Confidence in God

What are you confident in? Are you confident in your own abilities? Are you confident in the ability of others? Are you convinced you can complete what you started? Have you ever failed? Has someone failed you? Would you like to have confidence in someone who will not fail?

Confidence can put us over the top to accomplish something we might otherwise fail at. It may be our confidence in ourselves that allows us to overachieve. Yet confidence can progress into cockiness. Cockiness can lead us to failure. There is a balance needed to be successful.

There is one who we can be confident in. There is a task we can be confident he will finish. We can be confident in God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We can be confident that his work will be completed. When he starts his work on us, changing us into the person he designed us to be, he will complete his work.

It is true that we must be willing. But God can turn around the life of even the most hardened criminal. Just look at what God did with many of the people in the Bible. The Apostle Paul was persecuting the church and among those who were yelling for Stephen’s death in Acts 7 and 8. God turned him around and he became one of the most active apostles, planting many churches.

God has worked many good works in this world. Jesus died to save the world from its sin. The Holy Spirit moves throughout the earth and takes up residence in each of us. The Father has a plan and remains in control of executing his plan regardless of how mankind acts. So, we can put our confidence in God. We can believe that he will complete the work he has started.

I pray we all put our confidence in God. I pray we open our eyes to see him working in this world. I pray each one of us is willing to follow God’s plan for our life. Put your confidence in God. Believe the Father is in control. Believe Jesus died for you. Believe the Holy Spirit will guide you. Know that God will complete his plan.

Philippians 1:6 I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.

Messenger of the Covenant

Do you believe in fate? Do you believe in things that are meant to be? Do you believe the prophecies of God? Do you believe they will come to pass just as he intends them to be? If you do, how has believing in them changed your life? Will it change your life still?

Many people will say they believe in fate. But they usually say that after something has happened. Rarely does someone say they believe in fate before something happens. Why? It takes faith to believe. It takes faith to hold onto to something you believe.

If we believe in the prophecies of God, we must hold onto them every day. We must trust God will fulfill his prophecies. When he says he will do something, we should believe it will happen. No one keeps the foretelling of his prophecies like God. When he says something will happen in the future, he will carry them out.

God prophesied through Malachi that he would send a messenger to prepare his way. That messenger was John the Baptist. But the messenger of the covenant what not John. It was Jesus Christ. The One who came and instituted the new covenant. He was the One in whom God the Father delighted.

Just as Jesus came before, He will come again. When He returns no one will be able to stand before Him. Everyone will kneel in submission to Him. Those who have accepted Him as their Lord and Savior will be taken into eternal glory with Him. Those who have opposed Him will be sent to eternal punishment. We wait for that day to come.

I pray we all believe in God’s prophecies. I pray we believe he will make them to come to pass. I pray each one of us believe Jesus has come, will come again, and have accepted Him as Lord and Savior. Believe God’s prophecies. Believe his prophecies will come to pass. Accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Malachi 3:1-2a See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?

Redemption is Near

How do you view your redemption? Is it something you take for granted? Is it something you look forward to? Is it something you already have? Would knowing you have been redeemed change the way you approach your life? How so?

For those of us who have chosen to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we have been redeemed. Yet, we live in the “in between” of what has been accomplished and what is yet to be done. So, in some ways we are both redeemed and yet look forward to it.

When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, we were redeemed. Yet, as He told His apostles, “your redemption is near,” He also indicated it was to come at some point in the future. Reading the few verses prior to today’s passage, we see that Jesus states the heavens will shake and there is a foreboding over the earth.

Jesus states some will faint from fear as the earth is in distress. There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. The ocean will roar. All of creation will groan at His second coming. When He comes the second time, our redemption will be complete. We will no longer live in a broken world where sin continues but live in a perfect world where sin no longer exists.

Though we have been redeemed, in so far as we have confidence our sins are forgiven, we continue to battle those sins. As we live in this “in between” we continue to wait for the promised eternal life that is to come. When it does come, we will praise God for his wonderful plan.

I pray we all know we have been redeemed. I pray we look toward the completion of our redemption. I pray each one of us will wait with patience for the second coming of our Lord and Savior. You have been redeemed. Look to your redemption being complete. Patiently wait for Jesus return.

Luke 21:28 “Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Abound in Love

What are you seeking to increase? What would you like to be better at? How would you like to improve your attitude and behavior? Have you thought about increasing your love for others? Have you thought about abounding with love for family, friends, and everyone you meet?

Each of us can improve our attitudes and behaviors. Even those who think they have reached the peak of perfection. Perhaps especially them. We may admit we are not perfect, yet we do not continue pursuing it. Think about how much better the world would be if we did.

Perhaps the most important area we can improve is love. Not simply saying we love but putting our love into action. The word for love in today’s passage also include benevolence. Being willing to help one another and those in need is an expression of love. It is an expression of not only our love but the love of Christ that comes through us.

But increasing our love to the point of abounding in it is a big step…or several big steps. Abounding in love would mean that it pours out of us at all times. It is a sacrificial love that always puts others ahead of ourselves. It is being the hands and feet of Jesus. It is being the mouthpiece of Jesus. It is lifting up others when they are down. It is providing for the needs of others, whether emotional, spiritual, or physical.

Abounding in love is not for the faint of heart. It is tough to love some people. It is tough to sacrifice for others all the time. Yet, abounding in love is being like Jesus. He demonstrated to us what it means to sacrifice for others. He left a place that is perfect in all aspects to come to a place full of imperfection to save sinners all over the world—past, present, and future. Choose to be like Jesus. Choose to abound in love.

I pray we all seek to improve our love for one another. I pray we seek to abound in love for others. I pray each one of us will seek to be like Jesus and demonstrate His love to others. Love one another. Love everyone you meet. Be like Jesus. Demonstrate His love.

1 Thessalonians 3:12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you.

Increase Others Faith

Do you earnestly seek to see people you care about? Do you long to strengthen their faith? Are you continually praying for them? Do you plan to visit with them and provide what they need to hear to increase their faith? Would you want someone to do that for you?

It can be challenging to speak to others about our faith. Yet, when we know people whose faith has slipped a little, it can be easier to speak to them. We know they believe in God. We know they are struggling. The challenge is determining what they need to hear in their current situation.

Notice what the Apostle Paul tells the church in Thessalonica. He earnestly wants to see them in person. He wants to restore their faith. He wants to build them up. How does he prepare for this task? He prays day and night. He prays continually. The people in Thessalonica are continually on his mind.

When we care about others, especially those whose faith is lacking, they should be on our mind continually. We should pray for them. We should pray that God guide us in what to say to help build up their faith. We should listen for the Holy Spirit to speak to us. We should follow God’s lead when encouraging them.

On the other hand, we should simply pound them over the head with facts or telling them what they should do. They will be much more willing to listen if we first show we care for them. We should first listen to their story. Ask what is going on in their lives. Praying before our conversation with them is wise. Ask God to guide you throughout the conversation. When we show we care, we are more likely to get the other person to listen.I pray we all seek to help others increase their faith.

I pray we show them we care about them. I pray each one of us spend time in prayer and listen for the Holy Spirit to guide us. Seek to help others. Seek to increase their faith. Show you care about them. Spend time in prayer. Listen for the Holy Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 3:10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

Leader and Mentor

Have had good leaders in your life? Have you had good mentors? Were they appointed to be your leader or mentor? Or were they people you looked up to because of how they carried themselves? Are you a mentor for someone? Are you a leader of others?

Good leaders and mentors are hard to find. There are many who are promoted into various levels of management, but they are not necessarily leaders. Managers are responsible for managing people to accomplish tasks. They may or may not be a leader who leads people.

I was taught leadership traits and principles during my time in the Marine Corps. They are as much about moral fortitude as they are about completing a mission. What the Marine Corps figured out long ago is that a leader with good morals who seeks the best for those they lead will be able to accomplish the mission. Why? When people believe their leader has the best interest at heart, they will do whatever is required by the leader.

Though we cannot see God physically, the same principle applies. God has our best interest at heart. Just as we might follow a human leader who cares for us, we should follow God for the same reason. Not only does God lead the way but he is our mentor as well, just like a good human leader is a mentor. God is continually teaching us, if we are willing to learn.

To follow God fully, we must humble ourselves before him, just as we submit to good human leadership. God does not expect our humility to cause us to never question, rather to question with an open mind and be willing to follow even if not given an answer. There are times when trusting God and following him is all we can do. So, choose to be humble and follow the pathway God has set before you.

I pray we all see God as our mentor and leader. I pray we know that God has our best interest at heart. I pray each one of us will humble ourselves before God and follow his path for us. God is your mentor. God is your leader. God cares about you. Follow God’s path for you.

Psalm 25:8-10

Good and upright is the Lord; 

therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 

He leads the humble in what is right, 

and teaches the humble his way. 

All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, 

for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

Continual Learning

Who are you learning from? Are you learning anything at all? Have you come to believe you already know all you need to know? Do you think you are too old to learn? Why should you continue to learn? Will you choose to learn from God?

Learning should be a life-long activity. There is not a single person alive who knows it all. Those we may consider to be the smartest people are people who continue to learn. They have discovered the more they learn the more they realize how much they do not know.

It is especially important that we continue to learn about God and from God. It may seem odd to state we should learn from God. However, we learn from him by reading and studying his Word. We also learn through the Holy Spirit who reveals the meaning of God’s Word to us. What needs to happen for us to learn? We must be willing to learn, rather than think we already know it.

Having an open mind, searching to know more, seeking a deeper understanding is key to learning. We can get a deeper understanding by using scholarly books such as commentaries written by those who have studied the original languages and can provide insight into the meaning of the words used. Translations are good for a basic level of understanding but can hinder a deeper understanding.

One example of this is our English word love. We use that word in a number of situations to mean different types of love. Yet, when Jesus speaks to Peter about love and feeding His sheep in John 21:15-19, Jesus is using one word for love and Peter another. Peter is speaking of a friendship love while Jesus is speaking of unconditional love. Peter speaks of generally caring for others. Jesus is speaking of sacrificing for others.

There are many more examples of a deeper meaning being expressed in God’s Word within the original language. We do not need to know the original language. We can gain a deeper understanding by reading commentaries or using a concordance and dictionaries. Bottom line, continue to learn from God’s Word and God.

I pray we all seek to continue to learn. I pray we strive to gain a deeper understanding of God’s Word. I pray each one of us open our minds and listen for the Holy Spirit to reveal the meaning of God’s Word. Open your mind. Listen for the Holy Spirit. Seek a deeper understanding. Continue to learn.

Psalm 25:4-5

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; 

teach me your paths. 

Lead me in your truth, and teach me, 

for you are the God of my salvation; 

for you I wait all day long.

Righteous Branch

Have you read God’s promises? Have you read the fulfillment of those promises? Do you know about one of the most important promises God made to humanity? Have you taken his promise to heart? Have you accepted his invitation? Will you stop living in fear?

God has made many promises. Perhaps the most important one was the promise of his Son coming to redeem us from our sins. One recording of that promise came from the prophet Jeremiah about six-hundred years before Jesus was born.

We are told that Jesus would execute justice and righteousness. We often long for justice. Especially if we feel we or a loved one has been wronged. Yet, God’s justice is not the same as human justice. God has his own set of rules. Rules that we don’t always understand. His justice includes offering the offender an opportunity to accept his plight and to turn to Jesus for redemption.

It is only by God’s grace that we are offered righteousness. We do not and cannot obtain righteousness on our own. We obtain righteousness through Jesus Christ, the Son of God. So, when God sent his Son to this earth to redeem it, his wonderful character is put on full display. It is justice married with mercy. And because God works in this manner, we can become righteous through the atoning blood of his Son, Jesus Christ.

God promised to send a descendant of David to execute his will. We see in the lineages of Jesus in both Matthew and Luke that He was a descendant of David while also being the Son of God. Jesus is the righteous Branch promised. He is our redeemer. He is the only one who can save us from our sins.

I pray we all trust in God’s promises. I pray we know we are righteous by the blood of Jesus. I pray each one of us see that God fulfilled his promise of sending a righteous Branch for our good. Trust God’s promises. Know you are righteous in Jesus. Know God fulfills his promises.

Jeremiah 33:15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.

Promises Made, Promises Kept

How good are you at keeping your promises? Do you consider saying you will do something a promise? Or do you only consider it a promise if you say the words “I promise”? How do you feel when someone breaks a promise to you? Are you upset, let down, or depressed?

Keeping promises can be difficult to do. And sometimes we make promises we shouldn’t make. We promise to do something for someone or to be somewhere when we either don’t mean it or are not sure we will be able to follow through. Not keeping promises ruins our reputation.

When others do not keep the promises they have made to us, we get upset. Our emotions run high. We may get angry, frustrated, feel let down, or be depressed. If it has happened many times, we may think, “Here we go again” or “It never fails.” The person who has constantly failed to deliver on their promises becomes untrustworthy.

God has made promises, and he keeps them. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God said the promise he made to Israel and Judah would come to pass. God fulfills his promises. When he told them they would be turned over to foreign nations due to their turning away from him, he delivered. He also delivered when they turned back to him.

We can rely on God to keep his promises. As we read Scripture, we see many times God has made promises, and we see when he has kept them. We can read books that are dedicated to nothing more than God’s promises and how he has kept them. Perhaps taking time to read just a few of God’s promises and how he kept them would increase our faith in him.

I pray we all know that God keeps his promises. I pray we read God’s promises and how he kept them. I pray each one of us know God has made promises to us and will keep them. Trust in God’s promises. Trust God will fulfill his promises. Hold onto God’s promises.

Jeremiah 33:14 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.

Unseen Hope Saves

What is your biggest or most important hope? How many hopes do you have? Do you hope for your family? Do you hope for material possessions? Are you hoping for something new and grand? Have you put your hope in God?

We all hope for a variety of things. There are hopes for family, friends, material things, jobs, relationships, and many others. Yet, those hopes are generally more like wishes than true hope. Those hopes typically do not include a full expectation.

The hope we have in God, in Jesus Christ, is a hope full of expectation. We have hope of an eternal life. We have hope of blessings from God. Our hope feeds into our faith and is a product of our faith. Where does our hope come from? God’s promises.

As we hold onto God’s promises and see them come to fruition, our hope increases along with our faith. It is God’s promises along with the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ that gives us cause for hope. It is not mere wishful thinking, but an expectation that God will fulfill his promises.

We know not all his promises will be fulfilled in our lifetime. Some of them will come long after we are gone. Yet, our hope tells us they will be fulfilled, nonetheless. It is with this hope that we live confidently in this world. For we know there is nothing that can stop God from fulfilling his promises. With this knowledge, our hope increases.

I pray we all put our hope in God’s promises. I pray we hope with a full expectation that God will fulfill his promises. I pray each one of us will live confidently with the hope we have in God. Hope in God’s promises. Expect God to fulfill them. Live with confidence in your hope.

Romans 8:24-25 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.