What does believe mean?

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:9-10

What does believe mean?

Israel has rejected God and Paul is addressing Jews and Gentiles alike in an effort to provide them with a clear and simple path to salvation. Israel has pursued righteousness through the law (works) rather than faith and now Paul is explaining where true salvation comes from – confessing and believing. 

When you say confession most people understand what it means to confess something. But in Paul’s day, this bold declaration, “Jesus is Lord,” was especially important because of the Roman Empire that demanded loyalty to Caesar as lord. It wasn’t just a preference. It carried consequences for many. 

When we confess what we believe, we are making a proclamation. We are giving our thoughts and beliefs power because we are proclaiming to the world this is what is in my heart. As long as it remains in your heart and mind and not shared, it is your secret, not a confession of belief.  The confession that you believe Jesus is Lord and how he has transformed you and changed your life is too good not to share. It also holds accountability. When we confess something, we are setting a standard for ourselves that others will hold us to. When we say “This I believe…” we are even telling ourselves – this is what I believe! Spoken words make our beliefs a reality. We don’t just confess with our mouths. We confess by the way we live our lives every day. 

Salvation comes through confessing with the mouth and believing with the heart God that raised Jesus from the dead. Belief and confession go hand in hand. Confession of Christ flows from belief in our heart. The overflow of our heart is a natural response to the transformation God has done in our lives. We have to tell. We have to sing his praises. We have to share with those we know need the transforming power of God in their lives. 

When we believe in our hearts, confession will happen naturally. Believing in our hearts means that we believe in God so deeply that we are willing to commit our lives to Him and live the way we know He wants us to live. We are willing to surrender to be transformed and to live differently than we have been living. We are willing to repent – or stop doing the sinful things we have been doing. It means running away from our sin and running to Jesus to follow him the rest of our lives.

Jesus’ whole ministry was built on word of mouth. Those who were ministered to by him or who witnessed his ministry and miracles went and told others that this must be the Messiah. That is what he calls his church to do as well. We are to tell others what he has done in our lives and the lives of others. 

What do you believe? Does your life and your lips confess this belief to others? 

What Are We Here For?

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

"In the same way that You gave Me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world." John 17:18  (MSG)

“…that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24 (NASB)

Knowing Him and Making Him Known

Have you discovered your purpose in life? Many spend countless hours and sleepless nights asking themselves questions like What it is that need to be doing? What is God’s will for my life? What value do I contribute to the world? We struggle when the seasons of our lives change – when we go from motherhood to an empty nest, or we retire, or lose a loved one. It is an identity crisis of sorts. But God created us all for just a couple of very specific reasons. These reasons are our purpose, our mission. And no matter what roles in our lives change, this mission for us never changes. 

What two purposes could be more important and more unchanging in our lives than to know Him and make Him known? No matter what season, no matter what circumstances, no matter what age, place, or career, these two will never not be a part of what He wants for our lives. 

First and foremost above everything else, God wants us to know Him. We search for fulfillment, and desperately pray and seek to fulfill our longings, all the while He calls us to something so much better – to fully know Him and love Him deeply. Only when we have this will we feel satisfied and whole in every season of our lives. Only when we have this can we go on to fulfill His purpose for us to make Him known. We must have this relationship and knowledge of God before we can share Him with the world. 

We spend a lot of time avoiding what we are left here by God to do. If we are still on this earth, (after we knowHim) we have one purpose above all – to share the Gospel with others – to make Him known. We sometimes avoid sharing the Gospel because we are uncomfortable with it or we don’t know what to say. With technology today, that is no excuse. There are plenty of videos online and other training avaliable for anyone who wants to know how to share the good news. You don’t have to have a seminary degree or work in ministry. In fact relationship evangelism is the best way many times. Any person that crosses your path is a divine appointment by God and an opportunity to advance His kingdom. Nothing in our lives happens by chance. 

This is our mission. It is partly a shared mission with the Body of Christ. Part of it is a responsibility you share with every other Christian, and part is an assignment that is unique to you. Our English word "mission" comes from the Latin word for "sending." Knowing Him includes being sent into the world as a representative of Jesus Christ. The mission Jesus had while on earth is now our mission as the Body of Christ. The church can become so involved in its local mission that it loses its eternal purpose.  We can get very busy doing “things” for the church, feeling like we have done our part, when there are still lost souls that need to be led to Him. All the “things” we do might help, but they don’t save anyone. 

We are made to do God’s work not FOR God but in HIS power and for HIS purpose. Satan is glad to let us do everything but that. When we start working to add believers to the number of the Body of Christ, He will start working to keep us from doing that. Therefore, it is so important that we do the right thing the right way. It all seems like good things that God would never have a problem with, but even when doing “good” things, it is so important to pray about what is truly God’s purpose? 

Are you confused or wondering what you purpose is? God has your purpose and mission  all planned out. Go to Him and ask Him to lead you in the most important thing you will ever do in your lifetime - know Him and make Him known.

Who Is Jesus To You?

 Monday, September 7, 2026

And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.  1 John 5:11-12

Jesus is many things – more than we could ever even list but there are seven statements that Jesus made in the Bible called the “I Am” statements. Jesus tells us in his own words exactly who he is.                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Who Does Jesus Say He Is?

I am the bread of life… whoever comes to me will never go hungry and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35 Jesus is our source of life, our nourishment and sustenance. Lasting satisfaction and fulfillment can only be found in him. As long as we search for satisfaction anywhere else we will never be filled but will remain unsatisfied. 

I am the light of the world... John 8:12 Light keeps us from being in the dark. It lights the way and show us where to go.  If we have the light we will walk in the light and not the darkness. He is our light that guides us in and away from the dark.

I am the door of the sheep… John 10:7-9 Jesus is the door to the safe pasture we seek. 

I am the good shepherd… John 10:11, 14 He protects His flock even to the point of death. He cares for and nurtures his flock, leading them to green pastures and still waters. 

I am the way, the truth, and the life… John 14:6 Jesus is the only way to God. He is the truth. And he is the source of life – creator, sustainer of all life, and the giver of eternal life.

I am the true vine... John 15:1,5 He is our sustainer. We are the branches, and he is the vine. A branch cannot live or bear fruit unless it is attached to the vine. He is our vine and we must remain in union with him, attached to him to live, thrive, and bear fruit. 

I am the resurrection and the life… Maybe this is the most important I Am statement - that he is the resurrection and the life. He has defeated sin and the grave for us because we cannot. He has all power over death, and neither death nor time are problems for Him.  We can only find eternal life in him and him alone. This statement that leads to salvation because apart from Jesus, there is neither resurrection nor eternal life.

Jesus’ actions prove that He is the resurrection, and eternal life is not based on an event, but a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Because Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life, that means that death has no power over those who are His. We are in Him and if he is life, we have life, forever. 

Without Jesus, we cannot have resurrection or eternal life.  He is not just the author and giver of life, He is life.  The eternal life He gives us does not start when we die, it starts the minute you accept him as your savior.  

Who is Jesus to you? Have you accepted him as your savior? If not don't wait another day - true and lasting life is only found in him.  

Gospel Conversations “Two Lives”

Gospel Conversations
“Two Lives”
Dr. Dean Sieberhagen

1.    Essential question in any religion – Who Is Jesus?  

“I am the bread of life.” (John 6:35, 41, 48, 51) 

“I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12)

“I am the door of the sheep.” (John 10:7,9) 

 “I am the good shepherd.” (John 10:11, 14) 

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) 

“I am the true vine.” (John 15:1, 5)

2.        In a time when people are uncertain about Jesus… 
(John 11: 17-27)

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live.” 
(John 11:25)

3.        What does believe mean? (Romans 10: 9-10)

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:9-10

After the Message: Do you have two lives? Look for opportunities this week to tell people about your two lives. Make the gospel clear. 

God's Truth - The Standard For Our Lives

Thursday, September 3, 2026

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

God's Truth - The Standard For Our Lives
We have been taught that Satan is the father of lies. He is also the father of confusion and he wants us to believe his lies and to be confused and disoriented because of them.  The devil wants to capture, control, and corrupt our minds. From the time that he entered into this world he has always had only one strategy to attack this world.  He began it with Eve when he got in her head and confused her about God.  There is a battle raging within your mind in which the only prisoner that can be taken is you. The devil wants to make your mind his spiritual headquarters. He wants to steal your joy, peace, satisfaction and, most of all, your purpose.

When we fall for Satan’s lies, we turn away from God and then we find ourselves regretful and realizing that the lies we believe are taking us away from our most true and faithful friend. We can find ourselves confused and unsure about what is true and what is not.  We must know what we believe and what we stand for and stand firm because Satan uses all kinds of things, people, etc. to entice us away from God.  We can easily find ourselves in a situation where people are telling you that what you believe is right, is wrong, and what you believe is wrong, is right.  That is how Satan works.  He likes you to second guess yourself.  

Deception is his mark and we often do not know we are being deceived. He can disillusion us to make something wrong seem right.  The Bible says he comes disguised as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 says For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds. .We must guard our minds and align our actions, thoughts, and words with the Bible – the unchanging standard for our lives – to keep the enemy from gaining the upper hand in our lives. Who are you listening to?

We can do a few specific things to keep the light of God’s truth as a standard for our lives:

• Know the truth and boundaries set by God in the Bible and stand firm on your commitment to them and teaching them to your family.
• Every day, in every way,  give it to God.  Align every decision, response, attitude, ambitions, and actions alongside His standard of truth, even when it is hard to do so or makes you unpopular.   
• Continue to learn and grow in your relationship with God.
• Filter every situation and circumstance through His word instead of the influences and opinions of others, political correctness, or feelings.

Truth is only truth when it lines up with God’s word.  It is important for us to know what the truth is and to seek truth from the right places. God’s truth will expose Satan’s lies.  They will contradict each other although Satan will make it sound as close to God’s truth as possible to entice you away from God. Immerse yourself and your life in God’s truth to protect yourself from Satan’s deception.      

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. John 8:31-32 

Are You Interruptible?

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks from this water will get thirsty again. But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again. In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up in him for eternal life.” John 4:13-14

Are You Interruptible? 

We spend a lot of time trying to check off the lists on the pieces of paper or devices we carry. We deem ourselves worthy if we get that done. Those lists can become another dry well we run to where we think we will find fulfillment. As Christians we can become narrowly focused on doing what we think we need to do instead of what Jesus calls us to do. The items on those lists are good things, but are they the most important things that we need to be doing? 

This past Sunday we saw an example of Jesus sharing the Gospel with a Samaritan woman at a well. In this story we see Jesus cross the social barriers as a Jewish man (Rabbi) speaking to a Samaritan woman. We don’t really even know the true story about the woman except that she was married five times and the man she was with now was not her husband. She most likely felt like an outcast and had been treated as such many times, which is why she is at the well during the hottest part of the day. 

That day the Samaritan woman came to the well to fill a bucket with water from the well, but she got her heart filled with the living water that satisfies forever more. She might have felt hopeless that day. She might have been hoping that no one would be there – no one would see her. In her personal life it seems as though she had been to all the wrong wells seeking to satisfy her longings. Her longings were likely the same longings we all have – to be loved, accepted, secure, significant, and to belong. Five failed marriages might have left her feeling unlovable, like an outcast, insecure, insignificant, and lost. These are heavy feelings to carry around all the time. Others avoided her and did not care what she was feeling but Jesus cared. He took the time to show her that he had what she needed and longed for. 

Don’t we do that? Don’t we make a mess of our lives because we run to the same wells – the wrong wells – over and over again. Then we hide because we are ashamed. We feel like an outcast even if no one really knows our story. We know our story and we don’t want anyone else to know or to even see us. We feel judged even when we are not judged and this keeps us from the Living Water. This keeps us in the dry cisterns and muddy wells. 

But Jesus knew exactly what this woman was feeling and he knew that no one else was taking the time to care. No one was asking how she was. No one was asking what she needed or if she was okay. But Jesus showed up to show her he cared. He listened and told her what she wouldn’t tell him. He told her he had what she was really looking for. 

We do that - overlook the people we don’t really want to know about. Maybe we do know their story, and we really don’t want to talk to them. We know they have no one that cares but we don’t have time to stop and get caught up in what is going on today. The truth is that there is no such thing as our time.  As believers time belongs to God and what we do with our time should all be for his glory. 

That is what Jesus does. Jesus shows up for us when no one else will. He cares when no one else does. The Gospel gives us what no one else can – salvation from ourselves and our mess and true and lasting satisfaction. What we really crave is the Living Water that Jesus offers the Samaritan woman. What we really want is to worship in spirit and truth. We look for what will satisfy us. We want to feel worthy of someone’s love – and the Gospel tells us he loves us no matter how unworthy we feel. 

Jesus was always willing to be interrupted, and to interrupt people in their shame and self-condemnation. He interrupted wrong thoughts and replaced them with truth. As his children we are to be available to be interrupted. We should be ready and willing to be interrupted. We are only here to do his work, but we tend to make it about our work. The important things we have to do are not in a list on a piece of paper. We are here as the hands and feet of Jesus to take the good news of the Gospel to those who need it – those hiding at the wells in the heat of the day. 

Are you willing to be interrupted to share the hope and good news of the Gospel to someone who needs to hear that it is for them too?  

Forgetting What Lies Behind...

 Tuesday, September 1. 2026

Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:12-14

Turn the Page

It is not the new year yet, but I always love the thought of a clean slate - a new beginning. 
Most of us have things in our past that we are ashamed of - decisions we wish we had made differently, or situation we could have handled better.  We all have blemishes and stains that we’d just as soon no one knew about or that we’d just as soon forget. The apostle Paul was no different. He had a pretty ugly past in persecuting the church of Christ, and my guess is that he had plenty of time to reflect on the shame of that.

Paul was a religious guy even before he met Christ.  He was a Pharisee; he was an up and coming religious leader who had the trust of the religious establishment during the early days of the Church.  He could quote Scripture, he attended the synagogue probably every week; he had it going.  All of his religion didn’t keep him from having a past that he didn’t treasure as time went by.

You might have grown up in church, you might have been involved in church, you might have been a church leader of some sort; but just the same, you have an imperfect past.  It’s imperfect because of the presence of sin in your life. It’s imperfect because you have chosen your way over God’s way many times.  And there’s no way to get away from that fact. 

2.    We don’t have to be a slave to that past.

Paul could have said, “Look. I put people in prison, and I voted for the death penalty for Christians I arrested. There is no hope for me, and there is no way I could ever be used by Christ.”  But he insisted here that he had something worth moving on for. 

He could look back on the fact that Christ redeemed him from his past, and was continually working in him.  He says here that in spite of his past, he was moving on.  How does he say it? “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what’s ahead.”  He recognized his past, but he refused to be a slave to it.  Even now as a mature believer he knew there was more.

How many people look at their past circumstances and decide that it’s just not worth trying anymore?  Way too many, that’s for sure.  Some might think they’ve got it all together and don’t need to work on strengthening their relationship with Christ.  But if we look to Paul here as our example, we can see that it’s never too late, and our circumstances don’t need to stand in the way of our effectiveness for Christ.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18

Jesus' Gospel Conversation With The Woman At The Well

 Monday, August 31, 2026

The woman said to Him, Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw. He said to her, Go, call your husband and come here. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said to her, You have correctly said, I have no husband; for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly. The woman said to Him, Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet.  John 4:15-19

Jesus' Gospel Conversation With The Woman At The Well

Yesterday we heard from our guest speaker, Dr. Dean Sieberhagen, of an encounter Jesus had with a woman at a well. Through this encounter Jesus gives us an example of how we should share the Gospel with others. Dr. Sieberhagen used the PUMP Method to help us remember the four points: Make it Personal, Unpack their beliefs, Make a transition, and Present the Gospel. We can see Jesus’ example and learn from him the most effective way to have a Gospel Conversation with people in the normal rhythms of our lives. 

As followers of Jesus our job is to love God, love others, and make disciples. Jesus shows us with his life, interactions with other people, and words and deeds how much he cares about people and wants them to know the Gospel story. He gives us examples during his ministry on earth of how we are to live as his followers – learning to live and love like him – the Jesus Way. In this story we see a woman who has come to the well in the hottest part of the day. She was an outcast and with her reputation she felt much shame, and probably ridicule from others.  For this reason, she went to the well when no one else would be there – the hottest part of the day.  She didn’t expect to meet Jesus there, and she certainly didn’t expect him to ask her for a drink, and then offer her living water. We see how Jesus used 

Personal (vs. 7-9;15-16; 39) Jesus made it personal because he showed this woman that he really cared and loved her. He talked to her about her life, telling her everything about her life that he already knew and establishing his identity as The Messiah she had heard about. He met her where she was with no condemnation.  He came to the well that day and at that time on purpose just for her. She chose that time because no one else was there. Because he made it personal she listened. She paid attention when he paid attention to her. 

Unpack Their Beliefs (vs. 19-20; 25) What beliefs do they have about God? Jesus unpacked what she believed about the Messiah and worship. She was focused on where to worship but Jesus unpacked this and helped her understand that the shift was to focus on who to worship instead of where to worship.

Make a Transition (vs. 10; 21; 26) Listen for something when they are unpacking their beliefs that you can use for a transition. Jesus uses thirst and physical water to transition to living water. As we talk with them and listen to what they say God will give us the things we can use to make a transition. 

Present the Gospel So they will know how to find salvation in Jesus. Jesus presented the Gospel which was the goal. She was changed by the presentation of the Gospel and then ran to share it with everyone in the village. 

Jesus calls us to meet people at the well in the hottest part of the day. In the everyday rhythms of our lives God provides opportunities for us to connect with people and Jesus has given us the perfect example. Keep your eyes and your heart open to see opportunities as they come. Maybe there is someone in your life already that needs you to make it personal. Are they hiding or are you avoiding them? Be ready to patiently take the time to get personal with them, unpack their beliefs, make a transition, and present the gospel.                                                                                                                                                   

Gospel Conversations “The PUMP Method”

Gospel Conversations
“The PUMP Method”
Dr. Dean Sieberhagen
John 4:1-42 (CSB)

1.        Personal (vs. 7-9;15-16; 39)

2.        Unpack Their Beliefs (vs. 19-20; 25)

3.        Make a Transition (vs. 10; 21; 26)

4.        Present the Gospel (vs. 40-42)

Key Ingredients: I’m a sinner saved by grace through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

 

After the Message: 

Read John Chapter 4:1-42. Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well with compassion and saw her past, her struggles, and her deepest needs. Who do you know that needs to have a gospel conversation to hear about the grace and salvation Jesus offers, regardless of past failures and present struggles?  

He Hears Me

Thursday, August 27, 2026

He Hears Me – Psalm 28:7 Submitted by Kay Crumley

Have you ever doubted that God hears your prayers? We have seasons of despair, desperate need, or extreme loss. During those times we may cry out to God but don’t get immediate answers, or the answers we wish for. Psalm 28 is a Psalm of David. He called to God his Rock to hear his plea. What comes to mind when you hear ‘you are my rock’? That is said about those who we can depend on. Old Testament scripture often refers to God as the rock meaning dependable, permanent and perfect. In the New Testament we are told that Jesus is the cornerstone, the foundation for our trust and of our lives.  Is that how we see God? If so, that’s who we need to go to with all our sorrows and joys. He is our sanctuary, protected place of peace. He is our refuge, a fortress against our enemies. 

David asks God to repay the evil doers in his life with the punishment they deserve but to spare him from harm. Those who have done evil have no consideration for God and do not worship Him. David is different as he changes his plea for protection to worship and praise. 

6 Blessed be the Lord, 
for he has heard the sound of my pleading. 
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; 
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. 
Therefore my heart celebrates, 
and I give thanks to him with my song.

David blessed God, a sense kneeling in humble adoration and praise. He knew God heard his prayer. There is nothing that indicates anything has changed. But he was completely confident that God heard his pleading. That demonstrates trust and faith in the Lord based on past experiences with Him. We can be secure knowing that God is true to all His promises including that He is always near and hears our every prayer. 

He is our strength. In time of distress, we may feel that we cannot take another breath or step. That’s when we must rely on another source of strength. He is our shield. A shield was carried into battle for protection. It was the height of the soldier, heavily armored with dried skins and stabilized with wooden stays. In battle a group of soldiers would back into a circle with the shields together and kneel to form a tent like barrier to the approaching enemy. Think about that kind of protection being available just for the asking. God gives us strength when we need it and protects us as a shield.

We can trust Him with all our heart, the center of our emotions as well as our mind. David trusted Him because he had been helped. He experienced the help that comes from the Lord. The result is deep, heart-felt celebration. That leads to thankfulness in our hearts that may result in demonstration by singing or shouting.