Barbara Ann Repan

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Believing in God but…..

February 13, 2018 by Barbara

They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. ~ Titus 1:16

 

Is it possible to be a Christian atheist?

 

Do you believe in God but live as if He doesn’t exist?

 

I’ve been reading a book by Pastor Craig Groeschel, called The Christian atheist. Pastor Groeschel’s words are eye-opening and convicting. And I’m only halfway through! I picked this book to read because I desire an authentic, Christ-led life and sometimes that means God get’s in my business! Sometimes it hurts. Sometimes it frustrates. Most importantly, if I allow Him, He will change my heart.

 

If you and I are not praying, forgiving, changing or sharing our faith, then maybe we need to evaluate where we are in our relationship with Christ. I see many Christian atheist tendencies in my life.

The difference of believing versus knowing God gives us a clue about our Christianity. We can know God, just like we can know a friend, spouse or relative. We get to know someone by spending time with him or her and God is no different. He longs for us to include Him in our day. Being a Christian is more than believing. The Bible says in James 2:19 that even the demons believe in God. An authentic Christian has a relationship with their Father God.

The chapter on prayer was hard-hitting. The needs are great. Do I believe God can and will answer? My prayer life is an indicator. As I scroll social media, I see prayer requests and I try to pray right then because I know I will probably forget later. But I also catch myself scrolling through those requests. I want to do better. God wants to hear from me. He wants to hear from you too. Instead of scrolling for the next juicy bit of information, let’s stop on that prayer request and talk to God about it. Pray is simply talking to God. He talks to us also; Through His Word, through other people, through nature, are a few of the ways.

 

What about when we don’t think He’s fair? Honestly, I wouldn’t want Him to be fair to me. Where is God when life is not fair? From first-hand experience, He is present in our pain. He hurts when I hurt. When you hurt, He hurts. God is just, but not fair. His Grace is sufficient for us.

 

God does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:10-12

 

“This book is for anyone courageous enough to admit to their hypocrisy. I hope it pushes you, challenges you, and disturbs you.”

Other chapters include thoughts on worrying, money, and church.

Let’s be honest with ourselves. Admit we need some help so we can live an authentic Christian life.

Think about your life and where you might believe in God but live as if He doesn’t exist.

Does this sound like a book you’d like to read?

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Filed Under: Book Reviews, Life Tagged With: authentic, Christian life, Craig Groeschel book, Prayer, the Christian atheist

Comments

  1. Carol Ann Anderson says

    February 15, 2018 at 11:31 pm

    Sounds like a good book!

    I am in a Study group on Revelation! Our leader has been teaching this before and he is amazing!

    We have to be all in because each breath we take…we are that much closer to HIM!

    Thank you for sharing and I will check the book out!

    Love you my friend…
    Carol Ann

    • Barbara says

      February 18, 2018 at 12:19 pm

      Hi Carol, Email me your address and I’d be happy to send you a copy of this book. Thank you for stopping by here and always encouraging. 🙂

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Hi Friend, Welcome to my corner of the online world, where I write to encourage and give hope. I believe everyone could use a dose of hope from time to time so whether you need hope for your marriage, your closet or anything in between, I hope you find some encouragement here.

Having been through some hard situations, I understand what it's like to live hopeless, depressed, angry and bitter. Until God rescued me in His Love and Grace. In Him, I found an Anchor to keep me safe and secure. My passion is to share how He has rescued me and give others encouragement, as He has for me.

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