(Psalms 3)
Living with confidence. Having been a sports fanatic my whole life, I often
wonder what separates those who win and those who lose. Talent, of course, has
a lot to do with the outcome, but when talent is even, it boils down to
confidence. At the professional level, there is very little difference
between players physically. They are a rare breed of a minute percentage
the population with the God-given physical and athletic ability to compete at
the highest level. Having lived for many years in Chicago, I saw first-hand
the Bulls basketball dynasty. Of course, they had one of basketball's
greatest players in Michael Jordan, but that team had an intangible called
confidence. Every time they stepped onto the court, they had that level of
confidence that no matter what happened during the game, they would find a
way to win. I use this analogy today because that is the exact same kind of
confidence those who know Christ as Savior should have every day of their
life.
When you know Christ as savior, you have determined the most important thing
you can in this life, where you will spend eternity. That alone should give
you such confidence to live this life in victory, because we know our time
here is only for a few short years, but we will spend all of eternity with our
Lord. In addition, we should have confidence each day from all of the Lord's
promises. He promised never to leave us or forsake us. He promised to
protect us. He promised to provide for us. He promised to fight for us. He
has told us to cast our burdens on Him. He said that when we were weak, He
is strong. He said we can do all things because He strengthens us. And
those are just a few. Armed with the knowledge of our eternal home, all of
the Lord's precious promises, why shouldn't we live each day with tremendous
confidence!
I am praying today that you will take a fresh look at your life today. In
the business world, people are paid millions to teach people to have a
positive mental attitude. There is no reason a Christian should have
anything but a positive mental attitude. We need to start dealing with our
life, including the tragedies we all have to face in this existence, with a
positive mental attitude...not because of who we are, but because of who
Jesus is! I realize many of you are going thru incredible trials. Many are
facing circumstances that are almost unbearable. All I can do today is
encourage you to stay positive because Jesus is on your side. Start dealing
with every aspect of your life in confidence. Confidence because the Lord is
with you, will give you what you need each day, and will walk with you every
step of the way. You have a lack of confidence because you are trying to do
it in your strength and wisdom. Start living in His strength and wisdom and
you will have a totally different outlook.
I love you and care about you deeply. I pray that you will start living with
more confidence because of who you are in Christ Jesus. One of your best
witnessing tools is how you live your life and deal with your problems. A
nonbeliever is going to wonder how you can be so confident in dealing with
day-to-day life and will give you opportunities to share with them that it is
not possible unless we have the Lord in our life. I pray the Lord will open
your mind and heart to receive these words and you will start living in the
confidence that will enable you to overcome life's problems and be a
fruit-producing servant for the Lord. He loves you and has given you all you
need to be a champion in the greatest game of all...the game of life.
