“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”[1] The Bible assumes the existence of God. There are countless elements of Scripture that give strong evidence that He is real and that His Word is true, but the book does not set out to prove that. One must come to a place in life where a decision is finally made to believe in Him for oneself; to trust Him. In that moment, a new world is revealed to the new believer and life will never be the same. It is as though the deepest darkness is suddenly illuminated with the brightest sunshine of midday[2] and a journey of spiritual discovery of identity, community and destiny begins. The key needed to unlock the door leading to this brilliant new perspective is faith. The key is to trust in God and use the roadmap for this adventure which is the Bible. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments provide the primary way through which God speaks to mankind, giving them everything they need for life and godliness.[3] The Holy Spirit is able to help us understand the Holy Bible and put its teachings into practice in our lives.
“Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”[4] We have to believe in Him in the first place for any of this to work. And what is more, we must sincerely seek His will for our lives. I am always amazed at how angry many people are with God even when they claim to not believe in Him. Part of the root of their anger is ignorance. They do not know Him, for if they did, they would find that “God is love,”[5] their frustrations would be diffused, their wounded souls healed. Some find it difficult to trust something or someone they don’t fully understand, but we will never totally comprehend God. If we could comprehend Him, we would be equal to Him or greater than Him, and that is not our destiny nor is it even possible. God is God. He is the all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe. If you wait to have faith until you have life all figured out or put off trusting God until all your questions about Him are answered, you’ll never be able to experience His salvation and all the blessings that life with Him has to offer.
Sometimes truth is hiding in plain sight. So much is said about the Bible by people who have never read it from cover to cover. They make judgments about the Word and those who follow Him without ever taking the time to read the book or get to know them. To experience all the blessings God has for us, we need to open the pages of the Bible and ask God to reveal His truths to us by the light of His Spirit. God the Father loves you and wants you to know who you are, welcomes you to become an integral part of His eternal family and find your forever home with Him. This happens by His undeserved favor (grace) through trusting Him (faith).
Jesus used stories called parables to communicate deep spiritual truths. In Luke 15 He tells us the parable of a shepherd who has one hundred sheep. Ninety-nine are grazing together but one wanders away. The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to find the one who is lost. When He finds the one, He picks it up and carries the sheep on His shoulders and rejoices in rescuing that one. In that moment, the sheep could have kept wandering, or it could stay still and allow the shepherd to pick it up. So it is with you. Jesus cares about you enough to come rescue you. When you stop, reflect on your life and realize that you need Him, He is able to change your life and He rejoices over you![6] He is so happy that He is yours and you are His. By faith, you may experience God’s love in a way you’ve never been loved before. Jesus claimed to be God. You must decide whether He was crazy, lying, or telling the truth. Who do you say that He is? If you choose to trust that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, then your spiritual eyes will be opened, and the adventure of a lifetime will begin. Jesus is God and through His death and resurrection, He can bring you abundant, eternal life.
Once we dare believe that Jesus is God and that the Scriptures are true, we are able to receive redemption, power, healing and hope in Him and His Word the Bible. God is speaking to you. He speaks to human beings in diverse ways. I have heard His voice through the script of a movie, while gazing at the breathtaking scenery of a river valley, through the encouragement of a friend, listening to the words of an evangelist, I have even heard His voice while taking a shower. At times it’s a still, small voice that seems to come quietly from deep inside my heart, but other times it’s the strongest, most powerful trumpet blast that seems to shake every fiber of my being. Whatever communication is received, it should all be measured by what He has already said in the Bible. God will never contradict Himself.[7] What is the Bible? Where did it come from? Can we trust it and believe it to be true? Find out next time as we explore these topics and begin to stand firmly on His promises.
[1] Hebrews 11:1
[2] I Peter 2:9
[3] II Peter 1:3
[4] Hebrews 11:6
[5] I John 4:8
[6] Zephaniah 3:17
[7] Numbers 23:19
Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God 
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