“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)
AN ATHEIST’S VIEW ON LIFE
I will live my life according to these beliefs
God does not exist
It is foolish to think
That there is a God with a cosmic plan
That an all-powerful God brings redemption and healing to the pain and suffering in the world
It is a comforting thought, however
Is only wishful thinking
People can do as they please without eternal consequences
The idea that
I am deserving of Hell
Because of sin
Is a lie meant to make me a slave to those in power
“The more you have, the happier you will be”
Our existence has no grand meaning or purpose
In a world with no God
There is freedom to be who I want to be
But with God
Everything is fine
It is ridiculous to think
I am lost and in need of saving ~Unknown
A CHRISTIAN’S VIEW ON LIFE
Read the above poem from bottom to top!
 
As we live our lives on earth we must strive to live by faith, and not rely on eyesight in matters of the Spirit. God never judges a person by his or her appearance. Rather, He sees our internal heart and spirit. His love within our hearts is what transforms us into His very image.
It is by faith that we are saved, believing in an unseen Savior and a loving God. Through faith, we accept the truths found in the living Word. By faith, we acknowledge an invisible Creator designed our wondrous universe.
The disciple Thomas refused to believe Jesus had appeared to the other disciples after His crucifixion. In fact he said, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” His faith did not extend to the resurrection of Jesus.
“When Jesus appeared a week later to His disciples, Thomas was present. This time Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”   (John 20:25-29 NKJV)
By faith, we believe in a world not yet seen. A world we will call home for eternity. A place described in Revelations 21:4 where there shall be no more death, sorrow, pain, or crying.
Faith also helps us to comprehend and accept the supernatural world all around us. We are warned that we do not battle mere flesh and blood. Accepting as truth all talk of angels and demons, heaven and hell, the holy Trinity, and other wonders requires faith. The books of the Bible are not fairy tales. Moses, Noah, Esther, David and Goliath, and the walls of Jericho are all truth and fact.
This physical world entices and tempts believers to neglect the eternal. Therefore, we must carry our spiritual shield of faith everywhere we go. With this shield, we can stand up to the attacks and temptations the evil one tosses our way. David confronted the giant Goliath in faith and was given victory. We too shall find victory when we stand up against spiritual giants in our faith.
By surrendering our wills to God, we grow in our dependence upon Him. As we lean more upon Him our trust deepens. When this happens, the peace that transcends all understanding will build within us and guard our heart from all distress. A deeper faith is then established and we choose to give God all our cares, knowing His plans and purposes are never thwarted.
Finally, this trust and faith is the true secret to bearing trials with patient endurance. By believing in a heavenly home, we can fix our eyes on the eternal happiness that lies beyond the grave. We must recall how short these trials are when compared to the eternal glory that awaits us in heaven.
Faith will see us through loss, suffering, sorrow, and pain. For we have the eternal hope of an unseen kingdom, where we are the royal children of a King. It is only when we are finally home with our Father that we may use our sight. The enemy has no place in heaven. There will be no more deceptions that trick, tempt, or fool us. What we see in heaven will be glorious and wondrous, trust worthy and undeniable.
Since we won’t be sleeping in our eternal home, I have a hunch there will be endless wonders to explore. We won’t want to miss a thing! The eye candy will be amazing!
IN YOUR TIME OF REFLECTION, CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING VERSES AND QUOTE BY MATTHEW HENRY:
“And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?” So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.  And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
Matthew 21:20-21 (NKJV)
“They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”  Revelations 7:16-17 (NKJV)
“But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”   Mark 4:40 (NKJV)
“So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”
Luke 17:6 (NKJV)
“Faith is for this world, and sight is reserved for the other world: and it is our duty, and will be our interest, to walk by faith, till we come to live by sight.”
~ Matthew Henry
To read more devotions by Cheryl Zelenka go to http://facingtrials.com