Only Believe
Over the past 50 years, we have been exposed to all types of messages within the Body of Christ from the Fundamentalist Dispensationalists to the Pentecostal Charismatics and everything thing else in between. We have seen the Holy Spirit manifest in “signs and wonders” in the same meetings as demonic spirits and people’s flesh have also manifest. We have heard very intellectual messages on how the “gifts” ceased with the original Apostles and that all we need is God’s Word in Scripture as long as it is the “correct” version (KJV with Scofield’s notes).
We have experienced the 1950’s “healing & salvation” revivals, the 1960’s “tongues” in traditional denominations, the 1970’s “word of faith” movement, the 1980’s “signs & wonders” movement, the 1990’s “prophetic & intercession” movement and the 2000’s “apostolic & 5 fold ministry” movement and now that it’s 2010, we are in the start of the “Kingdom” movement. What’s next?
We can find evidence in God’s Word, any translation, and in observed fruit that all of these movements were and are God inspired. We also see evidence in preaching, teaching, books and fruit that all these movements have been undermined by the flesh and the devil.
When the Lord showed us, a number of years ago, that our counseling and equipping should be KISSES (Keep It Scriptural, Spiritual, Easy & Simple), we have had a difficult time sifting through all the “stuff” to get to the “truth” as God sees it.
Recently, we were talking about life and Kingdom principles with friends and the Lord seemed to say “Only Believe”! This sounded way too simplistic and obviously didn’t answer all the questions we ask ourselves in the Evangelical, Charismatic Christian world. This simple thought, however, wouldn’t go away! So I mentioned it and was greeted with the response “well, then what about …..”?
So, I went to BibleGateway and Google. Isn’t that what you do? I was then reminded of an old song that was popular during the Latter Day Reign movement of the 40’s & 50’s.
Only believe, only believe;
All things are possible, only believe;
Only believe, only believe;
All things are possible, only believe.
Paul Rader 1921
http://www.biblestudycharts.com/sounds/Sacred/only-believe.mid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E008ljTAMoQ&feature=related
Mark 9:23 (New King James Version) Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
Again, that sounded too simplistic. I mean, after all, why go to all these conferences, Bible College or Seminary if this was true? Only believe? So I read the red words that Jesus spoke in the Gospels. Guess what? It seems that Jesus was saying “only believe”!
It was a similar message to “seek first God’s Kingdom and then (fill in the blank)….”. It was “only believe” and then (fill in the blank)…! The next question was what does believe mean?
In Mark 9:23 the Greek pisteuō means: 1) to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in a) of the thing believed 1) to credit, have confidence b) in a moral or religious reference 1) used in the NT of the conviction and trust to which a man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law of soul 2) to trust in Jesus or God as able to aid either in obtaining or in doing something: saving faith 3) mere acknowledgment of some fact or event: intellectual faith 2) to entrust a thing to one, i.e. his fidelity a) to be intrusted with a thing
So if I were to put this in terms I understand, I must place my trust and confidence in Jesus Christ and God’s commands and promises in Scripture, as interpreted to me by the Holy Spirit, all the rest will follow!
So, for KISSES sake, “Only Believe”!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAT4N4FHV90
(Watch this memorial video on Vicki Jamison-Peterson for the best version of “Only Believe” you will ever hear. We went to and see Vicki when we lived in San Marcos, California. Her services were filled with Praise & Worship, great messages and supernatural healings.)
Some Scriptures to consider:
Mark 16:17And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; Matthew 8:13
Then to the centurion Jesus said, Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed. And the servant boy was restored to health at that very moment. Matthew 9:28
When He reached the house and went in, the blind men came to Him, and Jesus said to them, Do you believe that I am able to do this? They said to Him, Yes, Lord. Mark 9:23
And Jesus said, [You say to Me], If You can do anything? [Why,] all things can be (are possible) to him who believes! Mark 11:23
Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him. Mark 11:24
For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it]. Mark 16:14
Afterward He appeared to the Eleven [apostles themselves] as they reclined at table; and He reproved and reproached them for their unbelief (their lack of faith) and their hardness of heart, because they had refused to believe those who had seen Him and looked at Him attentively after He had risen [ from death]. Luke 8:12
Those along the traveled road are the people who have heard; then the devil comes and carries away the message out of their hearts, that they may not believe ( acknowledge Me as their Savior and devote themselves to Me) and be saved [here and hereafter]. Luke 8:13
And those upon the rock [are the people] who, when they hear [the Word], receive and welcome it with joy; but these have no root. They believe for a while, and in time of trial and temptation fall away (withdraw and stand aloof). Luke 8:50
But Jesus, on hearing this, answered him, Do not be seized with alarm or struck with fear; simply believe [ in Me as able to do this], and she shall be made well. John 1:12
But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name— John 3:18
He who believes in Him [who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him] is not judged [he who trusts in Him never comes up for judgment; for him there is no rejection, no condemnation--he incurs no damnation]; but he who does not believe (cleave to, rely on, trust in Him) is judged already [he has already been convicted and has already received his sentence] because he has not believed in and trusted in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ's name.] John 6:29
Jesus replied, This is the work (service) that God asks of you: that you believe in the One Whom He has sent [that you cleave to, trust, rely on, and have faith in His Messenger]. John 6:35
Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time). John 7:38
He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water. John 9:39
Then Jesus said, I came into this world for judgment [as a Separator, in order that there may be separation between those who believe on Me and those who reject Me], to make the sightless see and to make those who see become blind. John 12:46
I have come as a Light into the world, so that whoever believes in Me [whoever cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] may not continue to live in darkness. John 14:12
I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father. Romans 10:11
The Scripture says, No man who believes in Him [who adheres to, relies on, and trusts in Him] will [ever] be put to shame or be disappointed. Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]. 1 Peter 2:6
For thus it stands in Scripture: Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen ( honored), precious chief Cornerstone, and he who believes in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] shall never be disappointed or put to shame. 1 John 3:23
And this is His order (His command, His injunction): that we should believe in (put our faith and trust in and adhere to and rely on) the name of His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and that we should love one another, just as He has commanded us. 1 John 5:5
Who is it that is victorious over [that conquers] the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on that fact]?
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