BELIEVING GOD

While growing up listened to the sermons, tried to walk the straight and narrow (might have been considered a prude), and acknowledged the basic truths--the Trinity (although don’t understand it), the five steps to inherit eternal life, Jesus was raised from the dead to take away our sins, the ten commandments, the greatest commandment, and prayer. I’m not exactly that goody-goody girl now and often experienced those peak and valley stages but found myself down in the valley the majority of the time.

In all honesty, my life has lacked spiritual meaning. Seem to just go through the motions. Prayer time is sporadic. Bible reading is sporadic. Bible study is nonexistent. Seem to have taken most everything for granted.

Two weeks ago a nighttime ladies’ class was started at Long Beach. Believing God is one of numerous Bible studies and books penned by Beth Moore. The study analyzes what it means to believe God, not just believe in Him. Beth is a Christian speaker, author, and ministry leader who founded Living Proof Ministries to help teach women how to love and live on God’s Word. She has spoken and held conferences world wide.

A significant amount of study time (homework) is involved including journaling and at the end of each day’s lesson is bedtime meditations called Godstops--“any means by which God seems to go out of his way during your day to make Himself known to you.” Liked one statement in particular--“The more we learn to recognize and appreciate His intervention and revelations, the more we are likely to receive them.” Have never thought about that before, but it does make sense. Also, there are five pledges of faith we are to memorize backwards and forwards. These declarations will be thoroughly explored to help explain what we are believing. The five pledges are:
1. God is who He says He is.
2. God can do what He says He can do.
3. I am who God says I am.
4. I can do all things through Christ.
5. God’s Word is alive and active in me.

Just after two weeks, I’ve already noticed significant changes in myself and realized that I only believed in God; didn’t really believe Him. Scripture is full of God’s truths and promises, but lived much of life not believing that God was in my corner and felt bitterly angry and resentful for my circumstances, especially after Carl died. Now I do believe that God is there for me for the long haul, and He always wants what is best for me, even though I may not understand it. Some days I have to struggle to see those Godstops and a few of them may be considered downright silly, but, hey, it is making me stop taking things for granted and do feel closer to Him than ever before. Thinking about Him more often would tend to do that.

Oh, don’t get me wrong. Life isn’t all roses now. There are still disappointments, heartaches, frustrations, tears… but I’m trying to keep my attitude focused on the positive and allow God to guide my path. Unfortunately, have to constantly remind myself of that decision--habits are hard to break. For me this study came just at the right time (what a coincidence, huh?), but I must have faith in this concept of believing God because it was sure stressed to the max when Jonathan called the other day. Told him to pray and lean on God--it will make a difference and it just wasn’t lip service. I actually believed what I was telling my son. There are a lot of challenges to face, but I’ve already seen good things happening in these past two weeks.

Jonathan is very troubled, and I solicit your prayers on his behalf as well as my own to be the mother I should have been long ago.