You can get the entire picture in 2 Timothy chapters 3 and 4, but to summarize, I'm pulling 2 Timothy 4:3-4 from the New International Version (NIV).
"For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."
But, that's not you, right?
It wasn't me either until the day that I realized it was. 😔
It's all or nothin'
Sadly, the devil infiltrated the church a long time ago and, hence, religion was born. God's sorting all that out and getting ready to set us all on one path...
His.
Before long we'll either come together as one body, blended together as He always intended—or we won't. However, I believe when that day comes, people will realize, without doubt, which path they are choosing to continue walking—be it with God or against Him. And, I also believe that it won't be too late to change your way of thinking at any time and break on through to the other side.
Free will reigns.
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
~2 Timothy 3:16-17
Paul shared that with Timothy, his protégé, as well. We'd do well to heed it today.
It says "all scripture," not choose what you need to make you feel better and ignore the rest.
I know you want to tell me I'm wrong, but if you believe there is a God in heaven and you're going there when you die, I believe that if you take a moment and humble yourself before God—not just talk at Him, but to Him—telling Him sincerely that you want to know Him, that He will not hesitate to answer you loud and clear. There are things He wants us to know that got stifled a long time ago. There's a lot in our denominations to be found lacking... all denominations.
Every. Single. One.
What you choose to do about the answer you receive—as always—is completely up to you. Free will, you decide whether or not you pursue the intimate relationship. I have to tell you though when you willingly say you make the decision to stand on the Word of the Lord, God Almighty, and that every word it says is true. Life is going to look different because the change in you has truly begun.
The journey is going to be incredible, and, probably difficult at times—but worth every single step that you take.
I promise.
And, I'll be right here if you need me. ❤️
Let's pray.
Oh, Father God, you know how hard it is for me to "get in their face" about what they believe in regard to who You are. I was confused once too. Yet, the sense of urgency I feel is great and I know it's time to speak.
Even though I tried to go the way of the world, making You a distant being who had changed His perspective from "Bible times" til now, something didn't quite settle within my spirit. I finally realized that it was You whispering to my soul.
Thank you for giving me a Mom that filled me up with the knowledge of how much you loved me—the world—from the second I was born. I believe with all my heart that God is love. And, I know with certainty that includes tough love. Running amok is not a path down which a child should tread, yet, that is where the children are heading today—in droves. Their parents appear to be skipping joyfully along not far behind. Give them eyes to see and ears to hear, Father, God. I'm requesting a direct shout-out from you to those that read this post.
Thank you for calling us back to You—our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name—Thank you for loving us so much. Thank you, Jesus, for coming for it's Your great sacrifice that makes it possible for me to so boldly approach the throne of our Father with my prayer. My petition. Speak to their hearts, Father, God. Amen
I hope you take your thoughts about what you have read here before the Lord. I know He will make your path straight—no pun intended. Just truth. And, it will set you free. Remember. I'm right here if you need me. ❤️
Love,
C