IF we would just believe...

“Anything is possible if a person believes.” Mark 9:23 NLT 

Many professed Christians live in doubt and fear. They think, miserably, that this is the necessary state of believers. But that is a mistake, for “anything is possible if a person believes.” We can rise to a state in which doubt or fear will be only a bird flitting across the soul, but never lingering. When you read of the high, sweet communion the favored saints enjoy, you sigh and murmur in your heart, “Sadly, this is not for me.” But if you just have faith, you can stand on the sunlit pinnacle of the temple, for “Anything is possible if a person believes.” You hear of the exploits that holy people have done for Jesus; how much they have enjoyed Him; how much they have been like Him; how they have been able to endure great persecution for His sake. You say, “As for me, I am just a worm; I can never reach their level.” But there is no achievement among saints that you yourself cannot reach. There is no elevation of grace, no attainment of spirituality, no clearness of assurance, no position of duty that is not open to you if you just have the power to believe. Put off your sackcloth and ashes, and rise to the dignity of your true position—you are only limited because you choose to be so, not because there is any necessity for it. It is not fitting for you to grovel in the dust, you child of the King. Rise up! The golden throne of assurance awaits you! The crown of communion with Jesus is ready to adorn your brow. Wrap yourself in scarlet and fine linen, and dine richly every day—if you believe, you can eat the best of the meat and grain; your land will flow with milk and honey, and your soul will be satisfied with “the richest feast” (Psalm 63:5 NLT). Gather golden sheaves of grace, for they await you in the fields of faith. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” - C.H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening 

Was reading still in Romans this morning and this is what I found in Chapter 10:

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”

However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

What I also read, which was the verse of the day on Biblegateway, had to do with a passage in Luke, something we have probably all read but do not put much emphasis on. The very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Even in this little tidbit is a necessity to exercise belief.  To believe that the Father puts even that much emphasis on each person is astounding!  We are the image bearers of God. Adam onward.  Is it any wonder that Satan wants the world to worship him?  We are what's most important to the Father!  If he cannot have our worship, Satan will seek to destroy that which God deems as valuable.  From murdering babies to destroying the lives of those who live, to prevent as many as possible from attaining Salvation, or making those who have believed miserable.

Believing in Christ does indeed put a target on your life.  However at every turn, Jesus is willing to take a bullet for each one who relies on Him.  We are never alone. 

There's been much emphasis lately on forsaking the assembly concerning the Church.  Challenging belief in what constitutes the Church.  The early Church and the definition of forsaking the assembly fit the situation. That passage does not fit the modern definition of Church.  In the early days of the Church they met in homes.  Not big buildings.  They assembled in homes to discuss and learn about the Word of God.  Association was necessary in that context. Fellowship was welcomed in that context.  Accountability was certainly necessary and possible in that context.  There was no bulletin to print or follow. No outline to pass out.  Nothing but believers enjoying being together to learn more about a life in Christ.  Belief was at the core.

It's interesting to me that for decades many Churches have cried out for revivals. Citing the early Church experiences and examples. This virus hits and the answer to that prayer has happened.  Just that it's not being seen for what it is.  God is bringing Church back into the home, where it began.  Where accountability is possible. Where disruption is minimal. 

Believing means accepting what the Spirit says to the Churches. How often had the Lord brought the people of Israel back to the foundation of things in order ti move forward?

Perhaps, rather than attempting to cite Government overreach in regards to meeting in big buildings, we take advantage of the situation and start making Church happen where it began?

God allowed this virus to happen. It has certainly had an impact on the Spiritual world and physical world. What things in this life that we just 'accepted' as being part of life were not useful in the work of God that are no longer happening?

Jesus said He came to seek and save the lost. His Great Commission was along those lines for the first believers. It was to be continually passed down throughout the ages until that last person who would be saved prior to the Rapture is saved.  People have come to Christ due to belief in what God has shown them.

Those who have believed have, just as Scripture has said, by no means have been disappointed. 

Jesus said our belief must be like that of a child.  Just pure belief.  Unhindered by doubts.  Adults overthink everything. 

Where are you today in life? In what are you believing?  Because either you are safe in Christ because of belief or you are not because of belief.  Those who are not are never going to find the peace of God. They will find the judgment of God.  

Jesus knows what's best for each who comes to Christ. He has our wellbeing always in mind. Faith and belief go hand in hand. 

Where are you today in your belief?