
10 Jun Believe
We all have something we are believing for. Whether it’s something small or big, God wants to answer those prayers. He cares about the little details and He cares about the big details.
This sermon on the topic of belief was sent to me by Melissa and it blessed me so much. In addition to doing life with a community of believers, I’m so thankful for worship music and sermons – it’s so good to continually surround myself with encouragement and press into the word of God. This sermon covers the story in John 9:6-7 which says, “After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam”. So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
In this passage, God sends a blind man the to pool of Siloam. God simply commanded with the word, “Go”. Immediately, the man left. It was the prophetic act the man made that showed he believed and had faith. And, what happened in return? He was healed. Jesus required this man to believe him before restoring sight.
To believe is defined as ‘to be convinced, to be confident, and to be fully persuaded’. When we believe in something it is shown by how we respond to something God has already said or done. Just as in the story of the blind man, God allows things to happen to both draw us closer to Him and bring glory to Himself. Even though many people believe the lie that we face trials because of something that we have done wrong, that is not the case. It’s not because of sin, but because He wants to bring glory to Himself.
Why should we believe God?
1 – Belief Unlocks the Blessing. The bible is full of promises. But, we can’t access those promises until we activate our faith. Faith unlocks the blessings God has for us. Our blessing is attached to our believing. Not in believing for what we want, but believing in the one person who can bring what we want (Jesus). Whether or not God will do something is up to Him, but believing He can do something is up to us. Stop manipulating or trying to control the outcome and surrender your desires to Him. If you want to receive everything God has for you in the kingdom, then believe.
2 – Unbelief Limits the Blessing. Don’t you want to release EVERYTHING God has for you? Don’t let the lack of receiving blessings from Him be because of your unbelief. There are several external factors that cause us to disbelieve – difficult circumstances, limited resources, delayed outcomes, attacks from the enemy, etc. No matter what we face, we have to put our faith above our fear and trust God. The devil is after your belief. If he can crush your belief then he will limit your blessing. You can’t speak doubt and unbelief and expect to receive blessings, so make the daily choice to speak life over your situation. If you are struggling with doubt or unbelief ask the Lord to help you.
Instead of asking ‘why’ when facing a trial, ask ‘God, how can you get glory’? It’s inevitable we will all face trials, but it’s up to us to choose how we will react in those trials. Believe that ALL things are possible with Him. Don’t limit a limitless God, but trust He will fulfill all the promises He has spoken to you.
ellesees.blogspot.com
Posted at 08:03h, 10 Juneso true! it is so easy to ask “why” but we need to change that reaction!
Stephanie @ The Dish BCS
Posted at 08:44h, 10 June“Don’t limit a limitless God, but trust He will fulfill all the promises He has spoken to you.” – YES!
Tania
Posted at 08:53h, 10 Junethis is so good! and one again, so timely to my life! I’ve been feeling my my faith tank is running a bit low lately, but was convicted about it yesterday. The Lord reminded me that faith comes from hearing the word, and that my first step is to be obedient in spending time hearing!
Mia @ MakeMeUpMia
Posted at 09:18h, 10 JuneSomething that I definitely need to remind myself of. That last line, oh my gosh <3
Megan
Posted at 09:54h, 10 JuneBeautiful post! What truth and encourage the!!
Alexis
Posted at 11:27h, 10 JuneThis is SO good. I used to wonder why I never saw miracles around me…it was because I wasn’t around anyone who was believing to receive them! It’s like a gift — the gift is always yours but you can’t actually enjoy it until you open your hands and accept it.
Rebecca Jo
Posted at 13:46h, 10 June“How can you get the glory”… what a powerful question. What a change in perspective!
Kelly @ SoKo Blog
Posted at 13:50h, 10 JuneOh man I love this! I feel like it’s so easy to say we have faith and believe, but then when it’s put to the test it can really force us to lean into God’s promises. And we can then realize the beauty of truly believing and having faith, rather than just saying we do.
Tiffany | A Touch of Grace
Posted at 16:11h, 10 JuneHow can you get glory? I love that Caroline. What a great way to change perspective.
Candace
Posted at 17:04h, 10 Junei LOVE this! and it is so true- the bible promises us endless blessings, we just have to have faith and follow the teachings of the Lord God to find these blessings. God is just waiting for us to follow and he knows our potential. He will always be waiting for us with open arms to receive him 🙂
xo, Candace | Lovely Little Rants
Finley
Posted at 17:19h, 10 JuneAwesomely Caroline! Don’t limit a limitless God! Read this out loud just now in the car on the way to work with Dan! Your words are strong and so true x
Jessica @ Moxie and Mischief
Posted at 21:31h, 10 JuneLovely post!
Chelsea
Posted at 23:09h, 10 JuneSO GOOD! I often pray as the father in the NT, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” love these points and encouragement you gave us. Xo
Cheryl Smith
Posted at 00:57h, 11 JuneThis is such wonderful encouragement! It made me think of that Scripture that says that He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. I have often wondered how many people in that town needed a miracle, how many were sick, how many were possessed by the devil, etc., and how all of those people missed out on getting what they needed because they could not look beyond the circumstances of Jesus’ humanity and realize that He was the Son of God and could meet their need. Here they were…shoulder to shoulder with he God of the universe Who could do EVERYTHING they needed, but thy completely missed out. How often do we do the same thing? We focus on the circumstances, and we limit the Holy One of Israel, and we miss out on the massive blessings He longs to pour out upon us. Thank you for sharing these thoughts here. This was so edifying. 🙂
Leesha @ Living Contently
Posted at 08:48h, 11 JuneLove this! It’s so sad that we limit God’s power in our lives by not believing. Thanks for the reminder!
Kelli {A Deeper Joy}
Posted at 13:35h, 11 June“Even though many people believe the lie that we face trials because of something that we have done wrong, that is not the case. It’s not because of sin, but because He wants to bring glory to Himself.” I struggle with this often. I know it’s not that I’ve done something wrong, but it’s sure hard to not think that’s the case sometimes. I needed to read this today. Thanks Caroline.
Kate
Posted at 15:09h, 11 JuneI love when you share these sermons! Because of you I started listening to Gateway sermons and I think I’ll add The Healing Place to that list.
This was a blessing! Just finished listening to it and loved the line “if you doubt and pout you’ll do without” I really needed the reminder to believe and put my full faith in him!! Thanks for sharing!
Jessa
Posted at 20:57h, 11 JuneI need to remember to look to God first. I love all of these things. So good to remember
Kayla
Posted at 21:34h, 11 JuneLove that last line. Sometimes in our humanity I think we forget that God can do anything. Whenever I remind myself of that, it’s a huge relief!
Jen
Posted at 03:09h, 12 JuneThank you Caroline, for sharing what inspires you. I was reading about the gifts of the Holy Spirit in 1 Cor 12, and later found a definition of the gift of faith which described it as “a supernatural infusion to know with full certainty that God will bring something about.” That gift is so abundant in your words and it is wonderful that you choose the share them in your blog.
Anya Bellow
Posted at 14:10h, 12 JuneSo so good! I’ve recently been struggling with just believing in God’s timing in my life and this post helped to depress many worries
Justine Y @ Little Dove Creations
Posted at 18:09h, 12 JuneI love that you break it down into the two simple truths, believing unlocks blessings. There is a quote from a man named Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “…Heavenly Father is constantly raining blessings upon us. It is our fear, doubt, and sin that, like an umbrella, block these blessings from reaching us.” Thank you so much for this post!
jennifer prod
Posted at 05:53h, 13 Juneit’s 6am and i was needing your blog. the faith conversation and easy wisdom (ie: “Whether or not God will do something is up to Him, but believing He can do something is up to us.”) always makes for a lovely day 🙂
on that note, hope you have something wonderful that you’re getting up to today <3
addie
Posted at 09:11h, 14 JuneLife is beautiful when you believe and have faith!!
Stacia
Posted at 20:20h, 18 Junethank you for this! I knew this but needed to read it as a reminder to just believe.
Brittany
Posted at 06:24h, 19 JuneThis is so great! I love when I come across another blogger who writes encouraging posts! I love it! Praise God!
Chandler
Posted at 16:47h, 23 JuneBeautiful post!! And so SO true!
Laura @ Making Baby Provence
Posted at 12:57h, 24 June“God allows things to happen to both draw us closer to Him and bring glory to Himself….Whether or not God will do something is up to Him, but believing He can do something is up to us.” I’m writing these two lines down to hang on my computer.
Excellent post as always, Caroline. I think you really nailed this one. My one thought, though. I struggle most when I wonder why people that don’t believe receive the blessings that I want so badly. Is that normal?