Wednesday January 11 2017; Waking Faith By Steven Furtick - The Connection Between Circumstance And Confidence
2 Timothy 1:11-12
"And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day."
I used to think that when something bad happened to me, when circumstances were not in my favor, it was because of the devil. Then when something good happened, and life was going smoothly, I attributed it to God.
But that idea could not be any more false. Just look at the life of Paul — shipwrecked, bruised, scars up and down his arms, lashes across his back, hungry, naked, in danger everywhere he went. And yet, God used Paul through all of it.
The enemy will attack your circumstance, but he only attacks your circumstance because he's after your confidence. And what breaks you as a believer isn't when your circumstances are against you. It's when your circumstances cause you to compromise your confidence.
For example, when you sin, your sin doesn't change your relationship with God. It can't, because Jesus already paid the price for your sin.
But sin does take away your confidence in your relationship with God. And once again, if the enemy can create enough cracks in your confidence, then he can keep you from walking in your calling.
Christian confidence is not circumstantial. When you keep your confidence in Christ and His finished work, that kind of confidence that can withstand whatever life throws your way.
Written By: Pastor Steven Furtick
"And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day."
I used to think that when something bad happened to me, when circumstances were not in my favor, it was because of the devil. Then when something good happened, and life was going smoothly, I attributed it to God.
But that idea could not be any more false. Just look at the life of Paul — shipwrecked, bruised, scars up and down his arms, lashes across his back, hungry, naked, in danger everywhere he went. And yet, God used Paul through all of it.
The enemy will attack your circumstance, but he only attacks your circumstance because he's after your confidence. And what breaks you as a believer isn't when your circumstances are against you. It's when your circumstances cause you to compromise your confidence.
For example, when you sin, your sin doesn't change your relationship with God. It can't, because Jesus already paid the price for your sin.
But sin does take away your confidence in your relationship with God. And once again, if the enemy can create enough cracks in your confidence, then he can keep you from walking in your calling.
Christian confidence is not circumstantial. When you keep your confidence in Christ and His finished work, that kind of confidence that can withstand whatever life throws your way.
Written By: Pastor Steven Furtick
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