06-25-2009
by: Donna Braman
This is the day the Lord has made and I shall rejoice in it!
CHRIST CENTERED CONFIDENCE
Read: 2 Corinthians 3:1-6
Confindently trusting the Lord and His Word brings many blessings. That is so because nothing pleases the Lord more than when we are able to take our eye off the world and our situations and trust that he is in control, because that shows the Lord where our heart and mind is and where our walk is. This kind of confident trust brings spiritual growth, personal achievement, peace, and influence.
When our reliance on God is steady, we will respond to difficulties by seeking Him for guidance and strength. In turn, we will experience the Holy Spirit's presence, provision, and power and, as a result, spiritual growth. We'll be capable of accomplishments far greater than we could have ever done on our own. A calmness will come over you while everyone else is in an uproar; we might receive a leadership role beyond our perceived abilities. The Holy Spirit is notorious for choosing people that are weak so He can show off the Lord's Glory through us.
When our security rests in God and we show conviction about His promises, peace follows. Our calm demeanor will waver, however, if we mix trusting Him with relying on ourselves. Others will take notice when they observe that kind of Christ inspired confidence. As they watch us acheive in unexpected ways, grow spiritually, or react to troubles differently than the world then we can influence them for Christ.
We build confidence in God by meditating on His Word, knowing who He is, and drawing near to Him through prayer. But we can lose our confidence by focusing on circumstances rather than on Jesus and what he says about those circumstances in his word. Another way we lose confidence is by allowing unconfessed sin in our life and heeding worldly advice.
SEED WORD:
What do your actions reveal about you, Christ-centered confidence or self-reliance? What steps will you take to deepen your belief in Him? The Lord is always worthy of our trust. (Revelation 5:12) When we don't know the word and what God's word tells us about who we are in Christ and what our domionion and authority through him is we become targets for the devil to steal Christ's seed in us. When you have walked with Christ for a while and you begin to see manifestation of his promises in your life you can begin to see what Revelation tells us of his worthiness. Worthy is the Lamb, the King of Kings, the Lion of Judah, the Prince of Peace, Our Provider, Our Savior, the NAME above ALL NAMES. To know the width, depth, the length and height of his love is to know that he went to the depths of the earth and stripped Satan of his power in order for us to boldly go before the throne, that his love crosses all lines of time, geography, and cultures to allow everyone to be saved. His saving grace is not limited to a certain nation or peoples for it is available to all mankind who believes in Him. He is the Savior and the Son of God that now sits at right hand of the Father and intercedes for us. That is the confidence that Paul talks about in the Epistles and when you know who you are in Christ that confidence will become bold and you will be sure in your walk and in your calling for Christ and the gates of hell will not be able to prevail against you.
Have a Blessed Day!
If you would like to leave a comment, share a word, or need prayer contact me at: djbraman@gmail.com
