Someone once asked me, “I have reached out to God so many times but didn’t ever hear back from Him. Doesn’t He want to talk to me?”
This heart-wrenching question is not uncommon. Especially during the trying times we are currently going through.
When we find ourselves in the midst of storms, it’s natural to yearn for a clear, reassuring voice from above. A voice that would calm our troubled hearts and affirm that we are not alone.
I want to assure you that God does indeed hear you.
And he does more than that. He always responds.
But His responses might not be what we expect.
He often communicates through subtle hints. Seemingly insignificant events that nudge us in the right direction.
These are the instances that we often overlook, dismiss as mere coincidence, or perhaps fail to acknowledge in our quest for more evident signs of His presence.
The buddy who reaches out just when we’re feeling low.
The unexpected resolution to a lingering pain.
The gentle, comforting breeze on a particularly challenging day.
These are God’s whispers, His silent assurances that He is with us, guiding and protecting us.
The key to noticing these instances is developing a heightened sense of awareness.
Amid the noise and commotion of our experiences, it requires us to quieten our minds and attune our hearts to the subtleties of His divine orchestration.
It’s about recognizing His voice in the silence, His presence in the solitude, His guidance in the seemingly mundane.
I encourage you to pause, breathe, and keenly observe the world around you.
Look for these subtle indications of His presence.
They might be unassuming and easy to overlook, but they are there, waiting to be found, affirming His guidance and love.
God’s communication often comes in the softest of whispers, rather than in roaring thunders.
So keep reaching out to Him.
And as you do, listen intently. His answer may be subtly disguised in the happenings of your daily experiences.
I’ve heard a lot of people say that Christians are against science.
And that we can’t believe in science if we also believe in God.
However, this is nothing but a misunderstanding.
Science is also one of God’s creations.
It is the study of the natural world and the laws that govern it.
And it is simply a tool that helps us understand how the world works.
Faith, on the other hand, is the belief in God and His plan for our lives.
And what most people don’t realize is that faith and science can coexist.
The Bible tells us that “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1) and science helps us understand how and when that happened.
For example, the evolution theory helps us understand species’ development on earth.
While the Bible tells us that God is the creator of everything.
Both faith and science can be used to understand the beauty and complexity of God’s creations.
Another critical aspect of the relationship between faith and science is in the area of ethics.
Science helps us understand the natural world and the consequences of our actions.
But it is our faith that guides us in making moral decisions based on the teachings of God.
The Bible tells us “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).
People should continue to evolve according to God’s Will and help one another.
Science is simply a tool for that.
And we are not against it like most atheists think.
To make a long story short, science helps us understand how things work.
While faith helps us understand why they exist in the first place.
Together, they can give us a deeper understanding of the world and our place in it.
So let us continue to explore the world around us, with the guidance of our faith and the understanding provided by science.
Together, we can work to fulfill the purpose that God has for our lives and make a positive impact on the world.
Prayer is an essential part of the Christian faith.
However, many people may not realize that there are different types of prayer and ways to incorporate them into your daily routine.
I’ve gathered every type in this newsletter, so you can easily refer to it in times of need.
Adoration.
Through adoration, we express our love and worship of God.
This can be done through singing, reading scripture, or simply meditating on His goodness and greatness.
A simple way to perform this type of prayer is by starting your day by reading a Psalm or listening to worship music while you’re getting ready for work.
Confession
This is where we acknowledge our sins and ask for forgiveness.
Everyone needs to set time apart at least a few minutes a day for this.
It can be done either in silence or by sharing them with a loved one or accountability partner.
Thanksgiving
When we perform this type of prayer, we express gratitude for the blessings in our lives.
You can do that by writing a gratitude list, saying a prayer of thanks before a meal, or simply reflecting on the things you are grateful for throughout the day.
Everyone has things to be grateful for, even if it is hard to see it sometimes.
Intercession
Through Intercession, we pray for others.
As Christians, we have to help people receive God’s love through our prayers.
Some people haven’t let God in their lives.
Others are going through hardships or diseases.
We need to pray for everyone, just like we do for ourselves.
So think would need your help, and sacrifice some of your time and energy for them.
Supplication
This is when we make requests of God.
You can ask for help with a specific issue you have or simply ask for guidance or wisdom.
Prayer is a powerful tool for connecting with God and bringing peace and purpose to our lives.
If you incorporate every type in your daily routine, you will quickly see the difference it makes in your mental and physical health.
So try to set some time aside for each one every day.
In other words, anger places a heavier burden on the heart.
This is why people who can’t control their emotions experience frequent strokes.
How does “turning the other cheek” factor into this?
When we choose to let go of our anger and resentment, to “turn the other cheek,” we essentially reduce the harmful impact of these negative emotions on our systems.
We reduce our stress levels, blood pressure, and decrease inflammation.
The more I reflect on this, the more it makes sense.
Jesus taught us to turn the other cheek not just for the sake of our spiritual health, but also for our physical well-being.
He truly wants what’s good for us in every aspect of our existence.
Does this mean we should let others walk over us? Of course not. We must stand firm in our convictions and uphold what is right.
However, it means that we should strive to react to provocations with a spirit of forgiveness, rather than anger and resentment.
We should trust in God to handle our battles and take care of our hearts, both physically and spiritually.
So, the next time you find yourself in a stressful situation, remember the wisdom of Jesus’s teaching to turn the other cheek.
A lot of Christians in my church have talked to me about the same subject
People accuse them of being selfish for trying to reach Heaven.
They say that they follow God’s Will simply for their own personal benefit.
Instead of becoming defensive, let’s try to stand from the accusers’ point of view.
Doing everything in our power to go to Heaven might seem like selfish behavior to atheists.
If our primary concern is our own salvation, then we are not living out Christ’s commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves.
We might become so focused on ourselves that we neglect to show love and compassion to those around us who are also in need of God’s grace.
In this sense, trying to live forever can indeed be selfish.
But is that accusation fair?
From our perspective, the desire to reach Heaven is simply a natural response to the love and grace that God has bestowed upon us.
It is not about personal gain, but about living to serve and glorify God.
In that way, following God’s Will could be considered the ultimate expression of selflessness.
So, which is it? Is trying to reach Heaven selfish or selfless?
The answer, I believe, lies in the heart behind the motivation.
If our motivation is rooted in a deep love for God and a desire to support the less fortunate, then it’s pure and right.
We are seeking to align our will with God’s Will, not because we want to gain salvation or escape punishment, but because we want to grow closer to Him.
However, if our motivation is solely to escape hell or gain entry into heaven, then it is selfish.
We are reducing God to a means to an end, using Him as a tool to achieve our own ends rather than loving Him for who He is.
And that is not right.
That is why we have to be certain of our motivations before we try to glorify God.
Let us examine our hearts and our motives for following God’s will.
Let us seek to love God and others because of the goodness in our hearts, minds, and souls.
And let our desire to reach Heaven be rooted in that love.
What Scripture says about selflessness.
May God grant us the grace to follow Him with pure hearts and selfless motives.
God brought an interesting nugget of wisdom my way recently.
And I am delighted to be telling you this.
The Bayes Business School in England observed people who live in almshouses.
These are institutions that provide housing for the poor and elderly.
They analyzed 100 years of data, and they found that the residents in these communities live two-and-a-half years longer than their counterparts in the wider population.
Why do these people live longer even though they are usually more poor and have fewer comforts?
Well, the answer is quite simple.
And it goes to show how our God cares for us even in ways that are not obvious.
The real reason these folks live longer is because they interact with each other daily.
And this is something that we also do as Christians.
In our Christian churches, we are more than individuals living in proximity.
We are a family, bound by our faith, love for each other, and commitment to mutual support.
This collective, grounded in shared experiences and mutual empathy, forms a shield against loneliness and isolation
Elements known to be detrimental to our physical and mental well-being.
Our communities are living embodiments of “love thy neighbor,” a command that’s not just about morality but health too.
When we care for one another and provide emotional support, we are actively contributing to our own health and longevity.
This study underscores the importance of companionship, showing how the power of a Christian community can significantly enrich our paths and extend them.
While the study’s context might be specific, its message is universal.
It helps us recognize and embrace the power of our faith.
So let us continue praying, going to church, and strengthening our bonds with our Christian brothers and sisters.
Best Christian Prayers for Strength and Healing (At Least in My Opinion)
I always try and learn new prayers that I’m nit very familiar with, and I found a few Christian prayers for strength and healing that I would very much love sharing with today with both Christians, and non-Christians, alike.
Please use these Christian prayers in any situation where you need strength, hope, healing and courage.
Prayer for Healing and Strength
Father, thank you that you sent your Son to bring me life. Life in the fullness. Life for eternity. Thank you that I share in Christ’s resurrection life. That Christ is alive in me. And His Spirit dwells deeply in my being. Right now I receive your healing. I receive the same power that raised Christ from the grave. I receive Your life. I receive Your strength.
Thank you that all things are possible for those who believe. Thank you that you are moving in me right now. May I continue to receive from you. This hour and every hour.
The Christian Tech-Nerd 