Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Pondering Confidence

The countdown to Cambodia continues, only two weeks away today:

In my last post, I mentioned that on Day 1 of the conference for kids, we will be discussing "Connection"--with God and with others.

On Day 2, it's "Confidence: God created me to live out His plan and purpose with confidence in Him."

Amazing how the themes for these precious children seem to flow straight out of my own life. It's taken me years to identify myself rightly in this area, leaving the victim mentality of my childhood in the dust, praise the Lord for that.

Philippians 1:6 says, "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

In other words, it's not confidence in myself that will get me through even a nano-second of my day...it's God-confidence. He lives inside of me, and He's ABLE as I'm willing! Love that.

How about you? Where is your confidence coming from? It works both ways, you know. Some struggle with a low view of self, others think that it is faith in their own self that makes life possible.

It's not, "I think I can, I think I can..."
It's not even, "I know I can, I know I can..."
It's certainly not: "No way I can, No way I can..."

So what is it?

It's "With Him I can, With Him I can..."
And "In Him I can, In Him I can..."
And best of all "Through me He can, Through me He can..."

The "can" can change to "will" if we surrender our wills to His, you see?

As I trust in the One who has called me to Cambodia, I know He is faithful, and He will do the work. (1 Thess. 5:24) That's the prayer of my heart until I go.

What do you need to admit to the Lord today on the topic of "Confidence"? Take some time to pause, ponder & pray to the One who knows you fully anyway. He longs to complete in you the good work He's already started if you're willing.

Lord, fill my life with Your perfect confidence. It's not by my might or by my power, but by Your Spirit that I can do all You've led me to do, and that is a relief, to be honest. Thank You, Jesus. I praise You. Amen.


10 friends shared a comment:

Peter Stone said...

Absolutely wonderful, LauraLee. With Jesus, in Him, for Him, through Him, and Him through us. What a lesson to learn, and perfect lesson to teach. God bless :)

Laury said...

Wow! Thank you for this Word today. Exactly what I needed to hear. Continuing to pray for your mission trip.

Denise said...

Bless you my friend, love you.

Anonymous said...

Remember, you CAN do all things through Him who gives you strength (Philippians 4:13)

Gaylene

Connie Arnold said...

Yes, that's wonderful, LauraLee! Such a good thing to remember that with him and in him I can and especially that through me He can! Praying God's blessings on you!

Kim @ Homesteader's Heart said...

I loved this my friend. Thank you!
HUGSSSSS!!!

Joanne Sher said...

Amen - ONLY with Him!

Karen said...

Great post LauraLee. It is all about Him. I Thessalonians 5:24 is my Scripture theme verse for this year. I can't do anything on my own. But God can do things through me. Once again, it's all about Him!

Take care,
Karen

Jackie Mosley said...

Thank you, Laura. Exactly what I needed to take into my heart!

Patty Wysong said...

This is something I've been pondering for awhile too--ONLY with HIM!! Lotsa truth here, La!

Love you and praying you thru!