Hi friends! I’ve been thinking a lot about the state of our world and the people in it. I shouldn’t be, but I am always astounded at the number of people who blatantly disregard God and deny His existence.

If one has seen the grandeur of the Alps, the Rocky Mountains, the Grand Canyon or any other natural wonder, how can one deny the existence of God? If one has witnessed the miraculous physical birth of a human or animal, how can one think such things happen by chance? If one has survived a miraculous event in which they should have been wiped from among the living, how can one think the hand of a sovereign God was not at play?

We have all had experiences in which we knew for certain that something (or someone) far bigger and greater than ourselves had surely intervened in our circumstances.

Honestly, it takes far more faith to be an atheist than it does to believe in Jesus Christ for salvation. In fact, I’m not convinced that atheism exists except in the minds of those who know there is a power far greater than themselves but refuse to acknowledge that power as God. After all, once God is acknowledged, we are then accountable to Him. That is the rub!

Furthermore, those who claim to be atheists fight tooth and nail against God and are often angry when bad things happen. If a person truly believes there is no god, why get mad at God or blame Him when bad things happen? Why curse the name of a god who doesn’t exist?

You may be surprised to know that many Israelis proclaim to be atheists. Following the Holocaust, many bought the lie that God does not exist…or He doesn’t care. So, they disavow Him and claim there is no god. Yet, God continues to intervene on behalf of Israel! Miracle after miracle fails to convince them. But through the Holy Spirit, I believe God is moving in ways that only He can, and the ultimate miracle of salvation is being made known! In the midst of tension and conflict, Israelis are seeking answers that are left unanswered by atheism or by the rabbis of those who believe there is a god but have yet to meet Jesus the Messiah personally.

The Holy Spirit is at work there and His servants are deployed to help bring the Good News (gospel) to Israelis. A ministry I love is One for Israel. As a group of native Messianic believers, they share Jesus with their countrymen, drawing some to faith in Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah). Bold and unafraid, they use every means imaginable, whether in person or online, to reach Jews and Arabs alike for the sake of Christ.

They also run Israel College of the Bible and one of their very brilliant professors grew up an atheist Jew. The end of the story is that he is now teaching Israelis (and others) about Jesus. But you need to hear of his transformation from atheist Jew to Bible teacher. Meet Dr David Mishkin…

14 The fool has said in his heart,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt,
They have done abominable works,
There is none who does good.

² The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men,
To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.
~Psalm 14:1-2

Dr Mishkin is one who seeks God! Israel College of the Bible offers classes (and degrees) online, and I have been blessed to be part of several courses taught by Dr Mishkin. He is a well-studied, deep thinker, yet personable and able to guide students on a journey to understand the Jewishness of Jesus and our relationship as Christians to our Jewish roots! These are definitely college level courses, requiring college level study, but if that is your thing (as it is mine!) I highly recommend them!