“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Matthew 7:7-8

We are talking this week about our questions and doubts regarding faith.  As one that did not grow up in the church, I can assure you, any doubt you can come up with – I have dealt with it.  Coming to faith as an adult brings its own challenges.  After years of education, we are already ingrained into a way of thinking and learning.  The Scientific Method, Laws of Physics and Mathematics – all the things we know to be true and reliable go right out the window when trying to comprehend the Bible don’t they?

Think about it.  Our world created in 7 days.  People living for 900 years.  Men walking on water.  5000 people eating 2 fish.  And don’t forget:  people being raised from the dead.

And if we can’t truly accept these things, don’t they call into question everything else the Book says?  So coming to faith has its challenges for us doesn’t it friends?

If you are struggling with your faith today, might I make one suggestion – as one who has been there and done that?

Don’t try to read the Bible as you would a text book.  Turn off that part of your brain.  If you truly want to learn, before you even open your Bible, you have to do one thing: PRAY.

That’s right.  You have to approach the Bible as the holy word of God.  It is sacred and a living document.  It was written by men, yes, but inspired by the Holy Spirit.  So before you try to make sense of it, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to you.  Ask the Spirit to give you an understanding that the unbelieving world does not have.  And I promise you friends, a whole new world will be opened up to you.  You will be given more understanding than you ever dreamed of.  He is the author, ask Him to help you glean what you need to strengthen your faith and He will be faithful to you.

Every answer that I have needed over the past fifteen years has been easily found in His Word.  He never fails me.  I encourage you to seek and find truth for yourself.

Maybe you don’t know where to begin.  I have been there too.  Here are a few tips if you have specific questions:

1.  www.biblegateway.com

Bible Gateway is a website that is a treasure of biblical information.  It includes:

• all translations of the Bible,
• daily reading plans,
• topical indices to help you search for specific topics and questions.
• commentaries to further explain what you have read
• and search engines to get you started

2.  Try Google

If you google your question, you will receive unending scriptural references.  Just be sure to think critically about your source:  openthebible.com, and thebible.com – are reputable resources.

3.  If you live in the Birmingham, AL area:

Beginning next Monday, our church, Liberty Crossings, will have a prayer event for 3 days called, “Quiet Spaces.”  One of the venues will be a room that addresses common questions people struggle with regarding their faith.  Anyone is welcomed to drop by from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. each day.  The scripture research has already been done for you in this room, so it might be a good start on your search for understanding.

Heavenly Father,

You are the perfect parent.  You do not hide Yourself from us.  You are open and accessible for all who seek You.  Teach, Lord, to see past our well-defined, clearly constructed parameters and to behold You in all Your magnificence.  Give us the hearts of children that we might accept Your words in faith.  Give us eyes to see and ears to hear the truth of the Spirit.  Lead us past our doubts and into greater faith.

We ask these things in the name of our Savior,

Amen