I am pained by the lack of faith by people on the board recently both in God and in general.
It is obvious that unbelievers in God would have such lack of faith. But it is not confined to them alone but to others that though believers in God have little trust and confidence in him.
These of little faith constantly cry for proof and evidence both of God existence or in the case of Bill Bowens letter to the WTS proof of Govering Body members guilt as child molesters. They haven't the ability to believe or have faith without physical evidence.
One of my main mentors is TV minister Fred Price which I watch every Sunday morning. He said some very applicable things in regard to faith and the lack of that is contributing to the negative atmosphere here on the board.
17"O unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me." 18Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.
19Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"
20He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
A person if willing to believe and who sees the power within has already seen and will continue to see miracles that Bill Bowen has performed in the name of God.
John 20
Jesus Appears to Thomas
24Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"
But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."
Thomas clearly illustrated that belief is something we choose and not something that just happens to us if there is enough physical evidence. Most of the skeptics on the board are driven by the spirit of Thomas and don't realize it. They have to see, feel, touch or smell something for themselves physically before they will believe.
26A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
28Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
At some time God may provide or others may provide convincing evidence that forces doubters to believe very basically. But they are not ones who will be blessed by God as they lack the ability to believe without physical evidence. This problem of little faith will affect every aspect of their lives contributing to fear, mistrust, hopeessness, and insecurity. It makes them give up and self sabotage their goals and aspirations out of fear and doubt of achieving them.
Fortunately we have among us those with mustard seed sized faith that can move mountains enough to compensate for the lack of those of little faith.
29Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Faith is the the assured expectation of things hoped for. The evident demonstration (evidence) of realities though not beheld. Faith is a sixth sense of sorts . It is another way of seeing. The Bible says that a christian or man of God walks by faith and not by sight.
30Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31But these are written that you may[1] believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
2 Chronicles 20:20
Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful."
I have clearly expressed openly my very real belief God is still using prophets to accomplish his purpose to bring relief and justice to children and other oppressed ones. It is obvious to me that Bills inspirations in regards to Silentlambs demands our faith and confidence in him and by extension God who sends him.
Unbelievers will try to dismiss this notion by saying the JWs also think they represent God. The difference is that they have given us no reason for us to trust them. To the contary. Bill Bowen on the other hand has delivered big time and has performed many miracles to date. No brag just fact.
May God open your eyes so you can see there is more with us than there is with them. (angelic hoards).
Stop your doubts and fears. Trust, believe and have faith.
Zechariah