Introduction
See Understand God
Introduction
It has been said that if something is popular, there is something wrong with it. Building your life on something popular can end up with a very wrong life. Take the almost universal belief that there is no proof for God. Already you are ready to put this book down. But there is something wrong with that popular belief.
In American culture we have few “coming of age rituals”. We accidentally or intentionally get sent out of a home into the world on our own. We experiment being adults; not sure of a career, a partner, or a purpose.
We struggle to find our place in the world. We create regrets. We hurt ourselves and others in the process. We get a taste of what an eternal torment might be like when a memory of something we have done causes a momentary physical reaction as a spiritual ‘cringe’ travels through our bodies.
Imagine not being alone; knowing... not just believing that God is with you. Imagine knowing that he loves you even though he knows you well and the things you’ve done. Imagine being able to hear from God in a way that is verifiable. Imagine sharing what you heard in a way that others can prove you heard it from God.
But crazy people hear from God!
About now another popular saying is popping into your head: Anyone can talk to God, but if you hear from him you’re crazy. There’s something wrong with that saying as well.
We are familiar with the cliché of the street preacher with a cardboard sign declaring that the end is near. Of course, most have been crazy. The last guy before the end comes… maybe not, or he was just lucky.
We may know the crazy cat lady who is always ‘prophesying’ things most of which don’t happen. And there are those terrible people who claim God told them to do violent things.
There are a few reasons people pretend to hear God.
- 1. It makes them feel important.
- 2. They manipulate people.
- 3. They rid themselves of guilt by blaming God for their actions.
- 4. The have heard voices but have not known how to discern the spirits.
When you actually hear God:
- 1. You know you are loved and how important God is.
- 2. You are free from manipulation, and have no need to manipulate others.
- 3. You rest in peace with God, and your sin is no longer on the table for discussion.
- 4. Satan and his demons flee in the presence of Christ in you.
- 5. You can finally understand God’s intended meaning in scripture.
My cousin used to swoon at the sight of TV stars in person. Some stand in line for autographs of sports stars, music industry stars, or popular artists and authors. But they all fall on their faces in the presence of God. Access to him in two-way conversation is available to you.
The God that most people reject is a false God. It is an invention of their own mind. The God they imagine is insufficient to the task. He can’t handle evil in the world, he doesn’t respond to prayer, he doesn’t give you what you want, and you wonder just who he thinks he is trying to manipulate you to do stupid things like not eat bacon, go to church, perform senseless rituals, and not let you do the things you enjoy. That is a popular view, and there is something wrong with it.
His name Elohim
His name ‘Elohim’ means ‘God separated from man by ignorance’. You won’t find that in a Hebrew dictionary. You need not believe that it means that; later you can verify it for yourself. My opinion doesn’t matter.
‘Ignorance’ isn’t an insult. It just means we don’t know him. He wants us to know him. Don’t you think the God of the universe can make himself known to you? We all play games looking for signs of God. Then we conclude there is no God because he did not jump through our hoops. Who made you the God trainer? He makes himself known in a verifiable way, and he wants you to know that he loves you.
By the end of this book, the only thing keeping you from knowing God in a verifiable way will be your will.
