Ask The Pastor

Fri, 28 Jan 2005

> QUESTION: 

>

> Where can I find "Him"?

Missie,

As a beginning place it seems to me that the Lord is already reaching out for you. Otherwise you would have no concern for 'finding' Him.

When the apostle spoke to the varied pagan worshippers, he said, "The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things."

He went on to say, "And He made from one man every nation to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitations, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us." (Cf. Acts 17:24-27)

Notice the apostle said the true God is not far from everyone of us, and that He would let us find Him if we would seek for Him. This is a very interesting point. It seems that we cannot find God on our own. We need Him to help us find Him. This is probably what is happening in your life right now. The Lord is drawing you to seek Him. This being the case, I believe He is going to let you find Him.

> ... I mean really, churches just seem to be for people showing off how 

> "truly religious" they really are, the Jehovas Witness' are always 

> telling me that I'm wrong, as are the Catholics and the rest.

What you really need to understand is that the Lord did not come into our world to give us another religion. We've managed to do that on our own. The Lord came into our world to give us Himself. Religion is not what you want or need. You need to come to know God the proper way, that is, as He really is. This is where the story of His Son Jesus comes in.

So let's continue. I'll break your next few sentences into smaller bits.

> The Bible is just full to the brim with contradictions, loopholes, 

> empty spaces, unhappenings.

If I were a point of argument, I would simply ask you to show me all these 'full to the brim' contradictions, loopholes, empty spaces, and unhappenings. I don't really think that is the issue that concerns you. However, if you wish please feel free to share all these 'contradictions, etc.,' with me.

> Just explain this to a person who has never had a "real" religion 

> forced upon her and has never even given a thought to asking someone 

> before crossing this page during my research for Hitler class.

I'm not in the business of forcing 'real' religion on anyone. I don't think there is a real religion. I believe there is only a real relationship with the God of eternity.

> Honestly,(no hokey "in your heart" answers please) how does one go 

> about "finding" an omnipotent being?

No hokey on my part -- I believe you are an honest person. As for 'finding' an omnipotent being I suggest that you are on that very path. The reason for this is because God designed us in such a way that we would wish to know about eternity. We are not animals. Humans have a spiritual consciousness that transcends our physical and even our intellectual life. We were originally created as God's children. And until we discover God as our Father, we will continue to have an emptiness in the deepest part of our makeup.

> How would one know when he/she discovered said being? How does one 

> really know if any of these religious beliefs are just a means of 

> escaping an otherwise meaningless existence?

Believe me, you will know. Just don't worry about all the religious beliefs. What you are asking is very interesting. I've been where you are. There was a time in my life when I declared myself to be an atheist. Seems the Lord was not pleased with me not acknowledging Him. Without benefit of a long testimony let me simply say that the Lord let me find Him. It is like the song that says, 'He was there all the time.'

Let me share a short story. There was a lady who was placed in the Hitler labor camps twice. She managed to escape both times. Out of her experiences she decided that there could be no God. Over time she raised her children to be atheists. One of her daughters married an American GI, and they moved to the States. In a measure of time the lady was invited to one of our services. Seems the Lord was not pleased in her being an atheist.

And so --- This lady, and her daughter, and her grandchildren all came to know the God of eternity in a personal way. It was my privilege to baptize the entire family. Her grandson married my daughter. They now have three children. Once again I see the wonder of God in calling people to Himself.

If I am reading between the lines in your communication with me, it seems that the Lord is also calling you to Himself. Hope I've helped just a bit. Feel free to continue your dialogue with me. I will be honest with you.

Blessings,

Buddy
Bro. Buddy Martin - Ask the Pastor

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Lawrence "Buddy" Martin
email: Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org
Web: http://www.ChristianChallenge.org

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