Are you Believing in God, or do you Believe God?

Do you believe in God, or do you believe God? And, yes, there is a difference.

Many Christians I know, myself included, are really good at believing in God.

We do the church-thing. We cling to our Bibles every Sunday. We sit in the pews, we stand, we sing, we tithe, we say, “Amen”. We drink ceremonious wine in little plastic cups. We wear the cross (and I love my crosses). We donated soup cans, coats, shoes, Christmas presents to those in need. We try to lead “good Christian” lives. And, we uttered the phrase, “God works in mysterious ways,” when speaking of things we can’t explain.

Can I get an Amen?

But, is it enough just to believe in God?

Is that enough for me? For you?

Is that enough for Him?

Although I feel I have faith, that is the name of this blog after all, I do not fully believe God.

Why? Well, there are a number of reasons. Early church experiences gone wrong, prayers unanswered, heart-ache unburdened, bad things that cannot be explained away by, “everything happens for a reason”. Whatever.

All I know is, I want more from my faith.

And, which God do I want to believe? The god that has been watered-down to fit societies new ideals? The one that brushes sin under the rug because we don’t want to offend for calling out the sinner?

Or do I want to believe the true God of the Bible? The Word, the light, the creator? The One that makes us uncomfortable because he tells we are sinners? And forgives us anyway.

I am jumping all over the place here. But this is where my heart is now… Do I really believe He is who He says He is—not who society says he is? And…

Do I believe He can do what He says He can do? Or, are the miracles only to be retold on Sunday morning? He says He answers prayers, but do I believe it? When was the last time I prayed and actually believed the prayer would be answered? No matter how ridiculous or impossible in my eyes.

God doesn’t fit in a box. So, why does society try to make Him fit into an all-pleasing box wrapped up with a pretty bow? He is so much more than what I have experienced by attending Church, or reading the Bible.

He wants a relationship with you and me. Yes, really. That’s it. Good works are great but He just wants us to know Him.

My own faith-walk certainly hasn’t been a cake-walk. Yours probably hasn’t either. It hasn’t been without questioning, sometimes challenging me to look deeper, and higher.

Faith unchallenged is faith stifled.” Beth Moore

Recently, a friend and I signed up for a Bible study at church.  “Believing God, experiencing a fresh explosion of faith” by Beth Moore is a 10-week Bible study.

Once a week, our tribe of women gather at the Church for faith sharing and a video presentation by Beth Moore. It’s a time for us to join in His presence, and to reflect on how He has moved us in our lives to be closer to Him.

I don’t know where this study will take me in my faith-walk, but already it has challenged me  in ways I hadn’t expected. At this moment I can’t fully put it into words.

My question for today is: What was the last miracle you saw, or do you believe miracles are not seen today?

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Do you want to live more fully, and believe God instead of just in Him? Find out more about Beth Moore’s Bible study, Believing God, online here. Also, Beth Moore’s book of the same title is available as a download (and paperback) at Amazon. *This is not a paid endorsement, just a personal story about my faith-walk.

LINKING UP AT | RachelWojo and JenniferDukesLee. Go and read some inspiring women.