The word 'confidence' is used some 54-60 times in the bible (depending on the version you're reading).  There's a difference though, in what you have confidence in.  In other words, we should have no confidence in the flesh.  If we're going to have confidence in something it should be in Christ, not man.


Our confidence should come from our relationship with Christ.  We can follow Him in full confidence in His wisdom, power and His plan for each one of us.


Are you feeling confident today?  Check to see if you're trusting in your own intuition, or if you're fully vested with your confidence in Christ.


Through Christ, there's nothing we can't accomplish!


Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

We could all use a little guidance, especially as a young Christian.  If you're a parent or guardian of children, you'll know that as kids mature, they need less guidance than in the beginning.  As they get to understand our parenting, they know what they can do on their own, and what guidance they still need from us.


This is the way with God.  After we walk with God for a number of years, we get to know His character, and how to relate to Him.  He may be a little more harder on us in the beginning, but it's only for our own good.  As we grow closer to Him, we have the desire to honor Him and reflect His heart in everything we do.  


Experience God's nearness.  God is intimate with those who trust Him.  Seek God; get closer to Him so that you will do nothing of your own accord, or out of your own desires, but that you will enjoy this intimacy with God and your desires will become one with His.


Don't walk blindly through life; it will get you nowhere.  Seek Him, let God guide you today.


James 4:8 - "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

As a parent, I always wanted to provide for my kids.  At times, being a single mom, it was tough, but God provided when I couldn't.  


I got to be dependent on God, and that's what He wants.  Just like a child depends on his parents for food, etc., we should be depending on God for our provisions.  But, this doesn't mean that we should be 'demanding' His provisions.  God wants us to come to Him, but with humility.  Casting our cares on Him begins the humbling process that needs to take place.


So, instead of thinking you're invincible and that you can handle anything, give it to God.  He's got strong shoulders.  He can handle anything we give Him.


We are God's personal concern.  Are you trusting Him to provide for you today?


Anxiety is foolish.  It is the product of failing to reflect on the fatherly care God has for us.  After all, He's taking care of the birds of the air, what makes you think He won't take care of you?


Matthew 6:31-32 - "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, "What shall we eat?' or "What shall we drink?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all."

We all have problems and I'm as guilty as the next person to harbor those feelings of pain, disappointment, over and over again.  If you think about it, this is no life to live.  It can be down-right depressing.  It's taken me years, but I have come to realize that God has ALL the answers to my problems.  I have learned to commit my stresses and situations to God, and have enjoyed my life so much more since then.

Got questions?  God's got the solutions.  God can do more in one moment than we can do in a lifetime of worry and stress.

This life here on earth is too short to live life worrying, stressed.  Give it to Him.

Psalm 20:1 – " May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you."

Are you doing what your anointed to do?  Are you using your God-given abilities to help someone today?  If we do what we are good at doing, we will sense God's presence on our efforts.

If we want to hear God say someday, "Well done good and faithful servant" when we meet Him in Heaven, then we must faithfully and purposely use our talents the way He wants us to.

Who or what is directing your path today?  Are you just mechanically and randomly moving through life today? 

Find your purpose in Christ.  Seek Him diligently and let Him direct your steps.

Proverbs 16:9 – "A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."

The definition of grace from a biblical perspective means God's love in action towards men who merited the opposite of love.  In other words, God extends this grace to all us sinners who could not lift a finger to save themselves.  


Do any of us deserve this grace that God gives so freely?  No, not even the most righteous.  But, because of God's love for us, He sent His Son to die for each one of us, so that we may live.  Now that's undeserving grace.


We see this over and over again in the bible.  Read it for yourself.  But, this amazing grace is still available today.  God is still extending this grace to us, who believe.  


We all deserve to be cursed because of our sins, but because God loves us, He chooses to bless us.  Isn't that amazing?


What's the difference in mercy and grace?  Mercy withholds a punishment we deserve; grace gives a blessing we don't deserve.


God's grace is the greatest treasure to the least deserving, which is all of us.


What are you deserving of?  


Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."

We spend so much time in life trying to make things happen ourselves.  We try to determine what we're going to do each day, and mentally, think that this will happen as we plan.  Instead, we should be trusting God to open the right doors and close the wrong ones.

We've all faced disappointments in our lives; times where we feel so good about what God is calling us to do and them…BAM!  The dream gets blown apart or the journey hits a road block.

Why does this happen?  It's all explained in "God's timing."  Timing is everything.  Sometimes He (God) has chosen to close a door, just to prepare us for what is to come.

He has protected me from people, situations, where, if I had had it my way, things could have ended up badly for me.

So, don't turn away from God or feel abandoned just because you didn't get 'your way.'  Trust that when the timing (His timing) is right, that door will open.

Psalm 119:1-16

"Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! "

The same power that Jesus used to 'turn the water into wine' is the same power that is inside of me, and you, if you are a Christian/born-again believer.


This miracle (turning the water into wine - John 2:1-11) was the first of many that Jesus performed.  


To understand this power that we actually have inside is, is to first understand that the world we live in has two realms-the natural and the spiritual.


God sent Jesus to come into the world and use His power/authority that came from God, to preach the word and reach the people so that they could be saved.  Jesus is essentially saying to us today, "I'm sending you out the same way the Father sent me out."


But, be careful.  We cannot minister in God's authority when we're not living under God's authority.  We must submit our authority totally to God, in order to receive this power and use it for His glory.


Check yourself.  Make sure you're in alignment with God's authority.  


John 2:8-11: "Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”
They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine.He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”
11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him."


That same power is in us all, if we submit to God.