C. BOSTIAN            TURNING DOUBT INTO FAITH             4/10/05

   PART 2 COMMUNION

 

[S] Mark 11:23 (KJV)

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

 

 1 Kings 18:20-21 (KJV)

So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel. [21] And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

 

IF YOU WANT TO BE HONEST ABOUT IT, EVERYBODY HAS SOME  DOUBT IN THEIR LIFE.  WE ALL HAVE A TENDENCY AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER TO QUESTION WHETHER WE MADE THE RIGHT DECISION OR NOT.  DID I MARRY THE RIGHT PERSON?  DID I DO THE RIGHT THING? DID I TAKE THE RIGHT JOB? DID I SAY THE RIGHT THING?    YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN? WE ALL HAVE SOME DOUBTS IN OUR LIFE.  NOW THERE ARE MANY KINDS OF DOUBT.  WHEN WE DOUBT THE FUTURE WE CALL IT WORRY.  WHEN WE DOUBT OTHER PEOPLE WE CALL IT SUSPICION.  WHEN WE DOUBT OURSELVES WE CALL IT INFERIORITY. WHEN WE DOUBT EVERYTHING WE CALL IT CYNICISIM OR SKEPTICISIM.

 

[s] 1 Kings 18:20-21 (MsgB)

So Ahab summoned everyone in Israel, particularly the prophets, to Mount Carmel. [21] Elijah challenged the people: "How long are you going to sit on the fence? If God is the real God, follow him; if it's Baal, follow him. Make up your minds!" Nobody said a word; nobody made a move.

 

THIS PASSAGE IN 1 KINGS 18 IS THE BEST BIBLICAL DEFINITION OF DOUBT:  HOW LONG WILL YOU HALT BETWEEN TWO OPINIONS.  TO DOUBT IS TO BE DOUBLE MINDED OR TWO HAVE TO OPOSSING OPINIONS ABOUT WHAT TO BELIEVE OR WHAT TO DO.  NOW, DOUBT DOESN’T BECOME A SIN UNTIL YOU’VE 1. MADE A FINAL CONCLUSION THAT RESULTS IN UNBELIEF.  OR, 2. IF YOU TAKE TOO LONG TO DECIDE AND JUST SIT ON THE FENCE OF INDECISION THAT RESULTS IN INACTIVITY AND THE SINS OF OMMISSION.  WE GOT TOO MANY FENCE SITTING CHRISTIANS OUT THERE THAT HAVEN’T MADE UP THEIR MIND WHETHER THEY’RE GONNA BELIEVE GOD AND BECOME ACTIVE IN BUILDING UP CHRIST’S KINGDOM.  ITS ALMOST LIKE BEING A LUKEWARM CHRISTIAN.

 

[s] Rev. 3:14-16 (KJV)

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; [15] I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. [16] So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

 

[s] I THINK GOD WOULD RATHER HAVE US IN UNBELIEF THAN JUST STRADDELING THE FENCE OF DOUBT AND INDECISION INDEFINITELY.  GOD CAN WORK ON YOU IF YOU’RE A COLD CHRISTIAN BUT IF YOU’RE PLAYING IT SAFE AS A LUKEWARM CHRISTAIN YOUR INDECISION AND DOUBT GIVES YOU A FALSE SENSE OF SAFETY THAT CAN BE VERY DECEIVING AND DANGEROUS.

 

[s] 1 Chron. 21:12 (MsgB)

"Do you want three years of famine, three months of running from your enemies while they chase you down, or three days of the sword of God—an epidemic unleashed on the country by an angel of God? Think it over and make up your mind. What shall I tell the One who sent me?"

 

Luke 21:14 (MsgB) 

    Make up your mind right now not to worry about it.

 

GOD WILL GIVE YOU SPACE OF TIME TO TURN YOUR DOUBT INTO FAITH.  HE TELLS DAVID HERE IN 1CHRON.21 TO MAKE UP YOUR MIND WHAT FORM OF JUDGEMENT WAS TO BE GIVEN FOR HIS DISOBEDIENCE.  AND JESUS TELLS US IN LK. 21:14 [s] TO MAKE UP OUR MIND NOT TO WORRY.  WHAT IS WORRY?  WORRY IS DOUBTING THE FUTURE.  SO GOD GIVES US TIME TO MAKE UP OUR MIND ABOUT OUR DOUBT SO THAT WE CAN TURN OUR DOUBT INTO FAITH.

 

[s] Hebrews 4:12 (MsgB)

God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey.

The underlying REASON why doubts enter into our lives iS that the truth that we’re supposed to believe doesn’t ALWAYS match up with our experience. GOD IS A LOVING, CARING AND GENEROUS HEAVENLY FATHER BUT WHY DID HE LET THIS CRISIS HAPPEN IN MY LIFE? [s] Doubt is not unbelief. It’s wavering between truth and experience. Faith and doubt can exist together. In fact, doubt can actually be A good thing. Here’s why: A dose of doubt can make your faith stronger BECAUSE IT WILL CAUSE YOU TO SEARCH OUT THE SCRIPTURE FOR PROOF AND TO ASK GOD TO CONFRIM YOUR SUSPICIONS.  GOD IS PLEASED WITH YOUR SEARCHING FOR TRUTH AND WILL REWARD YOU WITH THE ABILITY TO TURN YOUR DOUBT

INTO FAITH.  WHY?

[s] Romans 10:17 (KJV)

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

   NOW LET ME GIVE YOU SOME CAUSES FOR DOUBT.  BECAUSE ONCE WE UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE ROOT CAUSES FOR DOUBT WE CAN GET THE VICTORY OVER IT.  

 

[S] 1. CRITICS AND CRITICISM WILL OFTEN CAUSE US TO DOUBT GOD.

 

[s] Proverbs 1:22 (MsgB)

"Simpletons! How long will you wallow in ignorance? Cynics! How long will you feed your cynicism? Idiots! How long will you refuse to learn?

 

Proverbs 29:8 (MsgB) 

A gang of cynics can upset a whole city;  a group of sages can calm everyone down.

 

Psalm 119:51 (MsgB)  The insolent ridicule me without mercy, but I don't budge from your revelation.

 

[s] 2 Peter 3:3 (KJV) 

    Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

 

2 Peter 3:3 (MsgB) 

    First off, you need to know that in the last days, mockers are going to have a heyday. Reducing everything to the level of their puny feelings,

 

THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO CHALLENGE YOUR FAITH AND WHO RIDICULE AND MAKE FUN OF YOUR BELIEFS.  THE BIBLES SAYS A LOT ABOUT THESE PEOPLE AND IT CALLS THEM SCOFFERS.  WE’VE ALL BEEN IN A CLASSROOM OR A CAFETERIA OR A RESTAURANT WHERE OUR BELIEFS WERE CRITICIZED OR CHALLENGED IN SOME WAY.  CRITICS CAN BE ONE SOURCE THAT CAUSES DOUBT IN A BELIEVER.

 

[s] Psalm 73:8-10 (MsgB)

They jeer, using words to kill; they bully their way with words. [9] They're full of hot air, loudmouths disturbing the peace. [10] People actually listen to them—can you believe it? Like thirsty puppies, they lap up their words.

 

[S] 2. HERE’S ANOTHER WAY THAT DOUBT COMES INTO OUR LIVES AND THAT IS THROUGH A SEARED CONSCIENCE.  WHEN WE FEEL GUILTY FOR DOING SOMETHING YOU CAN RATIONALIZE YOUR BELIEF TO FIT YOUR LIFESTYLE.

 

[s] 1 Tim. 1:19 (KJV)

Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

 

1 Tim. 1:19 (MsgB)

keeping a firm grip on your faith and on yourself. After all, this is a fight we're in. There are some, you know, who by relaxing their grip and thinking anything goes have made a thorough mess of their faith.

 

YOU SEE, IF YOU HAVE A GUILTY CONSCIENCE ABOUT SOMETHING AND YOU DON’T WANT TO CHANGE OR BE CHANGED BY GOD AND HIS WORD YOU’LL START DENYING YOUR BELIEF. [S] DOUBT IS OFTEN A MEANS TO JUSTIFY WHAT WE WANT TO DO REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE WORD OF GOD SAYS.  OUR MORALITY WILL OFTEN DETERMINE OUR THEOLOGY WHEN WHAT WE SHOULD REALLY BE DOING IS LETTING GOD’S THEOLOGY DETERMINE OUR MORALITY.  WE NEED TO ACCEPT CLEAR BIBLICAL TRUTH AS THE TRUTH AND LINE UP OUR LIFE ACCORDINGLY.  WE DON’T DOUBT WHAT GOD SAID IN ORDER TO JUSTIFY OUR SIN OR IMMORALITY.  AND WE DON’T EXCUSE OUR BEHAVIOR BASED ON PERSOANL INTERPRETATION OF GOD’S WORD.  SOMETIMES WE EXCUSE OUR BEHAVIOR BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT’S NOT WHAT GOD REALLY MEANT BY THAT PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE.  SO WE CHOOSE TO DOUBT OR DISREGARD GOD’S WORD AS APPLICABLE TO OUR BEHAVIOR SO THAT WE CAN JUSTIFY OUR ACTIONS.  [S] WHEN IT COMES RIGHT DOWN TO IT WE ARE DOUBTING THE AUTHENTICITY OF GOD’S WORD.  HERE’S ONE JUST TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE: THE SCRIPTURE SAYS DON’T BE UNEQUALLY YOKED TO AN UNBELIEVER IN MARRIAGE.  THAT MEANS THAT A CHRISTIAN SHOULD NOT MARRY A NONCHRISTIAN. SO THIS GAL IS GETTING OLDER AND SHE THINKS HER CHANCES OF GETTING MARRIED ARE PASSING HER BY SO SHE JUST SAYS SOMETHING, WELL, I JUST BELIEVE THAT ONCE WE’RE MARRIED HE’LL COME AROUND TO ACCEPTING MY BELIEFS AND GO TO CHURCH WITH ME.  BUT HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT RARELY HAPPENS.  SO THE REASON GOD SAID THAT IN HIS WORD IS TO PROTECT YOU AGAINST SOMETHING THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF DESTROYING YOUR LIFE OR ABORTING YOUR PURPOSE AND POTENTIAL IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD.  [S] SO YOU DOUBT WHETHER THAT SCRIPTURE IS APPLICABLE TO YOUR LIFE AND YOU DISREGARD IT ALTOGETHER.  YOU DON’T BELIEVE IT SO YOU DOUBT AND YOUR MORAILTY DETERMINES YOUR THEOLOGY.  IF YOU VIOLATE YOU CONSCIENCE YOU’RE GONNA GET IN TROUBLE.

 

[s] 3.CIRCUMSTANCES CAN CAUSE US TO DOUBT GOD.

 

[S] VIDEO CLIP

 

[S] 3. CIRCUMSTANCES CAN CAUSE US TO DOUBT GOD.  OUR PRAYERS ARE UNANSWERED OR A TRAGEDY STRIKES OR WHEN WE’RE SUDDENLY FACE WITH AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION, WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO A GOOD PERSON IT GETS US TO DOUBT GOD.  WELL LORD I DID WHAT YOU SAID AND ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE. WE SAY THINGS LIKE: “GOD WHY DID YOU ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN TO ME.”  I SAY THAT A LOT.  I’M GONNA GET AN EMAIL OUT TO GOD ON THIS ONE: LORD WHAT’S GOING ON HERE.  LOVE CRAIG.  I THOUGHT YOU SAID YOU LOVED ME?

 

[S] Mark 4:35-41 (MsgB)

Late that day he said to them, "Let's go across to the other side." [36] They took him in the boat as he was. Other boats came along. [37] A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it. [38] And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, "Teacher, is it nothing to you that we're going down with the ship?" [39] Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, "Quiet! Settle down!" The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. [s]  [40] Jesus reprimanded the disciples: "Why are you such cowards and doubt? Don't you have any faith at all?" [41] They were in absolute awe, staggered. "Who is this, anyway?" they asked. "Wind and sea at his beck and call!"

 

WHAT’S HAPPENNING HERE?  A STORM COMES UP FROM NO WHERE AND THE DISCIPLES PANIC FOR THEIR LIFE.  THEY RUN TO JESUS OUT OF FEAR FOR THEIR LIVES.  LORD DON’T YOU CARE THAT WE’RE ABOUT TO DIE OUT HERE IN THIS BOAT?  [s] THAT’S A TYPICAL REACTION WE GET WHEN WE’RE UNDER PRESSURE AND WE DON’T UNDERSTAND, THE RESULT IS WE BEGIN TO DOUBT.  DON’T YOU CARE ABOUT ME GOD?

 

THERE WAS A NEW GALLOP POLE IN AMERICA THAT STATES THAT 96% OF AMERICANS BELIEVE IN GOD.  BUT WHAT KIND OF GOD DO THEY BELIEVE IN: IS HE A PERSOANL GOD?  IS HE A LOVING AND COMPASSIONATE GOD?  IS HE DEPENDABLE?  IS HE INTERESTED IN ME?  YOU SEE THE PROBLEM THAT GOD HAS WITH MANY CHRISTIANS IS THAT THEIR RELIGION CAUSES THEM TO FALSELY REPRESENT HIM TO PEOPLE AS BEING CRITICAL, JUDGEMENTAL AND DOWN RIGHT MEAN TO PEOPLE.   AND THEN THERE ARE FALSE TEACHERS OUT THERE THAT PORTRAY GOD IN A WRONG WAY AND SO PEOPLE DOUBT THE INHERENT GOODNESS OF GOD.  [s] SO WHEN A BAD SITUATION OR CIRCUMSTANCE HAPPENS TO THEM THEY BEGIN TO DOUBT THE GOODNESS OF GOD AND START TO BLAME HIM FOR SOMETHING THAT ORIGINATED WITH THE GOD OF THIS WORLD WHO SEEKS TO KILL, STEAL AND DESTROY PEOPLES LIVES.  SO CIRCUMSTANCES CAN CAUSE YOU TO DOUBT GOD.

 

[s] Lament. 3:22-26 (KJV)

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. [23] They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. [24] The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. [25] The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. [26] It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.

 

[s] 2 Cor. 1:20 (KJV) 

    For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

 

Psalm 84:11 (KJV)

For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

 

[s] SO THERE ARE THREE MAJOR THINGS THAT CAN CAUSE DOUBT IN YOUR LIFE: CRITICS, A SEARED CONSCIENCE AND CIRCUMSTANCES.  BUT LISTEN TO ME THIS MORNING: YOU DON’T HAVE TO STAY IN YOUR DOUBT YOU CAN CHOOSE TO BELIEVE IN GOD BASED ON THE REVELATION OF HIS WORD AND HIS FAITHFULNESS TO FULFILL HIS PROMISES TO YOU.

 

NOW BEFORE WE CLOSE THIS MORNING I WANT SHARE WITH YOU THE FIRST WAY THAT YOU CAN TURN YOUR DOUBT INTO FAITH AND THAT WILL PREPARE YOU FOR COMMUNION.  WE HAVE A WONDERFUL PROMISE IN GOD’S WORD AND IT IS FOUND IN:

 

[s] 1 John 1:5-9 (MsgB)

This, in essence, is the message we heard from Christ and are passing on to you: God is light, pure light; there's not a trace of darkness in him. [6] If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we're obviously lying through our teeth—we're not living what we claim. [7] But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God's Son, purges all our sin. [8] If we claim that we're free of sin, we're only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. [9] On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won't let us down; he'll be true to himself. He'll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing.

 

IN ORDER TO BE BRUTALLY HONEST WITH GOD ABOUT OUR PERSONAL SINS AND FAILURES WE MUST HAVE A SOLID PREMISE ON WHICH TO STAND.  THAT PREMISE IS A PROMISE IN GOD’S WORD THAT STATES HIS WILLINGNESS TO FORGIVE WHEN WE MEET HIS CONDITIONS.  THAT PROMISE IS FOUND  IN JOHN'S 1st EPISTLE: [s] VERSE 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousmess." THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE READS, IF WE (FREELY AND HONESTLY) ADMIT THAT WE HAVE SINNED AND CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST (TRUE TO HIS OWN NATURE AND PROMISES) AND WILL FORGIVE OUR SINS (DISMISS OUR LAWLESSNESS) AND CONTINUOUSLY CLEANSE US FROM SIN IN ALL ITS FORMS AND MANIFESTATIONS.

 

[s] Proverbs 10:6-7 (MsgB)

Blessings accrue on a good and honest life, but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse. [7] A good and honest life is a blessed memorial; a wicked life leaves a rotten stench.

 

Proverbs 11:3 (MsgB)

The integrity of the honest keeps them on track; the deviousness of crooks brings them to ruin.

 

Proverbs 14:2 (MsgB)

An honest life shows respect for God; a degenerate life is a slap in his face.

 

[s] 2 Tim. 2:22 (MsgB)

Run away from infantile indulgence. Run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace—joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God.

 

John 4:23 (MsgB)

But the time is coming—it has, in fact, come—when what you're called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter. "It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship.

 

WHEN IT COMES TO OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY.  GOD IS LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN BE REAL ABOUT THEIR FEELINGS AND THOUGHTS.  HE’S LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN WORSHIP HIM AND RELATE TO HIM IN WHAT IS HONEST AND TRUE IN THEIR LIFE.  WHEN WE REALIZE THE FACT OF HIS OMNICIENCE, THAT IS, THE FACT THAT HE KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT US ANY WAY, THE MOST NATURAL RESPONSE IS NOT TO HIDE ANYTHING FROM HIM.  [s] THE FIRST STEP TO RECEIVING HIS FORGIVENESS IS TO BE HONEST ABOUT OUR SINS AND PERSONAL SHORTCOMINGS.  THE FIRST STEP TO OVERCOMING OUR DOUBT IS TO BE HONEST IT.

 

THERE WAS A MAN BY THE NAME OF CHARLES SIMPSON.  HE WAS A SOUTHERN BAPTIST PREACHER AND HE SMOKED 4 PACKS OF CIGARETTES A DAY.  NOW HE KNEW IT WAS A BAD HABIT AND THAT HE WASN’T BEING A GOOD EXAMPLE OF A CHRISTIAN LEADER.  SO HE COVERED IT UP FOR YEARS BY BLEACHING HIS TEETHE AND USING BREATH MINTS BUT DEEP DOWN HE KNEW HE WASN’T RIGHT WITH GOD.  HE’D BEEN TO THE ALTAR 452,359 TIMES TO REPENT AND ASK FORGIVENESS FOR HIS SMOKING BUT HE CONTINUED TO SMOKE.  THAT IS UNTIL ONE DAY HE BECAME BRUTALLY HOEST WITH GOD ABOUT HIS ADDICTION.  CHARLES SAID, “GOD, I LOVE TO SMOKE.  I LOVE CIGARETTES SO MUCH THAT I WOULD EAT THEM FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND SUPPER IF I COULD.  I LOVE TO SMOKE AND I DON’T WANT TO QUIT.  NOW, CHARLES DIDN’T TELL GOD ANYTHING HE DIDN’T ALREADY KNOW HE WAS JUST FACING UP TO THE TRUTH.  NOW CHARLES DIDN’T STOP THERE IN HIS PRAYER HE WENT ON TO SAY:  GOD, I LOVE TO SMOKE AND I WANT TO KEEP ON SMOKING UNLESS YOU CAN CHANGE MY DESIRE.  GOD I GIVE YOU PERMISSION TO CHANGE MY DESIRE FOR CIGARETTES.  AN AMAZING THING HAPPENED, AFTER 40 YEARS OF SMOKING GOD SET HIM TOTALLY FREE BECAUSE CHANGED HIS DESIRE AND CRAVING FOR CIGARRETTES  AND HE NO LONGER WANTED TO SMOKE.

 

NOW, CIGARETTES IS ONLY ONE ADDICTION THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHERS SO DON’T GET HAUGHTY AND JUDGEMENTAL.  IF YOU OPEN YOUR PURSE AND A WHOLE DRUG STORE OF PERSCRIPTION DRUGS FALL OUT, YOU’VE GOT A PROBLEM.  IF ONE PIECE OF PIE WON’T DO BUT YOU NEED 2 OR 3 MORE THEN YOU GOT A PROBLEM. WE HAVE A WHOLE NATION OF OBESITY OUT THERE BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE ADDICTED TO FOOD. [s]  SO MY POINT IS THIS: DON’T JUDGE SOMEONE ELESES ADDICTION UNTIL YOU EXAMINE YOUR OWN HEART FIRST.  AND WHEN YOU DO I’M SURE YOU’LL BE MORE MERCIFUL.

 

[s] 1 John 3:15 (KJV)

Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

 

WHEN I WAS BEING PREPARED FOR THE MINISTRY I WAS WELL AWARE OF THIS PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE BUT IT DIDN’T MATTER ANY WAY CAUSE I HATED THE MAN WHO WAS MENTORING ME.  NOW I’M NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED TO CAUSE A RIFT BETWEEN US BUT I THOUGHT I HAD A SCRIPTURAL BASIS FOR IT.  NOW IT WASN’T UNTIL I BECAME BRUTALLY HONEST WITH GOD ABOUT MY HATE FOR THIS MAN AND ASKED GOD TO CHANGE MY DESIRE THAT HE RESTORED THAT RELATIONSHIP. [s]  SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO TELL GOD THAT WE LOVE TO HATE THAT PERSON AND THAT WE LOVE TO NOT FORGIVE THEM.  BUT WE’RE WILLING TO CHANGE IF GOD WILL CHANGE OUR DESIRE AND OUR FEELINGS.  WHEN WE ARE HONEST WITH GOD AND GIVE HIM PERMISSION TO CHANGE OUR DESIRE: WE ARE FREE TO LET HIM DO IT AND HE IS FREE TO WORK IN OUR LIVES.

 

[s] THE FIRST STEP TO OVERCOMING YOUR DOUBT IS TO BRING IT OUT OF THE CLOSET AND BE HONEST ABOUT IT.  DON’T BLAME IT ON SOMEONE OR SOMETHING ELSE.  TELL IT LIKE IT IS. BE HONEST WITH GOD AND YOU CAN TURN YOUR DOUBT INTO FAITH.