Faith, The Final Frontier

Mankind has searched the ocean depths and the far reaches of space for many reasons: looking for answers to their questions. But, there is one complex question most of them seem (and sometimes try) to avoid in that search. Is there a God and how can I find and get to know Him? Finding the answer to that question is the only thing that can fill and satisfy their hunger and search. But, what they're really looking for can't be seen. It is invisible and it's spiritual. 

Man will have to venture into that "forbidden" realm of Faith to find it. And the enemy absolutely doesn't want them to go there. He has convinced many people that it is foolish and dangerous. However, it isn't and it's meant to be easily accessible; but because of the fallen nature of mankind, it has become the final frontier for most of humanity. It also seems to have become the last place he will look. Yet, those who have been there come back much different than they were before.

If you were to ask most people if they believe in God, the majority would say, "Yes." If you asked them if they love God? Many would still say, "Yes." But, if you asked them whether they have faith in God, then you would start to get a lot of different answers and/or excuses. Some may even ask, What is faith? Believing there is a God is one thing; knowing him is another. It's not that he tries to be elusive, but the mode of faith is the mode that one must use in order to reach and understand Him. Faith is not natural but spiritual.

Man has five basic senses; sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell. We also have spiritual senses that operate in the spiritual realm that are normally accessed or reached through faith. It is our Life Support system that enables us to function in that realm. So what is Faith? Here are a few verses from the Bible to help us:

"Faith is...the evidence of things not seen made visible." (Heb 11:1)

"By faith we understand...that what is seen was made out of the invisible." (Heb.11:2)

"But my righteous ones shall live by faith." (Heb.10:38)

"And Jesus said...All things are possible to him who has faith." (Mark9:23)

"Without faith it is impossible to please God." (Heb.11:6)

"Faith without works is dead." (James 2:20)

If you ask most Christians if they have faith, most would respond "most defiantly!" But if you asked them, How do you express or demonstrate your faith? You would probably get a lot of varying answers; such as, Well, I believe in God, and I believe Jesus Christ died for me; I read my Bible; I go to church. (Or other things they might think or believe.) Or they might quote some of the previous scriptures. Or they might try to be good and not sin. However, believing things is not FAITH, and neither is being good or doing religious activities. Obedience and trust is the essence of faith. Abraham is the father of our faith, he demonstrated it by his obedience and trust in God's words. Sadly, that kind of faith is missing in many churches and in many Christians lives. How does a person demonstrate his or her faith? Would you like to have faith?

There are two kinds of faith. One is natural and works like this: if you do certain things you can expect certain results; such faith is based on mental knowledge. It only works in the natural world. It's like turning on a light; you have faith that the light will come on if you flip the switch. The other is spiritual faith and works like this: you have to do something you have not done before, based on the word of God (or a rhema word) and continue to do it. In the Bible you will find many examples of people demonstrating their faith, obeying and trusting God. This trust comes from our heart (spirit), and we apply it to our mind to take steps and actions every day until it becomes a way of life.

All people have the first type of faith. The second type you receive when you ask Jesus Christ into your life, and he fills you with his Holy Spirit. But that faith has been compromised over the years by men preaching and preaching to the point where there is not much life left in it. God is looking for the faith of Abraham and there is very little these days. Many operate it mostly by head knowledge in things that they have taught. To find and know God requires true spiritual faith. We definitely need God's help to energize that measure of faith that has been given to very believer. We need to get our minds renewed.

Thank God we are headed for an encounter with our Creator, and He will restore that avenue and connection that can only be achieved by Jesus' faith that was in Abraham. It is simply impossible to know God without such faith. Jesus' Faith is the catalyst that will enable us to go where no man has gone before. By it we can enter the realm in which Jesus walked, lived and did many wonders. God has intended for all His sons and daughters to live in the miraculous realm, where the impossible is made possible by Jesus' powers. But, much of it has been lost through Satan's deceptions over the centuries. But, true spiritual faith is being and will be restored to a greater level than ever before.

Most children and young people like adventures and exploration, and that is what God desires to see in all his children—even the "big ones." Man was made for adventure, romance and to pursue the unknown. In the future we will see more people venture into the unknown realm where God can be found and known. God wants to see all of us explore the depths of his love, and reach for the stars (the future) by the power of Jesus' faith, the final frontier. Once there, we will never be the same. Neither will we desire to return to where we were before, or desire to go anywhere without Him. With faith you enter the Kingdom of God, the final frontier.

Getting It Right

I was writing another article when I remembered a funny movie called Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murray. It's been around for awhile and many people have seen it. But, I still enjoy watching it, usually once a year around February 2nd. I missed it this year probably because I'm not crazy about man-made festivals, even though it's not a big hoopla except maybe in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. However, this movie has a special meaning to me that I would like to share. Even though it's an old movie, the truth in it remains.

It was about fifteen years ago and I was asleep. I was awakened by someone or something shaking my foot. I looked around but didn't see anything. Then I noticed the clock read 2:02, and went back to sleep not thinking too much more about it. However, the next night I was awakened again in the same manner; I looked at the clock, it read 2:02 again. I thought to myself this is strange. What did 2:02 mean? was God trying to tell me something? Maybe it was a verse in the Bible; but what book? Or was it a month and a day? But, it was already the last of February, however I still wondered if 2:02 had to do with Groundhog Day, which I thought was on the second. So I got up and went to the kitchen to look at the calender; I saw the space of the 2nd and looked down in the lower corner. There was nothing there, so I headed back to bed; then I felt that I was to go back and look again. I did, but this time I noticed in the upper corner in small print, Groundhog Day. (Remember, I was sleepy.) Okay God, I'm tired and it's Groundhog Day; what about it? I looked out the window and there was still snow on the ground—which is nothing new for Cle Elum, where there is usually some snow on the ground for three months in the winter. Did it mean six more weeks of winter? February 2nd had already passed, but I still felt it had to do with that name. Then I remembered the movie, Groundhog Day, that we had purchased a year before. I decided to see it again in the morning. So I went back to bed and fell asleep trying to remember what the movie was about.

The next day after I saw the movie, I realized why God wanted me to see it. For some time, I had been doing and saying things to get my family to follow me with Christian principles, but I had either tried to force my wife and daughter to go along or I criticized or gave looks of disapproval when they didn't follow, giving them a feeling of a holier than thou attitude. They were not happy, and especially not happy with me. But, somehow I felt justified. I was definitely not demonstrating Christ's love, patience, encouragement and appreciation. And that was not pleasing to God; nor was I going anywhere until I got it right.

So I asked my family to watch the movie with me. The movie was about a weatherman who had an attitude of feeling he was better than everyone else. He ended up getting stuck in a time warp on the worst day in his life, Feb. 2nd, Groundhog Day, repeating the same day over and over again along with the same mistakes, attitudes, and the misusing of people. After numerous miserable repeated days and inability to kill himself, he eventually began to see that he was the problem. He realized he needed to change and everyone would be happier, including himself. He started to demonstrate true appreciation, love and kindness to others regardless of their lifestyle. He also showed interest in other people's needs, including one old beggar. In the end he finally woke up on a new day, because he finally got it right.

After the movie I asked, my wife and daughter what they thought of the main character. They thought he was a jerk in the beginning. I agreed with them and then added, I too have been a jerk just like him. Then I made a sincere apology for my attitude and behavior lately, asking for their forgiveness. They were surprised by my confession and then forgave me. We were all happy again. From then on I tried to let them do their thing and I did mine, but without the bad attitude.

The next day I felt that things weren't over regarding 2:02. I felt I was to share this lesson with my friends in Longview, Washington, that we're not going anywhere until we get it right. (But My mind still had not grasped the whole meaning. I was still thinking in terms of doing the right things.) However, I didn't want to do this unless it was God's will. So I asked God if I was to speak, then He would needed to wake me up at 2:02 again. That night I woke up, but this time a voice in my mind urgently demanded, "Look at the clock!" When I did so, it was 2:02. Well that answered that question!

A couple weeks later I was in Longview sharing the 2:02 experience and the movie. When I was through someone asked me what I thought it meant. I told them that we're not going anywhere until we got it right. I then started to bring up some Christian principles; some agreed but something was still missing—the true message. Then someone added, "we need to love," and I agreed.

I enjoyed my visit, but it wasn't until a few weeks after I left Longview that the full message began to sink into my thick head. This would be a life long project. It isn't about principles at all, but about allowing Christ's love to flow through me and us daily, regardless of what others say or do, even if people don't conform to what I do or believe. I am to love them unconditionally (every time I see 2:02 on a clock I'm reminded to love), just as Christ loves me. It's a lesson we all need to learn.

P.S. I just watched the movie again with my wife. We both enjoyed it. Maybe you should see it too if you haven't (or perhaps see it again). You'll notice the clock is used to get your attention, it is also the turning point in the movie. Time is running out for many to get it right.