{"id":1192,"date":"2019-08-04T11:32:32","date_gmt":"2019-08-04T11:32:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/calledtobefree.net\/?p=1192"},"modified":"2019-08-04T11:32:35","modified_gmt":"2019-08-04T11:32:35","slug":"building-confidence-in-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/calledtobefree.net\/index.php\/2019\/08\/04\/building-confidence-in-god\/","title":{"rendered":"Building Confidence in God"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How Closely do you Know Him? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Confidence is about a person, it\u2019s always about a person \u2013 not a theory or a technique. So build your confidence around the Person of God. Spend time in His Presence. This is the way we come to know Him. Acquaint yourself with Scriptures that speak of His Goodness, His Grace and Kindness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many of us need a clear picture of Him \u2013 situations and circumstances\nmay have clouded our Image of Him. Even lots of sermons can do that. Especially\nif they don\u2019t portray Him well. Don\u2019t rely on someone\u2019s impression of Him but\nrather press in to know Him and you will be GLAD YOU DID!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSEEK TO KNOW ME, THAT\u2019S ALL YOU HAVE NEED. SEEK MY DIRECTION AND FOLLOW ME. FOR THERE I WILL LEAD YOU TO PASTURES GREEN WHERE THE RIVER OF LIFE DOES FREELY FLOW\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(a song He gave me years ago)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBlessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose trust\nthe LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, who spreads out\nits roots by the river, and shall not fear when the heat of the day comes, but\nits leaves shall be green; and shall not have to be careful in the year of\ndrought, neither shall it cease from yielding fruit\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jeremiah 17:5-8<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What God is telling us here is that if we depend on\nourselves or others, we will have a disadvantage. But if we have confidence in\nGod, we will always have an advantage in any circumstance so we can be fruitful\nand enjoy the blessings of God. This comes with simple faith and trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what does it mean to have confidence in God? It means\nthat you are not just wishing or hoping God is going to act on your behalf, but\nthat you expect<\/strong> Him to. You can be certain that He is working and the\npromises in his word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And you don\u2019t need anyone\u2019s assistance because He is\nall-sufficient to meet your needs. Sometimes He may lead you to a person for\npractical advice or to a place to acquire certain skills whatever but He will\nbe the One guiding you to do so \u2013 He is very good at that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture says \u201cnot to lean on your own understanding\u201d and\nto trust Him with all your heart, your inner being<\/strong>. It is a matter of\nnot relying on what you think you know and having an attitude of faith\nthat stays with God\u2019s word whatever the situation at hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do not rely on the visible circumstances or what you think\nyou know \u2013 that\u2019s what this verse is saying. Yes, our God is ABLE\u2026\u2026He likes\nit when we trust Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So in order to have confidence in God, you have to decide\nwhose report or whose message you will believe \u2013 those temporary circumstances\nor the Living, abiding Word <\/strong>of God?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you believe the report from your five senses or on the\nlimited amount of knowledge that you have, what will be the outcome? But if you\nbelieve the Good report in His Word, He can bless you beyond your expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the result when you listen and respond <\/strong>to\nGod\u2019s Spirit and follow His teaching? It is always better than when you doubt\nand try to work things out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can understand what God\u2019s will is through his Spirit.\nYou understand the promises you have as a child of God<\/strong> and see them\nmanifest in your life by meeting <\/p>\n\n\n\n

His conditions: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Receive the Testimony in Scripture and respond to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rest in the Promises of God \u2013 the Good Report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t let circumstances make you question God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let His Word and His Spirit be your counselors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be not led by your senses, but let your faith free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So when you respond well<\/strong> and stay in agreement with\nGod\u2019s will and his word, you cannot fail. Thus, you can have confidence all the\ntime and in all circumstances. \u201cNow to Him who is able to do exceedingly\nabundantly above all that we ask or think, according to His power that works in\nus,\u201d Ephesians 3:20<\/a>. All this is by\nfaith and trust \u2013 directing them towards God. Simple really \u2013 a child could\ngrasp it. It\u2019s only our reasoning that gets in the way \u2013 that\u2019s for\ncommunicating with life and people around us. We communicate with Him on a\ndifferent level and it has to do with LOVE \u201cheart to heart\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your confidence with Faith in God<\/strong> has to do with your\nconfidence in the Love of God<\/strong>. For this we need to spend time in His\nPresence daily, soaking it in. Also, remember to prayer-read<\/strong> the\nScriptures \u2013 this will make your spirit stronger than your doubts. Jesus\nsaid Abide in My Words, then Ask. Not the other way round because then we would\nbe lazy \u2013 unmotivated, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s a matter of acquaintance<\/strong>, it really is. Who\ndoes not want to hear the words of someone they love? The emphasis has been\nwrong through the years \u201cget what you can from God\u201d\u2026..and\u2026..\u201dhow do I get\nit?\u201d He is not a Santa or a Store Assistant, it goes deeper than that. I\nwould be offended if my family just asked me for things, would you? Surely we\ncould spend some time with Him in each 24 hour day. \u201cThere is JOY in<\/strong> His\nPresence\u201d <\/strong>who said it has to be a religious exercise? How long since you\nhad a conversation with Him or listened for \u201cHis still small Voice?\u201d it\u2019s nice\nto have some Quiet-Time with Him, it really is a pleasure! <\/p>\n<\/body>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"