Scripture Challenge {Week 32}

Week 32 Challenge Word: Believe

“Belief equals a change in behavior.”

What a powerful statement! Our teaching leader at BSF said, “We as believers can do more damage to our Lord than any atheist. Don’t tell ‘em you’re a believer until you want to act like a believer.” And a quote from DC Talk says "The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and then walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable." Such a sad, sad thought that just breaks my heart.

What about that fish you have on your car? Everyone openly sees you as a Christian if you have a fish. Well, how do you drive? Do you drive like a believer (obeying the speed limit, coming to a complete stop, etc.), or do you drive like a crazy person as you are late for church on Sunday morning? Are you setting the example or looking like every other bad driver on the road? What about that cross necklace you wear? Do your actions match that of a believer or should you hide that cross underneath your t-shirt? Think about that next time you wear that piece of jewelry or decide to drive a little crazy.

Today in our world of “tolerance,” most people don’t care what others believe. Others of us don’t feel we can openly share what we believe. Have you ever heard this saying, “If you don’t believe in God, you will find something else to believe in.”

That is so true. As humans we have a desire to cling to a belief in something whatever that may be. God gives us freedom of choice, and we can believe whatever we want but we also have to deal with the consequences. How does your life and your actions reflect that you believe God’s Word? Do you live like you believe it? What we believe about God shapes our lives and directs our behavior. German pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was martyred in a Nazi concentration camp said “Only he who believes is obedient; only he who is obedient believes.” Now that’s a thought to chew on for a while.

Max Lucado has these applications for you:

“How are your beliefs changing? Growing or dissolving? Maturing or disintegrating? Hang on to the elements in your life that promote growth. Cut off activities and relationships that cause you to sin and replace them with ones that help you grow.”

How have you changed since coming to believe in Christ? What were some of the behaviors you changed immediately for Him? What are some of the behaviors that you are still working on? I know for me, I immediately stopped reading horoscopes and driving like the crazy person. Those were two areas God wanted me to stop right then as I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior. How about you? Can you see how you have changed as you have believed? Can you see yourself growing and continuing to change?

For my card this week, I used the amazing August kit again from Create My Keepsake. I also used a gorgeous cross stamp that my friend Dina sent to me. She designed this set for Our Daily Bread Designs. It is called the Cross of Christ set. You can see it here. She sent the set to me just prior to its release. Can I say I was just a tad excited and blessed by this amazing gift? Thank you Dina!!!! And I am praying for you girl! I also used a frame from the All About Me kit from Unity Stamp Co. Love that frame especially with the embossing powder!
The verse I chose was:
Romans 10:9-10a “That if you can confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified . . "

I just love that verse along with so many others I read as I studied this week. I pray you enjoy your study, you look at how your actions match what you believe, and I pray that you will continue to grow in your belief instead of being stagnant or dissolving. Please join us at Create My Keepsake, The Scrapping Spot, Scrapjazz, and Faith Sisters for discussions and links to your cards and pages. Blessings to each of you,