Tuesday, 21 February 2017

January 25, 2017 - Praying but not Believing



January 25th, 2017 - Thoughts for your Week

Scripture: Revelation 1: 4-6
Grace and peace to you from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father - to Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

Praying but not believing

“You can say prayers in your mind but doubt in your heart. Do you ask God to do something without adjusting your life to what you are praying? If you are praying for revival, how are you preparing for its coming? If you are praying for forgiveness, are you still living with guilt? If you have asked God to provide for your needs, do you remain worried and anxious? Ask God to increase your faith, and then begin living a life that reflects absolute trust in Him. (It’s a choice!)” - Henry Blackaby

I was introduced to some ‘truth statements’ this past week and they have stayed with me. I have been trying to really let them sink into every part of me, because if I can wholly believe them, I “can do anything through Christ who strengthens me”. Take some time now to read through these truths and circle where your belief is on the scale below:

1)    You need to believe He HAS saved you. You are forgiven and loved; there is no record of wrongs against you

Lack of Faith   1        2        3        4        5        6        7        8        9        10      Believe
2)    You need to believe that He IS saving you. You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.
Lack of Faith   1        2        3        4        5        6        7        8        9        10      Believe
3)    You need to believe He WILL save you. You have nothing to fear because your future is in His hands
Lack of Faith   1        2        3        4        5        6        7        8        9        10      Believe

Something to ponder…

Do you believe – or live as if – you have to perform well for God in order to receive His loving acceptance? Do you believe God loves you more when you obey and less when you disobey? If so, how can this be understood as disbelief in what Jesus has already done?

Ask God to increase your faith and trust in Him, and to show you the areas where you are lacking faith.

"For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."
Romans 10:10 

"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
Hebrews 11:6

“If you are struggling to believe that God can take care of your need, it is because you don’t know Him as He wants you to.” 
- Henry Blackaby

*truth statements taken from “Saturate Field Guide” by Jeff Vanderstelt & Ben Connelly