Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Stepping Stones: Where Does Your Confidence Come From?
Transformational Tip
Do you ever forget where you put something? Make the wrong choice in a situation? How about getting accused by your kids (or parents) of not hearing very well? Have you missed an appointment? Is there even one topic you know everything about? Do you have trouble predicting the future? Recognizing the limits of our understanding is a good thing. The more we recognize and accept our limitations, the more it will enhance our relationship with God.
We all have limits, but unfortunately, we don’t recognize where they are…so we live beyond our skills. Initially, this seems good, getting more out of who we are. Unwittingly though, the reality is, we are putting our confidence in, and getting our confidence from…. Ourselves! This means I are relying on me….what I bring to the table….what I can do. Boy, this is incredibly limited and limiting.
Our confidence needs to come from God. We need to put our eggs in His basket….who He is…His character…His promises…His instruction in the Bible. The assurance of God’s sovereignty, power, omniscience, reliance, love and sacrifice for us…that’s what allows us to successfully grow the mind of Christ and live life abundantly. We need Him continually…beyond your daily bread and blessings….We need Him for the many, 5000 or more, decisions we must make each day.
Today, recognize our global insufficiency, but also heed your daily limits. You can’t know everything and do it all. God does and can so put your confidence and rest in Him. We have been designed to need Him moment by moment. Today and every day, live in joyful dependence on your Lord.
Prayer
Dear Father, Lately I am becoming more aware of my neediness for You. I have noticed that many people around me have become increasingly confident, almost cocky about the accuracy of their opinions and confident about their decisions. However, I feel just the opposite; I feel like an iceberg: what I understand is above the water, what I don’t understand is below. I come to You my Father full of neediness and uncertainty. I am fully aware of Your sufficiency and that You will supply all my needs according to Your riches. I have so many decisions to make and I am doubtful about my ability to make the right decisions. I know that each decision moves me closer or further away from You. Your Word teaches me that wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction; help me pass through the small gate and walk the narrow road that leads to You my Lord. I pray this in the name of who always got it right, Jesus; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that
leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matthew 7:13-14
Do you ever forget where you put something? Make the wrong choice in a situation? How about getting accused by your kids (or parents) of not hearing very well? Have you missed an appointment? Is there even one topic you know everything about? Do you have trouble predicting the future? Recognizing the limits of our understanding is a good thing. The more we recognize and accept our limitations, the more it will enhance our relationship with God.
We all have limits, but unfortunately, we don’t recognize where they are…so we live beyond our skills. Initially, this seems good, getting more out of who we are. Unwittingly though, the reality is, we are putting our confidence in, and getting our confidence from…. Ourselves! This means I are relying on me….what I bring to the table….what I can do. Boy, this is incredibly limited and limiting.
Our confidence needs to come from God. We need to put our eggs in His basket….who He is…His character…His promises…His instruction in the Bible. The assurance of God’s sovereignty, power, omniscience, reliance, love and sacrifice for us…that’s what allows us to successfully grow the mind of Christ and live life abundantly. We need Him continually…beyond your daily bread and blessings….We need Him for the many, 5000 or more, decisions we must make each day.
Today, recognize our global insufficiency, but also heed your daily limits. You can’t know everything and do it all. God does and can so put your confidence and rest in Him. We have been designed to need Him moment by moment. Today and every day, live in joyful dependence on your Lord.
Prayer
Dear Father, Lately I am becoming more aware of my neediness for You. I have noticed that many people around me have become increasingly confident, almost cocky about the accuracy of their opinions and confident about their decisions. However, I feel just the opposite; I feel like an iceberg: what I understand is above the water, what I don’t understand is below. I come to You my Father full of neediness and uncertainty. I am fully aware of Your sufficiency and that You will supply all my needs according to Your riches. I have so many decisions to make and I am doubtful about my ability to make the right decisions. I know that each decision moves me closer or further away from You. Your Word teaches me that wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction; help me pass through the small gate and walk the narrow road that leads to You my Lord. I pray this in the name of who always got it right, Jesus; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that
leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matthew 7:13-14
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
