DoctrineOfGod: Spiritual Gifts (Gifts Of The Holy Spirit) "Gift Of Healings"

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  Gifts Of The Holy Spirit

Gift Of Healings

NKJV Notes by Pastor Bob Caldwell

The gift of the Holy Spirit is given to some in the Body of Christ to bring about the restoration of the physical body when it has been overtaken by sickness. In this study we will look at some of the scriptures that promise divine healing and examples of how this gift can be manifested.

I. Healing as a part of God's provision in a fallen world

  1. Genesis 20:17 - God promises to heal Abimelech through the prayer of Abraham.
  2. Exodus 15:26 - God promises to protect His people from the diseases of Egypt if they live lives that are faithful to His will.
  3. Psalms 30:2 - David praises God for the healing of his body that kept him from death.
  4. Psalms 103:1-5 - David praises God for healing as one of the benefits of his relationship with God.
  5. Isaiah 53:5 & Matthew 8:16-17 - Matthew sees the healing ministry of Jesus as a part of the result of Christ's atonement for our sins when He suffered for the sins of a fallen world.
  6. Matthew 10:5-8 - Jesus sends out His disciples, commissioning them to include healing as an aspect of the manifestation of the Kingdom of God coming among them.
  7. Acts 5:16 - Peter is used by God in bringing healing to those who come to him.
  8. Acts 8:4-8 - Healing is one of the evidences given by God through Phillip of the genuine power of the
  9. Gospel.
  10. Acts 28:7-9 - Paul is used by God in praying for many who come to him who were sick and they are healed.

II. Examples of how this gift can be manifested

  1. II Kings 20:1-6 - Personal prayer to God in the life of Hezekiah.
  2. II Kings 5:8-14, Luke 17:11-14 - Here are two examples of being healed after an action of faith is obeyed.
  3. Matthew 8:8-13 - By simply speaking a word of healing God brings the healing (also John 4:50, Mt 8:16-17, Ps. 107:20).
  4. Acts 19:11 - At times people were healed when they made contact with an object that was associated with someone God had gifted with the power to heal (also Mk. 6:56, Lk. 8:43-44, Acts 5:14-16).
  5. Mark 16:17-18 - Some have been healed by being prayed for as hands are layed upon them as a point of contact to impart God's power to heal.
  6. Luke 8:2, 13:10-13 - Some illnesses can be the result of demonic influence, thus requiring the casting out of demons in a non-believer's life.
  7. James 5:14-15 - Healing can occur through the prayer and anointing of oil done by elders of the church.

III. Some Questions on Healing

  1. Are all people healed all the time?
    1. No. Examples include the following:
      • Galatians 4:13-15 - Paul refers to his own physical eye problems.
      • I Timothy 5:23 - Timothy has stomach problems that are not healed but is advised by the Apostle Paul to use a little wine for its medicinal value.
      • II Timothy 4:20 - Paul left Trophimus sick in Miletus.
  2. Is sickness the result of personal sin?
    1. John 9:1-3 - The possibilities of sickness are primarily the result of the fall, not personal specific sins.
    2. I Corinthians 11:30 - In some instances, sickness can be not only the result of the fall of man, but also of personal sin (also James 5:14- 15).
  3. Is faith necessary?
    1. Yes, sometimes it is seen only in the one administering the healing and sometimes it is also seen in the person needing the healing.
      • Acts 3:1-10, 16 - Here it was the faith manifested through Peter.
      • Matthew 17:14-21 - Here Jesus reveals the need for more faith to be exercised in those praying for others.
      • Matthew 13:55-58 - Jesus did very few miracles of healing because of the unbelief of the people in Nazareth.
  4. Is evangelism a part of the result of this gift?
    1. Yes.
      • Acts 8:6-7 - Many came to Christ in Samaria due to the manifestation of the Kingdom of God over the forces of evil and the results of the fall (also Acts 28:8-10).
  5. Is it the person or God who heals?
    1. It is God.
      • Acts 3:16 - Peter points to the faith God gave that made the lame man whole (Acts 3:1-10).
      • Acts 14:8-17 - Paul points the people to not glory in him, but in God after Paul is used to bring healing to a crippled man.

IV. Conclusion

Healing is a wonderful act of God's grace to relieve the suffering of the sick. However, as is seen, it is not possible to say God heals all people every time, and this gift obviously does not stand in the way of the inevitable physical death that only the resurrection will cure.

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DoctrineOfGod: Spiritual Gifts (Gifts Of The Holy Spirit) "Gift Of Faith"

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  Gifts Of The Holy Spirit

Gift Of Faith

NKJV Notes by Pastor Bob Caldwell

I. Important to Distinguish Between the Different Types of Faith.

  1. Faith of Mental Accent - James 2:19 - Demons are said to have a form of belief in Jesus yet it only produces a fear of their judgment by Him.
  2. Saving Faith - Ephesians 2:8 - There is a saving faith that accepts God's grace in what Jesus did one the cross to forgive all sin.
  3. Faith Given to All Men - Romans 12:3 -God gives a measure of faith to everyone in the Body of Christ.
  4. Walk of Faith - 2 Corinthians 5:7 - There is a faith that can be called a life or walk of faith that effects the way a person lives out their daily lives.

II. Gift of Faith

  1. 1 Corinthians 12:9 - Faith given by a direct impartation of the Holy Spirit to believe God for what naturally would be impossible.
  2. This originates in God, not ourselves.
    1. Acts 3:4-16 - Here is an account of an amazing act of faith by Peter that he said in v. 16 was the result not only of faith in God but because of a faith that comes from God.
  3. This faith is accompanied by a confident assurance that results in spiritual rest. (Heb. 4:3)

III. A Personal Lifestyle Where This Gift Can Thrive.

  1. A life given to the study and meditation of God's word
    1. Romans 10:17 - Faith comes by hearing the word of God.
  2.  A sensitivity to God's personal prophetic word that the gift of faith can be applied to.
    1. Romans 4:16-21 - Abraham's faith to believe God for the naturally impossible birth of a child was based upon God's personal promise to Abraham and Sarah.
    2. 2 Kings 7:1-2 - Here Elisha the prophet declares by faith what God will do with complete assurance based upon God's personal word to him.
  3. 2 Kings 17:1 - A life lived in the Holy Spirit before God in prayer provides a personal revelation of God that makes yielding to the gift of faith much easier. The growing knowledge of God's faithful character to act in His infinite power to bring to pass His will and word become easier to believe and easier as we spend time in the Spirit before Him. (Ephesians 1:15-23; 3:14-21)

IV. Examples of This Gift in Operation

  1. In Times of Danger
    1. Daniel 3:16-27 - Here we see a supernatural confidence these men had in the face of what naturally was going to end in sure destruction.
    2. Daniel 6:10-21 - Daniel reveals a calm assurance that was the result of Daniel's receiving from God faith to believe in divine protection even though what awaited him appeared to be sure death.
    3. Acts 16:22-29 - In this account Paul and Silas reveal a supernatural faith that in spite of no divine intervention during their arrest and beating they begin to worship and praise God which in this instance is followed by a powerful intervention and deliver ance of God.
    4. Acts 28:1-6 - Paul responds in faith when it appears that he will die from this snake bite.
  2. In Divine Provision
    1. Genesis 22:7-14 - In this we see Abraham yielding to the impartation of faith as he declares in v. 7 his confidence in God to provide the sacrifice God has required of Abraham in a way that somehow will still allow Isaac to be the child God promised would become a father of many nations. (Hebrews 11:17-19)
    2. Mark 10:29-30 - Here we see the need for faith to give to others what we ourselves need from God. Throughout the history of the church there have been amazing accounts of men and women who by the gift of faith have seen amazing provisions from God as they by faith were themselves giving people. This appeal of the gift of faith can be seen by reading the biographies of people like George Mueller and Hudson Taylor.
  3. To Be Able To Endure Suffering
    1. Hebrews 11:35-37 - This list of extreme suffering is seen as an example of faith equal to the accounts of faith that resulted in miraculous intervention in the earlier part of this chapter. In some ways a gift of faith is even more needed to endure suffering God has sovereignly chosen will best serve His purposes rather than provide some form of divine deliverance.
  4. Listed below are some general examples of faith that appear to be the result of a divine source of faith that did not originate in the person but God.
    1. Genesis 6:14-22 - Noah in building the ark.
    2. Genesis 50:20 - Joseph in his response to the unfairness and troubles of his life.
    3. Numbers 16:28-29 - Moses in his treatment of the rebellion of Korah.
    4. 1 Samuel 14:6 - Jonathan in his attack upon the Philistines.
    5. 1 Samuel 17:37-47 - When David faced Goliath.
    6. 1 Kings 18:21-38 - The challenge Elijah presented to the priests of Baal.
    7. Ezra - 8:22- Ezra in making his journey without a military escort.
    8. Esther 4:14- Mordecai in his complete confidence in God's deliverance of the Jews.

V. Conclusion

  1. Mark 9:23-24- Through faith, as it is directed by God's will, we have opened up before us the divine intervention of God to overrule any obstacle that stands between us and God's will. Therefore, we see the wisdom in being open to God to receive this gift of the impartation of faith for the impossible things we face. We can then share in being a vessel of God's will, overruling this fallen world that opposes God, and thereby His good, acceptable and perfect will.
  2. 1 John 5:14-15 - This gift of faith is not something we can independently exercise apart from God's will. It is not given so we can use it to "have faith" for bringing about out own will, but instead it is given so it can be applied to God's own purposes.

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DoctrineOfGod: Spiritual Gifts (Gifts Of The Holy Spirit) "Word Of Knowledge"

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  Gifts Of The Holy Spirit

Word Of Knowledge

NKJV Notes by Pastor Bob Caldwell

I. Introduction

This gift is the process whereby God shares with His servant knowledge that is needed to be able to best serve in a given situation. This knowledge finds it's source in God in whom are "hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Col. 2:3) Many times scriptures reveal how this gift is combined with other gifts of the Holy Spirit. Of course this source of knowledge should never be seen as a justification to set aside the supremacy of scripture. The scriptures are a means that God in general uses to communicate His knowledge to mankind. (2 Tim. 2:15)

II. Uses of the Gift of the Word of Knowledge.

A. Examples of the Use of This Gift in Scripture.

  1.  John 1:47 - Jesus knew the heart of Nathaniel.
  2.  John 2:24-25 - Jesus knew the heart condition of all men.
  3.  John 4:18 - Jesus knew the personal life of the Samaritan woman.
  4.  Matthew 21:2-3 - Jesus knows the location of the donkey He will ride on for His triumphal entry.
  5.  Luke 22:10-13 - Jesus knows the circumstances that will transpire in the future to help his disciples locate the place for the Passover.
  6.  Acts 5:3 - Peter knew Ananias and Sapphira were lying.
  7.  Acts 8:14-23 - Peter knew the ungodly motives of Simon the sorcerer.
  8.  Acts 27:10-11 - Paul knew that a storm would threaten the safety of the ship he was traveling on.
  9.  Acts. 27:21-26 - It was revealed by God to Paul that there would be no loss of life as a result of the shipwreck.
  10.  2 Kings 6:8-12 - Elisha knows the secret plans of the King of Syria.
  11.  1 Samuel 9:15-16; 10:2; 21,22 - Samuel knows where Saul is hiding and where his father's lost donkeys are.

III. Conclusion

As can be seen from the examples referred to above, God uses this gift of the word of knowledge as a resource for His people so they have the information they need to be effective in doing God's will and work. As a child of God you can pray to God for this supernatural knowledge to help you as you face challenges at home, at work, and in the ministry.

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DoctrineOfGod: Spiritual Gifts (Gifts Of The Holy Spirit) "Word Of Wisdom"

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Gifts Of The Holy Spirit

Word Of Wisdom

NKJV Notes by Pastor Bob Caldwell

I. Introduction

Wisdom is the first gift listed in 1 Corinthians 12. This may be because without wisdom all the other gifts could be used in such a way as to bring more harm then good. It is for that reason that Proverbs 4:6,7 councils us to love wisdom and make it as a principal pursuit in life.

In this study you will discover different types of wisdom referred to in scripture. The unique distinction of the word of wisdom is that it is a divinely revealed wisdom given within your spirit to answer a specific issue you are facing.

II. Various types of Wisdom

A. Satanic Wisdom

  1. James 3:14-15 - "earthly, sensual, demonic"

B. Human Wisdom

  1. Luke 16:8- "shrewd servant"
  2. Ecclesiastes 1:16-18"gained more wisdom"

C. Spiritual Wisdom

  1. James 1:5-6 "If any of you lacks wisdom let him ask of God."
  2. 1 Corinthians 2:4-7- "We speak the wisdom of God."
  3. 1 Corinthians 2:10- God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches the deep things of God."
  4. Luke 10:21- "Revealed them to babes."
  5. Ephesians 1:17 - "may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him."

III. Examples of Word of Wisdom

A. In the Life of Jesus

  1. Luke 4:3-12 - Jesus' answer to Satans's temptation.
  2. John 4:19-20 - Jesus' words that avoided debate of Jewish or Samari tan worship and spoke directly to the heart of the issue.
  3. Matt. 22:15-22 - Here Jesus avoids being trapped in His words by His wise answer that ends up exposing the hearts of His detractors.
  4. Matt. 22:23-33- Jesus answers in a way that puts aside the unbelief of the Sadduccees and also exposes their hearts.

B. Examples In Good Leadership

  1. Deuteronomy 34:9 - Joshua's qualification to replace the leadership of Moses included being filled with the Spirit of Wisdom.
  2. Exodus 31:2-4- Bezalel was filled with the Spirit of Wisdom to oversee the construction of the tabernacle.
  3. Daniel 2:20-30- Daniel is able to answer seemingly unanswerable problems by words of wisdom given by God.
  4. 1 Kings 3:16-28 - Solomon is able to bring about the truth in this matter by the word of wisdom given by God.
  5. 2 Samuel 5:19; 23-24 - King David is given by the revealed wisdom of God a strategy to win in this battle.
  6. Acts 6:10- Stephen is enabled by the revealed wisdom of God to proclaim the gospel in an unrefutable way.
  7. 1 Corinthians 2:1-7 - Paul attributes his source of power in his preaching to the revealed wisdom of God given to him.

IV. Conclusion

We can see by the examples referred to above that the word of wisdom is an essential gift to be able to effectively deal with the challenging issues of life. This gift has application not only in the ministry but is equally a needed gift in our interpersonal relationship among our families, friends and people we work with.

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DoctrineOfGod: Spiritual Gifts (Introduction)

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Spiritual Gifts
NKJV Notes by Pastor Bob Caldwell

Introduction

    The life and ministry of the Holy Spirit opens up to the believer in Jesus Christ a whole new world of spiritual resources. It is the Holy Spirit that implants within our inner being the life of God. This is a life characterized above all else by the fruit of love as described in Galatians 5:16-25.
    The Holy Spirit also imparts to the believer spiritual gifts that empower a person to be an effective expression of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom in a fallen world. In this booklet you will discover an outline for a better understanding of the gifts of the Holy Spirit as listed in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. I pray that this simple outline will open your heart and mind to what the Holy Spirit can do in your life to enable you to be an effective disciple of Jesus Christ.
    For further study I would encourage you to thoroughly read all of 1 Corinthians 12-14 as well as Romans 12:1-8 so you can develop a balanced understanding of the basic place the gifts of the Holy Spirit should have in the Body of Christ. In addition to this I would encourage you to then read through the exciting accounts in the Book of Acts to discover the essential role the Holy Spirit played in the establishment and outworking of the Church of Jesus Christ.
    If your hunger is deepened for further study into the ministry of the Holy Spirit I would encourage you to order a copy of Chuck Smith’s excellent study on the Holy Spirit entitled Living Water published by The Word for Today. May your study of this vital truth result in your life making a lasting impact to God’s glory and this world’s benefit.

In His Grace,
Bob

Before Jesus ascended to heaven He commanded His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came upon them. Jesus assured them when this occurred, then and only then, would they have the spiritual power necessary to be effective in proclaiming the things that Jesus Christ was sending them into the world to teach and to do. In calling them to wait for this power He encouraged them by reminding them that this coming experience with the Holy Spirit would be the fulfillment of John the Baptist's words. "He (Jesus) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit" (Mt. 3:11; Acts 1:4-8).

I. As we look at this aspect of our relationship to the Holy Spirit it's important to keep a few things in mind. First, there seems to be a less technical approach to this event in the life of the believer than how many approach it today. The same event is referred to with different terms.
    1. Acts 1:5 - “Baptism with the Holy Spirit”
    2. Acts 8:15, 19:2-6 - "Receiving the Holy Spirit"
    3. Acts 8:16 - "Fallen Upon"
    4. Acts 2:4, 9:19 - "Filled in the Holy Spirit"
    5. Acts 10:44, 11:15-16 - "Fell Upon"

II. Secondly, it is important to keep in mind that this same basic experience with the Holy Spirit occurred under different circumstances.
1. Acts 2:1-4 - The first disciples, after an extended time of united prayer with no direct human instrumentality were baptized in the Holy Spirit.
2. Acts 8:14-17 - These were new believers in Jesus who had been baptized in water. Peter and John subsequently were sent to them and laid hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit.
3. Acts 9:17-18l - Here, as a new believer, Saul (Paul) is prayed for to be healed from having been made blind by the light he saw at his conversion (Acts 9:3-9) and is then filled with the Holy Spirit, this is followed by being baptized in water.
4. Acts 10: 44-47 - This retells the experience of Cornelius and his household who, while listening to Peter's sermon about Jesus Christ, make an internal decision of faith in Jesus and are filled with the Holy Spirit without anyone praying for them, or yet being baptized in water.
5. Acts 19:1-6 - These people were considered disciples. However, Paul discerns that the Holy Spirit is not an evident force in their lives. After questioning them if they had received the Holy Spirit when they believed he discovers they had not even put faith in Christ yet. After their relationship to Jesus is made clear he lays hands on them and they are prayed for to receive the Holy Spirit.

III. The third thing to keep in mind is that the manifestation of this new relationship with the Holy Spirit varies.
    1. Acts 1:4 - They spoke in tongues (Acts 9:44-46).
    2. Acts 8:14-17 - There is no reference to them speaking in tongues. However, something
    happened that in some way confirmed that they had in fact received the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17).
    3. Acts 19:6 - They spoke in tongues and prophesied.

IV. In conclusion this experience with the Holy Spirit was as common to the early believers as putting faith in Jesus as their Savior and being baptized in water. It therefore should still be pursued as an essential aspect of every believer’s spiritual life if we are going to fulfill the purpose of God for our own generation.

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TheLastWordVideo: Bob Caldwell "Reaping What You Sow" Pt1

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Virtue*for Women: Gospel of John "Introduction" -Cathe Laurie

DoctrineOfGod: WeekEnderBasics "Is there a God?"

Is there a God?

Does God exist? Is there proof of God? The following offers candid, straight-forward reasons to believe in the existence of God...

 

Just once wouldn't you love for someone to simply show you the evidence for God's existence? No arm-twisting. No statements of, "You just have to believe." Well, here is an attempt to candidly offer some of the reasons which suggest that God exists

But first consider this. If a person opposes even the possibility of there being a God, then any evidence can be rationalized or explained away. It is like if someone refuses to believe that people have walked on the moon, then no amount of information is going to change their thinking. Satellite footage of astronauts walking on the moon, interviews with the astronauts, moon rocks...all the evidence would be worthless, because the person has already concluded that people cannot go to the moon.

When it comes to the possibility of God's existence, the Bible says that there are people who have seen sufficient evidence, but they have suppressed the truth about God.1 On the other hand, for those who want to know God if He is there, He says, "You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you."2 Before you look at the facts surrounding God's existence, ask yourself, If God does exist, would I want to know Him.

Here then, are some reasons to consider...

1. Does God exist? Throughout history, in all cultures of the world, people have been convinced there is a God.

Billions of people, who represent diverse sociological, intellectual, emotional, educational makeups...believe that there is a Creator, a God to be worshipped. Now, the fact that so many people believe something certainly doesn't make it true. But when so many people through the ages are so personally convinced that God exists, can one say with absolute confidence that they are all mistaken?

"Anthropological research has indicated that among the farthest and most remote primitive people today, there is a universal belief in God. And in the earliest histories and legends of people all around the world, the original concept was of one God, who was the Creator. An original high God seems once to have been in their consciousness even in those societies which are today polytheistic."3

2. Does God exist? The complexity of our planet points to a deliberate Designer who not only created our universe, but sustains it today.

Many examples showing God's design could be given, possibly with no end. But here are a few:

The Earth...its size is perfect. The Earth's size and corresponding gravity holds a thin layer of mostly nitrogen and oxygen gases, only extending about 50 miles above the Earth's surface. If Earth were smaller, an atmosphere would be impossible, like the planet Mercury. If Earth were larger, its atmosphere would contain free hydrogen, like Jupiter.4 Earth is the only known planet equipped with an atmosphere of the right mixture of gases to sustain plant, animal and human life.

The Earth is located the right distance from the sun. Consider the temperature swings we encounter, roughly -30 degrees to +120 degrees. If the Earth were any further away from the sun, we would all freeze. Any closer and we would burn up. Even a fractional variance in the Earth's position to the sun would make life on Earth impossible. The Earth remains this perfect distance from the sun while it rotates around the sun at a speed of nearly 67,000 mph. It is also rotating on its axis, allowing the entire surface of the Earth to be properly warmed and cooled every day.

And our moon is the perfect size and distance from the Earth for its gravitational pull. The moon creates important ocean tides and movement so ocean waters do not stagnate, and yet it restrains our massive oceans from spilling over across the continents.5

Water...colorless, odorless and without taste, and yet no living thing can survive without it. Plants, animals and human beings consist mostly of water (about two-thirds of the human body is water). You'll see why the characteristics of water are uniquely suited to life:

It has an unusually high boiling point and freezing point. Water allows us to live in an environment of fluctuating temperature changes, while keeping our bodies a steady 98.6 degrees.

Water is a universal solvent. This property of water means that thousands of chemicals, minerals and nutrients can be carried throughout our bodies and into the smallest blood vessels.6

Water is also chemically inert. Without affecting the makeup of the substances it carries, water enables food, medicines and minerals to be absorbed and used by the body.

Water has a unique surface tension. Water in plants can therefore flow upward against gravity, bringing life-giving water and nutrients to the top of even the tallest trees.

Water freezes from the top down and floats, so fish can live in the winter.

Ninety-seven percent of the Earth's water is in the oceans. But on our Earth, there is a system designed which removes salt from the water and then distributes that water throughout the globe. Evaporation takes the ocean waters, leaving the salt, and forms clouds which are easily moved by the wind to disperse water over the land, for vegetation, animals and people. It is a system of purification and supply that sustains life on this planet, a system of recycled and reused water.7

The human brain...simultaneously processes an amazing amount of information. Your brain takes in all the colors and objects you see, the temperature around you, the pressure of your feet against the floor, the sounds around you, the dryness of your mouth, even the texture of this article in your hand. Your brain registers emotional responses, thoughts and memories. At the same time your brain keeps track of the ongoing functions of your body like your breathing pattern, eyelid movement, hunger and movement of the muscles in your hands.

The human brain processes more than a million messages a second.8 Your brain weighs the importance of all this data, filtering out the relatively unimportant. This screening function is what allows you to focus and operate effectively in your world. A brain that deals with more than a million pieces of information every second, while evaluating its importance and allowing you to act on the most pertinent information...can we say mere chance brought about such an astounding organ?

When NASA launches a shuttle mission, it is assumed a monkey didn't write the plan, but intelligent and knowledgeable minds. How does one explain the existence of the human brain? Only a mind more intelligent and knowledgeable than humanity could have created the human brain.

3. Does God exist? Mere "chance" is not an adequate explanation of creation.

Imagine looking at Mount Rushmore, in which the likenesses of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt are carved. Could you ever believe that it came about by chance? Given infinite time, wind, rain and chance, it is still hard to believe something like that, tied to history, was randomly formed in the side of a mountain. Common sense tells us that people planned and skillfully carved those figures.

This article only touches on a few amazing aspects of our world: the Earth's position to the sun, some properties of water, one organ in the human body. Could any of these have come about by chance?

The distinguished astronomer Sir Frederick Hoyle showed how amino acids randomly coming together in a human cell is mathematically absurd. Sir Hoyle illustrated the weakness of "chance" with the following analogy. "What are the chances that a tornado might blow through a junkyard containing all the parts of a 747, accidentally assemble them into a plane, and leave it ready for take-off? The possibilities are so small as to be negligible even if a tornado were to blow through enough junkyards to fill the whole universe!"9

When one considers the intricacies of our life and universe, it is reasonable to think that an intelligent, loving Creator provided for everything we need for life. The Bible describes God as the author and sustainer of life.

4. Does God exist? Humankind's inherent sense of right and wrong cannot be biologically explained.

There arises in all of us, of any culture, universal feelings of right and wrong. Even a thief gets upset and feels wronged when someone steals from him. If someone violently grabs a child from a family and rapes that child, there is an anger and revulsion and a rage to confront that act as evil, regardless of the culture. Where did we get this sense of wrongness? How do we explain a universal law in the conscience of all people that says murder for fun is wrong?

And in areas like courage, dying for a cause, love, dignity, duty and compassion, where did these come from? If people are merely products of physical evolution, "survival of the fittest," why do we sacrifice for each other? Where did we get this inner sense of right and wrong? Our conscience can best be explained by a loving Creator who cares about the decisions and harmony of humanity.

5. Does God exist? God not only has revealed Himself in what can be observed in nature, and in human life, but He has even more specifically shown Himself in the Bible.

God's thoughts, personality, and attitudes can only be known if God chooses to reveal them. All else would be human speculation. We are at a loss if God does not wish to be known. But God wants us to know Him and has told us in the Bible all we need to know about His character and how to relate to Him. This makes the reliability of the Bible an important consideration.

Archaeological findings continue to confirm rather than refute the accuracy of the Bible. For example, an archeological find in northern Israel in August 1993 confirmed the existence of King David, author of many of the Psalms in the Bible.10 The Dead Sea Scrolls and other archaeological discoveries continue to substantiate the historical accuracy of the Bible.

The Bible was written over a 1500-year span, by 40 different authors, in different locations and on separate continents, written in three different languages, covering diverse subject matters at different points in history.11 Yet there is an astounding consistency in its message. Throughout the entire Bible the same message appears:

  1. God created the world we live in, and created us specifically to have a relationship with Him.
  2. He deeply loves us.
  3. We have sinned and are under God's judgment, in need of His forgiveness.
  4. God provided a way for our sins to be forgiven.
  5. He asks us to receive His forgiveness and have a relationship with Him that will last eternally.

Along with this central script, the Bible specifically reveals God's character. Psalm 145 is a typical summary of God's personality, thoughts and feelings toward us. If you want to know God, here He is.

6. Does God exist? Unlike any other revelation of God, Jesus Christ is the clearest, most specific picture of God.

Why Jesus? Look throughout the major world religions and you'll find that Buddha, Muhammad, Confucius and Moses all identified themselves as teachers or prophets. None of them ever claimed to be equal to God. Surprisingly, Jesus did. That is what sets Jesus apart from all the others. He said God exists and you're looking at Him. Though He talked about His Father in heaven, it was not from the position of separation, but of very close union, unique to all humankind. Jesus said that anyone who had seen Him had seen the Father, anyone who believed in Him, believed in the Father.

He said, "I am the light of the world, he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."12 He claimed attributes belonging only to God: to be able to forgive people of their sin, free them from habits of sin, give people a more abundant life and give them eternal life in heaven. Unlike other teachers who focused people on their words, Jesus pointed people to himself. He did not say, "follow my words and you will find truth." He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me."13

What proof did Jesus give for claiming to be divine? He did what people can't do. Jesus performed miracles. He healed people...blind, crippled, deaf, even raised a couple of people from the dead. He had power over objects...created food out of thin air, enough to feed crowds of several thousand people. He performed miracles over nature...walked on top of a lake, commanding a raging storm to stop for some friends. People everywhere followed Jesus, because He constantly met their needs, doing the miraculous. He said if you do not want to believe what I'm telling you, you should at least believe in me based on the miracles you're seeing.14

What did Jesus reveal about God's personality? What about God's thoughts, expectations and His feelings toward humankind? Jesus Christ showed God to be gentle, loving, aware of our self-centeredness and shortcomings, yet deeply wanting a relationship with us. Jesus revealed that although God views us as sinners, worthy of His punishment, His love for us ruled and God came up with a different plan. God would have His Son receive the punishment for our sin. And Jesus willingly accepted this plan.

Jesus was tortured with a whip of nine sharp-tipped ends. A "crown" of two-inch thorns was pressed into his head. Then they secured Him to a cross by pounding nails through His hands and feet into the wood. Given His other miracles, those nails didn't keep Him on the cross; His love for us did. Jesus died in our place so we could be forgiven. Of all the religions known to humanity, only through Jesus will you see God reaching toward humanity, providing a way for us to have a relationship with Him. Jesus proves a divine heart of love, meeting our needs, drawing us to Himself. Because of Jesus' death we can be forgiven, fully accepted by God and genuinely loved by God. God says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you."15 This is God, in action.

The most conclusive proof that Jesus is equal to God was Jesus' most closely scrutinized miracle - His own resurrection from the dead. Jesus said that three days after His burial He would come back to life. On the third day after His crucifixion, the almost two-ton boulder in front of His tomb was catapulted up a slope.16 The guard of well-trained Roman soldiers saw a blinding light and an angel. The tomb was empty, except for the burial clothes that had been wrapped around Jesus' body. Over the years, legal, historical and logical analysis has been applied to Jesus' resurrection and the most feasible conclusion still is that Jesus rose from the dead.

Does God exist? If you want to know, investigate Jesus Christ. We're told that "God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."17

Do you want to begin a relationship with God and actually know you are accepted by Him?

This is your decision, no coercion here. But if you want to be forgiven by God and come into a relationship with Him, you can do so right now by asking Him to forgive you and come into your life. Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door [of your heart] and knock. He who hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him [or her]."18 If you want to do this, but aren't sure how to put it into words, this may help: "Jesus, thank you for dying for my sins. You know my life and that I need to be forgiven. I ask you to forgive me right now and come into my life. Thank you that you want a relationship with me. Amen."

God views your relationship with Him as permanent. Referring to all those who believe in Him, Jesus Christ said of us, "I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand."19

So, does God exist? Looking at all these facts, one can conclude that a loving God does exist and can be known in an intimate, personal way. If you need more information about Jesus' claim to divinity, or about God's existence, or if you have similar important questions, please email us.

About the Author:
As a former atheist, Marilyn Adamson found it difficult to refute the continuously answered prayers and quality of life of a close friend. In challenging the beliefs of her friend, Marilyn was amazed to learn the wealth of objective evidence pointing to the existence of God. After about a year of persistent questioning, she responded to God's offer to come into her life and has found faith in Him to be constantly substantiated and greatly rewarding.

(1) Romans 1:19-21
(2) Jeremiah 29:13-14
(3) Paul E. Little, Know Why You Believe (Victor Books, 1988), p. 22
(4) R.E.D. Clark, Creation (London: Tyndale Press, 1946), p. 20
(5) The Wonders of God's Creation, Moody Institute of Science (Chicago, IL)
(6) Ibid.
(7) Ibid.
(8) Ibid.
(9) Little, p. 24
(10) Thomas McCall, "The Stone of the House of David," The Levitt Letter (Zola Levitt Ministries), September 1993
(11) Josh McDowell, Evidence That Demands A Verdict (San Bernardino, CA: Here's Life Publishers, 1979), p. 16
(12) John 8:12
(13) John 14:6
(14) John 14:11
(15) Jeremiah 31:3
(16) Josh McDowell, More Than A Carpenter (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1977), p. 90-91
(17) John 3:16
(18) Revelation 3:20
(19) John 10:27-29

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StreamsInTheDesert: "Nothing so pleases God in connection with our prayer as our praise,"

February 5

When Do We Praise

"And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me" (John 11:41).

This is a very strange and unusual order. Lazarus is still in the grave, and the thanksgiving precedes the miracle of resurrection. I thought that the thanksgiving would have risen when the great deed had been wrought, and Lazarus was restored to life again. But Jesus gives thanks for what He is about to receive. The gratitude breaks forth before the bounty has arrived, in the assurance that it is certainly on the way. The song of victory is sung before the battle has been fought. It is the sower who is singing the song of the harvest home. It is thanksgiving before the miracle!

Who thinks of announcing a victory-psalm when the crusaders are just starting out for the field? Where can we hear the grateful song for the answer which has not yet been received? And after all, there is nothing strange or forced, or unreasonable in the Master's order. Praise is really the most vital preparatory ministry to the working of the miracles. Miracles are wrought by spiritual power. Spiritual power is always proportioned to our faith.
--Dr. Jowett

***

PRAISE CHANGES THINGS

Nothing so pleases God in connection with our prayer as our praise, and nothing so blesses the man who prays as the praise which he offers. I got a great blessing once in China in this connection. I had received bad and sad news from home, and deep shadows had covered my soul. I prayed, but the darkness did not vanish. I summoned myself to endure, but the darkness only deepened. Just then I went to an inland station and saw on the wall of the mission home these words: "Try Thanksgiving." I did, and in a moment every shadow was gone, not to return. Yes, the Psalmist was right, "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord."
--Rev. Henry W. Frost

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