Sunday July 11, 2021
https://www.facebook.com/Encountertexoma/videos/2848523858790999
Distrustful, disbelieving, negativistic, uncertain, lacking faith, lacking trust, fearful.
All of these point to times in my life that I’ve LACKED CONFIDENCE!
Hesitant, uncertain, doubtful, skeptical, indecisive, blowing hot and cold, in two minds!
James 1:5-8- “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
WHAT DOES CONFIDENCE LOOK LIKE?
Trusting, convinced, trustful, positive, uncritical, believing, confident, faithful, trustworthy, undoubting!
When I am FAITH-FULL I’ll also be CONFIDENCE-FULL
I don’t know about you but I’ve struggled with CONFIDENCE in my life!
Growing up and even into adulthood I’ve battled with insecurities.
YOU CAN’T DO THIS, YOU’RE GOING TO BLOW IT! There’s been times that my self-talk has been so negative!
I could walk into a room and in my mind begin to figure out how you’re going to reject me!
A LACK OF CONFIDENCE will keep you from obeying God and following the dreams He has for you!
A LACK OF CONFIDENCE WILL KEEP YOU AND ME FROM TAKING THE STEP!
Do you find yourself lacking confidence sometime?
We don’t need more self-confidence!
We need to grow our God-confidence!
1 Corinthians 10:12- “Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence.”
Don’t be so naive and self-confident!
Psalms 57:7- “My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!”
THREE THINGS TO REMEMBER THAT WILL HELP YOU GROW IN YOUR GOD-CONFIDENCE.
- My God is always for me
Romans 8:31- “What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”
God is not out to get you, he’s for you!
The culture of the church I grew up with was “God is just waiting to get you!”
“WATCH OUT, GOD WATCHING AND HE’S GOING TO GET YOU IF…….”
I lived life for the approval of God instead of from the approval of God!
Are you wanting to see your marriage healed? God is for you!
What is the step of faith ahead of you? God is for you!
What are you praying for? God is for you!
WE’RE LOOKING FOR ANOTHER LOCATION FOR ENCOUNTER CHURCH. GOD IS FOR US!!!!
Hebrews 10:35- “So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!”
My God is always for me! We’re talking about growing in our God-confidence!
2. My God always helps me
Hebrews 13:5-6- “…For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”
Do you need peace? Do you need help with your finances? Do you need help with your marriage?
Is there a difficult conversation you need to have? Is there a tough decision you need to make?
Is there a ministry you need to start? Do you need faith to move forward?
GOD IS YOUR HELPER!
I’ll never forget March 25, 2021.
On November 1, 2020 my older sister Pam passed away just a week after it was discovered cancer covered her body. A memorial service wasn’t conducted due to Covid.
On March 22, 2021 my mother passed away after suffering a massive stroke.
On March 25 it fell upon me to conduct my moms funeral and the memorial service for my sister.
Do you know what my prayer was? GOD HELP ME! AND HE DID!
Hey we’re growing our confidence in God, not self-confidence! He is always for me and he always helps me.
Psalms 46:1- “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”
3. My God is still working in me
Philippians 1:6- “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.”
Are you struggling with doubts about yourself and who God has called you to be?
Are you struggling with failure. “I just can’t get anything right!”
WHO STARTED THE WORK IN YOU? GOD! AND HE WILL FINISH IT!
Philippians 2:13- “ For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”
CONCLUSION: Grow your God-confidence! He is always for you! He will always help you! He is still working in you!
TAKE THE STEP! What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?