“I believe, I believe, I believe …” With much doubt in her voice and a blank look on her face, little Susan repeats the same two words over and over trying to convince herself. You know the scene, from Miracle on 34th Street … Right? If not, you can watch it here:
Miracle on 34th Street (the original of course) is and always has been my favorite Christmas movie. The whole central theme around this movie is Belief. This movie of course, is about believing one man really was Santa Clause. However, there is a whole spiritual message tied to this movie as well. Believing is a central theme to most Christmas movies and for good reason. Belief requires faith which inspires hope and hope keeps us looking forward.
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Did you notice this year, more so than most, that people were putting up their Christmas decorations and trees up before Thanksgiving? I believe it’s because the Christmas season gives people HOPE. It gives people something to believe in and makes them feel good. When the world is crazy, and the news filled with negativity and sadness, people need an infusion of Hope and something that makes them believe in good again. Christmas is that “something” for a lot of people.
The Christmas Season is all about wonder and awe. Have you noticed it seems to be a magical time that brings people together who may not always see eye to eye on things?
The world may view Christmas as a magical season of believing. A season filled with Santa, delicious food, pretty lights, and the giving and receiving of gifts. However, for those who believe in Jesus Christ Christmas is much more than that. Christmas is about the birth of our Savior and believing all God’s word says to be true about Him. Belief is central to our faith. The Christmas Season for the believer is where hope begins.
Belief changes everything. Belief opens the door to blessings, the miraculous and walking out Gods destiny not just for individuals but for whole nations. We need to ask ourselves: What do we believe?
- Do we believe in:
- God?
- His Word?
- Do we believe that God is real?
- Do we believe God is for us?
- Do we believe in Miracles?
- Do we Believe that God is for us and He works things together for our good?
- Do we believe even when we don’t understand the things that happen in the world around us, or our world seems to be falling apart?
- Do we believe for the impossible?
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible (Hebrews 11:1-3).
Faith is sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see! How true this is. Everything we do in our Christian walk has this essential cornerstone of faith – BELIEF. When you were saved, it was by faith; when you were baptized in the Holy Spirit, you believed by faith that you received. Faith is not something that can be seen in the natural; faith is belief without seeing.
The Dictionary defines Believe as:
- confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so:
- Only if one believes in something can one act purposefully.
- to have confidence or faith in the truth of (a positive assertion, story, etc.); give credence to.
Do we have a confident belief in what the Bible says and in who Jesus is? Again, we need to ask ourselves:
What do we believe?
Scripture tells us that ALL things are possible to those who believe. In Mark 9:14-29, we see a father desperate to have his son set free from demonic possession.
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:23 NIV).
The father’s immediate response was to exclaim:
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24 NIV)
Jesus is the light and hope of the world. He was sent to be the answer to the worlds problems. He is the reason for this Christmas Season and those who choose to believe in Him will not be disappointed. Is there something that you are struggling to believe God for this Christmas Season? If so, I encourage you to just believe. Believe that all things are possible with God, maybe not in the way we think, or in our timing, but God has a way of always working things out just the way they need to be.
Join me next week as we continue the series with Just Believe part 2: 4 Steps to activate your belief.
This Week’s Top Clicked Posts:
I’m bringing you the top two most clicked post from last week. First, is a delicious looking recipe from Marilyn’s Treats:
CREME BRULEE FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE
I mean just look at that mouth watering picture! I am seriously contemplating making this for our Christmas morning breakfast. Oh what fun!
The second spotlight post this week is from Lisa Notes called:
Keep Out? Not Always
Lisa shares with us a powerful message about judging others on their outward appearance that she learned when she and others where helping clean up after hurricane Micheal.
Again Welcome and Thank you for joining me for #TuneInThursday it is an honor to have you here!
I have had a few people ask for a badge/button to display on your blogs. I would absolutely be honored if you would display it, or link back here in some way. Thank you!
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Debbie Kitterman is a natural born encourager who is on fire for God. She is passionate about equipping individuals, so they can go deeper in the relationship with God, reach their God-potential and claim their Kingdom inheritance. Debbie is a wife, mother, author, pastor, speaker and the founder of “Dare 2 Hear,” a ministry that trains individuals to hear the voice of God. She travels to churches internationally and is the founder and teacher of d2htraining.com, an online course designed to equip the believer in releasing God’s heart. Her writing and teachings inspire faith and build bridges for people to believe and expect the impossible. She is also an ordained Foursquare pastor, currently serving with her husband, John, as senior pastor of Restoration Church in Lacey, Washington. Learn more at: www.debbiekitterman.com
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I never thought about the relationship between belief, faith, and hope before, Debbie. Thank you for giving me something good to think about this morning!
You are most welcome Laurie. You know, it’s funny how sometimes as I am writing things just come out that make me stop and pause too – this was one of those times. Blessings
I must be the only person on the planet who has not seen that movie.
Maybe this year . . .?
Oh Michele, it is a great movie, maybe you will get a chance to see it this year. 🙂 But I am sure you are not alone in being the only one that hasn’t seen it.
A good word, as always. laurensparks.net
Thank you Lauren. 🙂
What a packed and beautiful statement, Debbie: “Belief requires faith which inspires hope and hope keeps us looking forward.” That’s a lot to think about! 🙂 Thanks for your generosity in sharing your faith every week. And for sharing my post from last week.
Thank you Lisa and you are most welcome for the feature this week! I am so glad you like the statement, it was one of those that just flowed onto the page when I was writing. Such a God thing! Blessings 🙂
Hi Debbie, Merry Christmas, Miracle on 34th St. is a good movie, that sort of innocence is lost on a lot of people and children these days. I wrote about It’s A Wonderful Life, because of so many suicides,I was glad I remember that to use at Christmas. I also gave a good list of Christmas movies, I love the Bishop’s Wife, 1947. And if you can catch Beyond Tomorrow, also from the 40’s, they don’t make them like that anymore.
Hi Rebecca and Merry Christmas to you too! I haven’t ever seen the Bishops Wife or Beyond Tomorrow, I will be on the look out for it. Thanks for the heads up.
Thank you for featuring my french toast. I am thrilled. Thank you so much for hosting again this week. You always do so much for bloggers! Have a relaxing week! I am off to see some posts. Looks like a lot of inspiration tonight. Enjoy your week!
You are most welcome Marilyn! I am happy to feature you this week. 🙂 Blessings
Something that I am getting better at everyday. Thanks for helping me to believe more. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
It’s one day at a time Patrick and moving forward is the key. You are most welcome for hosting – thanks for being here each week.
Just believe! That’s much better than “Just Do It”!! Such a great post pointing us to the hope of Jesus this Christmas and throughout the year. Thank you for sharing your heart and reminding us of the blessing of what it looks like to believe.
You are most welcome for the reminder Mary, and I agree, Just believe is so much better than just do it. LOL Merry Christmas to you.
No truer words! I love this! Hebrews 11:1 is my FAVORITE verse!
thank you Julie 🙂 Hebrews 11:1 is a great verse! I like it a lot myself 🙂