June 13 – Stand Tall in His Confidence

Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say. Philemon 1:21

 

We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. 2 Thessalonians 3:4

 

Confidence in the Lord can result in confidence in yourself and others. Knowing that the Lord is in control—that He loves us gives us confidence. Focus on His love—His willingness to give up His life to bring us into reconciliation with our Heavenly Father—His Father. That is love. When you think about Jesus’ love doesn’t it just make you want to stand taller? Take a deep breath and exhale. Feel the love of Jesus and just feel yourself sit or stand straighter. Sometimes when we tell others that Jesus loves them, they feel unworthy—but Jesus didn’t die in vain. If they confess their sins, they are worthy. Just as it says in Romans 10:9…that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved….Saved from your past sins, saved from your present sins, saved from your future sins…saved from hell and the power of Satan. Saved from yourself? From your lack of confidence? Have confidence in the Lord and stretch that into continued confidence in yourself. Don’t give up…the Lord didn’t go to the cross in vain…He didn’t rise from the dead without hope…or ascend into Heaven for nothing. You are worthy of His love. Be obedient to His commandments—His teachings. Stand tall for a purpose. The love of the Lord overflowing from your heart.

 

Training Tip – Pray with your family about issues that they may be facing, even obedience to you…and ask God to give them confidence. Confidence to do what is right, to follow God’s way, and to be obedient.

 

Can you think of a way for your children to encourage one another or someone else to have confidence in themselves…or in the Lord? One way on these hot summer days may be to take them swimming…and encourage them to do their best dive. It may be helpful for them to encourage each other as they dive. Rate them against only themselves and hold up score cards after each dive. If possible video record several of their dives so that they can see for themselves how they are doing…and that they have improved. Seeing an improvement should give them more confidence. Give them a prize or award for their best dive.

 

Lord, Just as Paul wrote to Philemon, on behalf of the run-away slave Onesimus, have confidence in my obedience to you, since you know that I will do even more than what you say. Philemon 1:21  

 

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.