They are without excuse

I had a conversation with someone the other day about unbelievers. The other persons opinion was that unbelievers truly don't know or believe in God or a Higher Being. I totally disagree. I totally disagreed long before I found scripture to back it and long before I even knew how to read and understand scripture. Long before I could read and comprehend the Bible, before I understood the sacrifice of the Cross or the significance of being Baptized, I knew that something much grander than myself or someone like me made a mountain, and the ocean, and a butterfly and a fuzzy pup. I knew that something much grander than a human engineered the peace of a forest floor layered in pine needles on cool fall morning, and the majesty of rushing water over small waterfall into the deep pool below, and orchestrated the dance of stars and moons and planets across the sky, each moving to their mark, just when they are supposed to! Even as a an ignorant child, I knew these things didn't just 'happen' by accident or some bizarre coincidence. The next verse tells you how I knew, and how you knew it also, and how EVERYONE knew it then and knows it now, whether they admit it or not. 

Romans 1:19-21

New King James Version (NKJV)

19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Turns out, I was right! God is REAL!! And as is also turns out, we are each ingrained with this knowledge without anyone having to tell us. "Unbelievers" and "atheists" know it too... they just choose to deny it, refuse to acknowledge it the truth of it. That does not make it less true. They say they want 'PROOF'. I wonder how much proof it takes to convince someone who has become 'futile' in his thinking? Can they not see the green in the grass, hear the song birds? See the mountains rise? Can they not see the adaptability of Gods Creatures to their environments? I have to wonder about someone who cannot see the wonder of God in the face of a newborn baby. I think maybe they have to have an epiphany of their own to show them God is real, rather than have someone try to teach them.

Romans 1:21-25

New King James Version (NKJV)

21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.  (underlining and emphasis is mine)

There are many times when we don't want to believe that something is true: when its bad news about a relative, a job situation or something big we were trying for and it fell through. But, we know that we have to face facts. People who are 'unbelievers', 'agnostics', or 'atheist' have the truth embedded in them, but they may have buried it pretty deep for whatever reason. Perhaps they didn't have any religious teaching in the home growing up, or they were brought up strictly under religious law, and want no more of it. But scripture says the knowledge is there, and they have no excuse. (Romans 1:20).

You know, humans are difficult creatures to understand. We take the simplest of situations and make them as difficult as Chinese arithmetic! It's like we just refuse to understand things out of pure stubbornness sometimes. I am not eliminating myself here. I know of several situations where I had to learn the same lesson about 5 times before I caught on!! And there are many verses in the Bible that are written out plain as day, but most people will not take them at face value. Maybe they just aren't ready to receive it yet. 

I hope you will take this opportunity to open your Bible and read the scriptures I listed here, and more! I find it hard to stop once I start reading. Its very interesting reading. Read it, pray for understanding, but read. Learn what the scriptures say, for your own sake. You need to know, so that you'll know that  you're pastor is on the right path, and so you'll know that you are too!

My next blog is going to be about how pastors lead us astray. Stay tuned!


Love yall. 
Susan





b

LIFE IS A BEAUTIFUL BALANCING ACT

2. 
   
   

   Life is a balancing act... there are just so many things to keep up with: money, schooling, relationships, weight, fertility, health problems, parents, fashion, addiction, family problems.... and a good array of other things. I want to address the family problem/relationship bit if I may.....

   
   

   As teenagers, our lives are generally built around angst! Do we have the right clothes, the right friends, does the person we like like us?  We have no concept at all that our parents were ever teenagers and therefore we are sure they have no clue what its like to be young!! We have to keep up our appearances in our peer group and keep up our grades in order to earn our weekend out time...it's a lot of pressure, and that pressure can double if, like a lot of kids these days, a teen has two homes to worry with due to divorced and remarried parents. 

   
   
   

   Families get into many struggles as the children become grown and start living their own lives, and not necessarily doing it the way the parents would have them do it. Usually this will past and things will settle down. Parents and adult children will find some stable ground on which to communicate and live in harmony.

   
   
   

   But within families and other relationships, there are often numerous problems. In relationships that are a struggle to maintain, there are breaks in trust, misconceptions, lies, lack of dependability, and tons of disrespect. And often times these things will go on for years, in unforgiveness, as bitterness and anger just keeps building up.

   
   
   

   So how do you bring all this into balance? It's really simple. 

   
   

   1.Treat everyone with LOVE.

   
   
   

   Romans 13:9 says "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself!"  

   
   
   

   So we are to show a kind heart and love to everyone. That would include being respectful and honest. That means keeping a promise, honoring your word. It means NOT gossiping about your friend, relative or loved one behind their back. Don't speak ill of anyone at all. 

   
   
   

   Speak well of them whenever you can, try to help them like you would like them to help you. Have good manners. 

   
   

   In this way, you will have peace with your friends and relatives. If they do not act the same towards you in time, you will know what to do next.

   
   
   

    2. FORGIVENESS! 

   
   

   Ephesians 4:32  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

   
   

   Mark 11:25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

   
   

    1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

   
   

   Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.

   
   

   Matthew 6:15 But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. 

   
   
   

   Forgiveness frees you of having to carry the burden of this poor relationship on your soul. It removes that burden so you are forgiven by God, and free to love that person again! It lifts you above the need to bicker and fuss and gossip. It renews you and gives you clean energy to renew the relationship, if the other person is willing to submit themselves to forgiveness as well. BUT you should not revive that relationship if the other person hasn't experienced a God-change as well. If you do, you are asking for more trouble. 

   
   
   

   3.RELEASE!

   
   

   If not, you may have to let that person out of your life. Consider that it may not be God's will for you to hang on to an unforgiving person or a person who will constantly be causing turmoil in your life. God's wish is for us to live to his example, in peace and love, and not to have constant negativity and sin pushed upon us.

   
   

   1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

   
   

   Ephesians 6:13 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

   
   
   

   2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.

   
   

   The truth is plain. You should have NO STRUGGLE with a TRUE friend, or a relationship thats meant to be, whether they are family by blood or association. If there is a problem there, and that person is not trustworthy, then for the sake of peace among you and peace in your soul, that person is not someone you should be around on a regular basis. Perhaps later in life, one or both of you will mature enough to see that your differences were petty, or that you will be able to put them behind you later on. But until that time of reasoning, it may be best to give it a rest. 

   
   

   That is in fact, the best part, you get to decide who you keep in your life. But make the decisions based on Biblical principals, not financial gain or idolatry. It is your life and your choice how you're going to mess it up. ... don't waste your time surrounding yourself with people who don't value you and respect you in their life... Sometimes, you have to let them go; not because you suddenly stopped loving them, but because it's whats best for everyone concerned.