The Simplicity of Believing

Honestly, somedays crazy stuff plays in my head. Somedays fears and lies consume me. Somedays I can’t get Zombies by the Cranberries to stop playing in my head. When I have scrolled through Tik Tok, the music from those videos play over and over in my mind . . . even when I lay down to go to sleep. And that is NOT what I want playing in my head through the night. (That is also why I stopped scrolling Tik Tok, even though I love the fun dance videos).

I want the scriptures I cling to for dear life filling my soul. I want the songs of God’s faithfulness playing in my head. That is what I want in my heart, even through the night. Because often, it’s in the dark hours of the morning that fear and lies scream the loudest.

Thankfully, this morning the song playing in my head was “Great is Thy Faithfulness . . . Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand has provided. Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.”

What we consume will consume us! What we each choose to put into our minds will shape us and form our thoughts.

I love it when God gives me a song in my heart and mind to sing. That helps direct my thoughts to Him, and not the circumstances of this world.

Renewing our mind each day is vital if we are going to live out the simplicity of believing God at His word. What we think really does direct our steps.

I can get so bogged down with words, but I am really trying to keep this simple. I need the Truth of God’s word everyday to settle my soul and focus my mind. It’s vital! Knowing how easily I get off course, I’m dependent upon Him to find my North!

So quickly, I want to share how God used these verses from Matthew to remind me how important it is live by FAITH. My faith must take action – I must believe that He is able and He WILL do what He says.

²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

²⁹ “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:27-31 NIV)

How could Peter, who walked daily with Jesus, doubt his ability to enable him to walk on the water? He started off with great faith, but when he took his eyes off Jesus, he sunk. That is true of me as well.

²⁵ The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

²⁶ He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

²⁷ “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

²⁸ Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment. (Matt 15: 25-28 NIV)

I want to approach Jesus with the confidence this woman had! She knew He was able and she boldly asked! Her child was delivered because she had GREAT faith that Jesus not only was able to deliver her daughter, but she BELIEVED He would. Those of us who stand praying for our children must stand with this kind of faith and confidence!

³² Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”

³³ His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?” (Matthew 16:32-33 NIV)

Jesus is full of compassion. Lord, help me see people as you do! Give me your heart for people! Help me to believe that you will provide. Help me remember to always ask with a heart believing that nothing is impossible with God.

⁸ Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? ⁹ Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? ¹⁰ Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?  (Matthew 16:8-10 NIV)

It’s easy to look at the disciples and be critical. We talk about their lack of faith and understanding of who Jesus was. But if I am honest, I’m just as dense and faithless. Lord, help my unbelief. May I not waver in unbelief regarding your promises. Help me understand who you are and what I have as your child.

²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ²⁵ For whoever wants to save their life^[f]will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. ²⁶ What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? ²⁷ For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. (Matthew 16:24-27 NIV)

I am going to confess to you that I am so selfish and full of pride at times . . . I hate it . . . I really do. Yet I continue to ask God to search my heart and reveal my sin. I don’t want to live a lie. I don’t want to quench the Spirit of God in my life. Dying to self is never easy . . . it hurts. But the cost can’t compare to the blessings that come from choosing God’s way instead of my own. I will chose this day to walk by faith and believe God at His word! He is able!!!

Blessings friend,

Monica and Chuck