Check out the following christian beliefs and consider if you live your life in such a way that reflects that you REALLY believe them...
- God created the world - Genesis 1:1
- God scripted the Holy Word of God - 2 Timothy 3:16
- Jesus Christ was born of a Virgin - Matthew 1:23
- Jesus is the sinless Son of God - Hebrews 4:15
- Salvation is real and found only through Jesus Christ - Acts 4:12
- Jesus rose from the dead - Acts 10:41
As stated by Shannon O'Dell inTransforming Churches in Rural America...
"These are monster beliefs!"
No wonder the non-believing world thinks that the Church is absolutely crazy.
What Does Our Life Show That We Believe
Yet as believers, we meet together each week, gathering together because these truths have moved us to obedience, because we believe.
Or do we?
If we believed, wouldn't we really be stepping out as if these things were true?
How do we say we believe and then "display such a midget, powerless God working within our church and our lives? By God's grace, most of us would die for what we say we believe.
Would we, with a gun to our heads, take a bullet rather than deny Christ as our Lord and God the Father as the all-powerful, all-knowing sovereign One of the universe?
If that's what we believe, why don't we believe God for the day-to-day stuff, when it comes to the back-pocket issues of our lives?
Without belief we will step right up to the edge of God-driven, God dependent vision and then back away in fear, hiding behind pious, corporate doubt.
Pastors, leaders and church volunteers often struggle to believe:
- God can remove the church bully
- God can ignite spiritual fire and revival within the "church family"
- God can provide resources for faith-filled ministries
- God can use your church to reach the world
- God can change the way it's always been
- God care about my church
- God can use me to change my rural community
Vision is realized not because of us but because of the God who uses us.
If you are having a hard time believing that God can use you, if you ask why I believe that He can, I'll tell you because of "Jesus Christ in You."
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God. Galatians 2:20
Left to ourselves, we would be toast!
All of God's power resides within. He resides in you so that you can take His vision and let Him make it a reality through you.
For some reason, He has chosen human beings to glorify Himself; as His vessels, we enable God's vision. That is why we are here; that is why the spirit of God lives within us.
Take the bible and don't just listen to it - BELIEVE IT!
We believe in Him theologically (mentally), but we don't believe in Him practically.
GOD MAKE US BELIEVE!
It's no wonder the unbelieving world thinks Christianity is make believe.
Without belief, we cannot have vision.
I want the body of Christ (starting with ME) to believe that ALL things are possible.
But the church takes out "all" and inserts "some".
Most of us can't envision anything outside of what seems prudent and practical.
We do what seems logical - things that the Church can do in it's own strength, things in our comfort zones, things that our budget can handle.
So many are afraid to ask boldly because "Well it may not be God's will." We need to get past that.
If you are praying according to the God's Word, then you are praying according to His Will.
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you shall receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:24
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these. John 14:12
Jesus SAID we would do more than HE did! So I'm pleading with God to make us believe Jesus.
We have a "less than" mentality - and we aren't even comparing ourselves to Christ, but to the status quo.
We have the same power of God living within us that Jesus did.
Jesus said, "I am coming soon."
Christ will return. I'm not sure we truly believe it. Few of us have contemplated how the implications of that future event should be affecting our lives.
MAKE US BELIEVE. Otherwise it will just be MAKE BELIEVE and the world will say, "Oh I've seen that before." or "I know what goes on at church." There are people, associates, family members, and parents that are literally dying to see a difference.
If we BELIEVE, they will see the real deal.
This blog outlined Pg 59-67 of "Transforming Church in Rural America: Breaking all the Rurals" by Shannon O'Dell.
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