Archives For Confidence in God

Overcome Fear with Faith

March 22, 2022

When I was serving with a church-planting team overseas, I had memorized a set of five Bible verses that I found especially encouraging. I would remind myself of these verses on the way to outreach ministry activities on a regular basis. They would remind me:

  • how great God is,
  • Jesus has all authority and has commissioned us
  • Jesus has promised to be with us,
  • the enemy of our souls is already condemned, and

Lately, I’ve been searching for a new set of verses for the current season of life. I was reminded of that search this morning during my quiet time. Some of these are strong contenders.

This morning, I was reading/listening to a devotional plan on the YouVersion Bible app titled, “Certainty Amid Uncertainty”. Pastor Gregg Matte, of Houston’s First Baptist, wrote the plan to help those who’ve been struggling lately.

Photo Credit: Kevin T. Cunningham. Ross Lake National Recreation Area, Sedro-Woolley, WA

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, you may be feeling that your whole world is falling apart. In spite of the uncertainty that surrounds us, we have ultimate certainty in God, the Rock of our salvation. We are going to see God do great things in and through us. Walk with hope, for our God is a refuge and an ever-present help in time of need.

Pastor Gregg Matte

Day 3 of this five-day Bible reading plan focuses on five Scripture passages:

  • Psalms 46:1-4
  • 2 Corinthians 12:9-11
  • 2 Timothy 1:7
  • Exodus 15:2
  • Isaiah 41:10

The first passage clearly gets us to shift our focus off of our current situation or problems and onto God.

Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

The next passage offers comfort in the midst of our weakness, challenges, and confusion.

2 Corinthians
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

The next passage reminds us that even though we may be weak, he is strong and through his Holy Spirit, we can be strong.

2 Timothy 1

7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Again our hearts are moved to praise as we are reminded that the Lord is our strength, defense, and our salvation.

Exodus 15:2

“The Lord is my strength and my defense;
    he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
    my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

The final verse ties it all together.

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Pastor Gregg closes out the devotional with a declaration for us to proclaim aloud.

Declare: Jesus, You are my Strength. I know that I am not perfect and that sometimes I become impatient when my faith is tested, but I will not fear, and I will not allow my feelings to steal the joy that is found in You. I trust that You will give me all the strength I need to come out of uncertainty full of certainty.

You can find this reading plan at https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/20285. For more encouraging posts, visit https://trinity.encourageandequip.com/Sub-Test/home/start-here/

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Grow in Thankfulness

November 19, 2018

The Apostle Paul wrote

Give thanks in everything for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thess 5:18)

As I write this, Thanksgiving Day is just a few days away. You might already be in preparation mode to visit with or host family and close friends. As you work to assure that everything is ready, can I suggest you plan to check your own Gratitude Quotient? No, I didn’t make that up. It is a thing.

It’s amazing to me how easily we can overlook the obvious or take the main point for granted. Have you ever gotten to the airport for an international flight and had to go back home to the passport you left on the nightstand so you wouldn’t forget it? No, I haven’t done that but I did drive at least one person who did.

DepositPhoto.com Image ID: 85379016 Copyright: PixelsAway

 

The question I have for us today, especially as we are getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving in the United States, how is YOUR Thankfulness level? After all, it is THANKSgiving Day — a day for giving thanks.

Here’s your chance to see where you are on this continuum and to seize the opportunity to grow in thankfulness.

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Level 1: Ungrateful

Maybe you consider yourself a self-made man or woman. Nobody gave you anything. In spite of the deck being stacked against you, you made it to the top. You see no need to be thankful. If anyone did happen to help you along the way, you figure they did it for their own benefit. So, you see no need to be thankful. Continue Reading…

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Pray for Success, Part 2

October 29, 2018

In Jeff Goins’ bestseller, Real Artists Don’t Starve, he set out to dispel the myth of the “starving artist”. Likewise, in my last post, I began exposing the lies that many people who seek to wholeheartedly follow Jesus Christ may have treasures in Heaven but will probably never enjoy much success here on earth.

DepositPhotos.com Image ID: 212529114 Copyright: Sewcream

Passivity and Complacency Are Not Necessarily Spiritual

I assure you, I am NOT crossing over to the Health & Wealth Gospel.  I have no delusions that God owes me anything!  Nor do I believe that God has to provide something just because I “Name it”.

However, I am concerned that while rejecting the excesses of one extreme, we can drift, ever so spiritually, to the other extreme.  We can focus so much being humble and on not appearing proud, manipulative, or materialistic, that we limit the blessings God may long to give.

Success and Spirituality Are Not Mutually Exclusive

I am concerned that sometimes, Christ-followers can make the mistake of equating success with impure motives or tactics and a lack of success as being spiritual.  I understand if you have trouble believing that statement.  I had to read it again myself.  But, I assure you, I have seen it over and over. Continue Reading…

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Wait In Hope

August 2, 2018

These verses were very comforting and encouraging during a time when I was unemployed and seeking God’s guidance for next steps.  May they encourage your heart today whatever your needs may be.

Psalm 33:20-22

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How to Begin Encouraging Yourself

July 30, 2018

The Bible tells us to “encourage one another.” Have you ever asked yourself, how do I do that when I feel dry and empty inside?

You’re not alone. Even grief counselors experience grief when they lose a loved one. Sometimes, even inspirational speakers need to be inspired. Even Jesus, the Son of God, rose early and spent time in prayer with His Father.

One Bible verse has always intrigued me. In 1 Samuel 30:6, we read this one little phrase,

David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

The context tells us why David needed encouragement, but it does not tell us what David did.

While David and his soldiers were away, raiders came, burned his city and had taken their wives and children captive. The entire group was overcome with grief. “Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep.” In their grief, the men “spoke of stoning him (David), because all the people were bitter in soul.” Not only was David dealing with his own grief, now he was concerned about preserving his own life.

If we take a bigger picture view of the context, we see that David is now being tested to reveal his true character before God officially places him on the throne of His people. You may remember that King Saul failed the tests of staying strong when his men were breaking ranks. He also failed the test of executing God’s command to eliminate an enemy nation. That nation, Amalek, is the very one responsible for raiding David’s camp.

How David responds is critical to his own kingship.

Some modern translations render the verse as “David strengthened himself” in the Lord. Essentially, we are talking about the same concept. Remember the definition of “encourage” is to impart courage — “the mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty” (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/courage)

In times of fear, exhaustion, or devastation, we can only focus on one thing. We may see lots of things. But we have to choose where to stay focused — on our circumstances or on solutions. We choose to focus on the enemies of God or on God, Himself. Now, I live in the real world. I am not advocating self-deception or ignoring the facts. But sometimes, our circumstances can seem so overwhelming, we overlook the help right in front of us.

So, what exactly did David do?

As I mentioned earlier, the writer doesn’t tell us exactly what David did, but I have an idea. Ever notice the phrase “O my soul” in the Psalms? Quite a few times, David (and presumably other writers) lets us in on a private, inner conversation he has with himself to refocus his attention on God.

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation.

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

Psalm 42:5, 11 (ESV)

In Psalm 62, David encourages himself and others to put their trust in God.

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.

He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah

Psalm 62:5–8 (ESV)

When I was a new believer, I attended a church that began every worship service with a chorus built on the following verses from Psalm 103.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,

Today’s post is just to whet our appetites. In upcoming posts, we’ll explore other tools to encourage ourselves so that we can encourage others.

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Draw Closer to God in 2018

December 27, 2017

“let us draw near to God 
with a sincere heart and 
with the full assurance that faith brings”

Hebrews 10:22

Invest 28 Days to Develop Confidence and Consistency In Your Personal Prayer Life

Time_with_God_Cover_for_Kindle from siteTime with God is a 28-day journey designed to draw us closer to God by

  • Focusing on the nature and character of God
  • Praying with the Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication pattern
  • Praying the Scriptures
  • Praying our own personal prayers.

Time with God is written for people who love God and long to spend time with him but need help.

New Year SPECIAL

Free eBook Downloads and Discounted Print Bundle

          Click Here to Order or

Complete the form below to receive the eBook or printable pdf version of Time with God and the Encourage and Equip Monthly Newsletter with inspiration and resources to help grow closer to God in 2018.

 

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Discounted Bundle:

Autographed Book Bundle including:

1 Personally Autographed Time with God Paperback Book

1 Time with God Bookmark to keep your place

1 4-Page Personal Prayer Helps Folder to keep in the book or in your Bible

1 Downloadable eBook version for your Kindle, Kobo, Nook, or PDF reader

ONLY $15.00 INCLUDING STANDARD SHIPPING

Why I wrote the book!

Time_with_God_Cover_for_Kindle from sitePersonally, I have often found it helpful to have a variety of resources available to help me stay focused during prayer. I share this not because I am a spiritual giant. Rather, I often find it such a struggle to stay focused in prayer that I have had to discover or develop tools to help.

I have found three resources, or methods, immensely helpful in developing confidence and consistency in my own prayer life. In this book, I weave all three of those methods together for a powerful combination.

At the heart of Time with God, is a desire to help develop the habit of communicating with God in practical and powerful ways. Practical, because I will balance four different aspects of prayer. Powerful, because we will use God’s Word as the basis for many of our prayers.

This book is filled with Scripture verses translated from the original languages that have been reworded into prayers. They are chosen to help us nurture and develop our focus on God and our love for him. As you get more comfortable with the concept, it will revolutionize the way you read the Bible on your own.

Here are just two sample prayers:

Adoration
Your unfailing love is better than life itself; my lips will praise you! So, I will bless you while I live. I will lift up my hands in your name.
—Modified from Psalm 63:3

Confession
Please forgive me for not allowing your love to flow through me. So often, I am not patient or kind. Forgive me for times when I envy, or brag, or am proud and seek my own way instead of what’s better for others.
—Modified from 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

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Perspective Matters

September 15, 2017

Have you ever considered that the way we view ourselves impacts how we use the gifts we have received?  Secondly, have you ever considered that the way we view other people would impact how we serve them—or how we ignore or use them?

If we are truly seeking to love God with our whole being and to love others like ourselves, we need to wrestle with these two questions.

Copyright: Mattz90 DepositPhoto ID: 50713175

I have to admit; I wasn’t planning to write a post here today.  But, after reading two allegedly unrelated blog posts from friends in a Facebook group, the wheels started turning.  I knew I just had to share something here.

I have always been amazed at the power of self-deception.  So when I saw the title of K L Greenwalt ‘s article, I couldn’t help but click to read “Why You Can’t Trust How You See Yourself.”  She shared a personal story with a big lesson. Continue Reading…

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The Battle Belongs to the Lord! Be Still? Be Strong?

August 28, 2017

What comes to mind when you hear the term, The Battle Is the Lord’s?  or The Battle Belongs to the Lord?

Does the military imagery trouble you? Are you OK with the military imagery but troubled that our part seems to be too passive?

Image by 3dconceptsman DepositPhotos #19467907

Do you ask yourself, if the battle belongs to the Lord, then what do l DO?  Do I just sit here and do nothing?  Well, sometimes the answer is yes.  Other times, the answer might be different.

Be Still

When the Israelites were rescued out of slavery in Egypt, God was setting a trap for their captors that would include rescuing His chosen people while punishing their captors but His own people couldn’t see past the obstacle in front of them.

When they saw the vast Red Sea before them, they complained to Moses that they should never have left Egypt. Continue Reading…

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Ready for a Calling Upgrade?

March 3, 2017

I had the honor of guest blogging on the Defying Shadows website today as part of their #Fearless365 series. I was able to share some personal reflections on Luke 5:10 and part of my own testimony as I related to Jesus inviting Simon Peter to a career upgrade.  The following originally appeared at https://defyingshadows.com/2017/03/03/fearless365-luke-510/.

 

and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”

Luke 5:10

I can empathize with Simon Peter. When Jesus spoke the words, “Don’t be afraid”, he knew that the Holy Spirit was at work in Simon’s heart.

Exhausted after a long night of commercial fishing with nothing to show for his efforts, Simon agreed to let Jesus use his boat as a platform to address the gathered crowd on the shore. Simon continued to wash his nets while listening to the master teacher at work. When Jesus finished, he told Simon to go out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch. The experienced fisherman surely knew it would be fruitless to expect to catch fish in the heat of the day. But, something inside compelled him to follow the teacher’s suggestion.

I can imagine Simon’s shock as the image of his formerly empty nets contrasts with the nets that were now so full that he had to call to his partners to help bring in the catch. Continue Reading…

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28 Days to A More Confident and Consistent Personal Prayer Life

November 18, 2015

A lot of people find spending time in prayer particularly challenging. They carve out some time. They muster up all their self-discipline and courage, get on their knees, and then say, “OK, what do I do now?!”

Personally, I have often found it helpful to have a variety of resources available to help me stay focused during prayer. I share this not because I am a spiritual giant. Rather, I often find it such a struggle to stay focused in prayer that I have had to discover or develop tools to help.

I have found three resources, or methods, immensely helpful in developing confidence and consistency in my own prayer life. In this book. I weave all three of those methods together for a powerful combination in Time with God: Develop Confidence and Consistency in Your Personal Prayer Life.

This book is designed to serve as a resource to help us grow closer to God and to build confidence and consistency in our personal prayer lives. Primarily, we need to remember that prayer is simply spending time with God. Unfortunately, we can complicate it so much that we get confused, insecure, bored, or distracted. Continue Reading…

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