So, what do I believe?

"Become what you believe", it says.

In black on white.

In my The Message translation with its green-and-gold cover.

Page 799.

New Testament.

So, what do I believe?

If I say I believe in God the Father,

then I believe that I am His child,

that I am His responsibility,

that I am the apple of His eye.

And I get filled with childlike excitement!

When I say I believe in the Almighty,

the Creator of heaven and earth,

then I believe that my mountains of worry

look like molehills to Him.

Are like molehills to Him.

And I become a mountaineer!

When I say I believe in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord,

which was received from the Holy Spirit,

was born of the virgin Mary,

then I believe in miracles.

Where virgins become mothers.

And I am expecting the unexpected!

If I say I believe that He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and

was buried and

descended into hell,

then I believe that there is One who knows what it is like

to hurt

to be alone.

Where you don't want to be.

And I become strong.

If I say that I believe that He

rose again on the third day,

then I believe that there will always be a third day.

Today may not be it,

but it's coming.

And I become patient.

When I say I believe that He ascended to heaven

and sits at the right hand of God,

the Almighty,

then I believe that He is always there to

remind our heavenly Father of me.

And I calm down.

When I say that I believe that He will come again

to judge

those who are still alive and

those who have already died,

then I believe that the offenses against His children are

the one thing He will never forget.

And I become fearless.

When I say I believe in the Holy Spirit

then I believe that a new life

is possible.

A possible reality?

A real possibility?

A reality.

And I become a new person.

If I say I believe in a holy, universal Christian church,

the communion of saints,

then I believe that our humanity

is fallible.

That I need others,

just as they need me too.

And I become reachable.

When I say I believe in the forgiveness

of sins,

then I believe in

second chances.

I grant it too.

And I become humble.

When I say I believe in the resurrection

of the flesh,

then I believe that this broken body

is only the test model.

And I ready myself.

When I say I believe in Eternal Life

then I believe that there

there is no end

to His dream

for me.

And I become grateful.

He touched their eyes and said,

"Become what you believe."

It happened.

They saw.

Matthew 9:29 The Message

Your inspiration for the week: Faithfully