myalphaomega:

Hillsong For Who You Are

Standing here, in Your presence
Thinking of the good things You have done
Waiting here, patiently
Just to hear Your still small voice again
Holy, righteous, faithful to the end
Savior, healer, redeemer and friend

I will worship You for who You are
I will worship You for who You are
I will worship You for who You are Jesus

My soul secure, Your promise sure
Your love endures always
My soul secure, Your promise sure
Your love endures always
My soul secure, Your promise sure
Your love endures always

On Proving God’s Existence and Judging Hypocrisy

denisecua:

Ever since I started going back to God late in my college days, I’ve taken a stand against the idea of believing in God just because. I have a distaste for blind faith because most of the time, if not always, people who believe in God just because culture dictates that they do (or whatever) are the ones who don’t really understand what it means to really believe. As if there’d be no difference in the way they lived if they suddenly chose to stop believing in Him.

Someone recently echoed my own sentiments: “To have a pure faith, you must question your faith.” And because of what I just said about believing just because, I agree with this principle a lot.

But I realize now that questioning it can only go so far. 

“Does God really exist?” is one of the questions many of us have wondered. Some a little too shyly, and some a little too loudly to the point of arrogance.

I know we can never really prove God’s existence in this lifetime. But can I be honest and admit that I think it sucks that we can’t? This is especially true when hateful atheists attack Christianity by trying to find loopholes in the Bible and by questioning God (why He allows bad things to happen to good people, etc.) to such an extent that any answer from a Christian’s point of view would sound ridiculous, as if he/she’s only deluding him/herself by making excuses for an imaginary God.

The thing is, even I have doubts on that matter sometimes. Which is why I feel bad about not being able to defend my faith intellectually enough even to myself. Still, I try to read up. Just today, I’ve found good articles that gave me better perspectives on God’s existence. Check them out here and here.

One point these articles raise that amused me quite a lot is about the Earth, and how it is placed in such precise distance from the Sun that if it moved any closer or farther, this planet wouldn’t be capable of being inhabited by any living thing. We’d either freeze or get burnt in an instant. So amusing, right? It makes me realize all the more that the world is designed as such for purposes ordained by God.

Anyway…

Besides reading, another thing I do whenever my doubts arise is to ask myself:”Will I ever be able to say with all my heart that there is no God?” But every single time, I quickly respond with a big, firm ‘NO.’ And so that’s where I always do a U-turn, and make a deal with myself that if that is so, then I’d rather believe in Him wholeheartedly and go all-in with my faith as much as I can afford at the moment. 

Then I am reminded (again and again) that God’s greatness would be questionable if He were so easily calculated and understood by the human mind. That, and the fact that it ultimately takes faith to believe. (Hebrews 11:6)

Before I end this entry, I’d like to address one last issue that could be a reason why some people hate Christianity. (Sorry for my lack of coherence, btw.)

Just a few minutes before writing this entry, I looked up ‘Christianity’ on Tumblr and, as expected, some of the results might as well be labeled “Anti-Christianity” instead. One of them in particular spoke of how ‘hypocrisy’ could be a synonym for Christianity. And while I am a Christian now, I sort of stopped being one, too, for quite a while partly due to the same reason. I saw a lot of Christians who’d say one thing and do another, and found some unbelievers even better-hearted in some ways. (And also more fun to be with.)

But here’s what I’ve learned from being on both sides of the fence: Many Christians may not be worthy of being a representative of Christ, but they should never be a reason for anyone to stop pursuing Him. Also, let us be more considerate in passing on judgment. Christian or not, we’re all too capable of being hypocrites even in the littlest ways. So instead of nitpicking how others live their lives and walk their talks, let us nitpick our own ways instead. After all, if all  this is true, we will all have to face God one day and be judged according to our own deeds—not anyone else’s.

(And to the hateful atheists—I’m not talking to atheists in general, stop hatin’ yo! How can you find yourself any better than ‘awful’ Christians if you act like that?)

(Source: denisecua.livejournal.com)

“Christianity, defined in very simplistic terms, can be summarized as ‘me moving out, God moving in.’”

—Eric Ludy | When God Writes Your Love Story (via nonelikejesus)

via (unkaglen)

spiritualinspiration:

10 Things Christians can do everyday

1. Treat others as you would have them treat you: Treat other people in the manner that you want them to treat you. This is a hallmark of Christianity. Be kind to people, even when they are unkind to you. That way, you set an example for them, you become a representative of the Christian faith.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you” - Jesus, as quoted in Matthew 7:12 (NIV)

2. Help people: In Matthew 25:34-40, Jesus tells us that we are to give food to those who are hungry, give clothes to people who need them, provide shelter for people who have none, visit people who are sick, and give comfort to people who are in prison.

3. Don’t worry: Do your best. Deal with life’s problems. But don’t worry. Instead, have faith in Jesus that all things will work out in the way they need to work out.
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” - Jesus, as quoted in Matthew 6:27 (NIV)

4. Read the Bible: If you read the Bible for about 10 to 20 minutes a day, you can finish the four Gospels - the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - in one month. The four Gospels describe the life and teachings of Jesus, the Son of God.

5. Give thanks and be joyful: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

6. Pray: “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’ ” - Jesus, explaining how people should pray, as quoted in Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)

7. Forgive your enemies: “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” - Jesus, as quoted in Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)

8. Be careful what you say about other people: “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” - Jesus, as quoted in Matthew 12:36-37 (NIV)

9. Know the Word of God and use it each day:If you read the four Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, you will see many examples of how Christians should act.
“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.” - Jesus, as quoted in Matthew 7:24 (NIV)

10. Encourage others to read the Bible:If you have found peace and salvation in the Bible, share it with others - tell people, write a letter, or create a Web site. Encourage others to read the Bible. Encourage family members and friends to attend church with you. Consider giving Bibles as gifts to others.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” - Jesus, as quoted in Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

nonelikejesus:

I see this on my dash all the time!

“Recall someone who gave His only son for our sins? He too gave you His heart. Use it well.”

“My soul finds rest in Your arms.”