Does Saul's conversion reveal the essence of faith?

[Wheat Field]

Saul was, 'still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples,' when he had his road to Damascus experience. There was no one preaching the Gospel to him and there was no studying of Jesus from scripture (at least in the NT sense).

Saul's conversion was essentially directed by Jesus (if we are to believe what is written) and it appears that His reality was incontrovertible.

Worth citing, too, is Abraham, who had no Hebrew scriptures that he could examine and, in a similar way to Saul, God directly communicated his existence to him without any human intermediary.

Further, when Jesus asked his disciples who they thought he was (Matthew 16:1ff) Peter replied: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus' response, again, points to a divine origin:
“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven."

Putting it starkly, it seems that faith is determined from the divine perspective.

 

[Wheat Field]

Ye must die to be born again. People often forget the mystery cult aspect of Christianity. Lose your life in order to find it, etc.

Ok.

I dunno personally I knew scripture and doctrine 101, but it wasn’t until I felt…something…that I actually got truly saved. In the surface I was just another loser on bond who got religion. Nearly 13 years later…

What did you feel (I may have asked you this before - but long time ago)?

Whatever hope I had for having some kind of workable social identity…not much of one of course…is gone. I’m now considered schizophrenic and I don’t think non entity quite describes my social situation. And yet…

I’m healthy and surprisingly normal and my once understandably estranged parents are incredibly supportive. I live a quiet modest pleasant life in a modest strata of mainstream society. I’m actually typing this on my patio looking at my houseplants and taking in a very nice view.

Great to hear

After my conversion it dawned on me that pride had been part of what kept me from genuine conversion…maybe? Hindsight is 20/20, sometimes…

Other times…ones dealing with intangibles, things no one can see touch weigh truly measure…

Pride? Anger? The rather obvious fact that I had been me for each and every single day for 28 years at that point? I dunno.

I pray that God will reach out to you directly…

Yes, pride and anger need constantly to be dealt with. I have no problem accepting how selfish we can all be.

 

[Fish153]

Wheat field---

Since others have shared how they were converted I thought I'd share my testimony too. My next door neighbor, Jim, had recently begun talking all the time about Jesus. He had never been "religious" before so I was a bit intrigued. He talked a lot about end times stuff which I wasn't sure I believed. But it all definitely piqued my interest.

One day I was at home alone and he ("Jim") knocked at the front door. I opened it and he held out a "Gospel of John" and said "Joe, there is still time". That's all he said and he turned and walked away. I closed the door and looked at the Gospel. I threw it onto a little table in the hallway and went and did other stuff (most likely went and played basketball or something--lol--I was 17).

When I got back home I saw the Gospel and took it with me to my room. I plopped down on my bed and started to read. It was a "Living Bible" translation of the Gospel of John. I began to read the Gospel and was truly amazed when reading about being "born again" and "how God so loved the world". But in Chapter 10 Jesus says "I am the Good Shepherd. I call my sheep by name, and they follow me". I was all alone. No one was preaching at me--my emotions were not being effected by music--I was not subject to an emotional "altar call" or anything like that. It was just me and the Gospel of John---and the HOLY SPIRIT. When I read those words "I call my sheep by name" I felt this overwhelming urge to ask Jesus "Can I be one of your sheep??" I heard no audible voice--but I KNEW I was being called right at that moment. At that moment the Holy Spirit entered my heart and I became one of Christ's sheep!

From that moment on the Gospel of John became a different book. It was like it was written TO ME. In that moment I had been "saved"---everything changed. Literally and seriously--I KNEW something had completely changed within me. I play the guitar and immediately wrote a song to Jesus! An hour before I could have cared less who Jesus was! I had had my interest "piqued" by my neighbor, but something amazing had happened to me! I didn't even care about God an hour or so before, and now He was everything to me!

That night I felt so CLEAN!! My brother and I (and some friends) would normally smoke marijuana at night. That night I told my brother "I'll roll this joint for you, but I don't want to smoke any of it". He asked why and I said "What Jim believes I believe now too". He said (LOL) "Oh no! Not another one!" (no kidding--he said that lol).

I didn't realize it at the time but I had been truly "born-again" by the Word of God. All it took was a moment. Jesus says "Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any man hears my voice and opens the door I will come into him and dine with him and he with Me" (Rev. 3:20) Jesus was knocking and I simply opened the door.

I did not repent to be saved. I was saved and the RESULT was repentance (I no longer desired to do what I had been doing before). I just wanted to share this with you because I am still amazed to this day how the Lord stepped into my pathway and saved me. I was not looking for Him---He was looking for me! That was 53 years ago now--and I believe more strongly than I ever have before. Salvation is real. Wheat field---just ask Jesus to come into your heart---but ask sincerely. He WILL come in!

 

[Fish153]

Here are the actual verses: I quoted a bit incorrectly above:

"To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice" (John 10: 3,4)

 

[for_his_glory]

Without this 'download' from God to Paul then we might wonder if faith was indeed possible for him.

May I ask how your attention was grabbed?

Faith is possible to all by God's free gift of grace as faith, being the belief and acceptance of Christ Jesus, is given to all who will accept His grace.

In short, My attention was grabbed by my pouring my heart out to Jesus in my moment of desperation many years ago and Jesus heard my plea after I poured my heart out to Him, then kept silent as I laid on the ground and that is when Jesus Spoke to me. I'm not saying it happens to everyone other than it happened to me.

 

[for_his_glory]

Wheat Field to know God is to surrender all of your self to Him. I pray the below helps in some small way and please feel free to PM me if you want to talk more.

MY TESTIMONY
May 18th 1997

I am lost, confused and scared. Will I ever fit in anywhere in this life? I'm hurting, but who cares. I'm lonely and all alone within myself. I've been so used and abused. Where and when will it be my turn! Where are the open arms to hold me and hug me, to tell me I do matter in this life! Where is the voice to calm my tears of pain? I give and give, but nothing gives back in return. I'm mad and angry for what has been taken away from me! How do I go on? I search for God to answer my needs, but never get an answer.

I am a voice that cries out in the wilderness. Will no one listen! Will no one care! I feel like I am invisible at times and when I pray I feel my prayers are falling on deaf ears. I know God loves me. He has rescued me from death and destruction. He has rescued me from wanting to commit suicide. I have never opened my feelings with anyone except God. I have purged and purged until I cannot cry anymore. God has forgiven and forgot my past, how do I! I've been told I am strong and can handle my situations, guess what, I am not strong and I can't handle it anymore! Please God help me!

I am now ready to open up. I can't deal with the pain anymore. I want to let loose and completely die to myself and live for God. I'm asking for total deliverance of all the holds Satan has on me. I'm tired of fighting this on my own. I'm tired of Satan laughing at me and making me feel like nothing and always coming against me. Jesus, save me from my torment! You have called me into service and I am not ready. Lord God please perform a complete deliverance in me. Make my feet straight for what you are calling me to do. Show me how to do your will. Lord you know my heart and you know what I feel I need to do. Open that door and prepare me away.

This is the answer God gave me. When you cry out to him, he will hear you and speak to your heart. You might not like the answer he gives you, but if you really listen it is always the right answer.

11 Kings 5:10, 11
But Naaman was wroth and went away and said, Behold, I thought he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God and strike his hand over the place and recover the leper.

God was showing me in the above scripture the beginning of relying solely on him and not what man could do for me. I was going from church to church trying to fit in with the people. I was trying to find answers and help for myself through the recognition of man. All that got me was more disappointment and frustration. When I learned to give myself totally over to the Lord and rely on him alone and his word is when my life completely changed for the better. Now I serve God with a glad heart and praise him for all his wonderful blessings.

​

 

[Wheat Field]

Wheat Field to know God is to surrender all of your self to Him. I pray the below helps in some small way and please feel free to PM me if you want to talk more.

MY TESTIMONY
May 18th 1997

I am lost, confused and scared. Will I ever fit in anywhere in this life? I'm hurting, but who cares. I'm lonely and all alone within myself. I've been so used and abused. Where and when will it be my turn! Where are the open arms to hold me and hug me, to tell me I do matter in this life! Where is the voice to calm my tears of pain? I give and give, but nothing gives back in return. I'm mad and angry for what has been taken away from me! How do I go on? I search for God to answer my needs, but never get an answer.

I am a voice that cries out in the wilderness. Will no one listen! Will no one care! I feel like I am invisible at times and when I pray I feel my prayers are falling on deaf ears. I know God loves me. He has rescued me from death and destruction. He has rescued me from wanting to commit suicide. I have never opened my feelings with anyone except God. I have purged and purged until I cannot cry anymore. God has forgiven and forgot my past, how do I! I've been told I am strong and can handle my situations, guess what, I am not strong and I can't handle it anymore! Please God help me!

I am now ready to open up. I can't deal with the pain anymore. I want to let loose and completely die to myself and live for God. I'm asking for total deliverance of all the holds Satan has on me. I'm tired of fighting this on my own. I'm tired of Satan laughing at me and making me feel like nothing and always coming against me. Jesus, save me from my torment! You have called me into service and I am not ready. Lord God please perform a complete deliverance in me. Make my feet straight for what you are calling me to do. Show me how to do your will. Lord you know my heart and you know what I feel I need to do. Open that door and prepare me away.

This is the answer God gave me. When you cry out to him, he will hear you and speak to your heart. You might not like the answer he gives you, but if you really listen it is always the right answer.

11 Kings 5:10, 11
But Naaman was wroth and went away and said, Behold, I thought he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God and strike his hand over the place and recover the leper.

God was showing me in the above scripture the beginning of relying solely on him and not what man could do for me. I was going from church to church trying to fit in with the people. I was trying to find answers and help for myself through the recognition of man. All that got me was more disappointment and frustration. When I learned to give myself totally over to the Lord and rely on him alone and his word is when my life completely changed for the better. Now I serve God with a glad heart and praise him for all his wonderful blessings.

A lovely testimony FHG - thank you.

Even before your life 'completely changed for the better' ( I assume you mean when you were 'saved?), you already had a belief in God (you knew 'God loved you'). How did you get to that point?

 

[Who Me]

What I have said, though, is that belief in the Bible as a whole is difficult (at least for me) -

The bible is a book that contains many different styles of writing , not all require a literal belief.
That said there are many passages written as prose that describe impossible events, water turned into wine, axe heads floating, seas parting, dead being brought back to life and sins forgiven.
If you believe the last, what is the problem with the minor issues I listed before it?

 

[Wheat Field]

Wheat field---

Since others have shared how they were converted I thought I'd share my testimony too. My next door neighbor, Jim, had recently begun talking all the time about Jesus. He had never been "religious" before so I was a bit intrigued. He talked a lot about end times stuff which I wasn't sure I believed. But it all definitely piqued my interest.

One day I was at home alone and he ("Jim") knocked at the front door. I opened it and he held out a "Gospel of John" and said "Joe, there is still time". That's all he said and he turned and walked away. I closed the door and looked at the Gospel. I threw it onto a little table in the hallway and went and did other stuff (most likely went and played basketball or something--lol--I was 17).

When I got back home I saw the Gospel and took it with me to my room. I plopped down on my bed and started to read. It was a "Living Bible" translation of the Gospel of John. I began to read the Gospel and was truly amazed when reading about being "born again" and "how God so loved the world". But in Chapter 10 Jesus says "I am the Good Shepherd. I call my sheep by name, and they follow me". I was all alone. No one was preaching at me--my emotions were not being effected by music--I was not subject to an emotional "altar call" or anything like that. It was just me and the Gospel of John---and the HOLY SPIRIT. When I read those words "I call my sheep by name" I felt this overwhelming urge to ask Jesus "Can I be one of your sheep??" I heard no audible voice--but I KNEW I was being called right at that moment. At that moment the Holy Spirit entered my heart and I became one of Christ's sheep!

From that moment on the Gospel of John became a different book. It was like it was written TO ME. In that moment I had been "saved"---everything changed. Literally and seriously--I KNEW something had completely changed within me. I play the guitar and immediately wrote a song to Jesus! An hour before I could have cared less who Jesus was! I had had my interest "piqued" by my neighbor, but something amazing had happened to me! I didn't even care about God an hour or so before, and now He was everything to me!

That night I felt so CLEAN!! My brother and I (and some friends) would normally smoke marijuana at night. That night I told my brother "I'll roll this joint for you, but I don't want to smoke any of it". He asked why and I said "What Jim believes I believe now too". He said (LOL) "Oh no! Not another one!" (no kidding--he said that lol).

I didn't realize it at the time but I had been truly "born-again" by the Word of God. All it took was a moment. Jesus says "Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any man hears my voice and opens the door I will come into him and dine with him and he with Me" (Rev. 3:20) Jesus was knocking and I simply opened the door.

I did not repent to be saved. I was saved and the RESULT was repentance (I no longer desired to do what I had been doing before). I just wanted to share this with you because I am still amazed to this day how the Lord stepped into my pathway and saved me. I was not looking for Him---He was looking for me! That was 53 years ago now--and I believe more strongly than I ever have before. Salvation is real. Wheat field---just ask Jesus to come into your heart---but ask sincerely. He WILL come in!

Lovely testimony Joe. Thank you.

I talk to the Jesus that I don't believe in every day (lol). I know it sounds contradictory...but there it is. The desire is there but the scepticism is deep.

 

[Wheat Field]

Faith is possible to all by God's free gift of grace as faith, being the belief and acceptance of Christ Jesus, is given to all who will accept His grace.

I'm confused by this FHG. Are you saying faith is something that God gifts to us?

 

[Wheat Field]

The bible is a book that contains many different styles of writing , not all require a literal belief.
That said there are many passages written as prose that describe impossible events, water turned into wine, axe heads floating, seas parting, dead being brought back to life and sins forgiven.
If you believe the last, what is the problem with the minor issues I listed before it?

Are you referring to 'sins forgiven' when you say 'the last'?
Believing in all these 'impossible events' (as you say), surely isn't easy for anyone?

Lately I have been looking into quantum mechanics as possible way to explain miracles. For example, we all understand the principle of locality (an object can only be influence by it's immediate surroundings) However, in the quantum world, two 'entangled' particles can be in a state of instantaneous connection even if thousands of light years apart. Physicists are still scratching their heads tying to understand this.

It is possible that God has used natural laws to effect what we perceive as miracles? Indeed, Saint Augustine said:

"Miracles are not contrary to nature, but only contrary to what we know about nature."

 

[Wheat Field]

Wheat field---

Since others have shared how they were converted I thought I'd share my testimony too. My next door neighbor, Jim, had recently begun talking all the time about Jesus. He had never been "religious" before so I was a bit intrigued. He talked a lot about end times stuff which I wasn't sure I believed. But it all definitely piqued my interest.

One day I was at home alone and he ("Jim") knocked at the front door. I opened it and he held out a "Gospel of John" and said "Joe, there is still time". That's all he said and he turned and walked away. I closed the door and looked at the Gospel. I threw it onto a little table in the hallway and went and did other stuff (most likely went and played basketball or something--lol--I was 17).

When I got back home I saw the Gospel and took it with me to my room. I plopped down on my bed and started to read. It was a "Living Bible" translation of the Gospel of John. I began to read the Gospel and was truly amazed when reading about being "born again" and "how God so loved the world". But in Chapter 10 Jesus says "I am the Good Shepherd. I call my sheep by name, and they follow me". I was all alone. No one was preaching at me--my emotions were not being effected by music--I was not subject to an emotional "altar call" or anything like that. It was just me and the Gospel of John---and the HOLY SPIRIT. When I read those words "I call my sheep by name" I felt this overwhelming urge to ask Jesus "Can I be one of your sheep??" I heard no audible voice--but I KNEW I was being called right at that moment. At that moment the Holy Spirit entered my heart and I became one of Christ's sheep!

From that moment on the Gospel of John became a different book. It was like it was written TO ME. In that moment I had been "saved"---everything changed. Literally and seriously--I KNEW something had completely changed within me. I play the guitar and immediately wrote a song to Jesus! An hour before I could have cared less who Jesus was! I had had my interest "piqued" by my neighbor, but something amazing had happened to me! I didn't even care about God an hour or so before, and now He was everything to me!

That night I felt so CLEAN!! My brother and I (and some friends) would normally smoke marijuana at night. That night I told my brother "I'll roll this joint for you, but I don't want to smoke any of it". He asked why and I said "What Jim believes I believe now too". He said (LOL) "Oh no! Not another one!" (no kidding--he said that lol).

I didn't realize it at the time but I had been truly "born-again" by the Word of God. All it took was a moment. Jesus says "Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any man hears my voice and opens the door I will come into him and dine with him and he with Me" (Rev. 3:20) Jesus was knocking and I simply opened the door.

I did not repent to be saved. I was saved and the RESULT was repentance (I no longer desired to do what I had been doing before). I just wanted to share this with you because I am still amazed to this day how the Lord stepped into my pathway and saved me. I was not looking for Him---He was looking for me! That was 53 years ago now--and I believe more strongly than I ever have before. Salvation is real. Wheat field---just ask Jesus to come into your heart---but ask sincerely. He WILL come in!

I also love the book of John...just the first few sentences sound utterly inspired...as if divine.

BTW it is good to hear that you speak of feeling 'clean'.

 

[Who Me]

Are you referring to 'sins forgiven' when you say 'the last'?
Believing in all these 'impossible events' (as you say), surely isn't easy for anyone?

Lately I have been looking into quantum mechanics as possible way to explain miracles. For example, we all understand the principle of locality (an object can only be influence by it's immediate surroundings) However, in the quantum world, two 'entangled' particles can be in a state of instantaneous connection even if thousands of light years apart. Physicists are still scratching their heads tying to understand this.

It is possible that God has used natural laws to effect what we perceive as miracles? Indeed, Saint Augustine said:

"Miracles are not contrary to nature, but only contrary to what we know about nature."

A miracle is by definition a contradiction of natural laws.

Axe heads don't float seas don't part so people can walk across, the dead don't come back to life.
Three impossible things that happened.
Three things that quantum mechanics would not cause to happen.

Right and wrong. What is it based upon?
A God's decrees or man's opinion?
What of ' sin ' how is it dealt with if not through the miraculous resurrection of Jesus?

 

[Wheat Field]

A miracle is by definition a contradiction of natural laws.

Axe heads don't float seas don't part so people can walk across, the dead don't come back to life.
Three impossible things that happened.
Three things that quantum mechanics would not cause to happen.

I respect your opinion but that isn't a view held by all Christians - I quoted Augustine. That doesn't make him right of course.

If the 'impossible things' you cite did occur, then it is a valid question to ask how they did so. If we take the case of water turning into wine then, clearly, H20 had to be altered to the molecules that are consistent with wine. In some physical way that had to happen.

 

[Wheat Field]

Right and wrong. What is it based upon?
A God's decrees or man's opinion?
What of ' sin ' how is it dealt with if not through the miraculous resurrection of Jesus?

Which is why the world is struggling to define that (right and wrong) - and man's opinions seems to be dominating.

'Sin' is only real if God exists. If we are as Darwin concluded - merely evolved creatures, then there are no real 'rules'.

It's a scary thought.

 

[for_his_glory]

A lovely testimony FHG - thank you.

Even before your life 'completely changed for the better' ( I assume you mean when you were 'saved?), you already had a belief in God (you knew 'God loved you'). How did you get to that point?

Many, like me at first from a young age, can have a belief in God and His Son Christ Jesus, but only by name lacking faith and that of a personal relationship through the Spiritual rebirth taught by Jesus in John 3:5-7 and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit taught in Acts 2.

I knew God loved me as I was taught that in Sunday school as a child, but had no understanding of such a love as He has for all of us until 1997 at the age of 43, now 70, finally surrendering my whole self to Him. For many years I was going to church on and off (lacking much understanding of the scriptures I read) and piling years of life's bad circumstances and bad choices I made that drove me to wanting to commit suicide brought me to the point of truly wanting to know who Jesus truly was/is within my own life. Many of us come to Christ within the despairs of our heart as a last resort as we humble our self and boldly come to His throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and grace to help in our time of need, Hebrews 4:14-16.

 

[for_his_glory]

I'm confused by this FHG. Are you saying faith is something that God gifts to us?

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith

The faith of Christ, (KJV - John 12:44-50; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9), is where we find faith in Christ. The newer translations has changed where it says faith of Christ to faith in Christ. There is a difference between faith of Christ and faith in Christ as you can read in those scriptures out of the KJV. The faith of Christ is what He believed in the Father as He never said or did anything above that which God gave Him to speak or to do while He was on earth. Our faith in Christ is the same faith of Christ He had in the Father as we can never go above that of what He taught us and the works He left for us to follow in.

The Son of God is that free gift of God's grace given to all who will believe by faith in Christ and confess Him as Lord and Savior so they will see the kingdom of God, John 3:5-7; Romans 10:9, 10. There is no working towards something that is free as all we have to do is accept the gift. Believe is a verb that means something we consider to be true as we have heard the Gospel and not only heard it, but also believe what is written for our well being.

Faith works come after we are Spiritually born again and indwelled with the Holy Spirit that empowers us to go out into the world and continue in the good works of the Lord, Acts 2:37, 38; James 2:14-20. The good works are taking His Gospel message to the world as we too are His disciples and to love and help those in need as what we do we do unto the glory of the Lord Christ Jesus, Matthew 25:31-40

 

[hawkman]

If it's true - for sure.

Yes it's true .

It is possible that God has used natural laws to effect what we perceive as miracles?

I can not think of a natural law that was used for the miracle that happened to me .
I had a dream and was shown a view out of a window in a hospital but the view was shown to me in a fashion I had never experienced in a dream , it was in high definition every detail I saw out the window was just like really being there . I looked at the parking lot down below and the city streets , tall buildings a few blocks away and mountains even a little further away . I awoke the next morning and thought what a wild dream and then thought no more about it .
About 6 months later I unhappily found myself in a hospital , it was dark by the time I was admitted , when I wheeled up to my room I went to sleep shortly after .
The next morning I awoke and looked out the window and there it was much to my shock the hospital window view I had seen in my dream ! I cried and prayed and thanked God that he would show me my future like He did .

It's a scary thought.

Are you ready for the fear to go away ?

 

[Fish153]

Lovely testimony Joe. Thank you.

I talk to the Jesus that I don't believe in every day (lol). I know it sounds contradictory...but there it is. The desire is there but the scepticism is deep.

Wheat Field---

"I talk to Jesus that I don't believe in every day (lol)". Thank you for being so honest. I have to tell you that Jesus hears every word you speak. Can I share another quick testimony that proved that to me?

Where I work I go out to lunch to my car each day. One day I was sitting in my car and looked over at the flowers. I noticed there were absolutely no bees on any of the flowers. I had just heard the news (this was several years ago) that the honeybee population was dying and scientists feared that without the bees that crops would hugely suffer (bees are responsible for fertilizing flowers and are a huge part of farming--which I was surprised to hear at that time).

I said out loud "God, could man really DESTROY these bees? Is man more powerful than your creation of life? Could man truly lead these insects to extinction?" (paraphrase of my prayer). But there were no bees on the flowers! They were absolutely bare. I remember adding "you probably don't hear a thing I'm saying, or really care. I'm just a speck down here. You're God" (again--a paraphrase--I don't remember my exact words.)

A few minutes later I rolled up the windows of my car, and went into the lunch room and sat down. I finished my lunch there after about a half hour and stood up to go back upstairs to my desk. As I walked towards the lunchroom door to exit I heard a voice in Spanish say "Senor--un momento". I started to walk again but heard "No, Senor, un momento. Stop, por favor". The voice was saying "Sir, one moment, please stop".

It was the janitor. A very kindly man from Guatemala. I didn't speak to him much, but we often smiled at one another when passing and said "hello". I stopped walking and he came up behind me. I felt him touch my collar near my shoulder. Then, I saw a hand slowly reaching out in front of my face with a BEE pinched in between his finger and thumb. "Senor, this bee was on you" he said. I was literally in shock!! I immediately thought "how did that bee get on me? I have been in this lunchroom for 30 minutes---and I was just talking to God about bees outside in my car because there WEREN'T ANY!" I told the kindly man "God put that bee on me!!" And he smiled broadly. He didn't understand what had just happened, or why I was so amazed. But he accepted what I said and said "Maybe so sir".

That day I told several people I worked with that God had clearly spoken to me by using a bee. Most of them shook their heads, or looked at me strangely. But I knew: God had heard me clearly in the parking lot. He placed that bee on me to answer the question I had asked. God is in complete control of his whole Creation---nothing happens without Him knowing it. But--I do KNOW now--that every idle thought we have God HEARS--and every prayer we make to Him he hears---and he ANSWERS slowly---but sometimes He answers quickly too---I am a witness of that. I realize that many would just say "it was all pure coincidence. You were praying about bees, and then one of them landed on you and walked around on you for a half hour before the man saw it and picked it off of you". OK---fine. You can say it was all a "coincidence". But I know better! God has used bees a few times after that also (I won't share all of those testimonies lol). But God does hear and see everything you do Wheat Field. Jesus hears you when you talk to him:

"Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do". (Hebrews 4:13)

So, you may be skeptical about Jesus' existence. But I can assure you, by this testimony, and many more, that He does indeed exist--and He loves you very much!!