Issue link: http://fcfc.uberflip.com/i/1285211
Being Confident in Christ (by Jeffery Wells) What is it to be confident in Christ? A lot of people might look at the word "confidence" and think of it as being...confident with how they look, their wisdom and what they know, physical strength, or even their wealth or what they have or own. We some mes put our own confidence in people as well. What do I mean by that? How different people might listen and react to our situa ons, it feels good to get sympathy on the flesh side of things, we are all human. We some mes grow more comfortable (or confident) talking with other people. Or even how people comfort you in mes of need or trouble whether it's with words or with distrac ons that don't actually help or heal the issue. Like let's go shopping, or go watch or see a movie. Or play a game or let's go out to eat, or whatever it is that your friend may know helps you feel be er in the flesh. Proverbs 25:19 (KJV) - Confidence in an unfaithful man in me of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. Now I'm not saying that your friend is necessarily unfaithful or ungodly, but we need to grow a confidence in running to God First in every situa on. Then we should go to our Pastor for guidance and to our spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ for prayer and support. The main point that I am referring to with this, are the mes where we are looking for that sympathy because it's where we got more comfortable or confident, and then we are trying to cover up the issue or need to stop and prac ce ge ng more confident in Christ and reachin to him first. I mean really think about it...the Bible gives us all these tools we need and says it so well in so many different ways, but I had to ask myself. Then why do I con nue to run, to the things that con nue to hurt me, than help me!!? I personally think it's because we get so comfortable in our daily lives and we worry about what others think especially in today's world , then we fearful and we try to blend in and we shy away from growing a true confidence in God. 1Timothy 4:12(AMP) - Let no one look down on (you because of) your youth, but be an example and set a pa ern for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. I love this verse because so many mes I have heard people say well I felt like they were looking down on me, or judging me in this situa on. Well the ques ons would be? What did you say? What were your ac ons? How did you react? We some mes think we are so innocent and so nice but we need to set a consistent Godly pa ern in our lives. (Ask Anna, I some mes think I am reac ng nice...Whoops) Well how do we set a Pa ern? What is a pa ern? A pa ern is a repeated design, but also is known as an example for others to follow. So being consistent, in behavior & ac ons, watching your mouth, what are we saying? Are we being consistent in every circumstance and situa on? Form good habits, smile, and be slow to anger. (con nued on page 4) 3