the substance of faith

Greetings to all.

I realize that it has been a long time since my last posting. I hope rectify this. One of the challenges of being a minister (also known as servant or pastor) of the Word of God is time management and using my time well. Let us say, that management of my time is one of my greatest personal challenges.

I started this blog in order to bring to you the truth of God. I hope what I write will either solidify your belief in the truth of God or excite it to a new level or bring it to you for the first time. This is what I call the substance of faith.

Faith, as it is written in the book originally written to the Hebrew believers, is "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1). It is equally true to those who live today, we who are 21st century believers and non-believers. Faith realizes that even though I do not see God right now, I believe that He exists. Is there any evidence to the existence of God? Paul wrote originally to the believers in Rome, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." (Romans 1:20). I believe this with my whole being. God is in the world and made the world. It is evident because we exist. Yet some people do not see that as clearly as I. Why is it that some do not "see" what I "see?" I see what I see, I believe what I believe because of the substance of faith. Jesus Himself challenged one of the original disciples, whose name is Thomas. The event was just after Jesus was raised from the dead. Jesus appeared to the disciples once before, but Thomas was not with the group. A couple of the disciples searched out Thomas in order to bring to him the good news that Jesus was alive. Thomas' response was very human and not acting on his belief. He said, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." The following week, Thomas was with the others. Jesus once again appeared to them and went directly to Thomas and Jesus showed Thomas the wounds in His hands and side. Thomas' reaction and response was, "My Lord and my God!" You can hear in his words that Thomas was perhaps overwhelmed, overjoyed, and even maybe feeling guilty that he didn't believe the other disciples. But Jesus doesn't pick on Thomas. Jesus acknowledges Thomas and his thoughts and experience. Then Jesus says, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:24-29).

Jesus is talking about believers and to believers. Jesus is talking to me. I believe the evidence of creation. I believe in the promises of God through Jesus Christ and His existence that changed our lives. I have not met Him. Yet I believe Him and I believe in Him. I believe that He lived in order to fulfill the Father's Law. I believe that He died to be the sacrifice for my sins and therefore remove the sins from me. I believe that Jesus rose to life upon the 3rd day since His death in order to give me the promise of a resurrected life, both while I live now and when I will live forever. Finally, I believe in Jesus who ascended to heaven who guaranteed a place for me in heaven. This is the substance of my faith.

What about you? I cordially invite you to talk with me about the substance of faith; mine and yours.

Your servant (minister or pastor) for Christ Jesus.