Gems in Life Series 1 “Confidence” (Philippians 1:6)

Gems generally refer to a gemstone, a cut rock or mineral. Jadeite is worth more than $3 million per carat; Red Diamonds are $2 to 2.5 million per carat. Have you considered the treasures that Christ has promised to make your journey successful?

 Any athlete can tell you in order to have any success in their field, Confidence is a must. I’ve watched singers who’ve gotten nervous in their performance and gone flat and off key. I’ve seen golfers who ‘choked’, once they thought about their four foot putt worth $40,000! There are several things that will destroy your confidence. Let’s talk about a few                                    “Confidence Killers”.

 Unrealistic demands. Friend, no one is perfect. The Bible is full of heroes who experienced many blunders and mistakes. Some people place so much pressure on themselves to be perfect, that they forget what Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ. (Phil 4:13) If you think you can succeed in your own strength, you will fall flat on your face!

 Hitting the Replay Button too Often. The feature may be wonderful in helping referees in making the right call on the sports field, but when you’re always focusing on your past, you will certainly miss what God desires to do in your future. You can’t drive very far down the road looking in the rear view mirror without having a major collision and crisis.

 Fear of Failure What if Moses would have never left the backside of the desert and faced Pharaoh? What if Joshua would have never gotten the Priests to put their feet in the Jordan River? What if David would have never faced Goliath? What if Queen Esther would have never gone to the King to rescue the Jews from a death threat? What if three Hebrew teenagers would have never said to the King, “We will not bow down to your god?” What if Peter would have never launched out into the deep for a great catch of fish? (Luke 5:4) There would have been Many Missed Miracles.

Peter could have argued with Jesus, “Lord we always fish in the night, not in the daytime. Lord, we always fish in the shallow end where the Jordan flows into the Sea of Galilee, not out in the deep. Lord, don’t you know that I have been doing this all my life? Lord, don’t you know we are tired and have been fishing all night long?” Peter’s pride and ego could have gotten the best of him; but instead he says these words, “NEVERTHELESS AT THY WORD I WILL LET DOWN THE NET.”

 

If you really want SUCCESS in your walk with God, quit focusing upon your knowledge, your  abilities, your past experience, and your smarts. God can build your CONFIDENCE in HIS WORD to you. He is able to get you through your stress, your struggles and your shortages in life.    

 Dannysdevotional.com