Posts Tagged "confidence"

Sometimes I wonder, “what does ‘standing on God’s Word’ even MEAN?” The older I get and the more I study both Scripture and life, the more I’m discovering that the life and faith that Jesus invites us to are much more “fluid” than I grew up believing them to be. I’m discovering that “standing on God’s Word” is less like a bridge and more like a surf board, that is, it doesn’t get me in a straight line from point A to point B, but it provides a support for wherever the tide takes me. I’m discovering that when I really believe my GREATEST blessing is Christ Himself, then when I’m praying for specific things I’m doing it in such a way that if I get the things I want,...

Ever feel like you just don’t have the words you need? For He [Jesus] is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives Him the Spirit without limit.” -John the Baptist (John 3:34) If we seek to speak the words of God, whether in preaching, counsel or testimony, we must be empowered by the Holy Spirit. He is the giver of both the words to be spoken and the “breath” to speak them: the bringer of all we need. How encouraging, then, this promise of Jesus: “If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.” (Luke 11:13) Don’t have the right words? Just ask! Not sure you can make that speech or have that conversation? Just...

“Be courageous! Let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. May the Lord’s will be done.” -1 Chronicles 19:13 Often we find ourselves so fixated on a particular outcome that we become slaves to our own expectations. In this, we open ourselves up to fear of what might happen if things don’t go the way we hope, and can become so timid that we refuse to take risks any more. When we have absolute trust in God’s perfect will -regardless of circumstance or outcome- we can have absolute confidence in any situation. When we have confidence in God’s perfect plan -regardless of circumstance or outcome- we are free to risk, free to fail, free to live to the fullest because our life no longer depends on our faith, but...

If a person or plan fails miserably, congratulations are rather unwarranted. Why is it, though, that God often treats us just the opposite?