"I believe!" or "I believe?"

When you say "I believe," friend, are your words followed by an exclamation point or a question mark? Maybe you've been a Christian for a long time and love God, but belief for you feels like a lackluster routine, little more than religious motions you're going through each day. Or maybe you're a new believer and still have at least 1,000 questions! Either way, let's dive in this week and tackle some important questions together. I pray this series helps turn any question marks about belief into clear exclamation points! 

If I asked you, "Do you believe in God?," what would you say? I pray that you'd answer with a big "Yes, of course!"

But would there be any subtle, underlying concerns in the back of your mind? Doubts? Questions? Or perhaps a longing for "more"? friend, if there are still areas of your life that you won't release to God, you'll always feel like something is missing.

"But I do believe, and I do love God," you may say. And I believe you! But I think it's good for each of us to slow down and be very honest with ourselves. As 1 Corinthians 10:12 reminds us, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." (NIV). friend, I'd encourage you to take a few moments today to honestly ask yourself a few questions:

What is it in my life that I don't want to show God?

Do I not want His opinion about certain areas of my life because I already know that what I'm doing isn't right?

Is there anything I haven't shared with God because I don't think it's very important to Him?

Is it a relationship perhaps? The movies you watch? Your shopping behavior? Maybe you have dreams that seem so big you don't tell your Father about them, even though He has your best interests at heart! 

Having faith means to be convinced. To be convinced means to allow Him into every part of our lives!

"'Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.'" (Deuteronomy 6:4-5, NKJV) 

When I was a child, this verse always scared me because I thought, "I'll never be able to do that!" friend, if you feel the same way, God knows that, too. It's why He lovingly takes you by the hand as you entrust Him with even the most precious, biggest, or most painful areas of your life. 

friend, remember, God loved you first! (see 1 John 4:19) 

Are you ready to trust Him with your whole life today? I'd encourage you to tell Him so now through a prayer you speak from your heart. :-)

You are a miracle!