I BELIEVE

Have you ever used your own words to express what you believe?  Have you ever put pen to paper and written a statement of your faith?  Surprise, surprise…I have.  I am pretty sure I have used these before, but for some reason, these came to my mind and I am using them again.

I BELIEVE MY LIFE HAS A PURPOSE

I wrote this January 2005, after completing Purpose Driven Life and it is taped in the front of my Bible.

The purpose of my life is to place God at the center of my being and to see God in all the world around me.  To be always thankful and grateful for being created by God to be his child and to know I am important to God.

With God at the center of my life, I want my character to reflect that I am a believer and that I make Christ based decisions.

I want the lives of others to be enriched by my actions and words.  I want to help family, friends and strangers move closer to God because they can see the light in my life and hear the story from my heart.

I want to share in fellowship with other believers so we can worship together, using the talents God has given each of us, to encourage each other and celebrate our faith.

A PERSONAL STATEMENT OF FAITH

This was written, April 3, 2011, when a Sunday School lesson challenged us to write our own personal statement of faith.

I believe Jesus is the Son of God.

I believe Jesus walked on this earth and that he brought the love of God

to all who will accept it.

I believe Jesus can heal souls and bodies.

Although I may have times of doubt or times of disobedience,

I believe the love of Jesus is unending and never fails.

I believe Jesus is my salvation.

I believe Jesus died so my sins could be buried with him.

I believe he arose and is with his Father.

I believe Jesus lived so he could present me to his Father

as a forgiven, cleansed daughter.

I grew up repeating the Apostles’ Creed in church.  Sometimes, we memorize this and no longer think about the meaning. 

I BELIEVE THE APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God the Father Almighty,

God, not a created idol, GOD.  And I believe there is only one God.

maker of heaven and earth

I do not believe in the big bang theory.  I believe GOD made the world.  The universe.  Made me.  I did not come from pond scum nor did I evolve from apes. 

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord:

Only Son!!  Not a prophet.  A SON!

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,

I accept this as fact!

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

I cannot image the love it took for God to allow this nor for Jesus to accept it, when Jesus was without sin.

was crucified, dead, and buried;

I believe Jesus died on the cross and His body was placed in a grave.

the third day he rose from the dead;

God had sent His Son for a reason; to take away my sins.  Job done!

he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;

God welcomed His Son.  God wanted Jesus back beside Him.  What father would not want the same?

from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I so want to forget that I will be judged.  But I will be.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

A part of the Trinity: God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  The part of the Trinity that lives within my soul to guide me.

the holy catholic church,

I believe in the church Jesus built upon the faith of Peter and the apostles and continues to be built by the disciples of yesterday, today and tomorrow.

the communion of saints,

I cannot do this alone.  I must have help and part of that help is the support of others who believe in God, the Father Almighty.

the forgiveness of sins,

This is a biggie!!  I do believe my sins are forgiven.  I believe this because Jesus took my sins to the Cross.

the resurrection of the body

The grave will not be able to keep me.

and the life everlasting.

My everlasting life began the minute I accepted the Son of God.  Part of that life is now.  Part of that life is yet to come.

AND JESUS SAID:

A question I need to be able to answer:

But what about you?  Who do you say I am?  Luke 9:20

A question of my faith:

Do you believe that I am able to do this?  Matthew 9:28

Who I am to worship and serve:

It is written:  'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'  Luke 4:8

When I am tired:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.    Matthew 11:28-30

When I feel like I cannot do life:

My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.  Yet not as I will, but as you will.  Matthew 26:39

How I am to love:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it:  'Love your neighbor as yourself.'  All the Law and the Prophets hand on these two commandments.  Matthew 22:37-40

Who I am to help:

The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'  Matthew 25:40

A warning:

I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.  But I will show you whom you should fear:  Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell.  Yes, I tell you, fear him.  Luke 12:4-5

Be alert:

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  Be on guard!  Be alert!  You do not know when that time will come.  Mark 13:32-33

What I am to do and Jesus' assurance:

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.  Matthew 28:18-20

----------------------------------------------

What do you believe?