Do you remember the first time you saw something and it was the most amazing thing that you ever saw? That is called wonder. We say that things are wonderful. Or we say it was amazing. What ever happened to that feeling we used to have? Has the world driven it out of us? Has so many bad things happened to us that we have lost the wonder of the world? We grow up and want to be sophisticated adults. Knowing everything and not being surprised by anything. But what we have lost is what we need in this world. The northern lights of Alaska are amazing. The color of a sparrow is wondrous. The beauty of a Lilly is spectacular. Every sunset is gorgeous and new every night. Jesus was preaching and people were crowding around him. The disciples were keeping the crowd at bay. There came some children to see Jesus. The disciples pushed them away. Jesus saw this and rebuked the disciples. Jesus had the children to come and told his disciples never to do this again. Jesus said for if you do not become as one of this children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. The life of God is a wonder.

When I was eight years old, I gave my heart to God. Since that time I have heard on many occasions God calling my name. Sometimes I would turn around to see who it was behind me calling my name. Sometimes I heard my name being called from a distance. Each time I heard my name, it tugged on my heart. As if my heart was calling out. I found out it was my heart calling out to God. For a long time I didn’t understand why my heart was calling. God had to show me that He put inside of us that yearning to know Him. The call became stronger and stronger until I just couldn’t stand it anymore. Even though I had given my heart when I was a child, I didn’t know what to do about. God sent someone to me. He told me about Jesus and His life. He told me about Jesus for three months before I did anything about it. When I did do something about it, I went to church with his family. There I met the Living God. And I have been walking and talking with Him for thirty five years. If you have that yearning and hear your name being called, all you have to do is turn toward that voice and say, Here I am Lord.

Where will you fall in line when God calls all people to judgement? I don’t like to think about that but it is necessary to prepare for the end of life. When I was young I was going to live forever. I was invincible and could do anything, so I thought. Life is about learning. God says that foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child and discipline will drive it far from us. Have you ever read what God calls an eighty year old man, a child? Slowly I began to understand what the Lord required and my part to play in this. It took almost thirty years before I was willing to do what God said. As a child, I wanted my way and to do what I wanted to do. Otherwise I was going to take my ball and go home. I am thankful for the mercy and longsuffering of God. You can plot and plan all you want, but if God isn’t part and parcel of your life, it is a futile gesture. Take a good look around you and see what is really there. Pray that God will send someone into your life to show you the truth. The truth is that we, as humans, are separated from God by sin and need Him to forgive us and accept us back into the family.

I see people talking about the bible, not understanding one thing. I heard how the bible contradicts itself. How it does not make any sense. The bible by itself is not supposed to make sense to anyone. By itself it is a book of letters from men spanning two thousand years. When Jesus spoke to the people, He did so in parables. When He spoke to the apostles, He explained the Word of God. He wanted them to understand what was really going on. He spoke in parables so the people could not understand without God. Mt 13:15 “For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” Unless God gives you understanding, you have nothing. Unless God gives you, you have nothing. Ro 2:4 “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” And that is the point, unless God gives you, you have nothing.

It is funny how when people get used to being with another person that they lose reverence for that person. Respect and honor seem to fade away with familiarity. I have seen it countless times in church after a service. Everybody came to church to be in the presence of God. But when it ended, it was out the door and back to life. There is food in the oven or a football game on TV. When is God supposed to spend time with you? Do you have any time for God outside of church? Have you ever had lightning strike next to you? You felt the power of the lightning. That was not God because He made that. Have you ever felt the power of a hurricane? That was not God because He made that. The bible says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It also says the falling into the hands of angry God is a fearful thing. My Father sits on the throne and rules everything. He loves and wants me to come to Him with everything. He wants me to share all my life with Him. He loves to hear all about my day. But I never forget that He is the Lord Almighty, all knowing and all presence. And I love my Father with my whole heart.

When I started reading the bible, I saw where the Lord was speaking to people. Other than Jesus being here on earth. I wanted God to speak to me very clearly. So I could recognize His voice. He began with King James English using the scriptures. I asked why later and He told that I was studying the scriptures and it was the place to begin. After I had gained confidence that God was actually speaking to me. He spoke in American English. What God said never contradicted His scripture. It always was peaceable. It never caused me to feel confused or guilty. I always had to be aware that the devil would speak too. I learn how to distinguish between the two. In the Old Testament, God said He wrote His laws upon our heart and mind. Then in the New Testament, God said the He is the witness that confirms we are saved. Everyone hears the voice of God. He does speak to everyone. It is just, have you tuned God out?

Years ago, I help my friend move to Miami. She was engaged to a man who had two daughters and I got to know them. I was reading and studying the bible the whole time I was there. One day I was by myself at the dining room table, I had asked God about something. I was being quiet and waiting on Him to answer. My friend, her fiancé and the two girl walking through the dining room. One of the girls stopped and asked what I was doing? I told her I was waiting for God to answer my question. She looked at me and said, God talks to you? I said yes, just like He talks to you. My friend was a Christian and understood. I began to explain about God and led the two girls in the sinner’s prayer. You never know what God will do if you wait upon the Lord.

There are so many versions of Jesus in this world. I have seen just recently that people tried to show Him as just human and not divine. Many other religions recognize Him as great man. Some even says He was a prophet. All of this is to discredit Him as the son of God. The bible says that there is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved. It also says that in the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and tongue confess that Jesus is the Lord of all. Why do you think that people wince at the name of Jesus? They get angry and curse we his name is said. Have you noticed all the TV programs that proclaim the devil is all powerful? It is an effort to replace Jesus. When I first became saved, I was angry at the devil for leading me around by the nose. So I went on seek and destroy missions. After a month, God stopped me and asked what I was doing. I said I was getting rid of the devil. God said no, I was still following the devil. He said follow me and when you encounter the devil, cast him out in my name. God knows what He is talking about. Follow Jesus and everything else will fall into place.

I look at the things of this world and I want to rant and rave. I could scream at things that are being peddled to people. It is not just products but ideas. They are made to seem right and logical. I could stand on a street corner and protest and wave signs. In the first century when the church was just getting started, there was so much heresy floating around. The leaders of the church began writing letters to different congregations to tell them the truth. They are called epistles. God gave us a choice. He wanted us to hear the truth and believe. God was not going to hit us on the head if we did not believe. He would guide us with the Holy Spirit. If we did not choose the right way, He would let us know in no uncertain terms. As God said the truth will set you free. Now, if you choose not to follow, it is your own fault. It does not mean that God stops trying to win you over, but what it does mean that you are without excuse.

Jesus said, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Jesus was talking about lip service, not serving God with your heart. You remember that they asked Jesus what were the two greatest commandments. He said to love God with your whole heart, soul and mind. And Jesus also said the second is like unto to first, to love your neighbor as yourself. He said in this rest the whole law and prophets. God didn’t make serving Him beyond our reach. God make the law simple for us. It is not always easy, but it is simple. He said I know man and what he is made out of. Righteousness is doing what is right in God’s eyes. As the bible says, I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.