LORD, I Want to Be a Believer

LORD, I Want to Be a Believer (Click here to listen to the song)

Embarking on the Journey of Faith and Spiritual Aspirations

Together, we are setting off on an inspiring journey of faith, exploring the deep theme, "The Desire to Be a Believer." This theme invites us to dive into the Holy Scriptures, discovering how they can lead us toward a deeper and more fulfilling Christian life.

Beginning Our Path to Personal Growth

As humans, we often find ourselves yearning for self-improvement and personal growth. Many of us dream of rising above our current limitations, aspiring to be heroes, compassionate individuals, or masters of our own destinies. In chasing these dreams, we might overlook the beauty and value of the present moment. This longing for something greater is part of how God created us, as evidenced when He called His creation "good," showing its inherent perfection.

In Hebrews 11:10, we learn about Abraham, a faithful man who sought a city with foundations crafted by God. "For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." Though he never found this city, his unwavering belief, driven by faith, offers us a powerful example of faith's transformative power. This lesson is mirrored in the story of Moses, whose steadfast faith altered not only his destiny but also the lives of those around him, as recounted in Hebrews 11:23-29: "By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned."

Expressing Gratitude for God's Deliverance

Psalm 124:6-8 serves as a expressive reminder of the importance of expressing gratitude for God's deliverance: "Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth." It acknowledges that our ultimate help and support come from the Lord, the creator of heaven and earth, providing us with peace and reassurance.

Exploring Our Spiritual Aspirations

As we reflect on our spiritual desires and goals, let's explore twelve aspirations that can guide us toward a exciting and healthy Christian life:

1. Becoming Seekers of God: In Amos 5:4, we are encouraged to seek the Lord with sincerity: "For thus saith the Lord unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live." The promise of divine rewards for those who earnestly pursue Him is confirmed in Isaiah 55:6-9: "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."
2. Revering the Divine: Proverbs 19:23 emphasises the importance of reverence: "The fear of the Lord tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil."
3. Prioritizing God Above All: 1 John 2:15-17 warns us against worldly desires: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."
4. Embracing the Truth: John 8:43-45 challenges us to remain tuned into God's truth: "Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not."
5. Running the Spiritual Race: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 inspires us to engage in the spiritual race: "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."
6. Striving for Excellence in Faith: Psalm 119:111-112 encourages us: "Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end."
7. Understanding Our Divine Purpose: Ecclesiastes 12:13 calls us to know our purpose: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."
8. Cultivating a Thankful Spirit: Philippians 4:6-7 teaches us about gratitude: "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
9. Overcoming Life's Challenges: Revelation 3:21-22 promises rewards: "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."
10. Practicing Kindness and Love: 1 Corinthians 13:4 encourages us: "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up."
11. Embracing a Zealous Spirit: Psalm 69:7-9 and Galatians 4:18 inspire us: "Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face. I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children. For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me." "But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you."
12. Aspiring to Fulfil God's Purpose: Finally, we must ask ourselves what we aspire to become for God, using the scriptures as our guide and compass on this spiritual journey.

As we ponder these spiritual aspirations, let us seek the Lord in prayer, inviting His guidance and strength to shape our journey of faith. May these scriptures continue to inspire you as you strive to fulfil God's divine plan for your life.