But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. ~ Hebrews 11:6 NKJV Acts 17:24-28; Romans 1:20; Hebrews 3:4 Psalm 19:1-3; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 1:26 Psalm 10:3-4,6,11,13

BELIEVING THAT GOD IS… GIVES US AN ELEVATED VIEW OF MANKIND “Image of God” – Gen. 1:26 Psalm 8:1-9 – “a little lower than the angels” View of Fellowman: “image and glory of God” – 1 Cor. 11:7 “Father of spirits” – Heb. 12:9 “spirit will return to God who gave it” – Eccl. 12:7 One soul > World – Mark 8:36,37

BELIEVING THAT GOD IS… GIVES US AN ELEVATED VIEW OF MANKIND GIVES US A SENSE OF PURPOSE IN EXISTENCE

BELIEVING THAT GOD IS… GIVES US A SENSE OF PURPOSE IN EXISTENCE Eccl. 12:13,14 – “whole duty of man” (ESV) Psalm 100:3 – “It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves.” Genesis 11:6 – “now nothing they propose to do will be withheld from them” Exodus 35:35 – “He has filled them with skill …”

Isa 51:13-16 ~ And you forget the Lord your Maker, Who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth; You have feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he has prepared to destroy. And where is the fury of the oppressor? 14 The captive exile hastens, that he may be loosed, that he should not die in the pit, and that his bread should not fail. 15 But I am the Lord your God, Who divided the sea whose waves roared — The Lord of hosts is His name. 16 And I have put My words in your mouth; I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, that I may plant the heavens, lay the foundations of the earth, and say to Zion, 'You are My people.'"

BELIEVING THAT GOD IS… GIVES US A SENSE OF PURPOSE IN EXISTENCE Life is a pilgrimage toward an eternal reunion with our Maker. “For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” ~ 2 Cor. 4:18 Luke 12:19 / 1 Cor. 15:32 Heb. 11:26,27 – “for he looked to the reward. By faith … as seeing Him who is invisible.”

BELIEVING THAT GOD IS… GIVES US A SENSE OF PURPOSE IN EXISTENCE Life is a “walk with God” Gen. 5:24 – Enoch “diligently seek Him” – Heb. 11:6 “By faith Abraham obeyed …” – Heb. 11:8 “…faith working through love.” – Gal. 5:6 John 10:10 ~ I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

BELIEVING THAT GOD IS… GIVES US AN ELEVATED VIEW OF MANKIND GIVES US A SENSE OF PURPOSE IN EXISTENCE PUTS JOY INTO OUR LIVES

BELIEVING THAT GOD IS… PUTS JOY INTO OUR LIVES God did not leave us hopeless and helpless in the midst of this world of hardships and pain. The world God created is not the world we see in the news! We changed the “good” world God made into the world it is today by our sin.

BELIEVING THAT GOD IS… Isa 40:28-31 ~ Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

BELIEVING THAT GOD IS… 2 Cor 12:9-10 ~ "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. James 1:2 ~ My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, …

BELIEVING THAT GOD IS… 1 Peter 4:19 ~ Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. Phil 4:7 ~ … and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 1 Peter 5:6-7 ~ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

BELIEVING THAT GOD IS… Phil 2:17-18 ~ Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me. John 15:11 ~ These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

BELIEVING THAT GOD IS… GIVES US AN ELEVATED VIEW OF MANKIND GIVES US A SENSE OF PURPOSE IN EXISTENCE PUTS JOY INTO OUR LIVES TAKES FEAR OUT OF DYING

BELIEVING THAT GOD IS… TAKES FEAR OUT OF DYING Without God, death is a senseless end to a senseless life. Without God, men fear death because it is taking away “all” that life means to them. But what a difference since “God is”!

BELIEVING THAT GOD IS… 2 Cor 5:4-8 ~ For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

BELIEVING THAT GOD IS… 1 Cor 15:55-57 ~ "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

BELIEVING THAT GOD IS… 1 Cor 15:40-44 ~There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. ~ Hebrews 11:6 NKJV Elevates your view of mankind! Gives purpose to your existence! Puts joy into living! Takes fear out of dying!