Obviously I have been a Christian for most of my life and it is pretty important to me. I have a Master’s degree in Biblical Studies and I am an ordained minister so when the rubber really hit the road and when my life was turned upside down from what I thought was God’s will for my life I remembered the Truths from the Scriptures. These Truths have really been useful for me and I thought I ‘d share some of these reflections with you. The key phrase is “ If I truly believe____” then I can live free and happy in Christ!!!
1. If I truly believe God is who He says He is….
a. He is my first love.
b. He is love.
c. He is the source of true hope, peace and joy.
d. My Strength,
e. My Fortress
f. The Truth, Life and Way
g. Master/Lord of all things in my life
2. If I truly believe what my Liberty Coursework is teaching me to teach others
a. All human beings need significance and security and our significance and security lies in Jesus Christ alone!
3. If I truly believe my own personal goals for this year which was “surrender”
a. I got to give this and all the hurt to God
b. I got to give my desire for a relationship to Him
4. I truly believe that You are in complete control and have a plan for me
a. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you,"
declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to
give you hope and a future.
b. Rom. 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus
c. Rom. 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
5. I truly believe that as a Christian you want to bless me
a. Jn 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
b. 2 Corinthians 9:8 "And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly."
c. Mt. 21:22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.
6. If I truly believe the accounts of Scripture I will praise God despite the hardships
a. Job would not curse God despite losing everything
b. Joan had mixed results first opposing God then praising God after the big fish and then getting angry without God again
c. Paul singing while in prison after being beaten, shipwreck, stoned, etc!
d. Disciples didn’t praise sleeping Jesus on the boat during a storm
instead they woke him up!
7. I truly believe that Gospel power of the Gospel
a. 2 Tim 3:16 - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
b. Heb. 4:12- For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
8. If I truly believe all the above then
a. It is time to live it up for Jesus
b. Let the Gospel saturate my soul
c. Share Jesus with everyone
d. Time to praise, surrender and glorify God
James 1:22 - Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Questions of reflection:
Am I living the work of faith?
Am I enduring in the patience of hope?
Am I laboring in the love of Christ?
Am I praying about everything? or making some choices without Him?
Am I living what I believe?
If I really believe it then I shall live that way right?
Am I being selfish with the Gospel?
