Thoughts for Life: Hope For Skeptics

Randy Kilgore shares his thoughts with us: "As a workplace chaplain, I'm privileged to be in conversation with many different people.

Some are skeptics of the Christian faith.

I've discovered three major hurdles that keep them from trusting in Christ for salvation.

The first barrier, surprisingly, isn't an unwillingness to believe that God exists; instead some doubt that they're important enough for God's attention.

Second, some believe they are unworthy of His forgiveness.

People are often their own harshest judges.

The third hurdle? They wonder why God is not communicating with them if He is out there.

Let's work backward through the hurdles to see what God's Word says.

First, God doesn't play head games.

He promises that if we read His Word, He will make sure it accomplishes His purpose Is. 55:11.

In other words, if we read it we will discover that God is communicating with us.

This is precisely why the Bible speaks so often of His grace and mercy toward all v.7. His willingness to forgive surpasses our own.

Once we learn that we can hear God in the Bible and once we see the emphasis on His mercy, it becomes easier to believe we have His attention when we cry out to Him.

God's story is amazing. It can give hope for all of us." Randy Kilgore

"There can be times when one's mind is in doubt,
Times when one asks what the faith is about;
But we can believe him, we know that He cares—
Our God is real, as the Bible declares."— Fitzburgh

As found in Our Daily Bread on Dec. 11/13(Used by permission, Google images added)

Let’s pray:

Father, There have been times that we were all skeptical of the Good News of Jesus' Redemptive plan for us.

What we are now seeing is, some folks are still there with their own questions.

Help us pray for these folks, and be supportive of them in prayer, so that they will have a better chance of getting to know You personally one day.

Make us patient with those who just "don't see it." We ask for Your help in winning them to faith in Your Son, Jesus. Amen

“Heavenly Father, You are mighty to save and all I need. Thank You for reminding me that I can always come to you and trade in my exhaustion for Your rejuvenation. I come to You today and ask that You would restore rest to my soul. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.” Gwen Smith

Today’s Bible verse: Jer. 32:17 "Ah Lord God! behold, thou has made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee."

Today’s quote: Our Daily Bread

"Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me—

All His wonderful passion and purity!

O Thou Spirit divine, all my nature refine,

Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me. —Osborn

Jesus takes us as we are

and makes us what we should be."

Some thoughts today: We need to take quality time before the Lord.

- Jesus was baptized, and received affirmation from His Father.
When we are baptized, we will also receive affirmation of who
we are in Christ.

- Allow the Holy Ghost to baptize you with His fire, and begin
living on a new level of faith and service.

This evening's extra post: Sexual Immorality Tammie Johnson

21st- Tuesday’s post: #55 Rugged Individualism C. Peter Wagner

23rd- Thursday's post: #56 Spiritual Arrogance C. Peter Wagner

25th-Saturday's post: Mysterious Ways/Somebody, please
help! Julia Eie

A popular post: Where Sinners Go Yes, sinners go to church, and sinners - forgiven ones - go to heaven because of God's grace." -Dave Branon