February 6, 2006 – THE CURSE OF UNBELIEF!

Our beliefs are very important to our present and our future eternal life.  Our beliefs will guide our decisions. We never arrive at the “truth” of why we are here and where we are going without a clear knowledge and experience of the “living word” dwelling within us. And, without faith and trust in God’s word, and God’s son, we will never know God or abide with Him eternally.  Unbelief in God sentences us to present and eternal death.  Hebrews 3:18  and to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed?  Heb 3:19  so we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.   Matthew 7:24   “therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  25   the rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  Matthew 7:26   but everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  27   the rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Unbelief separates us from God’s miracles and His blessings.  Matthew 13:58  and he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. Mark 6:5  he could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.  6  and he was amazed at their lack of faith.  In every area where we do not accept or believe His word, we rob ourselves of the fullness of God.  If our faith is weak and we find unbelief lurking in our hearts, we can ask God to help us.  Mark 9:24  immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”  The closer we draw to God and the more we pray and read His word, the more our faith and trust will grow. The word of God is the cure for weak faith. God has sent us a guide that will lead us into all truth, so we are without excuse.  John 16:13   but when he, the spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

Do not let satan rob you of your blessings.  Satan is a deceiver and he does not want the “truth of God” to dwell in you because he knows that God’s truth sets you free. John 8:32   then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. Often satan says to believers and the weak in faith, “God doesn’t care about you so there is no use asking or praying because God is not listening.”  That is a lie from the father of lies.

God does not lie!  Hebrews 6:18  God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.  Titus 1:2  a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time. The Lord tells us to come to Him as a little child, therefore it doesn’t take a “rocket scientist” to find and know God.  The Bible plainly tells us:  Matthew 7:7   “ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  8   for everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Faith and trust in God and His word, will give you abundant life here, now, and for an eternity with God. Stubbornness and unbelief will get you a ticket to hell.

In my life with the Lord, I have met those who were stubbornly clinging to the belief that there is no hell and that the devil isn’t real.  I have met others who were lost because they would not let God rule over them.  Many say this is my life to “choose,” but in saying that they should also realize it is also their life to “lose.”

A number of years ago, I met a man who did not know if there was a God and he certainly didn’t believe God loved or cared for him. His life had become unbearable.  Imagine not having anything more powerful than yourself to believe in or not knowing that there is a God who is powerful enough to change you and your life! The morning I met this stranger, I left my office (in the grocery store) to get a cup of coffee in the snack bar.  I heard God clearly speak to me, “See the man at the check stand? Stop him, and tell him all about me.”  God is totally trustworthy and so I obeyed. I repeated to the man exactly what God had spoken to me.  He sat with me in the snack bar as I told him about Jesus Christ our savior.  He looked as if he could not believe his ears! He told me that before he left for the supermarket that morning he had challenged God, “If you are real, you will have someone at the supermarket talk to me about you. If not, then I am going to kill myself.” God met him in his unbelief and gave him faith, hope, and joy.  He gave him the Savior that morning who alone could help him and give him a brand new life. God lovingly answered this dear man’s call and revealed Himself to him in a miraculous way.

God has given us everything that pertains to holiness and righteousness. In His great love, He has given us the truth to set us free, the power to change our lives, and the blessings to live “overcoming” and fulfilled lives. There is nothing  impossible with God!  Luke 1:37  for nothing is impossible with God.”  Mark 10:27  Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

When we do not abide in the truth, we become unfruitful.  It is our abiding in Christ that makes all things possible for us. John 15:5   “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  6   if anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire, and burned.  7   if you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

Jesus Christ made an amazing statement that I personally know to be true:  John 7:17   if anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. Every promise in the Bible can be yours if you believe. It is through the many promises of God that His love becomes real to the believer – a real experience that you can see and touch, revealing God clearly to you. In His love He has numbered all of the sparrows and He sees their fall. How much more will He give to those that believe?  Matthew 10:29   are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your father.  30   and even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  31   so don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

2Corinthians 6:16  what agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”  17  “therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”  18  “I will be a father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord almighty.”  God loves us and His very reason for saving us from judgment is that He may dwell with us and in us.

His love never fails. Deuteronomy 31:6  be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”