I’m confident of this very thing…

We will continue to get things wrong until the day we die but, as long as we trust in Him, His wonderful transforming power will continue to work in us and through us

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We live in a world where having self-confidence is said to be desirable and very important. We are encouraged to stand up for ourselves, to feel our opinions matter, to believe that our views, values, and worldviews are justified and appropriate. There are masses of resources and courses on the internet about being more confident. Of course, confidence is necessary in certain situations, but promoting the idea that you are right all the time can lead to too much self-reliance and arrogance, sometimes with catastrophic results. 

As Christians shouldn’t we be relying on God instead of ourselves? God wants us to depend completely on him to handle things. It is not about our strength or our confidence, it’s about relying on God. If we rely on ourselves, we put our confidence in earthly things such as money, education, appearance and other people. All of these have a place in our lives but we should not be putting our trust in them to give us happiness and contentment or we will be sadly disappointed.

In Colossians 3:I-2 Paul says: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

So then, what we need is not our own confidence but confidence in God that He will, through His Holy Spirit, give us the courage we need to carry out the things He has called us to do.

Psalm 56:3-4 says: When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

David, who wrote this psalm, also killed the lion, the bear and Goliath, and was a successful leader in Israel’s army. He did not deny that he was afraid, yet he knew what to do with that fear. He boldly proclaimed his complete confidence in God despite his fear.

We, too, can live courageously in difficult circumstances when we confidently turn to God for strength and courage. And why wouldn’t we? I found this list of some of the attributes of God in an article I was reading: 

God is infinite, self-sufficient and never changes. He is omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all-knowing) and omnipresent (He’s everywhere). He is wise, faithful, good and just. God is also merciful, gracious, loving, holy and glorious. This, of course is not a complete list but even with just the ones I have quoted here, surely trusting in Him is a no-brainer. As Christians we know that God is all these things and many more. So, if we know and believe the character of God how can we think for one minute He will let us down. 

We need to have confidence in our Lord to answer our prayers and trust that He will do so in the way that is best for each of us. The word tells us that, through the death and resurrection of Jesus, the curtain to the Holy of Holies has been torn in two and we can come with confidence right into the throne room of God. Wow!!

faithbytheword.org

In Hebrews 4:16 it says:  Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

We are told in scripture not to give up but to persevere and to hold on to our confidence in the Lord and not to throw it away. In Hebrews 10:35 it says: So, do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

So let us keep hold of that confidence in Him. Let us believe with all our hearts He is working on us as we trust in Him. Let us be confident that we are a new creation brought about by the death and resurrection of Jesus. It does not come from our own best efforts or self- reliance but out of confidence in Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith. He certainly would not have brought us this far to abandon us now. He does not want anyone to perish. We will continue to get things wrong until the day we die but, as long as we trust in Him, His wonderful transforming power will continue to work in us and through us. As has often been said: He loves us too much to leave us as we are.

CH Spurgeon says, “Salvation would be a sadly incomplete affair, if it did not deal with the whole part of our ruined estate. We want to be purified as well as pardoned. Justification without sanctification would not be salvation at all. It would call the leper clean and leave him to die of his disease; it would forgive the rebellion and allow the rebel to remain an enemy of his King. It would remove the consequence but overlook the cause, and this would leave an endless and hopeless task before us”

Paul says in Philippians 1:6: For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

And again, while in prison, suffering for his faith Paul writes these words to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:12: That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

This is the promise we lean on, that God, who began the good work will finish it. 

Apparently, the word “confident” is the Greek word “peitho,” which is a judicial term. It was used to speak of a convincing argument that could be proven by undeniable facts and evidence. There would be absolutely no doubt about the outcome.

The same is true of us and God. If we continue to trust in Him there is no question that He will finish the work.

I found these words of a song that sum up what I am trying to say:

“There really ought to be a sign upon my heart,
Don’t judge me yet, I’m an unfinished part.
I’ll be perfect just according to His plan,
Fashioned by the Master’s loving hand.
He's still working on me,
To make me what I ought to be.
It took Him just a week to make the moon and the stars,
Jupiter, earth, the sun and Mars.
How loving and patient He must be;
He's still working on me.”

Let us be able to say, with true conviction: For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in me will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Author: Thelma Cameron

May God bless and enrich your life

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Transference and Transformation of the cross

When Jesus died on the cross and rose again, He conquered death and Hades and opened the way for the world, should they choose it, into the very Throne room of God. The Holy of Holies.

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For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all,
and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again. 

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:14-21).

I was recently thinking about the cross and what it was that had actually taken place there. What I mean by that, is I know Christ’s body was broken for us and that His blood was shed for us so that our sins could be forgiven, and we could be set free from sin, but this scripture actually says much more than that.

Firstly, it says in verse 15 that ‘He (Christ) Died for all’ and then in verse 19 it says ‘that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ’. Then there’s John 3:16 where it says 'For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.'

It’s clear that God’s desire is that the world should be reconciled to Himself and receive eternal life. However, it’s also clear from these scriptures that not all the world will be reconciled to God or receive eternal life.

So, what actually happened on the cross? Well, I believe there was a transference from the world to Christ and from Christ to the world or at least those in the world who would receive the gift that God now offers post cross.

You see when Jesus died on the cross all our sin and unrighteousness was taken from us and put on Him and all His sinlessness and righteousness was taken from Him and put on deposit for us. Therefore, although Jesus died to reconcile the world to God, it’s clear in John 3:16 that only those who believe in Him shall not perish but have eternal life, meaning those who choose not to believe in Him and receive the gift of eternal life and reconciliation to God would go to eternal separation from God in Hades and then Hell.

When Jesus died on the cross and rose again, He conquered death and Hades and opened the way for the world, should they choose it, into the very Throne room of God. The Holy of Holies.

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. (Revelation 1:17-18).

westminsterlincoln.org

This is why the communion table that God has prepared for us is so important, as it’s a regular reminder of the incredible act of love shown to the world by God and is symbolic of Christ’s broken body and shed blood, something only those who have received their salvation should take part in, because to do so without acknowledging Christ would be to take the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus in an unworthy manner and could result in illness or even death. See 1 Corinthians 11:27-30.

In verses 14-15 it says ‘that One died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again’.

So just as Christ died for all, all those who receive Jesus as their Lord and Saviour have also died, not physically but to their old self or nature and to sin, and so are buried with Him through baptism and raised to new life and a living hope. And as the scripture above says ‘That those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.’

So, although Christ died that the world might be reconciled to God it’s clear that not all the world will be reconciled to God. I guess a good way to test this is to ask ourselves if we’re able to say what Paul said in Galatians 2:20 ‘I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.’

Jesus told His disciples to take the bread and wine i.e. ‘The communion’ as often as they met in remembrance of Him and so constantly remembering what He did for them. So, it’s good for us do the same and to remember that we are working through our salvation on a daily basis. We are a work in progress led by the Holy Spirit, and we need to keep a short account with God, which means forgiving those who sin against us and daily seeking God’s forgiveness for all that we get wrong during each day. To put it another way, a constant dying to self and sin and a continual living for Him who died for us and was raised again.

When the Father now looks at us, He sees us through Jesus and therefore, not counting our sins against us He sees us in our new state as His redeemed children, reconciled back to Himself through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

So, in conclusion, we who are born again have been washed by the Blood of the Lamb, reconciled back to God through Christs obedience on the cross, have died to self and sin and will one day be raised to life in Christ, who is our life, and appear with Him in glory. What a transformation!!

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4).

God bless you.

Author: Kevin Hunt

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Who Knows? God Knows

Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. Then we will experience God's peace which exceeds anything we can understand

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It's a question we often ask in conversation.

"The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belongs to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law" (Deuteronomy 29:29)

The bible says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Scripture is easy to quote, but hard to live by especially when tragedy and loss (e.g death, divorce, financial issues, health issues, war etc...) touch our lives and when we don't understand why.

There are times when we pray and God gives us answers, and there are times when we pray that God doesn't give us an answer but His peace, with an answer later or maybe not at all. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. Then we will experience God's peace which exceeds anything we can understand. 

dailyverses.net

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).  

In times of pain and loss, here are some scriptures we can stand on:-

"The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belongs to us". (Deuteronomy 29:29). When it comes with understanding what God wants to reveal to us. We have our territory, and God has His, and ours is limited to what He decides to reveal to us. Paul wrote by divine revelation, "We know in part and we prophesy in part, but when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child, but when I became a man I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but face to face, now I know in part but then I shall know just as I am known". (1 Chronicles 13:9-12) At best we will always be limited in our own understanding.

"And we know that all things works together for good to those who love God and to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).  Sometimes God explains things to us, and other times He conceals them, revealing at a later time or maybe not at all, which reinforces Proverbs 3:5-6.  

So we can always count on God to make the (later on) of difficulties a thousand times richer and better than the present when we overcome correctly, as no discipline seems pleasant at the present time, but later on it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace, what a yield! (Hebrews 12:11)

So when we are tempted to throw up our hands in despair and say "Who knows?" we can say to ourselves "God knows" and that He is working things out for our good and His glory.

Author: Inie Jean

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The Shadow of the Almighty

Psalm 91 - Finding The Shelter

This Psalm, is the voice of encouragement and speaks to the man of faith. Under God’s protection, nothing can harm him, neither man nor beast, wars or diseases, including pandemics. This is not to say our lives will be a bed of roses. 

Psalm 91 has been called the “atomic” age psalm. A psalm of perfect protection

Source: quotesgram.com

from every kind of evil, danger and harm, whatever way it may come. God is a shelter and a refuge when we are afraid. Our faith in the Almighty God as our protector will take us through all kinds dangers and fears of life. This should be a picture of trust giving all are fears to God. To do this we must dwell and rest with Him. This psalm is well known among Christians. I’d like to focus now on the first two verses of it.

(1) He who dwells in the secret place of the most high, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (v1)

The word abide in Hebrew means ” to pass the night.” So, this tells us that during the hours of darkness, when we are asleep, as believers we shall be spending the night, under the shadow or Protection of the Almighty. His angels take change over us to guard us in our ways

(2) I will say of the LORD “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.” (v2)

This is the gateway, into the complete protection of the remaining verses of the psalm. It is our testimony “I will say.” We proclaim it in faith, only then do we have the right to live in it. It is the word of our testimony that makes it effective.

My Own Experience of Hopelessness

Looking back over the years, I realise, I didn’t have that kind of hope and security, in fact it was a life of hopelessness. As far back as I can remember, I could not focus on what I wanted to achieve in life, because of illness in my primary years. It was impossible to achieve and accomplish the basic requirements to build my life on.

This inadequacy eventually broke me, and I was brought to a place of complete brokenness. I needed a miracle. This didn’t happen until I was 32, when I found Jesus in a Salvation Army Hostel.

Seven more years of struggle and battle ensued, until one day Jesus came into my life in a much deeper powerful way. It changed me completely. Now I know what it was to come under the Shadow of the Almighty, and to have a hope in the God who saves, and promises He will never leave us. At last I had a hope and purpose for my life, under God.

“At that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, from having no hope and with out God in the world.” Ephesians 2:12

Ultimate Hope for God’s People

Source: medium.com

“For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires, and to live sensibly, righteously, and godly lives in this present age, looking for the blessed hope, and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Christ Jesus.” Titus 2:11-13

In verse 13, it tells us to look for the blessed hope and the appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. This will impact upon our lives in a wonderful way, (if we allow it to) and our ultimate eternal hope, will be established deep within our spirits.

“This hope we have has an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil. Where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”

Being Ready For His Appearing

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation, to men, instructing us.” Titus 2:11

There are many yet to hear about this grace. That grace is available and provided for all, whether Jew or Gentile, rich or poor, young or old.

Grace provides a way to be a demonstration to others of this hope we have. This hope leads us to prepare our lives in such a way, that we shall be ready for His appearing. John adds, “when He appears, we shall be like Him because we shall see Him just as He is, therefore everyone who has this Hope fixed on Him, purifies himself, just as He is pure.” 1 John 3:2-3

God’s Word is the Living Word and He has the last word. “But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil” Proverbs 1:33

“But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.” Proverbs 4:18

Author: John Yates

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