What exactly is Believing in Jesus Christ, in a popular culture most of us do what is popular.. sometimes even without much forethought. We have what can be termed a herd mentality which basically means just going with the flow...
Can this also be applied to faith or should I say religion? Are we or are you doing what is popular, are you doing what is accepted or are you practicing religion because hey it seems like the right thing to do.
Just take a moment and reflect on this with me. Although I am the author of these post ,often I find what I write serves to minister to me as well. I definitely do not at all put myself above anyone in any respect whatsoever. Except for the grace of GOD and His abundant mercy I would be merely a grass withered, a flower that fades and then the wind blows away.
Back to the subject:
What exactly is Believing in Jesus Christ-------------------------------------------------------
John 3:16
For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life
Believing is = Trusting in Christ
Trust defined is : Firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing.
Believing is -Clinging to Christ
Clinging defined is : To remain close; resist separation
Believing is relying on Christ.
Relying defined: To be dependent for support, help, or supply
Now it is very clear that faith it is far more than doing something because it is socially popular or something you do because it just seems like the right or a moral position to adapt.
Let me let me say this; GOD wants to know if you really do believe and GOD wants to know if I really do believe.
Luke 22:31
Simon, Simon (Peter), listen! Satan has asked excessively that [all of] you be given up to him [out of the power and keeping of God], that he might sift [all of] you like grain,
Luke 22:32
But I have prayed especially for you [Peter], that your [own] faith may not fail; and when you yourself have turned again, strengthen and establish your brethren.
Wow, the above scriptures embodies so much of what it means to believe. What I noticed here is that Jesus did not rebuke Satan . He prayed that Simon or Peter's faith would not fail. Jesus is saying Simon you will be victorious if you trust in me , If you cling to me and if you rely on me.
Doing what is popular will not hold up during a time of testing . Only real faith proven to be genuine provides the power and strength to overcome.
Prov 24:10
If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small
When I think of the Apostle Paul and all the Lord accomplished through this servant I am simply in AWE, But Paul like all of us had to endure the trial of His faith. And that trial and others were designed to teach this servant how to trust in GOD.
2 Cor 1:8
For we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about the affliction and oppressing distress which befell us in [the province of] Asia, how we were so utterly and unbearably weighed down and crushed that we despaired even of life [itself].
2 Cor 1:9
Indeed, we felt within ourselves that we had received the [very] sentence of death, but that was to keep us from trusting in and depending on ourselves instead of on God Who raises the dead.
Hummmmmmmmmm Reading this I find this valuable truth. things happen to us beyond our own ability to resolve or solve in order that we would not trust in ourselves. Things happen beyond our control in order to give us the ability to trust in Jesus Christ to bring us out of life's difficulties.
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Let me say this in more precise terms.., hold on a minute, --------tell you what---- let the Bible tell you more precisely the message in this lesson.. -----
John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you
Yes if you trust in Jesus, If you cling to Jesus and if you rely on Jesus your victory is already won because my beloved brothers and sisters the battle is the LORD's and He shall conquer all of His enemies.
I love you all, Have a Happy Thanksgiving Holiday
And Lord Jesus , Thank you for absoluyely everything because in You I live , In You I breath and In You I have My Being.... Thank You Jesus with All My Heart
Crystal Lewis-Trust Me The Lesson In Song..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MgboThkiBI&feature=related
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