YOU CAN BE CONFIDENT “ Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” Philippians 1:6
This has to be one of the most reassuring verses in the Bible. You can be CONFIDENT that God is able to continue the work He has started in your life. As we begin a new year and embark on our resolutions and self-improvement programs, remember , the ultimate “make over” is in the hands of the God who love you.
No matter how discouraged you feel about yourself or your circumstances, know with confidence that God is working. As Pastor Chuck Smith said, “ The work of the Spirit of God will continue in you. It is based onthe faithfulness of God. He hasn’t taken you this far to duml you now!”
I know that we don't always experience that confidence. I worry sometimes that I might mess things up so badly that failure is the only outcome. But you know what? Sometimes failure is the only outcome. Sometimes we just can't make happen what we want to happen. We can't always change other people.
It's maddening—and sometimes depressing. Even the apostle Paul cried out one day in sheer frustration and spiritual agony: “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24).
Who? Hebrews 12:2 reminds us who “ Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. L Paul knew who would never leave hum nor forsake him. Whi would continue to work in his life.
God, through Jesus Christ, will continue to work out pkan for out lives that He ordained from the foundations of the world. He knows who we are. He knows our weakness and vulnerabilities. He doesn’t want us to ignore those parts of our lives or fear them. He knows what it will take for us to stay close to Him. He will allow events and circumstances that will help us know without a doubt, that nothing will ever separate us from His love. We can always live in God’s presence.
What a relief!
“We know that to those who love God, who are called accordingto His plan, everything that happens fits into a pattern for good”
Romans 8:28
Daily devotional by Pastor Ray Bentley
While reading this devotional this morning a beautiful sun is rising up to start the day.
The reading makes me realized that I should have confidence in what ever is happening in my life right now. God has its own plan in my life. I may never have what I want but it is “BETTER AND SAFER IF I AM IN GOD’S WILL.”
This reminded me of the stories of Job, Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Jeremiah, Elijah, Ruth, Hannah, Mary, etc. All of these people found themselves experiencing events in their lives they certainly would not have chosen for themselves. Yet God had a plan to bless countless others through them. Thanks for sharing!