God Exists List

God written about in the Bible truly exists. Is this my philosophy which I formulated over time? Is it indoctrination someone else has pressed into my brain? Something I’ve read, perhaps? Something I need to agree with to pass the final exam? Well, this last question might be truer than one first might think… but it does not precede my experiences. First, lessons. Then, the final exam.

Aside from the ocean of opinions people might be floating on, experience is the best boat to float. You see, this is just as much about you as it is about me. The only thing I have to do with this is this truism, “God exists,” and its results: “He rewards those who seek Him earnestly, diligently, sincerely, honestly…” (my amplification of Hebrews 11:6 NIV)

Then, what are my experiences that have persuaded me to accept that truism actually is absolutely truth? Here is a very partial list:

1. I assumed God was around somewhere; at least, I hoped He was around somewhere. I had heard He was.
2. When I challenged Him on why He allowed bad things to happen, He didn’t strike me down with a bolt of lightning.
3. When I later desperately called on Him, He intervened, rescuing me from a very, very bad LSD trip and did so in an instant. Bang. Gone.
4. When wandering aimlessly, He gently led me around and about, where I met a variety of hospitable folk who gave me shelter in a variety of ways, and until looking back on these times, I had no sense that it was God’s hand on my life.
5. By this gentle Spirit, God continued to lead me to a youth outreach (a small ranch owned by a retired Pentecostal missionary). There I realized I was responsible for the bad things in my world, the consequences of my bad choices. (Forget about all the worldwide problems for now. Down the road you’ll begin to understand.)
6. When I came to an ensuing place of repentance, and when I asked Jesus to forgive me and come into my life, He did.
7. And like a new creation, Jesus brought inner cleansing, peace, and rest from my struggles — a kind of my own personal Sabbath Day.

The rest of the proofs in my experiences is a continuing life of seeking/finding, asking/receiving, knocking/doors opening. Jobs provided so I could provide for a family, with a believing wife for a companion and partner in making a home, and for our children. Provision for our needs. Insight to lead into all truth and protect from lies. Jesus has even given us faith to continue, even when this is the situation: Trouble arises, but remember “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:45b New International Version)

So, my conclusion is this, and I have experienced this in my life for over 50 years: “… anyone who comes to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Also this is a very important dynamic in having Jesus in our lives. You see, we still make mistakes, act unwisely, and make wrong turns. Yet this remains true: “…being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6, New International Version)

He doesn’t just drop us off at the orphanage…