Believe

We can lose faith in a lot of things--people around us, our government, co-workers who let us down--because those things will always prove to let us down.

Then we can lose faith in God--questioning His ability to save us out of a tough situation, doubting His love and care, or His existence.

Faith really is a choice we make. I have to choose to believe that God is faithful--and when I focus on that, my faith grows.

The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made."
Psalm 145:13

Everywhere around us--there is proof that God is. In nature, I look at the intricate designs and infinite galaxies and find it impossible to believe that it all happened by accident. I have changed because I have a relationship with Jesus--and I have seen others do the same. To me, that is proof that He is. I have also heard of men attempting to refute the Bible and after much investigation, they have given up being marveled by the prophecies and historical evidence found in its pages.

Despite all the evidence, it takes a choice. A choice to believe--or not. I would guess that most individuals--whether believer or not--have a time in their life when they question their belief in God.

Billy Graham was one of those questioning believers. Charles Templeton was one of the greatest preachers of the mid-twentieth century, and a friend to a young Billy Graham. Charles decided to turn his back on his faith and became an atheist.

These events caused Billy to examine his faith. As a young preacher, he was on the verge of giving up and going back to working the farm.

One night, as he wrestled with God on the side of a mountain, Billy chose faith. "He still had many questions, but he had stepped across a line; in a simple yet enormously profound step of faith, he had crossed once and for all from doubting to believing."

He later stated, "From that moment on, I can tell you before God, I've never had a doubt. And when I quote the Scripture, I know that I am quoting the Living Word of God. It has power. And from that moment on, my ministry changed because I could speak with authority. I knew that the Bible was God's Word, and I knew it would not return void."

I just read the book "Billy" which is the story of a young Billy Graham and the test of faith that almost changed everything. It's a good read--check it out.

It made me think about the importance of faith--and the importance of dwelling on and remembering the faithful things that God has done in my life. When I do that, my faith grows.

I wonder how many of you have come to a crossroads of faith--mine came in college, and since then, I have faltered, but never walked away from the Faithful One.