This year I will be sharing brief excerpts from the articles, sermons, and books I am currently reading. My posts will not follow a regular schedule but will be published as I find well-written thoughts that should be of interest to maturing Christian readers. Whenever possible, I encourage you to go to the source and read the complete work of the author.
John Piper:
“The really wonderful moments of joy in this world are not the moments of self-satisfaction, but self-forgetfulness. Standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon and contemplating your own greatness is pathological. At such moments we are made for a magnificent joy that comes from outside ourselves.” (Don’t Waste Your Life)
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Isaac Newton, English mathematician and scientist:
“We account the scriptures of God to be the most sublime philosophy. I find more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible than in any profane history whatsoever.”
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The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. (Psalm 27:1-3 ESV)
Do you ever find yourself wishing you had as much confidence as a fellow Christian who is very bold in his witness for Christ? What do you think makes some Christians more confident in prayer than others? How is it that some Christians face the problems of life so calmly?
We find this clue in Proverbs, “For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.” (Proverbs 3:26 ESV) God would have us manifest courage. We are always in the presence of God and ought to display presence of mind. Serenity under the sudden rush of unexpected evils is a gift of divine love. Therefore, Christians should show quietness in spirit. Those who walk with God shall not be deceived by Satan’s tricks. Let the LORD be your confidence.
Paul writes, “This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.” (Ephesians 3:11-12 ESV) We have the courage of confident access to God. Since we belong to Christ and He is ours, then we have free and unrestricted access to the Father. Therefore, we should pray boldly and rest confidently in God.
I am not talking about self-confidence, but confidence in God. All things are possible with God. The outcome of our efforts is in His hands. The author of Hebrews reminds us, “Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.” (Hebrews 10:35 ESV)
The Apostle John writes, “And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.” (1 John 2:28 ESV) The phrase “abide in him” pictures an intimate, close relationship, and not just a superficial acquaintance. Such a relationship inspires confidence. Once we abide in Him, we have the confidence to produce good fruit in our lives. (John 15:4 ESV)
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Samuel at Gilgal
Samuel at Gilgal 