Beyond Today Daily
When Church Hurts
In a world where many lose faith and walk away from God, true belief still works—because God works. Discover how His Word and way of life provide the foundation for lasting faith, purpose and hope.
Audio file
Transcript
[Darris McNeely] I remember the conversation. She sat across from me in a coffee shop, nervous, hands trembling. The church let me down, she said. Life was hard, marital problems, too many bills, troubled teens. And she felt abandoned and ready to leave the faith she'd known since childhood.
This was one of the hardest realities of my years in ministry. Despite her best efforts, some become disillusioned with church, with religion or God. These discussions are painful. I've known friends and classmates who lost their faith. And I always ask, why didn't it work for you? Because in my life it did work.
When I say it worked, what I mean is the way of life. Grounded in God's Word, the Bible, a foundation that has guided me for over 50 years. Faith in God does work. Because God works.
Scripture says He upholds all things by His power. And creation itself is proof. Our fine-tuned planet, the universe and human life, all show His hand. God's Word also works. The Bible is tested truth. It offers understanding, discernment, and the foundation of real life. Jesus came to bear witness to that truth. And those who are of the truth, they hear His voice. Many people don't reject God because they hate Him, but because life distracts them.
A meaningful relationship with God takes commitment and effort. That's the missing key. We too must work. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God with all of our heart, soul and mind, and to love others as ourselves. God's church and religion work. If we're willing to do our part, with God's Spirit in us, we can live a life of good works and lasting faith.
Start your journey. Read our free study guide, The Church Jesus Built, at ucg.org.
The Church Jesus Built
In these pages we examine the fruits Jesus and His apostles said would identify His Church. We look at the contrasting fruits that identify those who are influenced by a different spirit and preach a different gospel. We will learn, not from human tradition or opinion but directly from God's Word, how we can distinguish "the church of the living God" (1 Timothy 3:15) from those who follow "false prophets" in sheep's clothing.
Darris McNeely
Darris McNeely works at the United Church of God home office in Cincinnati, Ohio. He and his wife, Debbie, have served in the ministry for more than 43 years. They have two sons, who are both married, and four grandchildren. Darris is the Associate Media Producer for the Church. He also is a resident faculty member at the Ambassador Bible Center teaching Acts, Fundamentals of Belief and World News and Prophecy. He enjoys hunting, travel and reading and spending time with his grandchildren.
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