What Do You Believe?

Over the past several weeks, I have been going through training for my new job with Athletes in Action. During the training, I have taken two seminary courses- Bible Study Methods and Introduction to Christian Theology. While in these courses, I was faced with a harsh reality... there are many different beliefs out there! It was not long before it was evident that I needed to not only know what I believed, but also how to articulate my beliefs.
Why is it important to know what you believe?
There is a saying that says, "if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." So true! Until you know what you believe, you will be more likely to take the word of another person as truth, rather than the Word of God. As Christians, not only do we need to understand the basics of our faith, but we need to dig to find out what it is that we, individually, believe to be true. I do not think I realized how many different "acceptable in the Christian circle" views on things there were....just to name a few: creation/evolution, birth control, drinking, the accuracy of the Bible. For most of my Christian life, I have chosen to not think too deeply into controversial topics and to "live by faith". Well, that was really ignorant of me. God blessed me with a sound mind and has called me (and you!) to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (Matthew 22:37). Loving with all my heart, soul, and mind requires fully investing myself using all three of those! So I am now using my mind to really search and make conclusions about my beliefs on specific issues.

Here are some starting points to start thinking and searching through to narrow down and understand what it is you believe (but don't limit yourself to this list!):

• What do you believe about the Bible?
• What do you believe about who God is? who Jesus is? who the Holy Spirit is? Do you believe the three are related in any way? How?
• How do you believe the earth was formed? What about animals, people...?
• What do you believe a person becomes a Christian?
• Once a person is a Christian, do you believe that they can lose their salvation?
• When does life begin?
• Do you believe in heaven? Do you believe in hell? If so, when does a person go to either heaven or hell?
• What do you believe about baptism?

Ok, so once I have figured out what it is that I believe... then what?
I'm glad you asked!

First, I would look into what it is your church or (your ministry) believes. I know for me, I want to go to a church that I agree with and can fully support! Again, that list is a starting point.... and my personal thoughts. But I certainly see the value and importance for knowing what your church believes and attending a church with beliefs you agree with and support. Check your church's website for their statement of faith to find out what they believe.

• What do they believe about the Bible? [If you come across words you do not know (such as inerrant, infallible, canonicity, etc.) look them up!!!]
• What does your church believe about how a person becomes a Christian?
• What do they believe about who God is? who Jesus is? who the Holy Spirit is? Do they believe the three are related in any way? How?
• Once a person is a Christian, do they believe that the person can lose their salvation?
• Do they believe in heaven? Do they believe in hell? If so, when does a person go to either heaven or hell?
• What do they believe about baptism?

Secondly, I would dig into Scripture! Once you have settled on your beliefs about the Bible, search through for other answers on topics. Can you back up your beliefs with what the Bible says? Also, look at the context! One verse may be misleading if taken out of context. Most importantly, be prepared to combat false teachings with the Truth you have found! Hope this is encouraging and that your journey of belief discovery is exciting and eye-opening.

Expect Miracles

Currently, I am reading A Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers. I cannot put it down! [She is such a captivating author. If you have never read any of her books, you are missing out and I recommend getting into your bookstore as soon as possible to appreciate this woman's gift of writing!] Through my time spent reading A Lineage of Grace I am learning a lot, since it is based on five women of the Bible. The first four women are all from the Old Testament (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba) which has opened my eyes to so much that the Old Testament holds. God specifically is drawing out the miracles mentioned to grasp my attention.

This God of the Old Testament is the same God we serve today. "For I the LORD do not change..." -Malachi 3:6 However, I know I am guilty of minimizing His power and might to be less today than it was in Bible times. If God does not change, why would the magnitude of His miracles change? God provided a way for the Israelites to cross the Jordan River to claim the land He promised them. "the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until the nation finished passing over the Jordan." -Joshua 3:16-17 And for some reason, there are many times I doubt that God will provide such simple things like food, money, and housing  for me. How ridiculous! I believe He is good, He loves me, and has a plan for my life. Why would I then not believe He would exude power to achieve that plan?
I am now feel challenged to pray, truly believing in the same, powerful God that performed miracles in the Old Testament.

"Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever." -Psalm 111:2-3

All Things New

The calendar flips to January and many get excited to start something new, "put the past behind" them, begin new year's resolutions...

For most, that's easier said than done.

While the new year brings a fresh calendar, many new items from Christmas gifts, and maybe changes for some, it more so brings an opportunity for a change of mindset. And as I thought about change and newness, I was reminded that I am new in Christ.

Tyler and I recently moved back to Pinellas County (where we both grew up). Being in the familiar territory brings back many memories-- some God-honoring and some from the days I was living in sin. Each day since we've been back here, I have had to make a choice: to dwell on who I was or believe who I am. I have chosen to recall the Truth hidden in my heart and rest in Christ....

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. -Ezekiel 36:26

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. -2 Corinthians 5:17

As Christians, we are called to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. -Ephesians 4:24. 

To me this means that each day we are faced with a choice. We are to believe what God says about us- that we are new! We are to live by His Spirit that now dwells within us, walk in righteous ways that honor Him, and keep our eyes fixed on the holiness of Christ. No matter how much we look at the past, it does not change. But through the power of God, our future can be bright... it can be eternal. To be new, forgiven, and have a future in heaven? I don't care what holiday or year it is.... that is reason enough to celebrate! To being NEW!

God With Us

This Christmas season, I have really been resting on this thought: God is with us. Not God was with us, or God will be with us, but that He IS with us!

The Bible fortells the coming of Jesus, "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." -Isaiah 7:14 And later... that happened. "And the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call him Jesus....The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy--the son of God.'" -Luke 2:31, 35

The Son of God, Jesus, was born. His only purpose was to die, as an atonement for the sins of man. While Jesus was walking the earth, he told his disciples, recorded in John 16:7, "Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper [Holy Spirit] will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you." In order for us to have the Holy Spirit with us, Jesus needed to go.... but God is in three persons- God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. So, God's promise to "never leave you or forsake you" -Hebrews 13:5 stands true even today. It did not begin on Christmas and end Easter.... it continues on as we have the Holy Spirit!

This Christmas, I hope that seeps in for you too. It is amazing to think that as we remember and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, we can also rejoice in the fact that God is with us, always.

Do You Hear What I Hear?

"But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me." - Micah 7:7

"The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD accepts my prayer."

- Psalm 6:9

God hears me. God hears you. He listens. As our Father, he wants to hear from us! He loves to hear straight from our hearts, whether good or bad. But so many times we tend to think, "well God already knows, no use in telling him." Ok.... picture this....
You're a parent. Your child's teacher, during a conference, tells you all about your child's creativity on a project. If your child wanted to tell you about it later, would you say, "Oh honey, I already know all about it. Let's talk about something else." I certainly hope not... I know I would want to hear my child tell me EVERYTHING, regardless of my prior knowledge.
Same with us and God. And, on our end, it is so refreshing, comforting, and often provides a feeling of reflief to go to the Lord with whatever it is and just talk -- knowing He is listening!

"I call upon you, for you will answer me O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words."

- Psalm 17:6

But what about the other way around....? Do you have friendships or relationships with people who you talk to and never listen to? Probably not. A relationship is two-way. It takes investment from both parties. In a relationship with God, we tend to do more talking than listening... and then we get mad when we don't "hear" an answer. Well, how are you waiting for God to respond? There are many ways in which God speaks to us...
Circumstance: God will use an open or closed door/opportunity to answer us or show us His will.
Still Small Voice: God will impress upon us by the power of the Holy Spirit to move us towards His will.
Peace: God will give us peace in a situation if it is His will.
People: God will use other believers to speak wisdom into a situation.
But the only ABSOLUTE way in which God speaks to us in an undeniable way is through His Word.

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12



So, my encouragement to you (and reminder to myself!) is to first, talk with God... have a conversation... do some talking, then some listening. And the listening may require spending time listening to a Pastor give a sermon, or resting in a quiet place.... or reading the Bible! Let God speak to your heart. I am always so thankful when I choose to listen for Him; He never fails me.