LIVING WITH CONFIDENCE
IN THE NEW YEAR 2010
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.
Than you will call upon me and come and pray to me,
and I will listen to you.
You will seek me and find me,
when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:11-13
Jeremiah 29:11-13
NOTHING can stop God’s plan for each of us. How often do we get discouraged about what God would have us do, as we read the newspapers with reports of killings, of political upheaval, of terrorist activity or as we are going through our own personal challenges? Things often seem out of control – what do we do? -- build an ark like Noah? hope there will be better days? ignore what’s happening and it will go away? There is a way to be confident in the midst of all this; a confidence based on who God is not what the circumstances are. Hebrews 6:19 says, “We have a hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure”.
Another year is upon us -- exciting, challenging, chaotic. There will be things enter our lives that we could never have dreamed or anticipated – how does God want us to live, how does he want us to face such times? YOU /we already know the answer --- been there, done that. Our past history with Him becomes an encouragement for our present and future moments. The Christian life isn’t about perfection; it’s about process –.
We can live confidently because we know who God is. “I am confident .. that He who began a good work … will perfect it.” God is in control. He knows what He’s doing, and He’s doing it. He works all things together for good. Regardless of whether or not we understand – it’s not our job – it’s our job to trust Him, His sovereignty. When a new difficulty rocks us to the core, He is faithful and good in whatever that situation is, or he is faithful and good in none.
We can live confidently because we know God knows who we are. “For I am confident…that He who began a good work in you will perfect it.” We must trust him for the small things as well as the mega situations. The same God who created the heavens and the earth also knows how many hairs you and I have on our heads (Matt 10:30). “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that He has already planned for us to do. “ Eph 2:10) Does that mean when my computer fails in the middle of a rush project or in the midst of any other challenge, it is shaping us into the person God designed for us to be? As we recognize this in ourselves, we can be confident for others we love as well. God is shaping and directing them as they are in our lives, and will work with them until the day of Jesus Christ. He is at work even when we have no idea what’s going on.
We can live confidently because we know the end of the story – Jesus wins! “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ. Whatever God allows in our lives – persecutions, heartache with spouses or children, finanancial chaos, adverse political situations, conflicts between fellow Christians or personal tragedies – His work will NEVER be left undone in or through us. We may never understand the whys of life’s circumstances, but one day we will see from His perspective. There is no question about the grand finale.
“Rejoice in the LORD always; again I will say, rejoice! Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God”. Phil 4:4-7 The Result: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4;8
It makes a difference when we live with confidence that God is still God --- no matter what, even in the year 2010.
What is God teaching you that will help you in the year?
