With All Confidence

 

With All Confidence

Ephesians 3: God, who is the Creator of all things, kept his secret hidden through all the past ages, ¹⁰ in order that at the present time, by means of the church, the angelic rulers and powers in the heavenly world might learn of his wisdom in all its different forms. ¹¹ God did this according to his eternal purpose, which he achieved through Christ Jesus our Lord. ¹² In union with Christ and through our faith in him we have the boldness to go into God's presence with all confidence. ¹³ I beg you, then, not to be discouraged because I am suffering for you; it is all for your benefit.

 

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Evaluating what I had done on the previous day, I could not think of a specific “sin” that warranted this type of disaster. Everything had gone wrong this particular day and I asked GOD, “What’s going on?” in a “Why me” sort of fashion.

 

• I thought I could control GOD by sinning less.
• I thought my sins would get a reaction out of GOD, causing HIM to punish me.
• I thought I was the cause of the disaster because maybe I overlooked a sin.

 

GOD’s plan was immense and hidden until JESUS was revealed. Paul wrote about this huge plan that was laid out and executed by GOD. Redemption happened through JESUS, making the impossible, possible. Sin could no longer stop anyone from going into GOD’s presence to ask for anything and to be forgiven.

 

My Observations

• GOD’s power is far greater than I can something “I” can harness.
• GOD’s wisdom is manifested in many forms I can see daily.
• GOD’s purpose cannot be stopped, even by some sins I do or not do.

 

Thinking I am in control of GOD makes me lose my confidence. I mean, When I want things to go a specific way, I may try to act “good” during the period of time I am seeking my desire. Unfortunately, if I get what I want, I sometimes forget that the blessing came from GOD and return to sinful ways.

 

BUT GOD saw this fickle behavior and added it to HIS plan, HE knew HE needed something fool proof. Redemption needed to be permanent and indestructible. When JESUS was raised from the dead, HE opened the door to the FATHER to anyone who will walk in. I am glad I can confidently go to the FATHER because of what JESUS did for me.

 

Challenge

• Who is the focus of the writer?
• Have you ever been discouraged, thinking you were the problem?
• Will you praise GOD for HIS eternal purpose and walk into HIS presence because JESUS made a way to HIM for you?

 

 

Confident About You

Confident About You

Galatians 5: ⁷ You were doing so well! Who made you stop obeying the truth? How did he persuade you? ⁸ It was not done by God, who calls you. ⁹ “It takes only a little yeast to make the whole batch of dough rise,” as they say. ¹⁰ But I still feel confident about you. Our life in union with the Lord makes me confident that you will not take a different view and that whoever is upsetting you will be punished by God.

 

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After running over some glass, my car developed a slow leak in one of the tires. I could still drive as I pleased, but I was not confident I could go on a trip that was too far from a place to refill the tire. This little pinhole changed my trips for a while until I saved up to get it fixed.

 

• Something tiny changed my thinking.
• One little thing made a big difference in my life.
• A tiny problem added to my sorrow.

 

Paul questions everyone about how easily they could be persuaded to stop believing in JESUS as the truth. One person may have preached a message that countered the truth about JESUS being the one and only Savior. He may have even gone so far as to raise questions about the need to be saved. But Paul remained confident for a reason.

 

My Observations

• Little sins can cause me to feel unconfident in GOD’s power for me.
• My sins cannot stop GOD’s love for me.
• My confidence comes from being in union with CHRIST.

 

“But I still feel confident about you” are true words of surrender to GOD’s power. I mean, when I see someone struggling in life due to a lack of a relationship with JESUS, I want to jump in and convince him or her to choose HIS power. It does not always work that way, so I feel helpless.

 

GOD wants me to be confident in HIM that HE will draw everyone who belongs to JESUS back to HIM because of their belief. HE chose us before the foundations of the world and is in complete control. I am glad I can let go of situations and remain confident in the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT in my life and many others.

 

Challenge

• What is the concern being raised from the writer?
• Has there ever been a time when you received conflicting information regarding salvation?
• Will you remain confident that JESUS saved you for all eternity and is not mad at you rather is quite pleased with you today?

Confidence Builder

Confidence Builder

Acts 5: ²² But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, ²³ saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” ²⁴ Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. ²⁵ So one came and told them, saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”

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“Here is your gold star” the teacher said. “You have reached the next reading level, so you can now go to the highest level” she added. I wasn’t nervous about it at all. Well, not anymore. When I first started the reading program, it seemed like the highest level was a mountain away. But after practicing a lot, it did not seem as hard.

• At one point I did not have confidence in many things.
• At one point I saw obstacles as impossible things to get over.
• At one point I thought it would take forever to get to a higher level.

When the officers came to retrieve the disciples from prison, they found a locked cell with guards, but no one inside. The apostles were freed by an angel and were speaking boldly about GOD. More than likely they mentioned the angel freeing them from prison in detail. They had confidence in what they were saying and were at a whole new level.

• GOD wants me to notice HIS power every day.
• GOD wants me to increase my trust in HIM when I see what HE is doing.
• GOD wants me to be confident in HIS promises so my faith will grow into perseverance.

Confidence in GOD builds each time HE delivers me from trials and tribulation. HE is never alarmed by anything I go through and tells me “Do not be afraid”, not as a scold, but in a calming way. HE tells me over and over, “I got this.”

When I release the situation over to HIM and see how HE resolves things, I get more and more confident in HIM. I want to tell everyone about HIS saving grace and incredible power. GOD is amazing and I am excited about what HE has done in my life.

• Are you praying for something and it does not seem like GOD is listening?
• Are you losing your confidence in GOD and are looking for other ways to solve the problem?
• Will you place your trust in GOD by looking back at all the times HE has brought you through situations?

Kept Promises

Kept Promises

Acts 2: ²⁹ “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. ³⁰ Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, ³¹ he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. ³² This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. ³³ Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

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“What are you doing?” a person asked me. “I wanted to be sure I was the one, so I started asking questions” I replied. Disappointed, they replied to me, “Because you asked questions prematurely, it showed you may not be ready for this leadership position.” The offer was rescinded.

• When I was insecure I did not believe the promise.
• When I was full of doubt I questioned the promise.
• When I was in disbelief I ruined the promise.

A Messiah who would save the world had been mentioned for thousands of years. King David explained that THE CHRIST would be raised from the dead. JESUS was and is THE CHRIST who David spoke about. JESUS fulfilled the scripture and kept the promise.

• GOD said to me “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
• GOD said to me “I will lead you beside still waters and restore your soul.”
• GOD said to me “I love you and will give you treasure in heaven.”

GOD promises HE will give peace, abundant life, wipe away all tears and provide a place where there will be no sickness or pain. HE has kept every promise ever written about HIM and HE will never stop keeping HIS promises. I am grateful HE promised that no one can snatch me from HIS hand.

• Are you doubting GOD?
• Can you see that you doubts are the basis of your disbelief?
• Will you look at all the promises JESUS has kept and believe HE has a promise for you?

Entitled Confidence

Ezekiel 29: ¹⁶ Egypt will no longer be a source of confidence for the people of Israel but will be a reminder of their sin in turning to her for help. Then they will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.

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“I finally made it” I thought to myself. I had climbed the ladder all the way to the top and I can really help the people I sought to help. Months later a reorganization happened and the person who put me in place was no longer there. In fact many of my supporters were gone.

• At one time I had confidence in “my” title.
• At one time I had confidence in the “power” I was given.
• At one time I had confidence in place I worked.

I literally thought I would work at one place until I retired, at least that was the dream of my age group. I placed an enormous amount of confidence in those who should do the right thing for those who worked hard and did not cause trouble. When I saw good people disappear one by one, my confidence waned. What should I place my confidence in?

• GOD said to me “Stand still and wait on the LORD.”
• GOD said to me “I AM the ONE who you should place all of your trust.”
• GOD said to me “I AM the ONE who loves you and will keep you.”

It felt strange to place my trust in GOD. I mean what about bank accounts, houses, cars and other stuff? GOD said “All those things are nice but I can make them rust or have a moth eat them. Do not worry about those things, but seek MY kingdom and I will always take care of you.” Suddenly the worry fell off my shoulders. You mean I can depend on GOD and not have to be something I don’t want to be? Yes! GOD wants me to place my total confidence in HIM alone.

• Where have you placed your confidence?
• Do you think you are the one who got you where you are?
• Can you give GOD praise for giving you your talents and abilities?
• Will you ask GOD to guide you?

The Basis of Choice

Nehemiah 7: ² I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do.

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Fumbling through a book, I scratched my head teaching myself how to program computers. You would think I already knew what I was doing since that is what they hired me for. Little by little I picked up my craft, but I wasn’t very productive. I showed up to work early and stayed late trying to figure things out.

I thought I was going to be fired when the big boss pulled me in his office. “Can you handle the work?” he asked me. “Yes, I believe so” was my reply. “Great, we are going to give you more responsibility. We are going to send you to get trained and you will have more to do.”

• Looking back I see that I was not always ready.
• Looking back I see that I was not always equipped.
• Looking back I see that I was not always confident in my abilities.

I had no experience, no proof and no excuse on my first job out of college. Everything just worked out the way it worked out. I was at a place where I was over my head and didn’t know what to do. BUT GOD knew what HE was doing.

• GOD watched over me when I wasn’t the best choice.
• GOD watched over me when I did not know what I was doing.
• GOD watched over me when I was faced with something huge.

The big boss took a chance on me by giving me more responsibility, training and a mentor. Years later I brought this lesson with me and took a chance on the unlikely and GOD made it work tremendously time and time again.

• Why are you choosing that person?
• Are you and they fearing GOD rather than fearing your situation?
• Is it more important to be obedient to GOD rather than getting your way?
• Can you prayerfully take a chance on that person knowing it will be harder and require more patience?