Being Sure

Being Sure

James 1:  ⁶ But when you pray, you must believe and not doubt at all. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is driven and blown about by the wind. ^7-8 If you are like that, unable to make up your mind and undecided in all you do, you must not think that you will receive anything from the Lord.

 

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Facing an offer for a new position, I made a decision to go forward. But then the question came up “Are you sure you want to do that?” Those words were now in my mind and I questioned the decision I was about to make. I went back and started asking questions. I almost lost the position I was about to accept.

 

• I believed what was told to me and I started planning to move forward.
• I was introduced to doubt and I could not stop doubting.
• I lost my assurance when I began to doubt.

 

James addressed fear and doubt. He gave some tough words. “When you pray, you must believe and not doubt at all.” He was taking their hysteria of being chased by religious murderers and giving them a pep talk to keep them focused.

 

My Observations:

• News will say terrible things, BUT GOD is in control of my destiny.
• People may try to add doubt to my journey, BUT GOD gives me sure footing.
• Humans may think they have the answer, BUT GOD is the one and only answer I need.

 

Sometimes the future looks bleak especially when looking through human eyes. I mean, when I look through the lenses of hate, greed, envy, lust, or pride, I get on a path that is always filled with worry and self-doubt. BUT GOD has another way.

 

HIS plan, on the surface, looks weak and pitiful. HE wants me to simply show others HIS love, not human defined love, rather HIS love. GOD’s love cannot be tainted by humans. It is the strongest weapon in the arsenal GOD gives me. HE wants me to believe HE and HE alone loved me and has a plan for me. HE does not want me to doubt that plan. I am glad GOD loves me so much that HIS plan for me is one I can be sure of.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer used the words “not doubt AT ALL?”
• Have you ever questioned GOD’s love for you or HIS plan HE has for you?
• Will you let go of doubt and believe that GOD’s plan HE told you long ago is still solid ground even though other people may have poisoned your mind with his or her doubt?

 

Firm and Sure Foundation

 

Firm and Sure Foundation

Colossians 1: ²³ You must, of course, continue faithful on a firm and sure foundation, and must not allow yourselves to be shaken from the hope you gained when you heard the gospel. It is of this gospel that I, Paul, became a servant—this gospel which has been preached to everybody in the world.

 

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Things were finally going well at the time. After rededicating myself back to the LORD, it seemed like many of my worries and fears were drying up. I felt that I could speak about GOD freely in praise and pay bills at the same time! But as more and more money came in, I ran into some people who were wealthy. “Let’s go to a strip club” one of the rich and powerful married men said.

 

• I wondered If I was going to become an outcast if I did not go.
• I immediately tried to think of excuses versus saying “no.”
• I wanted to remain on the foundation of “wealth” and was almost willing to compromise.

 

Paul tells everyone that the Gospel is the only firm and sure foundation. All other philosophies, learnings, accomplishments or desires outside of CHRIST can present the possibility of discouragement. This would lead to having the “hope” shaken away.

 

My Observations

• JESUS wants me to remember HIM each and every day so I will not forget the hope HE provides.
• GOD wants me to let go of the thing that is causing me to feel discouraged and be willing to go HIS path.
• GOD wants me to stand on HIS firm and sure foundation which is CHRIST’s salvation.

 

“Complicated” is an understated word these days. I mean, anyone with a computer or smartphone can immediately become a philosopher who obtains a great following. BUT GOD  wants the following. HE sees those who dwell in the land of pride and cannot pull him or herself from the philosophy of the day.

 

These wanderers drift from thing to thing with no rest and no peace. GOD wants to provide rest, not more work. HE gives peace through the Gospel of JESUS and wants everyone who is willing to experience HIS love. I gladly give up the philosophies of the world to speak about JESUS and I will not be embarrassed. By GOD.

 

Challenge

• What “must” you do according to the writer?
• Have you ever been excited about GOD and later been discouraged?
• Will you “continue faithful on a firm and sure foundation” of JESUS, so you will not waiver when difficult or plentiful times come your way?

Comes with a Guarantee

 

Comes with a Guarantee

Romans 4: ¹⁶ Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. ¹⁷ As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

 

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Disappointed with the product I was using. I complained. But I looked on the container and saw a guarantee. I could return the product, no questions asked. I did return it and purchased a cheaper brand. This one did not have a guarantee. I used that product and it was much worse, only this time I could not return it. I underestimated the product with the guarantee.

 

• There have been times when I did not believe in guarantees.
• There have been times when I went after a substitute versus using the real thing.
• There have been times when I wondered how could something be guaranteed unless they knew the future.

 

Paul keeps going with his explanation of Abraham because many Jews tried to boast about heritage. Paul keeps trying to explain that it was not just Abraham’s faith that GOD would fulfill HIS promise to make him father of many nations, it was GOD’s faith.

 

• When GOD tells me a promise, HE has already seen the outcome.
• When GOD promises something to me HE has already seen the difficulties and cleared the path.
• When GOD says HE will do something great in my life, HE means it.

 

GOD does not say anything HE cannot do. HIS power is unstoppable. When HE says “I will be with you always”, my response should be “Thank YOU!” Unfortunately, I say, “Where are YOU LORD?” in times of trouble. GOD is not disappointed with me during these times of doubt.

 

HE knew I would not believe in HIM fully and try to make things happen under my own power. HE gently lets my plans fail and picks me up anyway. HIS promise to me is guaranteed and HE took no chance of letting me fail. HE saved me when I was not looking for HIM. I am glad HE guarantees HIS love for me.

 

• Do you doubt GOD?
• Do you feel GOD can leave you when you sin and return when you don’t?
• Will you put your full trust in the LORD and allow HIM to grow you so more faith can be added to you daily?

Need a sure thing?

Hebrews 7: ²² Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.

²³ Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; ²⁴ but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. ²⁵ Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

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“I’m going to be rich” I thought to myself. I mean this day trading stuff is easy. All I have to do is pick a stock to purchase on the stock market, buy it and watch my money grow.  I asked a few people which stock they liked and after getting my advice I had my sure thing.

I purchased my stock and watched it climb. I had my sure thing! The next week I noticed the value was down a little, then a little more and more, soon it was worthless.  I received a letter stating the company had gone belly up and all who had invested had lost their money.  What happened to my sure thing?

• When I depend on my plan I am not depending on a sure thing.
• When I depend on money I am not depending on a sure thing.
• When I depend on insurance, doctors or my health I am not depending on a sure thing.

Because life has so many inconsistencies, I sometimes doubt that GOD can be a sure thing.  I mean HE can’t possibly forgive me “this time” for “this sin” right? Wrong!

• When GOD said “It is finished” HE meant death had no power over those who believe in HIM.
• When GOD said “My grace is sufficient” HE meant “MY grace is sufficient!”
• When GOD said “No man can pluck you out of MY hands” HE meant that HE knows I am a sinner and HE will hold onto me anyway.

There is only one sure thing that I can truly depend on and that is GOD. I can truly depend on HIS protection from the accuser who mentions my sins before GOD whenever he gets a change. Since JESUS lives forever HE intercedes for me erasing my sin removing it as far as the east is from the west. HE is my sure thing!

• Do you doubt GOD?
• Are you worried about something?
• Can you put your trust in HIM?
• Won’t you let HIM take care of “that” situation?