Believe

Daily Gratitude Year 5-Day 55: Today, I am grateful we can choose what we believe.

This image is a fun Pinterest find. It is someone's "Field notes". There is some good stuff here. Some of them are new quotes for my collection. 

Believe. What we believe in our heart changes daily decisions. I was struck by this Francis Chan quote:

"We need to stop believing everything we think.". 

Pause. Think. Repeat.

"We need to stop believing everything we think.". Stop it! 

It this world of mixed messages from media, music and social media, truth can be lost or worse... twisted and altered. There are severe consequence for altering God's truth. Some call those who twist the word of God "Truth Twisters". It is the very reason we must study and learn for ourselves... so we will know when the truth is being altered for comfort or convenience. 

The good news is that most things we wrestle with are made clear again and again. My Dad used to say, "God doesn't stutter." He repeats himself because he is the ultimate communicator. Dr. David Kale taught us people need to hear something 3 times to get the message and retain it. 

"Tell them. Tell them, again. Tell them you told them." Not too hard, right? 

Now, the creative communicator does it in three different ways. The brilliant marketing person makes us laugh, grabs our heart... or both!  Have you seen the commercial where the single Dad is teaching his teenage daughter to shave her legs? Brilliant. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwR9ddhRGls  

In that commercial, that Father believes that it is more important to be present, with his daughter and teacher her what she needs to know, that to be concerned with his own "manhood". That guy is more than a man... he is a father. 

How will we present ourselves before God? Were we fans, who thought him really cool or amazing, or will we stand before him believers who let his word mold and shape our lives as a response to the love he poured out blood red on the cross. 

The cross...our debt paid. Relationship restored. No longer Him and me... but a we. Yes, our crown is reserved when we become the children of God. Even the thief on the cross, who never dreamed the day of his death would be the day he would be saved, found new life in the last moments of his broken one. Crazy love.  

We need to stop hoping and start knowing. He is always true to his word.  

Believe. Then, pass along the good news of the gospel. Work to get it right, but know the scriptures will confirm and correct. 

Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately. -1 Timothy 2:15

This scripture reminds us to be accountable. 

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart. And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account. -Hebrews 4:12-14

This scripture explains how God's word will take care of itself and will reveal our hearts. 

Now... not just the act of believing, but behaving in a way that shows what we believe. 

Someone once said: "Your life may be the only Bible some people ever read." Make it count. 

Today, I am grateful we can choose what we believe... and God can transform the tiniest faith into a mighty adventure.