Message #272638

[dub]

I did not grow up in any church. I heard about God from my grandpa's actions the most. But all I thought about Christians was that they don't drink or do anything fun. I did try to go to church but only found judgmental hypocrites. I looked at many religions not just Christianity. I gave up on all of them.

But I always knew in my heart that there was a God. I figured no person could show me God. Now I can tell you the Bible says that if you seek God you will find God. But I had not ever read that. I just kept praying and would say something like the God of gods or the Main God. I knew in my heart God was there just not who God was. I came to know God living in a cow pasture not in a church. I did not go to any church I just found ways to serve other people and not let anyone know. I wanted God to know I was doing it only for God and not people. In serving others I found the peace I never knew.

I started looking at religions and only Christianity described the God I knew. I visited a few Christian churches and did not find anyone getting it right. Even now as an active member of a church I do not see many people that really seem to understand God. I asked my son the other day if the preacher was serving God. Of course he said yes. I asked how many people wanted to be a preacher on the stage. He did not know. So I asked my son, "How many people want to clean the toilets in the church?" Jesus washed the feet of the disciples

I look for the jobs nobody wants to do. My church has people to clean. So I show up and tell them I will do whatever is needed. I will not say what I have done or what I do because the God I serve knows.

I really pray for most Christians. Gandhi said something like, I like your Christ it is the Christians I do not like.

I do believe that church is important but I don't think you need church to find God. For the people born a different religion I think they know in their hearts what is right. It is their decision to make.

Romans 1:19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

For those that are born another religion or not ever hearing the word.
John 15:22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.

I do believe everthing is in the Bible. I do believe that it is the word of God given to man. I have spent many hours reading the Bible and looking for faults. When I found place the Bible was wrong I would later learn that I was wrong. I would say if you find something in the Bible you don't like to read it over and over. Read what is before it and after it. I would say that God is telling you something. Sometimes a preacher or someone else can help clarify. But I would say you need to take it to God. The author of the Bible and the author of your heart.