Belief Begins With Believing

Belief Begins With Believing

Beloved, I believe in you. I think the best of you. I pray for you every time I write to you. I know some of you and others I may never know, but I treasure your readership. I’ve got these words in my heart, a message God has placed to share.

I love writing and joined a group of writers this year #write28daychallege. I have been inspired by reading what others write from the same word. Our word today is belief. Belief is not in the Bible, but the word believe is in the Bible 259 times. In Mark, we read that everything is possible for the one who believes.

Beloved, you see, we all have beliefs. Belief is an acceptance that a statement is true or something exists or trust, faith, or confidence in someone or something. Our parents, teachers, or friends often shape our beliefs.

Shaped

Who has been instrumental in your life in shaping your beliefs?

Sometimes our knowledge of God is shaped by a pastor or a Sunday school teacher. I remember mine, Mrs. Treblecock; she was my Sunday school teacher. Additionally, my father, Troy Manley, was a minister.  Two other notable pastors are Dr. Mark Strauss and Dennis Keating. Lastly, a mentor of prayer and reading my Bible is Becky Tirabassi.

When I started writing this piece, I thought of a song by Hillsong Worship:  This I Believe. 

Of course, my mind drifted to the secular songs by Don Williams, I Believe in You, and I Believe in Every Drop of Rain That Falls.

We all have beliefs, and we are all shaped by our convictions. The most crucial belief system is in God. The heavens declare the glory of God. Yet we all come to a crisis of faith when we must choose whom we believe. Do we acknowledge that Jesus is God’s son? Do we indeed believe he died on the cross for our sins? John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave his son that whosoever believes shall have eternal life.” Wow, what a promise!

When did you believe it?

King David

He was a man after God’s own heart. Our Psalm today is Psalm 27.

As usual, in his prayer, he starts with an affirmation, a belief, something he knows for sure. So here is our prayer, Pray it with me.

Father God, Create in me a clean heart; search me and know if I am filled with anxiety or worry.  I give you my concerns today. Thank you that I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the ^[a]defense of my life;
Whom shall I dread?

Teach me Your way, O Lord,
And lead me on a level path,

I would have despaired unless I believed that I would see your goodness, Lord.
In the land of the living.
Lord, I Wait for you ;
Help me to Be strong and let my heart take courage;
Yes, I wait for you, Lord.

Beloved, this is what praying the scriptures looks like. You take a psalm and make it personal. Remember, I believe in you.

What are your beliefs concerning God?