There's a First Time for Everything

Crisis of Belief

Anytime God leads you to do something that has God-sized dimensions, you will face a crisis of belief.  When you face a crisis of belief, what you do next reveals what you really believe about God.

Hebrews 11:6 “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

The crisis of belief is a turning point where you must make a decision.  You must decide what you believe about God.  How you respond at this turning point will determine whether you go on to be involved with God in something God-sized that only He can do, or whether you will continue to go your own way and miss what God has purposed for you life.  How you live your life is a testimony of what you believe about God.

What you believe about God will determine what you do.  Such as do you believe that God can do anything through you even if you have no ability to do it.

Examples:

            Joshua 6:1-5 They had to believe that God had given them the city and do what He told them.

            Matthew 17:24-27 He had to believe that the fish he caught would have a coin in it, the exact amount for the tax.  Finding a coin in a fish had never happened before.

An encounter with God requires faith and faith requires action.

Faith is confidence that what God had promised or said will come to pass.  Faith must be in a PERSON – God Himself.

Matthew 17:20-21 “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you.”  How much faith is required for God to do through you what is humanly impossible?  A mustard seed.

We don’t have to be able to accomplish the task within our limited ability or resources.  With faith, we can proceed confidently to obey Him; because we know that He is going to bring to pass what He purposes.  Mark 10:27 “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.’”

A Love Relationship with God

Matthew 22:37-38

            Jesus replied: “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.”

The MSG: Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God will all your passion and prayer and intelligence.  This is the most important, the first on any list.”

What does this mean to you to love God with all your passion, prayer, and intelligence?

Can you describe your relationship with God by saying that you love Him with all your being (life)?

How can you show your love for God? 

• You show your love by obeying His commands in the Bible. 

For example, Deuteronomy 5:16 “Respect your father and mother –God, your God, commands it!”

            Matthew 22:39 “Love others as well as you love yourself.”

• You are to love God above everything else.

What type of things could get in the way of your relationship with God?

You learn about God, His Word, His purposes, and His ways as you spend time with Him alone in quiet times.  This is achieved by reading the Bible and through prayer.  The more you know Him and experience His unending love, the more you will love Him.

 God always takes the first step in His relationship with you.  He chooses you, loves you, and reveals His purposes for your lives.

 To firmly secure the experiencing of God and knowing His will, you must be absolutely sure of God’s love for you. 

How do you know God loves you? 

He gave His own Son to die for you.  I John 3:16 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for me.”

Do you have a personal relationship with Christ?  If so, are you growing in that relationship through reading the Bible and praying?  If not, do you want a relationship with Christ?