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Study #3/Spring of 2022

When did religions (A belief in a god/s) begin?
— Someone asked this question of my wife recently, and I found it an interesting deception that Satan puts in the minds of mankind.

For if our eyes could be truly opened, we would see that when we were first created we knew and walked with God the Creator.
— So if you see religion as a belief in God, then the proper question is, “When did mankind stop believing in God?”
— For in truth, the Atheist and Agnostic belief system is a relatively NEW IDEOLOGY.

So let’s look today at why we hold on to our FAITH in God…

1/ Every record of our human history shows clearly that all our ancestors believed that man is more than mere flesh, blood, and bone. All had an original belief that you can kill the body, but you can’t kill the spirit.

2/ Even today we are finding that this idea to refuse to acknowledge the spiritual factor of life, is being largely rejected by the masses, for it leaves us feeling empty and with a vacuum that needs to be fulfilled.

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The following is my personal testimony of why I know there is a God. (For our Bible study we can skip over it, however, I feel I must place it here for those who don’t know me.)

1/ If there is no God, then explain to me who has answered all my prayers over the years? Who has healed my body whenever I prayed in Jesus’ name? Who has protected me and delivered me from every dangerous and threatening situation, or at least stood with me and guided me through the same?

2/ Who has provided for my every need, even when I abandoned all earthly logic for provision, to step out and risk everything to follow His lead?

3/ I don’t rely solely on my own experiences, for how can so many other witnesses throughout history testify to this same saving, providing, and protecting power?

4/ Explain to me the odds against the proven record of fulfilled Bible prophecy throughout history.

5/ Try to explain away how when I simply turn to Him in prayer and worship, all my anxieties and fears are calmed, and power comes over me to be bold, strong, and courageous, far more than I could ever be on my own accord.

— NO, you will never convince me that there is no God, for I will never give up on PROVEN FACT to follow man’s foolish ideas.
— And I KNOW that the WAY TO THE ETERNAL, ALL-POWERFUL GOD is only thru Jesus. For this same proven Word of God, the Holy Bible tells me, ever so clearly that this is FACT. And God’s Words have proven themselves true time and time again in my life.

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BACK TO THE STUDY: God made all the laws of science, and a TRUE study of scientific FACT will also draw you closer to a Creator God, not cause you to doubt Him.
— I have seen repeatedly in the news these days how scientists are making discoveries on earth and in the heavens, that upset their former theories, and cause them to return to the drawing board, so to speak.

Mrs. Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote it this way: “Earth’s crammed with heaven, every common bush is ablaze with God, but only those who see take off their shoes, the rest sit around and eat blackberries.”

Q1/ — What do her words say to your understanding?

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Q2/ — What personal testimonies do you have to support your faith?

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Faith is an absolute requirement to come into a real-life relationship with God.

SEE: Hebrews 11:6  And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
— So faith is needed…

Q3/ However, if we lack faith, or if our faith is small, how do we grow in faith?

Q4/ — What does God’s Word tell us about growing in faith?

To answer this let’s look at Psalm 34:1-22  (Written by David when he pretended to be crazy in front of Abimelech, so that Abimelech would send him away, and David could leave… SEE 1^st Samuel 21:10-15) I will always praise the LORD.  (2)  With all my heart, I will praise the LORD. Let all who are helpless, listen and be glad.  (3)  Honor the LORD with me! Celebrate his great name.
— This praise comes from David’s experience escaping the grip of Achish king of the Philistines. SEE 1^st Samuel 21:10-15.

~ Q4 a) Why is David writing this EMBARASSING account of his escape from king Achish?
(Isn’t he trying to teach us to have faith in God’s deliverance? — SEE the underlined phrase above.)

 (4-7)  I asked the LORD for help, and he saved me from all my fears.  (5)  Keep your eyes on the LORD! You will shine like the sun and never blush with shame.  (6)  I was a nobody, but I prayed, and the LORD saved me from all my troubles.  (7)  If you honor the LORD, his angel will protect you.  (8)  Discover for yourself that the LORD is kind. Come to him for protection, and you will be glad.

~ Q4 b) What speaks more loudly to you from this? ~A salvation from your fears; ~Shining like the sun, and never blushing with shame; ~Deliverance from trouble through answered prayer; ~An invitation to come to the Lord for protection and gladness..?
— All these blessings are listed by David here.

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 (9)  Honor the LORD! You are his special people. No one who honors the LORD will ever be in need.  (10)  Young lions may go hungry or even starve, but if you trust the LORD, you will never miss out on anything good.

~ Q4 c) Do we question the truth of these verses?
— What is the requirement for the fulfillment of these promises contained in verse 9?

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 (11-14)  Come, my children, listen as I teach you to respect the LORD.  (12)  Do you want to live and enjoy a long life?  (13)  Then don’t say cruel things and don’t tell lies.  (14)  Do good instead of evil and try to live at peace.  (15)  If you obey the LORD, he will watch over you and answer your prayers.
~ Q4 d) Can you list the 5 (possibly more) things David is trying to teach us in these verses?

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 (16)  But God despises evil people, and he will wipe them all from the earth, till they are forgotten.
~ Q4 e) When will the evil people of this earth truly be ‘FORGOTTEN’? (Is this important?)

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 (17-18)  When his people pray for help, he listens and rescues them from their troubles.  (18)  The LORD is there to rescue all who are discouraged and have given up hope.
~ Q4 f) Where does this say that we may obtain a STUBBORN FAITH when we need it most?

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 (19-20)  The LORD’s people may suffer a lot, but he will always bring them safely through.  (20)  Not one of their bones will ever be broken.
~ Q4 g) There’s an interesting fact about the crucifixion of Jesus in these verses, can you spot it?

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 (21-22)  Wicked people are killed by their own evil deeds, and if you hate God’s people you will be punished.  (22)  The LORD saves the lives of his servants. Run to him for protection, and you won’t be punished.
Q3 h) There are 2 judgments against evil found here, and 1 promise of salvation…
— First, what are they?
— Secondly, does the sentence, “Run to him for protection, and you won’t be punished.” speak of repentance?

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King David writes here of evil people persecuting and attacking God’s people.

— Do these verses scare you or do they give you strength for our lives today?

— In other words, does the news of the world turning against God and His Word cause you to fear?

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David was led to write this down to encourage you and I.

He is giving God praise for escaping from the hand of Achish king of the Philistines (Who is titled Abimelech, as the Philistines did this to their leaders, in honor of one of the great leaders of the past.)

Next week, Lord willing, I want to look at why some would read this and find FEAR rather than FAITH…

A HINT FOR THE NEXT STUDY:
FEAR comes from seeing the sovereignty of man, while FAITH comes from seeing the sovereignty of God. (We’ll close with further discussion and then a time for prayer.)

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Let this next song prepare us for our prayer time…

‘Be though my vision’