Do I believe God or do I just believe in God? Sure, they sound the same. Is there any real difference? If there is a difference, does it really matter? Is there a way to believe God more? What is there to believe other than the existence of God? All these questions have been running through my mind these past couple of days. I'll tell you what started it all: the ever looming future.
Like many, I worry about my future. Like forreal worry. Just to name a few of my worries: Have I chosen the right career? Will I get into grad school? Will I survive this semester? Have I taken on too much? Will I ever get married? Will I ever have kids? Will my health continue to get worse? Will I ever have this picture perfect life I see others living? and most of all: Where does my money go and will I ever make enough??? (money worries are the worst) Those are just to name a few. Told you I worry...believe me now??
As I was stressing out about everything and anything, I thought...do I believe God? Do I believe what he has promised all of us throughout the Bible? I mean sure, I believe in God. I took that first step of believing he exists years ago. I believe with all my heart that my creator exists. Not only do I believe he exists, I believe he is good. I can't begin to put into words the rationale behind why I believe God exists. It comes from my soul and it overwhelms me with the truth of him. Okay, so step 1: believe God exists. Got it. step 2: I believe the Bible is true. Every word of it. As a new believer I struggled with this step. Do I have to believe everything? Are all the Old Testament stories real? Isn't it antiquated? But I came to the conclusion...the Bible is true and God's word (2 Tim 3:16) As for the old testament, I believe in Christ and He believed in a literal old testament...so I do too. (See Matt 24. Jesus refers to the days of Noah and the Ark). Okay, so got step 2 covered: I believe that the Bible is the real deal. Step 3: Do I believe everything God has promised me in the Bible? Do I believe what God says he will and won't do? This step is a bit more fuzzy in my case.
If I believed in all God has promised, would I be so completely worried about every little thing in my life? Would I be trying so hard to create my own future and my own path because I am so scared if I don't, no one will? I don't think so.
If I did believe all God has promised I would be living one heck of a life here and now.
In Ephesians (yes, I am still on this book), Paul touches on the idea of belief and all the power we have through God.
And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. Ephesians 1:13-14
I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 1:19-20
Okay..these verses are a lot more powerful than I originally realized. If you really take time to digest what these verses mean...its incredible. It simply is amazing. Read the verses again. These promises are for you.
Paul ensures us that God has fulfilled his promises and that he will continue to fulfill his promises. He has given us the Spirit of God to guide us through this life on earth. The Spirit is a gift and a tool that we often forget. The Spirit is God's wisdom, power, and love at our very fingertips. Use it!
In the second verse, Paul emphasizes the importance of understanding the fact that when we believe in Christ, we are given God's amazing power. It is the same awesome power that raised Christ from the dead!! This power is used in our favor when we trust in Him. In Mark 9:25, Jesus says, "What do you mean, 'if I can?' Anything is possible if a person believes." In John 11:40 Jesus says, "Didn't I tell you that you would see God's glory if you believe?" So should I believe Him? Do I believe that he can handle my future? He can handle my fears? He can handle my grad school? He can handle my relationships? He can overcome my sickness? The answer is yes yes yes yes yes! He can. Why do I forget that? He can handle anything I throw at him. For he has the power to raise the dead and to do much much much more than we can imagine. I will see God's glory if I believe Him. Anything is possible if I just believe him. Anything. Not just the little things. Anything.
So tell me, can I trust God and his promises? I can. I can trust a God that has never backed down from a commitment, a God that always fulfills promises, a God that has the power to raise the dead, a God that never leaves, a God that never disappoints, a God that is everlasting, stunning, all powerful and at the same time loving, forgiving, gracious, and giving. He will never leave me like others have. He will never lie to me, He will never hurt me, He will be the rock I have never had. I can trust him with my future.
So today and every day, I will pray like the man in Mark 9:23 "I do believe but help me overcome my unbelief!" Help me believe you God. There is nothing too big for you to handle. I can give you everything without fear of hurt or rejection. You never disappoint me and you will fulfill every promise you have ever made.
Happy Monday! (is there such a thing? haha. kidding...kind of.) love love love, dana
I was emailed this video. Very interesting and powerful. Watch it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoIDjj86fwI
Monday, September 28, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Unlikely Answers
Lately, I have been getting a lot of what I like to call: unlikely and unlikeable answers to my prayers. Here is the deal. I was supposed to have two surgeries this week. I have been praying and praying about these procedures. I have been nervous and excited about the possible answers these procedures might bring. However, the main prayer I have been praying and asking others to pray is this: please pray I don't get sicker from the procedures, no pancreatitis please! I just want to keep my health. I wanted health but truthfully, I also wanted answers. I had in mind that God was going to protect me during the procedures, I trusted in that. I also had in my mind my idea of what would constitute an answered prayer. Health and Answers.
So anywho, my parents and I drive all the way to Charleston (not really that far) to have a meeting with the team of doctors. I had been anxious the whole drive there. We got into the meeting and the doctors told us that they believe that at this point these procedures hold more risks than rewards in my particular case. I was let down. I was disappointed that God had not answered my prayers! Here I am at the same place I started, there is nothing else that can be done for my conditions. I immediately went into pity party mode.
Then as I was praying an angry prayer, I realized...God answered my prayers. Quite specifically actually. There I was, getting angry and being ungrateful for an answered prayer: God protected me by allowing the doctors to use their medical wisdom. I was protected. God had directly answered my prayers and many other prayers that had been prayed for me.
Then I got to thinking...I do this all the time. God answers my prayers and I don't give Him glory and most of the time I blindly believe that I have been ignored by my Father. I need a different perspective.
Although at first, I might not understand why God has answered in a specific way...I have to know and trust he has a specific plan. He is good to me. He hears and answers my cries. Amazing huh???
Sometimes I spend hours praying about a certain issue in my life. I pray for guidance, wisdom, answers...anything! I get so lost in the problem, whatever it might be. Why does it say all in the Bible that God answers prayers, grants desires of the heart, and gives us all wisdom and understanding if it isn't true?? I feel some days that praying is God's version of 'busy work'. Pray, pray, pray, pray to keep you busy but no real purpose in the end. However, it says in the Bible that God hears my cry and therefore I believe it. He answers without hesitation and delay. Believe it. Philippians 4:6, James 5:12, 2 Chronicles 30:27, Colossians 4:2, Psalm 145:9 and many many more proclaim the effectiveness of prayer.
Here is the problem: We often miss the answers to our questions and prayers because
a. we don't like the answers God gives us,
b. It is not what we expected to hear and it is not what we thought we needed or
c. we have our prayers answered in some form and we forget to acknowledge God's work in our life and deny Him the glory he deserves. We assume we answered our own prayers.
There are other reasons we miss answered prayers I am sure. And you might be thinking, well sometimes, I feel God totally just ignores me and thats that. I understand that thought process. I have thought those very thoughts myself. However, that just isn't true. God hears our cries. He never ignores us and He never leaves us. There is no problem too big and no problem too small. He answers every single prayer. Here is the issue I often have: I forget God is Sovereign. He is the maker of the universe and the maker of you and me. So sure, if we were the creator, we could make up our own rules and answer prayers the way we wish. But..you are not the creator and neither am I. We forget God has this bigger plan for our lives and for this world. We have to believe and trust in the unfailing, unwavering love of Christ.
I have been reading Ephesians a lot lately. I love this book of the Bible. God has been teaching me a lot through this book.
Ephesians 1:8 & 11 say:
He has showered his kindness on us along with all wisdom and understanding....
Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have recieved an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
I love these two verses. I love all the different translations of these verses. Especially in the New International Version and Amplified Bible, it says God LAVISHED kindness, wisdom, and understanding upon us. Lavish means, bountiful, lush, exuberant, open handed, and generous. God exuberantly gives us all we need. He is open handed when it comes to giving us wisdom and understanding. We ask and he gives. Believe that. Look for his wisdom and understanding in all the wrong places. Look for Him everywhere you go and in every thing you do. He is there, unexpectedly guiding you and lovingly pointing you in the right direction.
When the direction God is pointing me is not what I wanted or expected, it is time for me to have deliberate faith. He makes EVERYTHING work out according to his plan. Everything. Nothing I do is pointless. God is molding me (and you) into the woman I was originally designed to be. Its exciting. Trust Him, he won't lead you astray. He is good and he loves you more than you could ever imagine. He will never hurt you. He only wants to heal you and bless you.
I hope what God has been teaching me lately might help someone just a tidge. Have a great Thursday! :)
I have had a few people tell me that my page is no longer letting you comment. I am trying to fix that. It should be working now. Please let me know if it is not. Under the "comment as" button click Name/URL and fill out both slots (doesn't have to really be your website) or anonymous and leave your name at the end of your comment if you want me to know your name. If you have any questions, email me! I would love comments and feedback! Also, become a follower! :) Thanks!
So anywho, my parents and I drive all the way to Charleston (not really that far) to have a meeting with the team of doctors. I had been anxious the whole drive there. We got into the meeting and the doctors told us that they believe that at this point these procedures hold more risks than rewards in my particular case. I was let down. I was disappointed that God had not answered my prayers! Here I am at the same place I started, there is nothing else that can be done for my conditions. I immediately went into pity party mode.
Then as I was praying an angry prayer, I realized...God answered my prayers. Quite specifically actually. There I was, getting angry and being ungrateful for an answered prayer: God protected me by allowing the doctors to use their medical wisdom. I was protected. God had directly answered my prayers and many other prayers that had been prayed for me.
Then I got to thinking...I do this all the time. God answers my prayers and I don't give Him glory and most of the time I blindly believe that I have been ignored by my Father. I need a different perspective.
Although at first, I might not understand why God has answered in a specific way...I have to know and trust he has a specific plan. He is good to me. He hears and answers my cries. Amazing huh???
Sometimes I spend hours praying about a certain issue in my life. I pray for guidance, wisdom, answers...anything! I get so lost in the problem, whatever it might be. Why does it say all in the Bible that God answers prayers, grants desires of the heart, and gives us all wisdom and understanding if it isn't true?? I feel some days that praying is God's version of 'busy work'. Pray, pray, pray, pray to keep you busy but no real purpose in the end. However, it says in the Bible that God hears my cry and therefore I believe it. He answers without hesitation and delay. Believe it. Philippians 4:6, James 5:12, 2 Chronicles 30:27, Colossians 4:2, Psalm 145:9 and many many more proclaim the effectiveness of prayer.
Here is the problem: We often miss the answers to our questions and prayers because
a. we don't like the answers God gives us,
b. It is not what we expected to hear and it is not what we thought we needed or
c. we have our prayers answered in some form and we forget to acknowledge God's work in our life and deny Him the glory he deserves. We assume we answered our own prayers.
There are other reasons we miss answered prayers I am sure. And you might be thinking, well sometimes, I feel God totally just ignores me and thats that. I understand that thought process. I have thought those very thoughts myself. However, that just isn't true. God hears our cries. He never ignores us and He never leaves us. There is no problem too big and no problem too small. He answers every single prayer. Here is the issue I often have: I forget God is Sovereign. He is the maker of the universe and the maker of you and me. So sure, if we were the creator, we could make up our own rules and answer prayers the way we wish. But..you are not the creator and neither am I. We forget God has this bigger plan for our lives and for this world. We have to believe and trust in the unfailing, unwavering love of Christ.
I have been reading Ephesians a lot lately. I love this book of the Bible. God has been teaching me a lot through this book.
Ephesians 1:8 & 11 say:
He has showered his kindness on us along with all wisdom and understanding....
Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have recieved an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
I love these two verses. I love all the different translations of these verses. Especially in the New International Version and Amplified Bible, it says God LAVISHED kindness, wisdom, and understanding upon us. Lavish means, bountiful, lush, exuberant, open handed, and generous. God exuberantly gives us all we need. He is open handed when it comes to giving us wisdom and understanding. We ask and he gives. Believe that. Look for his wisdom and understanding in all the wrong places. Look for Him everywhere you go and in every thing you do. He is there, unexpectedly guiding you and lovingly pointing you in the right direction.
When the direction God is pointing me is not what I wanted or expected, it is time for me to have deliberate faith. He makes EVERYTHING work out according to his plan. Everything. Nothing I do is pointless. God is molding me (and you) into the woman I was originally designed to be. Its exciting. Trust Him, he won't lead you astray. He is good and he loves you more than you could ever imagine. He will never hurt you. He only wants to heal you and bless you.
I hope what God has been teaching me lately might help someone just a tidge. Have a great Thursday! :)
I have had a few people tell me that my page is no longer letting you comment. I am trying to fix that. It should be working now. Please let me know if it is not. Under the "comment as" button click Name/URL and fill out both slots (doesn't have to really be your website) or anonymous and leave your name at the end of your comment if you want me to know your name. If you have any questions, email me! I would love comments and feedback! Also, become a follower! :) Thanks!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Deeper Still
The main thing I took away from this weekend was to stay in the Word of God. My God has spoken and He need not speak again. All I need to know is in the Word of God. I want to know Christ more and to do that, I will study God's word and make it my life's goal to know those 66 books better than I know anything in this world. It has always been a dream of mine to educate people about God and to inspire others through writing. I hope one day I could be used by God in that way.
Anywho, on the way back I was reading some of Ephesians and I wanted to share my take.
Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.
Ephesians 1:4 (NLT)
Before God even made the world, he knew me. Before he made the world, he knew my story, my life, my mistakes, my mind, my decisions, my struggles, my desires, and my imperfect love for him. Despite all that, before he made the world he loved me. He loved me then and he loves me now. He knew then and knows now the secrets of my heart and loves me infinitely, despite all my failings. I find this amazing. Because I find this so amazing, I find it hard to believe. I find it hard to accept this perfect, irrational love. I think that makes me love Him all the more. I don't understand Him. I love mysteries.
The verse continues on and the next part shocks and amazes me more. Not only did he know and love me before time, but he chose me. HE CHOSE ME. The maker of the ocean, sunsets, puppies, love, mysteries, the stars, heaven, the entire universe: CHOSE me. Me: selfish, unlovable, fearful, insecure, jealous, little old me. He wants me and desires me and he has since the beginning of time. He chose me to be His daughter and enter His royal family. Does anyone else find that breathtaking? unimaginable? yeah, me too. It's a crazy concept but its the truth. So now, I choose Him. I choose to follow Him because it is an honor to love Him. It is an honor to be a part of this family.
And if THAT is not enough, not only does he know me, love me and choose me, but he has chosen me to be holy and without fault in His eyes. whoa.
So, God knows me, loves me, chose me, sees me as holy and sees me without fault. He knows my past, my faults, my sins, and all the secrets I keep and yet he sees me without fault. This is incomprehensible to me. I am certainly not designed to be that gracious. When I know some one else's deepest darkest secrets, it definitely doesn't come natural to see them 'without fault and holy.' Anyone else smelling what I'm stepping in? Could this be fair? Nope. It sure isn't. It's grace. Its a beautiful mystery and I fall deeper in love with Him every day because of who He is.
My human mind does not even comprehend God's love and idea of relationship. His love is more than a feeling, its a force. A force that at times takes my breath away. I never want to lose this gratitude I have for His grace and love.
It is absolutely crazy that in His eyes I am faultless, beautiful, holy, adored, pure, beloved, and complete. God is worthy. He is able.
I would really appreciate prayers this week. I am going to the Medical University of South Carolina for a couple of procedures. Prayers for good results! Love you all!!
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