The Power Behind BELIEVING

 

 

mug found at Amazon.com

A bit of randomness this week. . .

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In my quest to fully envelope myself in my word for 2016, I found a book at the library titled “How to Believe.”¹  The author compiled stories and interviews on the development of faith in individuals.  One of these individuals is Richard Rohr, Franciscan priest and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC).   Rohr believes that living a Christian life is not about compiling as many good deeds and works as possible in order to get into heaven, that the only way to get into heaven is by complete surrender to God.

That reminds me of my time in the Mormon church.  They believe that there are different levels of heaven, and the life you lead here will determine where you are placed in heaven.  That is so ludicrous!  I would sometimes worry about being good enough to get high enough in heaven.  What makes it so crazy is that once we accept Jesus as our Savior and are baptized, ALL our sins are washed away.  There are no levels; we don’t earn our place by good deeds.  While we certainly need to live Christian lives here and do works for Him, JESUS earned our place in heaven for us!

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Below is a quote from an interview done with Oprah before a short series she did in late 2015:

I know that you become what you believe and that your beliefs really determine what you manifest in your life.  So I thought looking at the idea of what other people believe throughout the world would strengthen the viewers’ faith and ideas in their own beliefs and would also give you a connection to experience what other people believe throughout the world in a way that allows you to better illuminate yourself.²

                                                                — Oprah Winfrey

 I especially love the first sentence of this.  This is part of why I feel such power behind my word for the year.  I believe God is equipping me for the great things He has planned for me.  How do I know that?  I can feel the love and power of HIM behind me and in me.  A song by Lincoln Brewster explains this very well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py7Z3G1zFd0

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One of my favorite “believe” verses is Mark 11:24 –

• Therefore I say to you, Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

Non-believers and skeptics would say, “Well, how come my child died from cancer?” or “I prayed that my husband would be safe today, and he died in a terrorist attack –  what about that?”  I can’t answer that.  But I do know that I BELIEVE that God has amazing plans for me, things that I will rejoice in and praise Him for.  If you believe, God will do amazing things for you as well.

 

Have a good week everyone!  Please leave your comments and let me know how I’m doing in spreading my faith in God.