Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
The description Jesus gave the public servants of His day isn’t far from the description we could give the public servants of our day. Stick around and see what He has to say.
Scripture
Luke 22:25-27
Jesus(interrupting): The authority figures of the outsiders play this game, flexing their muscles in competition for power over one another, masking their quest for domination behind words like “benefactor” or “public servant.” But you must not indulge in this charade. Instead, among you, the greatest must become like the youngest and the leader must become a true servant. Who is greater right here as we eat this meal—those of us who sit at the table, or those who serve us? Doesn’t everyone normally assume those who are served are greater than those who serve? But consider My role among you. I have been with you as a servant.
Devotional
This past year during our election process we sure saw a lot of that gaming and muscle flexing, didn’t we.
All those politicians talking about what good public servants they would be and how well they would serve our interests as citizens.
Yet, somehow more than half of those long-term congressmen and women on just $174,000 annual salary becoming millionaires
Is that really public service?
Talk a lot of how they will help us, but seem to help themselves a lot more than helping us
Scandals in their internal banking system
Scandals in travel accounts
Scandals in abuse of privileges
Scandals with congressional aides, pages, and staff
We do have examples of real public servants
Police responding to crime and getting violent people off the streets
Fire department responding to fires
Medical personnel in multiple disciplines
Counselors in a variety of specialties
Even among those real public servants, we find competition
Chiefs
Hierarchy
Department heads
Within those organizations the servants do a lot of infighting to get to the top
Jesus gives us a different way
Greatest will be least, least will be greatest
Servants receive the greatest honor
He is our example
How do we stop the competitive spirit within us and become a true servant?
Follow Jesus example
Let Him into your heart
Die to self let Him be Lord
Only then can you really serve as He served
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”
Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
We use a lot of things to help us remember important events in our lives. Jesus’ words today gives us an important memento to help us do just that.
Scripture
Luke 22:16-22
Jesus: It has been My deep desire to eat this Passover meal with you before My suffering begins. Know this: I will not eat another Passover meal until its meaning is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
He took a cup of wine and gave thanks for it.
Jesus: Take this; share it among yourselves. Know this: I will not drink another sip of wine until the kingdom of God has arrived in fullness.
Then He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and shared it with them.
Jesus: This is My body, My body given for you. Do this to remember Me.
And similarly, after the meal had been eaten, He took the cup.
Jesus: This cup, which is poured out for you, is the new covenant, made in My blood. But even now, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on this table. As it has been determined, the Son of Man, that firstfruit of a new generation of humanity, must be betrayed, but how pitiful it will be for the person who betrays Him.
Devotional
Time to think back about last year
successes
failures
goals left undone
happy memories
sad memories
Establish tokens or mementos to remember those events
Ticket stubs
Photos
Souvenir
Last Supper is the memento Jesus gave us to always remember the event that established the means for our salvation – His sacrifice on the cross
Penalty for sin
Eternal death
Separation from God
Blackness of isolation
We all sin
Jesus paid that penalty for us
Institution of memento to remind us of the price He paid for us; gift He gives
In 2017, your church will no doubt participate in the Lord’s Supper, Communion, the Eucharist, whatever name you call this sacrament several times in 2017.
Remember why Jesus gave us this memento
Remember the suffering He endured for your sins
Remember the blood He shed in payment as the penalty you should pay
Remember the death He experienced so you can have life eternal with Him
It’s not just a ritual we go through, let it truly touch your life each time you share
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”
Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
What does it mean to guard your heart? Have you ever thought about that? Let’s see what Jesus has to say.
Scripture
Luke 21:34-36
So be careful. Guard your hearts. They can be made heavy with moral laxity, with drunkenness, with the hassles of daily life. Then the day I’ve been telling you about might catch you unaware and trap you. Because it’s coming—nobody on earth will escape it. So you have to stay alert, praying that you’ll be able to escape the coming trials so you can stand tall in the presence of the Son of Man.
Devotional
Have you ever thought much about that command from Jesus? Guard your hearts.
We aren’t doing very well as a society.
Description of what He said makes it heavy
Moral laxity
Drunkenness
Hassles of life
Drag by day after day with heavy hearts, what does it mean?
Sounds a lot like depression – listless, purposeless, everything hard
Anxiety – worry about everything, anything that can go bad will go bad for you
Frustration – things never work out the way they should according to your plan
Despair – never get there, never succeed, never accomplish your goals
Direct result of some of those warnings.
Think tolerance of all things would improve society, it hasn’t and it won’t
Drunkenness loosens judgment, leads to moral laxity, creates the same problems
Nothing good happens after midnight
Never lose control of mental faculties unless under a doctors care
Rut of daily life underwhelm and make us trudge through life
Military know how to guard things.
Put barriers in place, physical and electronic, to keep the enemy out
Put warriors in place to keep watch on all those barriers to make sure no one and nothing slips through
Trains almost daily, even while in combat, to make sure they are ready to face the enemy and repel him
Do we know how to guard our hearts against the enemy?
Do we even try in these days? Sometimes I’m not sure we do as I look at the state of the world and our society.
Back to Jesus warning – Guard your hearts. They can be made heavy with moral laxity, with drunkenness, with the hassles of daily life.
Moral laxity – rampant
Drunkenness – 20% of all drivers on the road are intoxicated, that means over the legal limits, with drugs or alcohol, but over 65% of all drivers are on the road with a buzz or some sedation from drugs or alcohol. Drunkenness? Here!
Hassles of daily life – road rage, gun sales, violence, hatred spring up everywhere
criticisms instead of complements
petitions instead of praise
complaints instead of thanksgiving
we live in a pessimistic, hate filled time surrounded by evil
How do we guard our hearts?
Spend time with God
Listen to Him from His word, hymns, devotionals,
Pray – a lot
Study His word, don’t just read it
Keep garbage out
Put up barriers to the things Satan would use to fill your mind
Be aware of your weaknesses and watch carefully in those areas
Did I say pray – a lot
By the way – pray – a lot
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”
Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Can you tell time without a watch? Jesus tells us how today. Stay tuned to learn how.
Scripture
Luke 21:29-33
(continuing with a parable) Look over there at that fig tree—and all the trees surrounding it. When the leaves break out of their buds, nobody has to tell you that summer is approaching; it’s obvious to you. It’s the same in the larger scheme of things. When you see all these things happening, you can be confident that the kingdom of God is approaching. I’m telling you the truth: this generation will not pass from the scene before everything I’m telling you has occurred.Heaven and earth will cease to exist before My words ever fail.
Devotional
Gretchen and Gilley demonstrations of needs
Gretchen
Paw face for food
Turn head to go outside
Growl and nip at pants to go to bed
Gilley
Paws on seat and stretch for food
Turn circles to go outside
Runs to bed when he wants
Don’t need to talk, understand what they need and what’s coming if I don’t take care of their needs.
Not good with doorknobs
Will eat when they get hungry enough
Will relieve themselves at some point wherever they are
I pay attention to their signs; if you have animals and toddlers you understand
Signs come like clockwork; 7:30, noon, 4:30, 9:00, 10:30 bed
Know what time it is by their behavior
Just like my example, Jesus used the example of the fig tree to let His hearers know things are about to happen
seasons
weather
illness
tragedies
He laid out all the signs that would precede
End of time
Return
Taking His bride home
Judgment
We watch the signs for the things we are interested in, but do we watch for the signs of the truly important things in life
Told us He’s coming
Told us to watch
Told us what to look for
We ignore all the indicators
Will we be able to watch the signs and know what time it is? 2017 might just be a very interesting year for more reasons than you thought when the ball dropped on New Year’s Eve.
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”
* Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk With God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
* Do you want to face the new year with your head up or with fear and foreboding? Jesus gives us a clue.
* music intro
* You can subscribe to the podcast, send me comments to let me know what you think of the devotional, and listen to past devotionals at richardagee.com. That’s richardagee.com.
* music intro
* Scripture
* In Luke 21:20-28, Jesus said, “Here’s how you will know that the destruction of Jerusalem and her temple is imminent: Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies. When that happens, there’s only one thing to do: if you’re in Judea, flee to the mountains; and if you’re inside the city, escape; and if you’re outside the city, stay there—don’t enter— because the time has come for the promised judgment to fall. How sad it will be for all the pregnant women, for all the nursing mothers in those days! All the land of Israel and all her people will feel the distress, the anger, falling on them like rain. The sword will cut some down, the outsider nations will take others captive, and this holy city, this Jerusalem, will be trampled upon by the outsiders until their times are fulfilled.
* There will be earth-shattering events—the heavens themselves will seem to be shaken with signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars. And across the earth the outsider nations will feel powerless and terrified in the face of a roaring flood of fear and foreboding, crashing like tidal waves upon them. “What’s happening to the world?” people will wonder. The cosmic order will be destabilized. And then, at that point, they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and blazing glory. So when the troubles begin, don’t be afraid. Look up—raise your head high, because the truth is that your liberation is fast approaching.
* Devotional
* Jesus could see what would happen to Jerusalem forty years away.
* Roman siege
* destruction of temple
* killing of innocents
* Jerusalem destroyed
* Gives warning to His disciples to avoid the city to save their lives
* Gives warning about the end of times, too
* Son of Man returning in a cloud with power and blazing glory
* heavens shaken
* signs in celestial bodies
* overwhelming sense of fear and foreboding
* Signs point to the end of time
* Liberation is coming fast
* Don’t be afraid
* Hold heads high
* Victory is near
* Look around
* signs are everywhere
* fear and foreboding seem to cloud the thinking of the whole world
* Syria
* ISIS
* terrorists
* US election
* Son of Man’s return is on the horizon
* Hold your head up, don’t be afraid, He’s coming soon
* music exit
* If you want to know more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”
* music exit
* Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk With God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
* Have you ever thought about this question, “If Jesus promised not a single hair of your heads will be harmed. Why are there so many martyrs and so much persecution for His followers?”
* music intro
* You can follow along in a year long Bible reading program at richardagee.com where you can also subscribe to the podcast, send me comments to let me know what you think of the devotional, and listen to past devotionals. That’s richardagee.com.
* music intro
* Devotional
* In Luke 21:18–19 Jesus said: But whatever happens, not a single hair of your heads will be harmed. By enduring all of these things, you will find not loss but gain—not death but authentic life.
* Promise of no
* persecution
* beating
* imprisonment
* execution
* More – gain instead of loss; authentic life instead of death
* Never more than today
* Middle east
* Africa
* Russia
* China
* India
* Even in United States beginnings of rights removed, persecution evident, followers hated
* All the same problems as everyone else plus persecution
* What does Jesus mean? Contradiction?
* We take out of context
* Forget what comes before and after these verses
* Want to use part of a discourse to our benefit
* Like to twist promises to suit our wants
* What does Jesus mean?
* Verses in the middle of end times discourse
* Signs
* Events
* Interlude to comfort disciples
* Picture scene
* surrounded by disciples
* listening intently
* growing fear of description
* Jesus sees fear
* Calms with promise of what happens for His followers during the end times
* Put verses back into context
* We have nothing to worry about
* Still hated by the world
* Still face persecution until He comes
* Still suffer as followers
* Notice He says “if we endure all these things”, means we go through them
* After the signs have come
* earthquakes, floods, drought, famine, disease
* wars, nations fighting against each other and fighting within themselves
* Then we enjoy the promises He gives
* Jesus comes again
* Returns victoriously
* No more suffering
* No more martyrdom
* No more persecution
* No more loss
* No more death
* Today’s words from Jesus:
* Encouragement that the end brings relief from the evil of this world
* …life everlasting
* …indescribable joy
* …eternal praise and worship of the King of kings in His presence
* Disciples needed that interlude of encouragement
* We need it today, too.
* music exit
* If you want to know more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”
* music exit
see the whole year’s plan [here](http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf)
Today’s Devotional
Luke 21:6-17 Jesus: Go ahead, look around, and be impressed; but days are coming when one stone will not be left standing on another. Everything here will be demolished. Crowd: When will this happen, Teacher? What signs will tell us this is about to occur? Jesus: Be careful. It’s easy to be deceived. Many people will come claiming to have My authority. They’ll shout, “I’m the One!” or “The time is now!” Don’t take a step in their direction. You’ll hear about wars and conflicts, but don’t be frightened at all because these things must surely come, although they don’t signify the immediate coming of the end. You can count on this: nation will attack nation, and kingdom will make war on kingdom. There will be disturbances around the world—from great earthquakes to famines to epidemics. Terrifying things will happen, and there will be shocking signs from heaven. But before any of this happens, they will capture you and persecute you. They’ll send you to synagogues for trial and to prisons for punishment; you’ll stand before kings and government officials for the sake of My name. This will be your opportunity—your opportunity to tell your story. Make up your mind in advance not to plan your strategy for answering their questions, for when the time comes, I will give you the words to say—wise words—which none of your adversaries will be able to answer or argue against. Your own parents, brothers, relatives, and friends will turn on you and turn you in. Some of you will be killed, and all of you will be hated by everyone for the sake of My name.
What do Jesus’ words mean for us today?
It seems like the topic of the end times comes up a lot in Jesus’ words. As I looked back over the year I noticed a lot of podcasts that mentioned those earthquakes and famines, wars and rumors of wars. Signs that Jesus talked about that will point to the end of this age and the beginning of the next when we will stand before Him at God’s judgment seat.
So why does Jesus say so much about the end of time and the judgment? Why does He talk about the signs that lead up to those terrible days for those that will face them? Why does He give us so much information about His coming again to take His church to be with Him?
It must be important or He wouldn’t say so much about it. I think He also wants to make sure we are not surprised by His coming. He gives us all the signs. He tells us all the things that will precede His return. All of them have happened. We have had wars ever since He left. I can’t remember a time of peace around the world since He left. There are more than 70 conflicts going on around the world today between nations. He tells us about earthquakes and if you look at the statistics on earthquakes they are intensifying and coming at a much higher frequency than ever before. The world is literally coming apart at its seams.
We are seeing strange weather patterns, odd tides, jet streams, creating unusual weather. We see droughts lasting longer and flooding in 500 year flood plains. All the signs are there. He could come at any time and not do disservice to any of the prophecies about His return.
What does all of that mean? Be ready. I’m releasing this podcast on the last day of 2016. It could be the last day. We might never see 2017. It could happen. I’m hopeful that God will give the church a chance to introduce Him to more people so that His kingdom will grow. I’m hopeful that in this new year Christians will recognize how short time is and take a stand for God. That we will really stand out as followers of Jesus the Messiah. I’m hopeful that the persecutions around the world will be such that those that sully the name of Christ by carrying His name but have no relationship with Him will stop identifying themselves as Christians so that the real bride of Christ can be recognized as the spiritual warriors they really are.
I’m hopeful that real revival will break out and people will understand their broken condition and fall to their knees and seek mercy and forgiveness from the living God who created them and longs to save them from their sins. I’m hopeful for a lot of things in this coming year.
But it all starts with me. Am I willing to be that person who, like the psalmist, falls to my knees and asks God to inspect my heart to see if there is any unclean thing in me. And whatever He might find, remove it at whatever cost so that there is nothing between me and my Savior. Are you willing to be that same kind of person this coming year? If all of us who claim Christ as our Savior will do the same, imagine what a year 2017 can be.
see the whole year’s plan [here](http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf)
Today’s Devotional
Luke 21:3-4 Jesus: I’m telling you the truth, this poor widow has made a bigger contribution than all of those rich fellows. They’re just giving from their surplus, but she is giving from her poverty—she’s giving all she has to give.
What do Jesus’ words mean for us today?
What does it mean to give all you have to God? Does He expect us to turn all our cash over to Him and go home with nothing in our pocket? Not necessarily, but sometimes He might. Does He expect us to live in poverty, not knowing where our next meal will come from? Not necessarily, but sometimes He might. Does God expect us to be so poor we live on the streets at the mercy of the weather and the other street people we meet there? Not necessarily, but sometimes He might.
That sounds pretty non-committal, doesn’t it? The point is, we must be willing to give everything we have to God. Recognize the fact that it all belongs to Him and we are only stewards of the things He lets us use from time to time. So how does He want you to use the things He gives you? For your own benefit and pleasure or for His plans and purposes?
Using assets for His plans and purposes doesn’t usually mean you will be penniless and poverty stricken. Using assets for His plans and purposes doesn’t usually mean you will not enjoy life and have comforts that others enjoy. But those things won’t be what drives you. You’ll find that if God decides He wants them, you don’t have any problem giving them up to Him when you remember they are not yours to start with. They all belong to Him and we are just borrowers. Things are on loan to us while we are here to be used for Him.
So if God decides He wants it for something, it’s His. He can do whatever He wants with it. That’s the hold we should have on things. Hands open ready to release whatever God wants. Houses, money, jobs, things, doesn’t matter. Whatever God wants, He can have it.
That was the attitude of the woman in poverty who gave her last penny in the temple. She didn’t have it to give, but she also knew that it wasn’t hers anyway. She felt God wanted her to give it that day and she put it in the offering. It became an object lesson for Jesus’ disciples and everyone who has read those words ever since. I doubt if she had any idea the importance of her contribution that day. All she wanted to do was please God with the assets He entrusted to her.
The wealthy that crowded past her to make a scene of the large offerings they made really didn’t make any sacrifice that day. They, too, became object lessons, but I doubt if they would like the way their example was used by Jesus that day. But He was right. They gave out of their abundance and it was a pittance compared to the woman who gave her all.
The world teaches us to hold on tight to everything we have. Life is short they say and the boys with the most toys win. But the world is wrong. What are you going to do with the toys in the end? You can’t take them with you. And something I’ve learned as I’ve grown older and maybe a little wiser. Every one of those toys take time away from something else. All of them demand attention. None are time savers. We sometimes buy them because they are advertised as time savers, but I have yet to find any time savers that really live up to their claims.
Sure I can mow the yard faster with a riding mower than a push mower, but that riding mower sure takes a lot more maintenance than a push mower. And I still have to get out the push mower or a weed eater or something, because the riding mower doesn’t get as close to the trees and shrubs and house. The same is true with just about everything. The time saver takes more maintenance or we will find more projects to use the time saving device on because it does such a good job. All it does is take time away from God or family or His plans. So, yeah, not such a great time saver after all.
Maybe it’s time to realize the world has it wrong. The simple life Jesus lived is probably the more satisfying life. Don’t get bogged down with stuff. Am I saying stuff is bad? No. There is nothing good or bad in stuff. It’s just stuff. But when it gets between you and God’s intentions for you, then the stuff is closer to God that you are. Just think about that a second.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want anything between God and me. So I’ll chose to keep my hands open and let Him use whatever He entrusts to my care anytime He wants it. It’s His anyway. I’m just a caretaker.
see the whole year’s plan [here](http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf)
Today’s Devotional
Luke 20:46-47 Jesus: Beware of the religious scholars. They like to parade around in long robes. They love being greeted in the marketplaces. They love taking the best seats in the synagogues. They adore being seated around the head table at banquets. But in their greed they rob widows of their houses and cover up their greed with long pretentious prayers. Their condemnation will be all the worse because of their hypocrisy.
What do Jesus’ words mean for us today?
Do you know any of those? Are you one of those? You know, people that dig into God’s word just to trip other people up? They nitpick words and phrases to get their point across and condemn everyone around them for failing to see the message those words send us from God’s word. They stand firm on their conviction that what they say is absolutely true because they pulled it from the Book. And if God said it, it must be true.
Those people are right in one respect. What God says is true. But we have to be careful not to take His words out of context. The Bible says there is no God – that is if we stop in the middle of the psalmist’s thoughts. The rest of the words around that phrase says there is no God in a fools heart.
But those people are deadly wrong in the misuse of God’s word. They play with fire when they misrepresent God using His words to guide people in ways contradictory to the plan He has for us. Remember Satan used scripture often to entice people to do wrong. He even used scripture against Jesus to tempt Him to take shortcuts to His rightful place as Lord of all nations and all people. Jesus didn’t fall for it because He knew scripture and knew the missing parts. Because He knew scripture, Jesus recognized the fallacies in Satan’s arguments and recognized him for who he was. The tempter. The adversary. A lion roaming the earth seeking whom he might devour.
Those folks Jesus talks about look good on the outside. They are members of churches. They sit on boards and councils. They determine the direction denominations will go over the next years. They collect and spend the offerings that pour into the churches in the form of tithes and offerings. They teach and preach from God’s word, but it is often a perverted message that doesn’t share what God intends His word to share.
I’m certainly not talking about every Bible scholar and every preacher who fills a pulpit. There are some great men and women sharing God’s word and doing their very best for the kingdom. But there are some that use their religious platforms for their own greed and power. They care more about the size of their wallet than they do the size of their heart. If you’re listening to God through His word, you can figure out who they are pretty quickly. His word does not steer you wrong.
Is there hypocrisy in my church? Unfortunately, I would have to say yes, there is. I can see it in the lives of some of the members. Is there hypocrisy in your church? If I were a gambler, I would bet a paycheck there are. And I would bet another paycheck that I’m not wrong in that assessment. Our churches are full of hypocrites. But that’s okay. Look who Jesus was talking to. He was addressing the scribes and Pharisees. The scholars who knew scripture better than anyone else. The leaders of the faith. They attended services faithfully. They participated in all the rituals faithfully. They gave their tithe and more faithfully. Yet Jesus called them hypocrites.
Did that stop Jesus from going to the temple to worship? Certainly not. Did it stop Him from participating in those same rituals? Absolutely not. He did them faithfully, understanding fully the reason behind those rituals. Did it stop Jesus from continuing to study God’s word and using it to support His messages to the crowds that followed Him? We see that most of His preaching took text from the ancient writings of the law given to Moses and the prophets and the writings that existed worship places of the Jews.
Jesus recognized the hypocrites wherever He went, but He still preached to them, healed them, ministered to them, invited them to follow Him. He never stopped them from being around Him to hear and witness the kingdom of God in their midsts. Jesus knew the only way to reach a hypocrite was to allow them to join into genuine, intimate worship. Until they see the difference between their fake religion and real righteousness, they will continue to fall prey to Satan’s lies. But when they draw near and listen, they have the opportunity to hear the message, make amends, repent of their hypocrisy and find their way back to God and His kingdom living.
Just stay in God’s word. You can pick them out. And when you do, be very careful that you don’t fall into the same traps they fell into. Stay rooted in the word. The whole thing, not just your favorite chapters and verses. The hypocrites will see your walk and maybe find a new way, a better way, the way of the cross.
see the whole year’s plan [here](http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf)
Today’s Devotional
Luke 20:34-38 Jesus: The children of this era marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain the resurrection of the dead in the coming era do not marry and are not given in marriage. They are beyond mortality; they are on the level of heavenly messengers; they are children of God and children of the resurrection. Since you brought up the issue of resurrection, even Moses made clear in the passage about the burning bush that the dead are, in fact, raised. After all, he calls the Lord the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. By Moses’ time, they were all dead, but God isn’t God of the dead, but of the living. So all live to God.
What do Jesus’ words mean for us today?
April 8, 1966, Time Magazine reported on a movement that swept college campuses across the nation. Emblazoned across the cover of their magazine on that day in large red letters they posed the question, “Is God dead?” In 1884, Friedrich Nietzsche is said to have first used the phrase “God is Dead” and claimed his generation killed Him with their utter disregard for Him even in the churches around him. He declared we no longer had a need for God so we killed Him and so started the debate about God’s very existence. Then Time Magazine even entered the debate in 1966.
Today, the debate continues but not as vocally as it did in the ’60s. Perhaps it’s because more people either believe He doesn’t exist or just don’t act like He doesn’t exist so there are few who are willing to debate. Too many of us no longer have the tools to launch a decent argument against those who would raise their evidence that there is no God, so we sit quietly on the sidelines and just let them tell their tales and fail to defend our God.
Our excuse? God is God and needs no defense. He is big enough to prove Himself without help. The problem with that personal philosophy is we don’t stop to think clearly enough for ourselves to know that God lives. I know He lives and is the creator of all things, not just because of a warm feeling I get when I see the sun rise and set each day. I know He lives not because of the feeling I get when He warms my heart in prayer. I know He exists because I’ve done enough thought and study to know that every other philosophy that says there is no God leads to a dead end.
My knowledge of God isn’t based on what other people say, but on the instruction in God’s word. It’s based on the proof He gives and the failure of others to disprove what God says about Himself. Everything He promises comes true. Everything He says He will do, He does. Every time someone tries to show something in His word could not have happened, archeologists seem to find evidence that it did.
Is God dead? No. He is very much alive and taking care of things every day. I expect those around Jesus were wondering the same thing in their day as the Romans invaded their land and took anything they wanted from them. I expect as they saw the crucifixions dotting the countryside and cruelty of their oppressors they sometimes wondered if God died somewhere along the way. He certainly wasn’t doing much to free them from the tyrannical leaders that held rule over them since the exile, it seemed.
Jesus saw, as He walked with us that many around Him said the words they believed in God, but acted as if He didn’t exist. Today we do the same. We ignore Him when He calls. We ignore His word. We fail to worship Him. We go about our business assuming we don’t need Him anymore. Satan has convinced us we can do everything ourselves and don’t need to depend on the creator for anything. But we are wrong.
Imagine a world without God. A world without His moral guidance. A world without His laws of physics and gravity and science. A world without love. A world without hope. That’s what we would face if God did not exist. We cannot manufacture those things. Those come from God and if He is dead, so are those. Yet they still exist, which means He does too. We can’t create a blade of grass, or a calf, or a fish. We can’t create a bird from an egg or make water spring from the earth to make creeks and rivers and lakes and oceans.
We think we can do lots of things, and think we are really important. We act like we are the most important thing in the world, but we’re only a distant second. God is still alive and well. He demonstrates His presence daily if we will just look around and see His handiwork. Is God dead? Absolutely not. Take some time to prove it for yourself. It’s not hard to figure it out.
