Journey to BELIEVE

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My journey to BELIEVE as the One Word for 2018 for me was not as simple, easy or straight forward, clear choice as in other years and different One Words. I was beginning to believe that perhaps I should just continue with “healing” another year or maybe Strength is what God wanted me to decide on as what might bring me the healing I need, which could have led me to Joy - as in "defiant joy" - but it actually ended up leading me to think that “unshakable” may be the One Word for me. Clearly “strength” is related to “healing” and according to Max Lucado, “Unshakable“ is connected with Hope and Strength, as well as Courage (Jan. 14-Mar. 18) and I guess this eventually leads to another one on Joy also.

Even though, I don’t have a specific scripture verse yet, I know that I came to the One Word as BELIEVE through my readings in the Word of God and other readings I was doing in devotionals, You Version reading plans and Daily Prayer from iBelieve. BELIEVE just seems too vague and since I already Believe, what does God want to connect me to, with this One Word - my beliefs, my lack of believing, what others believe or don’t??? I’m not too sure even after I commit to this One Word as mine for 2018 with no doubt that God will reveal more and whatever this One Word leads to ... God wants me to stand “unshakable” in all iBelieve.

     

So just to be sure, I began the YouVersion reading plan above for 77 days on Christmas eve, plus I have been enjoying the videos available at Max Lucado's church (currently up to week 4) and although it's great, I decided none of these are the One Word God wants for me ... but just in case, I also got a copy of Christine Caine's "Unshakable", which will see me through this entire year. Max Lucado's church will be continuing with Unshakable Hope: Courage (because the Strength portion was last fall and the Joy portion will be following the Courage series) 

Anyways, when you read the title to this blog today "Journey to Believe", it's possible that you were expecting a testimony from me on how I came to BELIEVE. However, I have no special word or testimony of me coming to BELIEVE because I can't think of a time in my entire life when I didn't BELIEVE (thankfully) in God, the Father, Jesus - His Son, and the Holy Spirit. Yet 2018 will AWAKEN many of my beliefs and keep me UNSHAKABLE in my faith and standing on all iBelieve ... God, more than likely has some new revelations that I still need STRENGTHENED in me, for a "journey" in believing lasts a lifetime and I hope my faith increases and grows in many ways, new and old. 

I will be starting the Online Bible Study with Lifeway and Priscilla Shirer this week; I can't wait "Discerning the Voice of God" better in 2018. My book came with "Awaken" also written by her, for Christmas! I'm sure this will aide me in this One Word discovery with iBELIEVE! as well as the declaration for Unshakable Hope: 

"We are building our lives on the promises of God. Because His Word is unbreakable, our hope is unshakable. We do not stand on the problems of life or the pain in life. We stand on the great and precious promises of God." ~Max Lucado

Of course, music also will. So here's a song from my childhood that replays in my head (even though it's worldly, it's beautiful - I guess even Elvis Presley sang it, but that's not who I remember singing it) every time, I begin to think of why ...
i BELIEVE

"... I believe for everyone who goes astray someone will come to show the way, I believe, I believe. I believe above a storm the smallest prayer will still be heard, I believe that someone in the great somewhere hears every word ..."

I guess these are the lyrics that impact me the most although they all do
"... then I know why I BELIEVE ..."



* I do not do Pinterest but the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. quote that I had chosen, had a conflict and it didn't show up or disappeared - so I searched and found it in Pinterest, but in case it's not shown again or too small to read, these are the words ... 

"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

... chosen for his BELIEVE echoed by Oprah with "You become what you believe" - even though we are more familiar with his "I have a dream" speech, there are many powerful and meaningful quotes by this man we celebrate today. 

WALK ON WEDS. (WOW)

With knowing I am long overdue on an excellent book I need to review  this upcoming Friday and shortly thereafter my Online Study will be starting plus  today is the 1st perfect weather forecast above 32  after such a long time before another cold blast arrives tonight {it's not the snow that's bad, it's those freezing cold temps and wind chill}
SO I have to take a literal outside Walk On Weds. because it may be awhile before I can again
but before I go let me share a snippet of my most recent email from

I HEAR HIS WHISPER...

"Speak My promises over your life"

Brian Simmons and TPT team

(just the last two paragraphs but it was all so good)

"... Believe all that I have spoken to you about your family. I will complete the beautiful work I have begun, trust in Me and rest in My promises over you and those you love. Believe all that I have promised you concerning your finances. Am I the God of Abundant Supply? Do I not provide for the birds, for the animals of the field, and for everyone of My sons and daughters? For you are the most valuable and costly part of all My creation. Sacred blood dripped from the Tree to show you My love for you. If I have given the blood of My Son to redeem you, will I not also give you everything you need as you walk with Me? Speak My promises over your life. Read the Words I have promised you in My Holy Book and make them real by faith. Place your hands upon My Word, for they are tangible, and trust in Me—I will not fail you, for I am your Father and Great Shepherd. Speak My promises over your family and over every need you have this day and you will see the deliverance of your God! Believe when all around you is contrary, for then you will demonstrate the power of faith. I have rewarded everyone who comes to Me in faith. My reward is My promise completed and My presence sealed upon your life. Rise up in a new wind of faith this day and you will not be disappointed. Take the steps that I call you to take, believe as you hold My promises, and the miracles will flow into you. Faith is the victory that you need, My promises are the seeds of that victory. Overcome in faith and you will see with your eyes the Kingdom of Heaven before you."B.Simmons

soaking in this wonderful

Whisper
with so much promise as iBelieve
and here's some glimpses as i WALK

...30As for God, His way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him. 31For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? 32It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. 33He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He causes me to stand on the heights. Ps 18

As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. Ps 42:1

"E"

"E"

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."(Ephesians 3:20-21)

iBELIEVEthatthis verseserves as the bestENCOURAGEMENTI can give to finish thisacronym ofBELIEVE

"One amazing aspect of God exercising His ability on our behalf is the imparting of His power within our lives: "according to the power that works in us." This is how the Lord wants to develop godliness in our lives. He Himself desires to work by the power of His grace deep within our hearts."Bob Hoekstra

EVERYTHING
we can ask, think or imagineaccording to God's will
Godis able to do farbeyond this
EXCEEDINGLYencouraging

"For it is good that the heart be established by grace" (Hebrews 13:9).

"...Again, the Christian life is not affected from the outside in, hoping to modify our behavior by external religious pressures. Rather, it involves a true change of character within, affected by God Himself. This is how God is ultimately glorified in the lives of His people: "to Him be glory in the church." He works a genuine transformation of life in and through us. Then, we give Him the glory for His exceedingly abundant ability." B.Hoekstra

BecomingESTABLISHEDin Christ
<>
ENGAGING and EMBRACING
EVERYTHING
GOD
says and has
for us (me)
in
2018

<3 

this prayer from
Bob Hoekstra also

"Lord God of exceeding abundance, I worship You as the one who is able to do all things well. Forgive me for repeatedly turning to my ability. Lord, as I seek You in Your word, build my faith. Unleash the powerful life of Your Son within my heart, making me what You want me to be through Christ I pray, Amen

Originally, I thought my last "E" word of "BELIEVE" would be some aspect to "ENCOURAGE" us to BELIEVE or encourage others in BELIEVING in our Lord Jesus Christ. However, after decades of praying and trying with loved ones to "... believe in the Lord Jesus Christ ..." without success, I decided I was the worst example of one to encourage you (or myself) in this endeavor then I came upon this gem in "exceedingly" and knew that I needed this and this is probably why BELIEVE is my One Word, so that I might BELIEVE, it never was about me succeeding or failing; but by His Spirit (not my efforts) others will come to BELIEVE as I have been so fortunate to believe, and "... His power that works in me" ... will bring Him all the glory as each one turns their heart toward Jesus Christ! iBelieve

1 John 4:4

I just need all His Strength daily

to keep on BELIEVING and

know HE is at work

in me and them

EAGERLY EXPECTING
EXCEEDING
ENOUGH
with
God


(especially after Steven Furtick's 1st sermon for 2018)

"V"

"V"
is for
VERSES
found in the Bible that not only form what iBELIEVE but are the promises and foundations that i base what i do 

however what I thought I would write or share about here was going to be the
VERSE or the search of Verses

found at Bible Gateway (and others) that I'm considering for my 2018 SCRIPTURE VERSE

...

I'm just not sure
so meanwhile I will just link or list and get back to this  when GOD reveals to me  MY VERSE
so I'm making this more of a COLLECTION of VERSES of what I BELIEVE which more than likely will not make much sense to you, out of context

2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21 Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10,11; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22 ***************************************************************  ‎Hebrews 11:1 · ‎Hebrews 11:6 · ‎1 Timothy 4:10

dealing with BELIEFS that are fundamental truths
"In a nutshell, the early Christians BELIEVED. They simply, by faith, believed with their whole hearts the powerful truths taught in the Scriptures. It changed them from the inside out." Randy Frazee

<>


BUT an IMPORTANT VERSE that came to me after I wrote my 2nd BELIEVE post on "E" Eagerly Expecting ... is another one I'm considering:

“All the things you pray and ask for—believe that you have received them, and you will have them” (Mark 11:24 HCSB). "

which is kinda what I wrote in that blog post

E"

"E"
... clearly, I exhausted all the words with "E" for me, when I brainstormed with the first "E" and there's still another one left that I left out on purpose in the last blog, which is one of my biggest dilemmas: [looked at as a weakness by most, and yet can be a strength (I guess if you are like me in this) or are more compassionate toward others because of it] ... EMOTIONS.
I'm sure that you can understand how EMOTION does not do so well with BELIEVE, however without EMOTION much of what one may BELIEVE, may also be limited, in my humble opinion.(lol) Yes, because God created us with EMOTIONS and we are made in the image of God, so God has EMOTIONS - no, not emoticons - real emotions that HE knows how to keep in control
[believe it or not, until recently, there has been little scientific research done on how emotions influence beliefs and how they relate, which of course is psychological, so I wonder if that takes into account our spiritual side (Emotions and Beliefs)]
Since "compassion" deals with EMOTION, it is core to iBELIEVE.
Anyways, you may think that this "E" blog post is not even worth sharing in my acronym of BELIEVE yet just because I have struggled for most of my LIFE with being too emotional or allowing my emotions to interfere with sound decision making, which probably also means living out my beliefs as I should, not according to how I feel or worse, the way I react ... contrary to what iBelieve as Paul wrote in Romans 7:15-20. Yeah, that's me
Admitting to being a sinner  (sigh) EXPRESSION
yet another word God allows us to
EMBRACE
as we do Him His Word His Promises to us and BELIEVE

The reason that I even bothered with continuing to post this is because I'm sure that throughout 2018 as I ponder and watch God reveal BELIEVE and all He wants to speak to me, without a doubt, it will involve my EMOTIONS and perhaps spark some of yours. So, it has to be included with what iBelieve.
Added this on Jan. 8th, after reading my devotional "Believing God Day by Day" by Beth Moore:

"... More than any other faith challenge I face, believing that I am who God says I am necessitates choosing what God says over what I feel."Beth Moore "... But if I'm really serious about believing God, I also have to believe what God says about me."

How about you?