Overcoming Hesitation: Bringing Peace to a Confused World

“God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” 1 Corinthians 14:33 (ESV)

God has called me to represent him everywhere I go. Similar to how countries send out ambassadors, God is sending me out to tell others about his love and forgiveness.

I often lack the confidence needed to share my faith. I think it requires having a salesperson or outgoing mentality. But that simply isn’t true! I don’t have to be good at “closing the deal” to invite people into God’s family.

All humans have the same inner longings. So, when I tell others about Jesus, I'm offering them something they’re already looking for. What a confidence booster!

Another confidence booster in sharing my faith is this: Most people don’t really know what they believe. They may label themselves a certain way, but when I scratch beneath the surface, they sometimes don’t even know what that system believes.

Some people claim to think a certain way but end up contradicting themselves. For example, they’ll say, "There are no absolutes in life." But that’s nonsense because that statement contradicts itself. They may as well say, “There are absolutely no absolutes in life.” In fact, people who make that claim live by rules and beliefs based on absolutes all the time.

Sharing my hope in Christ can help bring clarity to people’s lives. It gives them the understanding they need. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 14:33, “God is not a God of confusion but of peace” (ESV). The truth of God’s Word sets people free from contradiction, confusion, and everything else that binds up their lives.

“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32 NIV).

Next time I lack the confidence to share my faith, I can relax, knowing that the message of Jesus will bring much-needed clarity to people’s lives.

Talking It Over:

Do I live life consciously that I am an ambassador or Christ everywhere I go? If not, how might that practice change my life and the lives of those around me? 

No I don't. With this ambassador mindset, I will be more conscious of my actions. I want others to see how my life has changed because of my faith. I'd like for them to see me and say I want what he has.

What confusing or conflicting beliefs did I once have? How has God’s Word brought clarity to those beliefs?

In the past it was all about me and what I could get, and living a hassle free life. God helped me to understand where I stood with God, bankrupt with no way to atone for my wrongdoings.

Who can hold me accountable to share faith while I do the same for them?

I could ask Bryce, Ramondo, or Chip.

In Summary:

In 1 Corinthians 14:33, Paul reminds believers that God operates in peace rather than confusion, a principle that applies directly to how we view sharing our faith. I reflect on my role as Christ’s ambassador, realizing that effective evangelism doesn't require a high-pressure sales pitch or an outgoing personality, but rather offering Christ to meet the universal longings of the human heart. Many people navigate life with contradictory, confused worldviews, and by simply sharing the truth of the Gospel, I offer the clarity and freedom found in John 8:32. Moving away from a self-centered past toward a clear understanding of my need for grace empowers you to live intentionally so others see the transformational impact of my faith.

Bottom Line:

Sharing my faith isn't about selling a belief system, but about bringing God's liberating clarity and peace to a confused world through a transformed life.

Next Step:

Reach out to my inner circle this week to set up a recurring accountability check-in where I can actualize encouragement and intentionally track how I are representing Christ in my daily environments.

When It Comes to Goals, Be Specific

“Swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not allow my son to marry one of these local Canaanite women. Go instead to my homeland, to my relatives, and find a wife there for my son Isaac.” Genesis 24:3-4 (NLT)

Eleazar’s example is a roadmap for how to succeed in reaching my goals.

In Genesis 24, there are several steps to success in the story of Abraham, Isaac, Eleazar, and Rebekah. One of the steps in getting where I want to be is to describe exactly what I want.

Vague goals are never accomplished. When I am specific, I figure out not only what I want but also what I don’t want.

Abraham was very specific in the task he set before Eleazar. Genesis 24:3-4 says, “Swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not allow my son to marry one of these local Canaanite women. Go instead to my homeland, to my relatives, and find a wife there for my son Isaac” (NLT).

I have a dream for my life, so I need to ask myself: What do I want to be or do or have? Why do I want it? 

Don’t ask how. We’re always so concerned about the how. How am I going to do it? How am I going to pay for it?  How am I going to find the time?

In life, never confuse the decision-making phase with the problem-solving phase. Most people try to solve all the problems before they set their goal. Bad idea. If I try to solve every problem first, I'll never move forward.

God says I need to ask why first, not how.

Knowing what is not enough. I can set all kinds of goals, but if I don’t know the why, I'm never going to achieve them. The why keeps me from giving up when times get tough. It’s when I know the why that God shows me how.

He is always faithful to help me succeed.

So I need to ask God to help me clarify what I want to be or do or have in life. Then take the time to figure out why I want it. Learn to be specific.

In summary:

In Genesis 24, Abraham gives his servant Eleazar a clear and specific mission: to find a wife for Isaac from his own people, not the local Canaanites. This story emphasizes the importance of setting clear, specific goals. Vague goals rarely succeed, but when I know exactly what I want—and what I don’t want—I can better focus my efforts. Like Abraham, I must define my objectives with clarity to make progress. This helps me recognize the right path and filter out distractions that don’t align with my purpose.

However, knowing what I want isn't enough—I must also understand why I want it. Too often, we get stuck trying to figure out how to achieve something before even deciding on the goal. But God encourages me to start with the why, because a strong purpose keeps me going when challenges arise. Once I’m clear on the why, God will show me the how. Success starts by partnering with God to define my vision and motives, and trusting Him to guide me step by step.

Confidence at Being Christ’s Ambassador

In 2 Corinthians 5:20 I read, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” (NIV)

My job in God’s family is to invite others to join the family. In fact, I am an ambassador of Christ. That means that, everywhere I go, I represent Jesus.

The Bible says, “We are . . . Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV).

Often I think that, “I’m just not qualified to be an ambassador for Christ.” thinking that it requires a special personality or being good at persuading others. Or perhaps I struggle to find the confidence I need to tell people about the hope I have in Jesus.

Here are five truths that will give the confidence to be an ambassador for Jesus Christ:

First, everybody has the same longings I have. I didn’t stop being a human when I was born again into the family of God. I still have the same basic human drives and desires everyone else does. That means what I’m offering to people—how to live a life of purpose—is what everybody longs for. 

Second, everybody has the same questions I have. All those questions I have in my mind—like “Who am I?” and “Does my life have purpose?”—are from God. They’re not small questions, but they’re the questions everyone asks. And the answers, of course, are found in God’s Word.

Third, most don’t really know what they believe, and they often contradict themselves. For example, some people say there are no absolutes in life. Well, that statement alone is an absolute statement. But when I share the hope of Jesus, it brings clarity to people’s lives.

Fourth, listen for the key that will open their heart to Jesus. That key is their unmet need or hidden hurt. The only way to God is through Jesus Christ. But people come to Jesus for many reasons—many times through their painful experiences.

Lastly, people have excuses, but I have the Holy Spirit and the truth. I’m not alone when I tell people about God’s plan of salvation through Jesus. God is with me, but he is also working in the other person’s heart while I’m talking through the Holy Spirit.

So many times, people, including myself, lack confidence in sharing their faith. The good news is, God will always tell me what to say when I need to say it—and he’ll do it in such an amazing way!

In summary, My job in God’s family is to invite others to join the family. In fact, I’m an ambassador of Christ. So everywhere I go, I represent Jesus. Often I think that, “I’m just not qualified for this role.” thinking that it requires a special personality or being good at persuading others. Or even at times I struggle to find the confidence I need to tell people about the hope I have in Jesus. Here are five truths I’m learning that will give me the confidence to be an ambassador for Jesus: First, everybody has the same longings I have. I still have the same basic human drives and desires everyone else does. That means what I’m offering to people, how to live a life of purpose, is what everybody longs for. Second, everybody has the same questions I have. Questions such as “Who am I?” and “Does my life have purpose?” These are all from God. The answers are found in God’s Word. Third, most don’t really know what they believe, and they often contradict themselves. But when I share the hope of Jesus, it brings clarity. Fourth, listen for the key that will open their heart to Jesus. That key is their unmet need or hidden hurt. The only way to God is through Jesus Christ. But people come to Jesus for many reasons—many times through their painful experiences. Lastly, people have excuses, but I have the Holy Spirit and the truth. I’m not alone when I tell people about God’s plan of salvation through Jesus. God is with me, but he is also working in the other person’s heart. So many times, people, including myself, lack confidence in sharing their faith. The good news is, God will always tell me what to say when I need to say it.

An ambassador is an official representative on behalf of one country to another. As believers, we are Christ's ambassadors, sent with his message of reconciliation to the world. An ambassador of reconciliation has an important responsibility. We dare not take this responsibility lightly. How well am I fulfilling my commission as Christ's ambassador? 

Three Steps to Help Me Reveal My Blind Spots

In Job 34:32 I read, “Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.” (NIV)

My natural tendency is to lie to myself. I believe my feelings, though my feelings aren’t always accurate. I believe my thoughts, though my thoughts aren’t always the truth.

This is because I have blind spots, which are attitudes or weaknesses I cannot see or refuse to see even though they cause conflict with others.

So how can I see beyond my self-deceptions to the truth? There are three simple ways I can get started on working on my blind spots.

First, ask God for clarity. Pray the prayer of Job: “Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again” (Job 34:32 NIV). When I know my heart is deceitful, ask God to remind me of what is true about him and about myself. Ask him to help me trust him.

After asking God for clarity, ask some trusted Christian friends or family for help. God puts people in my life to help me because they see things in me that I can’t see. They can see my blind spots, just like I can see theirs. Proverbs 12:15 says, “Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others” (NLT). If I think I can work on myself by myself, then that in itself is a blind spot. That is self-deception. Fools think they need no advice, but the wise listen to others.

Then, ask Jesus to change me. Jesus said, “I am . . . the truth” (John 14:6 NIV). And the Bible says the truth will set me free. So the closer I am to Jesus, the more my life will be filled with the truth. That means I’m going to be less vulnerable to self-deception as I walk in the light of God’s truth. God’s truth helps me see myself and others as I really am.

Jesus said in John 9:39, “I have come into the world to give sight to those who are spiritually blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind” (TLB). He wasn’t talking about physical blindness. Jesus came to earth to help me see my blind spots and to help me get my sight so that I can see myself as I really am.”

God can deliver me from my hidden faults, blind spots, and self-deceptions. Ask him for clarity, ask some trusted Christian friends or family for help, and then ask Jesus to change me. The truth will set me free!

In summary, ask the Lord to teach me what I cannot see; and then if I have done wrong, Ask him to help me so that I will not do so again. My natural tendency is to lie to myself. I believe my feelings, though my feelings aren’t always accurate. I believe my thoughts, though my thoughts aren’t always the truth. I have blind spots, which are attitudes or weaknesses I cannot see or refuse to see. There are three simple ways I can get started on working on my blind spots. First, ask God for clarity. When I know my heart is deceitful, ask God to remind me of what is true about him and about myself. Ask him to help me trust him. Seondaly ask some trusted Christian friends or family for help. God puts people in my life to help me because they see things in me that I can’t see. Fools think they need no advice, but the wise listen to others. Lastly, ask Jesus to change me. God’s Word says the truth will set me free. So the closer I am to Jesus, the more my life will be filled with the truth. When I do, it means I’m going to be less vulnerable to self-deception as I walk in the light of God’s truth. Jesus came to earth to help me see my blind spots and to help me get my sight so that I can see myself as I really am. God can deliver me from my hidden faults, blind spots, and self-deceptions. 

It’s hard to admit that I would have blind spots. I don’t enjoy or embrace being told I’m wrong or missing something. Today’s study is a reminder that I can’t always do it on my own. Unfortunately I do not currently have people in your life who can reveal my blind spots to me. As I begin to lead a small group, I pray that I can obtain some people in my life that I can confide in and ask for direction. I ask you Father for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. These things I pray in your Son Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

When I’m Feeling Hopeless, I Should Start with Prayer

In review of Jonah 2:1 I read, “From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God.” Jonah 2:1 (NIV)

Jonah's was a prayer of thanksgiving, not one of deliverance. He was simply happy that he had not drowned. No matter where I am, I can pray and God will hear me. My predicament is never too difficult for God. When life is going well, I tend to take God for granted; but when I lose hope, I cry out to him. This results in an inconsistent, up-and-down spiritual life. I need to look to God during both the good and bad times, and I will have a stronger spiritual life. 

There are times when I’ve felt swallowed up by life. Being surrounded by depression, conflict, worry, or guilt, and I felt hopeless.

When faced with a hopeless situation, think about what Jonah did.

After Jonah had run from God’s mission for his life, God prepared a great fish to swallow him up. As he sat in that great fish, Jonah looked up to God.

In fact, the entire second chapter of this book is Jonah praying while he sinks into the ocean and gets swallowed by a giant fish. It’s a lesson for me that when I’m feeling overwhelmed, to also look up to God in prayer.

From the very first verse of the chapter, I can see Jonah turning to God: “From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God” (Jonah 2:1 NIV).

Some problems in life will never go away unless I learn to look to God in prayer.

In Mark 9, some of Jesus’ followers had been trying to drive a demon out of someone, but they couldn’t. They asked Jesus why. Jesus responded: “This kind can come out only by prayer” (Mark 9:29 NIV).

Some problems are so deeply rooted that only persistent prayer will solve them. It’s not just about just a one-time prayer, either. If I only care about something enough to pray about it once, I don’t really care about it. If I truly want to see something happen in my life, I will pray about it over and over.

God wants to see whether I want it desperately enough to keep on praying! He’s more interested in building my faith than he in answering every little prayer.

If I’m feeling hopeless, look up to God and keep praying. Never give up!

In summary, no matter where I am, I can pray and God will hear me. My predicament is never too difficult for Him. When life is going well, I tend to take God for granted; but when I lose hope, I cry out to him. This results in an inconsistent, up-and-down spiritual life. I need to look to God during both the good and bad times. When faced with a hopeless situation, think about what Jonah did. He looked up to God. It’s a lesson for me that when I’m feeling overwhelmed, to also look up to God in prayer. Some problems in life will never go away unless I learn to look to God in prayer. Some problems are so deeply rooted that only persistent prayer will solve them. It’s not just about just a one-time prayer, either. If I only care about something enough to pray about it once, I don’t really care  about it. If I truly want to see something happen in my life, I will pray about it over and over. God wants to see whether I want it desperately enough to keep on praying! He’s more interested in building my faith than he in answering every little prayer. So learn to look up to God and keep praying. Never give up!

I need to always look up to God with whatever difficulty or stressful situation. I need to continually pray and allow God to build my faith in Him. As I face my work today and what’s above to happen, I just need to focus, clarify my request and keep praying, I should also be prepared that it may take time as I’m tested and prepared for his answer. I also pray for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. I ask these things in your Son Jesus’ name, Amen.