It’s A Relationship, Not A Religion
I am giving thanks to our God.
Every day, I will thank our God for His grace and mercies that He continues to shower upon us all. I can say without a doubt that I would not be here had it not been for His hand being upon my life. And for all that God has done. From the sacrifice of His Son Jesus to redeem us to the suppling of our every need, our every breath should say thank you, God.
I don’t know about you, but I am encouraged to keep believing, trusting, following, obeying, seeking more, and loving God who first loved me.
I find that we all have battled in this present life—some battle with others, some struggle to believe, and some struggle with themselves. I have found my fights to be much easier to win when I pray and give it to the Lord, then do my best to not focus again on what I have released. That can be somewhat difficult, but it is most rewarding when I know that God is fighting for me and gives me a reason to release the next time.
Pondering why it can be difficult to believe in God, I decided we would think by sight from birth. You might be sure that a sibling did something and tell your parents, who may have asked, “did you see them do it?” Then there are those sayings like, out of sight out of mind, what you see is what you get, and that oldie I’ll believe it when I see it. I am sure you can come up with more examples.
Have you ever heard the Word preached or read scripture, and your first thought is that it’s unbelievable?
I mean, it just came up, and immediately I would speak mentally to that thought and say I do believe. So I’m being honest when I say that it would have happened enough times to examine myself to find out why that thought would enter my head.
You’ve probably read this before, you can’t stop birds from flying over your head, but you can control them from building a nest.
In my self-examination, I remembered that since the fall of Adam, we all have been born sinners and continue to sin until we are born again, accept Christ’s sacrifice, and daily fight our inherent disposition to sin. Are we sinless? No, but we understand that we must repent and ask to be forgiven when we sin.
Psalm 51:4-6
The Message
You’re the One I’ve violated, and you’ve seen it all, seen the full extent of my evil. You have all the facts before you; whatever you decide about me is fair. I’ve been out of step with you for a long time, in the wrong since before I was born. What you’re after is truth from the inside out. Enter me, then; conceive a new, true life.
Psalm 51:4-6
King James Version
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
So, was that the reason that thought would continually come to me? I did not see it yet believed it to be the Word of God and accurate.
Now, it has become more evident how hard it may be for some to understand and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In my life, there have been times when I would say that I did not believe in history as taught because I was not there to be a witness. So yeah, I don’t think someone named Christopher Columbus discovered America. Why? Because I was not there.
Silly me.
But when it comes to believing Jesus Christ had died, was buried, and resurrected back to life on the third day, although I was not there, I believe it to be so because of this personal relationship I have with Christ and God our Father. And that there I think, makes it possible not to see and yet believe.
John 20:29
The Message
Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.”
Still, it can be grievous to think we are not trusting God fully when we have doubts. It seems that because we believe God and take Him at His Word, doubt will try to enter in because we think we battle.
1 Corinthians 2:14-16
The Message
The unspiritual self, just as it is by nature, can’t receive the gifts of God’s Spirit. There’s no capacity for them. They seem like so much silliness. Spirit can be known only by spirit—God’s Spirit and our spirits in open communion. Spiritually alive, we have access to everything God’s Spirit is doing, and can’t be judged by unspiritual critics. Isaiah’s question, “Is there anyone around who knows God’s Spirit, anyone who knows what he is doing?” has been answered: Christ knows, and we have Christ’s Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:14-16
The Passion Translation
Someone living on an entirely human level rejects the revelations of God’s Spirit, for they make no sense to him. He can’t understand the revelations of the Spirit because they are only discovered by the illumination of the Spirit. Those who live in the Spirit are able to carefully evaluate all things, and they are subject to the scrutiny of no one but God. For who has ever intimately known the mind of the Lord Yahweh well enough to become his counselor? Christ has, and we possess Christ’s perceptions.
There is so much more to say about not seeing, believing, and receiving. Suffice it to say because we walk by faith and not by sight, we will have battles.
Ephesians 6:10-18
The Message
A Fight to the Finish
And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no weekend war that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
Ephesians 6:10-18
The Passion Translation
Spiritual Warfare
Now my beloved ones, I have saved these most important truths for last: Be supernaturally infused with strength through your life-union with the Lord Jesus. Stand victorious with the force of his explosive power flowing in and through you. Put on God’s complete set of armor provided for us, so that you will be protected as you fight against the evil strategies of the accuser! Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage. Because of this, you must wear all the armor that God provides so you’re protected as you confront the slanderer, for you are destined for all things and will rise victorious. Put on truth as a belt to strengthen you to stand in triumph. Put on holiness as the protective armor that covers your heart. Stand on your feet alert, then you’ll always be ready to share the blessings of peace. In every battle, take faith as your wrap-around shield, for it is able to extinguish the blazing arrows coming at you from the evil one! Embrace the power of salvation’s full deliverance, like a helmet to protect your thoughts from lies. And take the mighty razor-sharp Spirit-sword of the spoken Word of God. Pray passionately in the Spirit, as you constantly intercede with every form of prayer at all times. Pray the blessings of God upon all his believers.
I am praying that all are well and as best as today and every day. May the blessing of favor, peace, love, happiness, wisdom, salvation, and understanding be ever-present in your lives and the lives of your loved ones. You’re loved and appreciated always.