As FBC Killeen prepares for
BELIEVE, which begins Sept. 11, I thought it would be good to have devotionals
to prepare our hearts. BELIEVE is a way of understanding our core, basic
beliefs, actions, and virtues we should have as Christians, but it is certainly
not shallow! In fact, today’s devotional is as deep as it gets: “Who Is God?”
What I find interesting in
BELIEVE is that what we believe should transform us intellectually,
behaviorally, and spiritually. That is our core essence that we have, a type of
Trinity so to speak, consisting of our Soul, our Body, Our Spirit.
Our intellect, along with our
will and emotions, is our soul. This is how we think, which is Part 1 of
BELIEVE, answering the question, “What do I believe?”
Our behavior is how we act, which
is our body and this is covered by Part 2 of BELIEVE, answering the question,
“How should I behave?”
And our spiritual transformation (Part 3
of BELIEVE) is our Spiritual self, distinct and separate from our soul and
body, and yet intrinsic to our entire personhood. This answers the question,
“Who am I Becoming?” BELIEVE is a trinity study of ourselves: Believing,
Behaving, Becoming. In other words, we need to Think, Act and Be like Jesus. We
are made in the image of God who is also a Trinity, Father, Son and Holy
Spirit.
As I said at the beginning, BELIEVE is not
shallow at all...
Enjoy these devotionals which come from Zondervan.
KEY QUESTION:
Who is God?
What do
we know about this amazing God, this God of miracles and creative wonder?
Christians believe God is actually three Persons, a "Trinity." Though
the word "Trinity" isn’t found in the Bible, in the very beginning of
God's story, the creation story, we see hints that God is plural. Genesis 1:26
says, "Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our
likeness.'" The creation story tells us we were created in the image of
God, and Adam and Eve were two distinct persons who came together as one, just
as God is three persons [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] but one true God. The
journey of faith begins with our belief in God. Like the early Christians, we
too are called to make our own personal declaration.
Do we believe in the one true
God?
Do we accept the Bible as it
reveals that God exists in three Persons?
Even though we are weak and not
fully able to understand the mysteries of God, he works mightily in and through
those who believe. When we embrace God with our whole heart and worship him
with our whole life, we experience the inner fruit of the Spirit that transforms
our lives from the inside out. When we are growing, experiencing restoration in
our relationships and doing the right thing, it is evident that God is in us
and with us.
KEY VERSE
May the grace of the Lord Jesus
Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you
all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)
KEY IDEA
I believe the God of the Bible is
the only true God — Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
KEY APPLICATION:
What difference does this make in
the way I live? Because I was created in the image of God as, and for,
community...
·
I recognize the full personhood of others and respect boundaries.
·
I look out for the rights, preferences, and comfort of others.
·
I value and enjoy others.
For any situation, relationship,
or decision we face, we can resolutely apply these principles to guide us. The
results, over time, will lead to blessing in our own souls in the form of fruit
such as joy and peace, and we will express our actions outwardly for others to
enjoy in the form of fruit such as love and kindness.
YOUR TURN
What's one way you have
experienced God as Father? As Jesus the Son? As the Holy Spirit?
