What will we believe?
Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth! For the Lord has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” (Isaiah 1:2-3 NIV)
What is the difference between superstition and religion?
•how it impacts my intent, reaction and behavior •if I'm serving selfish desires, it is superstition
•if I'm serving God's will, it is religion/faith
•true belief starts from knowing the truth
•we must know what we believe about God
•Jesus told us in words that are straightforward about God
Starting point of faith
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. (Matthew 6:7 NIV)
•Father God knows what we need before we ask Him, knowing this is the starting point of our faith
Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Matthew 6:8 NIV)
•since God already knows and fulfills what we need before we ask, our prayer should be requesting beyond that
•Jesus taught us how to pray, showing us example of the fundamentals of a truthful prayer
“This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ’ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matthew 6:9-15 NIV)
•It's to prioritize our faith in God and trust that He will provide all… To not worry
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:33-34 NIV)
•God gives us something better than we even thought or knew we wanted or needed
“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:9-12 NIV)
•He gives His Kingdom
But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:31-32 NIV)
•The prophecy of Simeon the prophet
Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, (Luke 2:34 NIV)
•To receive glory, we must first serve
We must choose between standing before God or man. Are we going to choose the truth in God or turn away from the truth only to be lured away by the worldly desires? Our first path to salvation is to choose, love, and prioritize God as He first chose and loved us.
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