A Conversation With God

Have you ever wondered why God doesn’t speak directly to us as he sometimes did in Biblical times? He does; we just have to remember where to listen…

Are you really there, God?

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. Isaiah 41:10a

Yes, I see that verse. I have a Bible now…but I guess if you’re really there, you already knew that.  A friend at work gave it to me. He’s been talking to me about you a lot lately. At first it bothered me, but I’ve been having some problems at home; I know he’s just trying to help. Still…I don’t know about this yet. How do I know you’re really there just because it says so in this book?

For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made. Romans 1:20

So you’re saying you made all of this, huh? That’s kind of hard to believe you know. I read that billions of years ago there was a big explosion…The Big Bang Theory they call it…and that it started everything.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

That’s what my friend said too. To tell you the truth, I never really bought into the big bang thing either…I mean what exploded? Something had to be there to begin with I guess…and if there was, where did it come from? But you have to admit; it’s kind of a stretch to believe either story.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. Hebrews 11:1, 3

But wouldn’t it be easier for you to just show yourself to us? If we could see you, it would be so easy to believe. That would solve the whole problem wouldn’t it?

No one has ever seen God. The One and Only Son—the One who is at the Father’s side—
He has revealed Him. John 1:18

 Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time without your knowing Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father. John 14:9a

OK, I think I’m starting to understand…at least a little…are you saying you sent Jesus so we could see what you are like?

 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Romans 5: 21

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4: 10

Pro…propit…that’s a hard one…I can’t even pronounce it. But I looked it up…it means “substitute” But why would you do that? If you’re so powerful, and you made everything, why do you want a relationship with me?

For God so loved the world…John 3:16a

OK…I did know that verse. But why go to all that trouble? I mean, just beam me up, Scotty. I’ve been a pretty good guy…I mean I’ve never killed anyone or anything like that. I try to do what’s right most of the time. I helped out down at the soup kitchen this weekend…did you see that? And what about stopping to change the flat tire for that lady last week….and I give money to the poor regularly. Well, pretty regularly…I mean, sometimes.

For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2: 8-9

…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23

I get it now…you’re saying I can’t work my way there. And we’re all a bunch of slackers…well if that’s the case, what can I do? I mean, who wouldn’t want to spend eternity in Heaven? But don’t I have to be a Baptist or a Catholic or something?

…if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Romans 10: 9-10

Wow! Can it really be that simple? I really do want to believe…and I really do want to know you better. I know I’m a sinner…are you saying all I have to do is acknowledge my sin and believe in my heart that Jesus died for me…that He rose again?

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

I guess it really is that simple…I think I knew this all along. I’m sorry it took so long for me to accept you…there’s just so much going on around me, Lord…it’s really hard…I’m sorry…for everything. Please forgive me…and..thank you…thank you for Jesus!

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

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Perhaps you’ve had some thoughts along this line. Maybe you’ve even seen some of these verses in the Bible, but just aren’t sure they are true…many people feel that way. But, please bear with me just a few minutes more and let me give you some facts about God’s Word:

Before the turn of the 20^th Century, it was easier to believe that the Bible was a work of fiction. But modern Archaeology has something different to say…

-In 1947, at Qumran, The Dead Sea Scrolls were found. They date back to the 3^rd century and are the earliest copies of the Old Testament. They contain portions of every book in the Old Testament except for Esther. They detail prophesies that HAVE BEEN fulfilled and provide evidence for the Bible’s divine origin.

-The Dead Sea Scrolls also include a complete copy of the book of Isaiah, dated approximately 335 years before Christ. Isaiah is an old testament book that contains at least 129 prophesies that foretell events and details that Jesus fulfilled. Its contents have been found to be more than 99% exactly the same as our modern Bible’s Isaiah.

-Over 27,000 sites have been discovered that have connection to the Old Testament. NOT ONE archaeological discovery has ever contradicted a Bible reverence.

-The Old Testament contains over 2,000 predictive prophesies which are very specific…In Jesus Christ, 456 identifiable messianic prophesies were fulfilled. Mathematicians tell us the chances of anyone fulfilling just 48 are a probability of 10 to the 157^th power, and that anything beyond 10 to the 50^th power is impossible.

-Other Historians have written of Jesus…even about His resurrection. Thallus, a Jewish historian wrote that total darkness occurred during the crucifixion. (Historian 3^rd book of Histories 52 A.D.). This was prophesied in the Old Testament, Amos 8:9.

-The Talmud acknowledges Jesus’ ability to do miracles (Babylonian Sanhedrin, ca. AD 100-500)

-Over 24,000 copies of the New Testament have been discovered. Some of them date back to within a few hundred years of the time of Jesus on the earth. Our New Testament today is virtually free from any corruption when compared to these manuscripts. Less than ½ of 1 % differs, and critics have attributed this to be mostly differences in spelling or word order. Not one single variant has any bearing on doctrine of faith.

-No other book of antiquities comes even close to this number…the highest volume of any other books discovered comes to only a few hundred.

I could go on and on, but why take my word? I encourage you to study the Bible on your own. Believing in Jesus doesn’t require blind faith, but intelligent faith. I challenge you to see for yourself.

You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29: 13