Do you still believe

Hey guys, 

Today’s message is to believe. What do you believe in? Do you believe that we can heal this nation? Do you believe you can mend broken relationships? Do you believe that one day your pain will end?  Do you believe life can be good again?  I ask you to open your heart and let the love of God shine in.  Keep believing for better days, keep believing for miracles. Life is still good, don’t lose hope my friends. I know we have lost many dear ones and problems seems to keep piling up. But in the midst of our troubles, we can always find a solution.  Don't get caught up in what is not happening for you, because dwelling on those negative aspects is what keeps you from growing.  Paul said it best: if we have hope in this world alone, we will be miserable (Corinthians 15:9 paraphrase) but if we have hope in God, we have everything. Why do you think people hold so much value in belief and faith? Without holding onto something we will have no sense of purpose or meaning to life. We as humans have to believe in something; it is the driving force of our existence. To believe is to hold true as a fact in one's eyes or significance...  right? So, I ask you, are you still holding on to the promises and dreams that you want in life, even if they have not been achieved yet? Remember we are on a journey and our individual journeys are going to be at different paces.  No matter where we are on our journey it's important to be reminded of what you're fighting and what your goal is. 

For instance, when John the Baptist was in prison and was about to be killed for his "crime".  He was isolated and faced with fear. He had sent some of his followers to ask Jesus if he was truly the Messiah that was spoke about as a sign of hope. In that moment John was being human, he was faced with uncertainty and was beginning to doubt.  Jesus didn’t yell at him and say, "you are supposed to support me! You're supposed to rock with me how are you going to doubt now!" No, Jesus said "Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. 23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me." Luke 7:22-23.  When John receives those words, he was encouraged to remain hopeful, to still believe! In life we have moments where we can lose hope; we get so pressed by problems of life and life can really bring you down but even at your worst God will remind you of his goodness. It is a wonderful thing to have hope in Christ, many times we are faced with issues, and we deal with a lot, but God never makes us feel ashamed or turns his back on us. He reminds us of who we are, he comforts us giving us strength to endure.  God gives us peace and a song in our hearts when all hell is breaking lose, when you literally can’t see how you're going to get to tomorrow. His love makes us believe.  

Do you still believe? Do you believe that even if you have nothing you have everything with Christ!  Do you still believe God can still answer prayers? Do you still believe God can change hearts?   Do you still believe What God spoke over your life? For example, God told me a promise I will have about 4 years ago, in those four years many times it didn't seem like that prayer would be answered, but he reminds me to keep holding on whether that’s just talking with him, a song that is singing in me, or someone else that says an encouraging word.  God honors our requests, especially a promise. The reason is because He can’t take back his words, he’s not fake like humans can be, he's dependable and always comes through. So, if God showed, told, or gave you a dream... believe that it will come true.  Another example: Joseph the governor of Egypt wanted his remains to be in the promised land that he believed his people would go to one day. It wasn’t until Moses freed his people that Joseph’s prayer was answered.  No matter how long it takes, keep believing! Because one day what you’re hoping for will manifest itself.  In the bible, Joseph had a dream that his brothers would bow down to him, at the age of 16 he was sold into slavery, and it wasn't until he was approximately 30 years old when that dream came true. Joseph's story could have been completely different if he didn't hold on to the visions God gave him. When everyone he trusted and loved betrayed him, it was the foundation of his relationship with Christ that kept him. What are you believing in? Are you believing that it can't work out, are you believing doubt and fear? Or are you believing in hope?   Keep believing even while waiting. 

Trust that your prayers and hard work is not going unnoticed. Hold on to the vision, to the word, and to the songs, because those small moments are what will give you strength to get through. My friends, I encourage you to keep holding on and keep believing for great things. Trust what God said he will do.  Do you still believe?