Confidence - 2012?

What will Our Confidence Be for 2012?

Sister Peggy Little

     Confidence is a dynamic character trait that often can spell the difference between accomplishment and failure. For the person who is besieged with feelings of inferiority, life can be a continual struggle for competence and acceptance.

     The Christian should be confident, for “the righteous are bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1). Though he or she may have occasional bouts with insecurity and doubt, confidence should dominate the believer’s life.

     The reason is really quite simple. Once born again, the Christian has entered into a relationship with an all-sufficient God who is more than able to handle any difficulty, enabling Him to say to the psalmist: “Though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident” (Psalm 27:3).

     We can be confident because we have unlimited access to God. “Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19). For whatever you need, you have access to the very presence of God.

     Do you need wisdom? Are you searching for an answer in dealing with your rebellious child? Does your budget need divine intervention? Because of Calvary, you can avail yourself of the resources of the all-knowing God.

     We can be confident because we understand that God is in control. Listen: Though the economic outlook may be gloomy or circumstances discouraging, our sovereign God is ruling over all, working for His glory and our good. Our future is in His all-powerful hands. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Our well-being is not left to chance or fate.

     We can be confident because God is our total adequacy for any demand placed upon us. “And such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God” (2 Corinthians 3:4-5). We no longer have to look to our own initiative or training or cleverness.

     We can be confident because God assures us that He will complete what He has begun in our lives (Philippians 1:6) and that He will never leave us or forsake us in the process. (Hebrews 15:5). In other words, God is for us. Having been reconciled through the cross, and He is now on our side, not against us (Romans 8:31).

     Finally, we can exhibit confidence in this life because, through Christ, we are prepared for the next life. “And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him. At His coming” (1 John 2:28).

     Through our personal relationship with our Savior, we can be bold witnesses to an insecure world of the all-sufficiency of Jesus Christ who is able to supply every need from His inexhaustible resources. God is for us, God is with us. God is in control of our futures. He is at work for our good. That is, I pray, our confidence for the year of 2012.

     May you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year as each one of you do all you can for our Lord and Savior “Jesus Christ”. Remember, look to Him, for God has all of the answers. So let us pray and seek the Lord daily for our families, nation, Israel, our needs, our breakthroughs, our healings and especially salvation for all the lost souls and our loves ones. I pray you will call on Him to help you make it through those circumstances of life that comes your way.  God Bless!

Prayer For Our Nation

     There is a Prayer for Our Nation that has been making the email circuit, crediting the Reverend Billy Graham and others as its author. However, the truth is that this prayer of repentance was written by Bob Russell, Pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky back in 1996.

     Nevertheless, whomever you wish to credit, the fact is that this “prayer” contains many if not all valid serious ills plaguing our families, government and nation as a whole today.

     Folks our nation is broken and in great need of repair. The only answer is repentance and our trust in Jesus Christ. 

    

     Below is the “Prayer for our Nation” that has been circulating:

     “Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, ‘Woe to those who call evil good,’ but that is exactly what we have done.

·        We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.

·        We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.

·        We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.

·        We have killed our unborn and called it choice.

·        We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.

·        We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.

·        We have abused power and called it politics.

·        We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions and called it ambition.

·        We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.

·        We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

·        Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us Free. Amen!”

     With the Lord’s help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called ‘One nation under God!” 

Questions – People Ask

I realize that giving thanks is customary this time of year, but it has been a tough year for me. Quite honestly, there isn’t much to thank God for. Still, I don’t like feeling this way. Can you help?

    

     You’ve taken a very important step toward cultivating a thankful heart, and that is being honest. God isn’t offended by the way you feel. He even sympathizes with your problems. (Hebrews 4:14-16) says: “Seeing then that we have a Great High Priest, Who is passed into the Heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15) For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16) Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain Mercy find Grace to help in time of need.”

     However, if you don’t move on into true thanksgiving and praise, you will be a prime candidate for a bitter spirit that negatively affects you and everyone around you.

     That’s why God spoke through Paul that we are “in everything [to] give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

     I have seen Christians put under almost unbearable strain. Yet many of these people do learn to thank God in the midst of their pressure. They refuse to feel sorry for themselves, blame someone else, or bury themselves in depression.

     The heart of the matter is obedience. Will we actually give thanks to God in the burdensome times? This is “His will,” His plan for us. It may not rhyme with human logic. But we do it.

     Start to thinking of one thing to thank God for. It may be for your salvation. It may be for a car that runs a pair of shoes to wear a healthy son or daughter. You will be amazed that how much you will discover to thank the heavenly Father for when you consider His involvement and blessings in your life.

     As you obediently give thanks, you acknowledge several crucial Bible truths. You affirm God’s control of your life. You are not a victim of the economy or the boss’ decision.

     God is at work in your life in all things. He is Lord of all – nation, men, events, circumstances.

     You are not a pawn in the hands of fate. You are God’s child, and He cares for you.

     You also declare your trust in Him. God is trustworthy in the most inclement conditions. He longs for believers to look confidently to Him, especially when the waters are rough. At the core of your personal relationship with Christ are trust and obedience.

      That is precisely what thanksgiving accomplishes, and its value is exponentially increased when you worship God in the thick of the fray.

     Thank God no matter what. God will be honored, and you will find your joy on the rise.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING