It gets even better!

“All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.” Hebrews 11:39-40 NLT

http://bible.com/116/heb.11.39-40.nlt

You might get tired of me saying how blessed I am. I just can't help it. Really, I have been blessed throughout my entire life. Sure, I have had some ups and downs. Even in the amount of time I have been writing this blog, I have testified to some struggles. Yet, throughout even the struggles of life I can testify to the blessings I have received from God. Then I get to this verse.

God has something better in mind. If I had struggled throughout my life this verse would have a completely different meaning. I have lived such a blessed life and now I know it's just going to get better. I can't wait. Every day of my life is a mystery, a glorious mystery because we do not know from moment to moment what is to come. Some people "peek" around the corners of life in anticipation of what is coming. They are worried about the oath they are on. Others, including myself, look to the future with excitement and great anticipation. This verse is the reason!

I praise you, Lord, for my wonderfully exciting life. I praise you that I can charge into everyday not worried about what is around the corner. I know, good or bad, that you are here with me. You will protect me and walk with me when life turns ugly. I have a special confidence because I know my life is not my own. I have a confidence because even when life is fantastic, it's going to get even better. It's a confidence that is about you Lord, not me. Thank you Lord. I love you and am humbled to be one of yours. Amen!

Confident about your future?

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. (Philippians 1:6 NIV)

Confidence is an important trait for the Christian. Non-Christians look for weaknesses in our faith and many times they see the chink in the armor when it comes to lack of confidence. Do you have faith in the saving grace of Jesus Christ or not? Are you confident in your future? Do you know that you know that you know you will spend eternity in Heaven? Do you reflect your confidence by you actions?

Our display of worry, our fear of death, our concerns about failure, are all related to our confidence. Our faith is to be questioned if we can't be confident about our future. Gods plan is perfect. His plan will have a perfect ending. His plan will be completed in us!

The theme of this blog is prayer, bible study, and worship. Every part of our lives should be built AROUND these three practices. You can't developed confidence in your faith or Gods plan unless you do these things. I am no different than you. I need this reminder often. 

Another place to help with confidence is watching those around you that have confidence in their faith and walk with Christ. I have had many of those in my life. My mom is definitely one of those people. She has had a life filled with faith. I have seen her handle the ups and downs of life with grace, dignity, and confidence. Thank Mom for being such a great role model.

Confidence vs Arrogance

Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. (Lamentations 3:40 NIV)

I've spent much of my life trying to give young people a confidence they can do anything. It's really a key part of our American culture. Young kids dream about being astronauts, the president, a fireman, a ballerina, or a dog.(yes, I have a granddaughter who thought when she grew up she could be a dog.) we tell them to dream big and reach for the stars. 

There is a downside to this "can do" attitude. 

Our country is full of people who think they can do no wrong and one of the greatest barriers for nonChristians is the idea of sin. We think so much of ourselves! We're proud of our accomplishments. The idea that we are not all that great or that we are sinners goes contrary to our culture. I am a sinner. The gifts I have in my life come from The Lord. My self confidence keeps me from seeing my weaknesses and faults. As a Christian I walk a fine line of living with confidence and being arrogant in the face of God. I can't take credit for the wonderful things in my life. The many blessings from my savior are GIFTS.  Nothing I have or have done comes from me. It all comes from The Lord. When am I going to see that?

I need to be a leader when it comes to seeing my own weaknesses. I can constantly remind others that my wonderful life is from the grace of Jesus. It's not me. It's not MY doing, but it's from Christ who lives in me. If we go through the early years of life thinking we can do no wrong, or survive without Christ, we are wrong. I need to be able to share that truth with love and grace. Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow.

I exalt me!

Psalm 75 (New International Version, ©2011)

 ¹ We praise you, God,
   we praise you, for your Name is near;
   people tell of your wonderful deeds.
 ² You say, “I choose the appointed time;
   it is I who judge with equity.
³ When the earth and all its people quake,
   it is I who hold its pillars firm.^[b]
4 To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more,’
   and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns.^[c] 5 Do not lift your horns against heaven;
   do not speak so defiantly.’”
 ⁶ No one from the east or the west
   or from the desert can exalt themselves.
⁷ It is God who judges:
   He brings one down, he exalts another.

Arrogance is not a positive character trait. I have been listening to Donald Trump on the news lately. It appears he is the front runner in the early race for the Republican nomination for President. I can't imagine we won't have another choice. Mr. Trump is as arrogant a person as I have seen. Arrogance according to Miriam Webster is: 


an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions.

I can truly say that Donald Trump fits this definition to the extreme. I can't say what type of President he would be, but can he truly be as great as he says he is. He brags about his business sense. He fancies himself as a ladies man, and he views himself as a great Television star. Does that mean he would be a great President? I think I look more for a humble person to represent the people of the United States. I look up to a person who is more "human" and down to earth. If you look at our present leader, I get the same feeling of arrogance from him. Is that a pre-requisite for running for President. Would the American people vote for a President who speaks softly and has the heart of a servant. I'm afraid we wouldn't. Can you think of a politician that publicly portrays a humble servant's heart? I want my leaders to be confident. I want them to have convictions. I want them to lead. But, I do not want them to be arrogant! There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance.

When did it become popular to "exalt" ourselves? When did it become unfashionable to serve others? Jesus set the best example how to serve. Paul was arrogant and then transformed by God and chose the role of a servant. We need to be more servant like. We need to humble ourselves before the Lord, worship, and serve him and him alone!