Each day I awake and I see so many glorious things. When I walk the small portion of the earth that I occupy and see the ground and its harvest, the sky and its vastness and the community of my fellow Christians I am in awe. Even when I am going through tough times personally I try and pray and take a second and look around. In the gifts of this world I feel peace all of which are given to me by God.
The nice thing to know is that God is here for everyone. He does not discriminate. No matter what race, cultural background or geographic location God is there for you. On the other hand, if you walk away from God you walk away from a lot. you can exist without God in your life but its not as nearly full filling. I have taken time to walk with God and on my own. I would much rather have him in my life. Some have a hard time dealing with that. Some feel that Go should love them and provide for them not matter what they do. "If God loves me he should give me what I want.", much like my children say, "If you love me you would let me eat all the candy I want and play video games all night cause that makes me happy".
I know that it can be hard if you don not believe in God. It can be hard to believe in God. There are a lot of distractions tout there. There are a lot of things in the world from man that encourage you to feed your desires. I myself am flawed. I am a sinner and get distracted from time to time and make mistakes. When I realize that I have gotten off track, I step back and ask for forgiveness. Life is a marathon not a sprint and in running to try and become a saint I constantly pray to God and ask for help to become a better person. Through God's creations I see God. I find him in Jesus's teachings. I find him at church and in Communion. Knowing those things help me know God and knowing God and spending time actively with Gods loving God creates a wonderful relationship in which he is willing to help me when I ask for help. Do I sometimes still foolishly ask if I can stay up all night playing video games and eat candy? Yes, and like a good father God smiles and explains why that is not really a good idea.
Acts 13:44-52
44The next sabbath almost the whole city gathered together to hear the word of God. 45But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted what was spoken by Paul, and reviled him. 46And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 47For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, `I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.'" 48And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of God; and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. 49And the word of the Lord spread throughout all the region. 50But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. 51But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and went to Ico'nium. 52And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Psalms 98:1-4
1O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. 2The LORD has made known his victory, he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. 3He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. 4Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
Gospel
John 14:7-14
7If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; henceforth you know him and have seen him." 8Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied." 9Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father; how can you say, `Show us the Father'? 10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me; or else believe me for the sake of the works themselves. 12"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father. 13Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; 14if you ask anything in my name, I will do it.
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