How to Build God’s Confidence in Our 12? October 17, 2006

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Here are William’s Personal Applications for Message 10: How to Build God’s Confidence in our 12?

In message 10, we want to explore how to build Confidence into our 12? Before we can even begin to talk about building confidence, we need to first recognize that the confidence we are discussing here is not a confidence that comes from ourselves, as in how capable we are… We are referring to a confidence that comes from the Lord who is living in our lives and deep within our spirits… We need to first recognize that it is about God’s grace at work in our lives that we are able to achieve great things for Him. That confidence comes from the Lord…

1. Know God’s Mercy and recognize that it is not by your own Merit

Hence the first thing to do in order to build confidence in our 12 is to help our 12 know God’s Mercy. I was deeply touched when I read Chapter 10 of Pastor Cesar’s book on the 52 teachings for the G-12 Meetings. I felt that our Great Grandfather shared one of the deepest insights about the grace of God that I have ever heard. The way he uses the story of Mephibosheth (the grandson of King Saul) totally open my spiritual understanding to see what Grace of God is all about. The story that he quoted is as follows:

Mephibosheth was a man who had a hard life. Although he was the grandson of King Saul, he was hurt deeply in his life and began to think that he was a mistake. Saul was the first king of Israel, but because of disobedience, he and his children all died on the same day. Mephibosheth was five years old when the maid heard the news of the deaths. In the midst of all the bitter excitement, she was running hysterically and tripped, causing the boy to fall down and severely damage both of his feet. This accident left the boy lame. This misfortune left a mark on that child’s life, which also left him feeling abandoned. His father, uncles, and grand father were all dead, while he was crippled. Anyone would think that such a life has no meaning. But the life of this child has become the voice of nourishment for many people.

When David had already become king of Israel, he wanted to be merciful to Saul’s house. They told him about the grandson of the former King Mephibosheth. He was also the son of Jonathan, David’s friend. The first thing King David said to him was, ” ‘Do not be afraid because I will surely show you mercy for the sake of your father Jonathan, whom I love. I will give back to you all of the land of your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.’ The boy humbled himself and asked, ‘Who is your servant that you look at a dead dog like me?’ “

This act is an illustration of God’s grace, in the same way it is poured out on each one of us. It offers us dignity when we feel worthless.

Grace is the unmerited favor of God bestowed upon each one of us. It is not a payment people receive for something they’ve earned. Grace gives people dignity, improves their lifestyle, ensures families, and opens the door to blessings in their lives… We must understand that the prosperity comes, not by the company in which we are, not by our work or the possibilities, but that it comes to our life when we believe. All of God’s riches are within your reach; all you need to do is extend your hands and say: “Lord, I believe that they are for me.”

2. Know that God is for you and realize that you need not Fear

One of the reasons of why one is lack of self confidence is due to the issue of low self-esteem. When we have a low self-esteem, we will feel inferior to others and we will lose the confidence to try even if we can. The enemy will try to plant thoughts of failures and thoughts of doubts in people’s minds like seeds. If we are not careful, we will allow such seeds to grow in our lives, especially when we have been beaten up by different adversities, or exposed to great trials…. Don’t let your past or your fears take you away from the love that God wants to show you. Fear is more than a feeling; it is the manifestation of a demonic spirit which God can set us free from as we receive the Word of God.

Romans 8:31 says, “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Romans 8:35, 37 says, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? …. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

We need to realize that we need not fear because God will always support us and He will not let us face the battle alone… But in Christ and through Christ, we shall be conquerors and overcome whatever difficulties that we face. While we may not always get the results of what we hope to see, we must trust that God is in control and He will bless us with victory according to His eternal purposes… So be brave to try whatever God ask you to do and know that God will see through what He assigned you to do… Do not fear, but have faith to believe that God will lead us into triumphant victory!!!

3. Know that you are a Child of God and receive God’s Blessings
God’s blessings are real, and as a loving father he tells us, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9)…… If we know the great riches that God has planned for us, as His children, we will be able to trust our future into His loving hands with no worries…. We need to trust in our Heavenly Father that He has our best interests in His heart and He wants us to flourish and be fruitful.

Sometimes, we struggle with the situations in our lives and become uncertain if God will really bless us? This is especially so when we experience difficulties despite everything that we are doing seemed to be according to God’s will… When we experience growth and see fruits in our lives, and then suddenly, we face much difficulties coming along our way… If we are not careful, we may misunderstand God’s intention totally when we face all the trials in our lives…

John 15:1,2 says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

You see, Jesus is the Vine and God our Heavenly father is the Gardener. Our Father in Heaven is always busy cutting off those branches that bears no fruits and for those bearing fruits, he prunes. What does that means, when we sin against him and does not bear fruits, the Lord will discipline us and cut off all the unwanted “sins” in our lives. When we are growing well and bearing fruits in our lives for the Lord, He will still prune us by cutting off any parts that may hinder us to be even more fruitful. This is what the Father as the Vinedresser would do for all the branches that come from the true Vine, Jesus Christ.

So be confident and know that God your Father has great plans for you… Plans to prosper you and make you fruitful….

Conclusion
God is faithful to His word in each one of us. In His mercy, the Lord brings us to Him to heal our wounds, to give us back what the enemy has taken away, and to enjoy each one of His promises. Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Trust in the Lord and place your confidence in God.

Source of the above message: Message 10
(Taken from the book by Cesar Castellanos D, 52 Teachings for the G12 Meetings)
Teaching 9: Forming Confident Leaders
The words below are extracts from Pastor Cesar’s book itself…

Mephibosheth was a man who had a hard life. Although he was the grandson of King Saul, he was hurt deeply in his life and began to think that he was a mistake. Saul was the first king of Israel, but because of disobedience, he and his children all died on the same day. Mephibosheth was five years old when the maid heard the news of the deaths. In the midst of all the bitter
excitement, she was running hysterically and tripped, causing the boy to fall down and severely damage both of his feet. This accident left the boy lame. This misfortune left a mark on that child’s life, which also left him feeling abandoned. His father, uncles, and grand father were all dead, while he was crippled. Anyone would think that such a life has no meaning. But the life of this child has become the voice of nourishment for many people.

1. Knowing God’s Mercy
When David had already become king of Israel, he wanted to be merciful to Saul’s house. They told him about the grandson of the former King Mephibosheth. He was also the son of Jonathan, David’s friend. The first thing King David said to him was, ” ‘Do not be afraid because I will surely show you mercy for the sake of your father Jonathan, whom I love. I will give back to you all of the land of your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.’ The boy humbled himself and asked, ‘Who is your servant that you look at a dead dog like me?’ ” This act is an illustration of God’s grace, in the same way it is poured out on each one of us. It offers us dignity when we feel worthless.

2. Be free from the Spirit of Fear and Inferiority
The root of Saul’s problem originated from his low self-esteem. Although everyone around him praised him for his stature, and being the most handsome person in all of Israel, he felt like the most insignificant person in the world…. Fear is more than a feeling; it is the manifestation of a demonic spirit which God can set us free from as we receive the Word of God.

3. Receiving Grace & the Inheritance
Grace is the unmerited favor of God bestowed upon each one of us. It is not a payment people receive for something they’ve earned. Grace gives people dignity, improves their lifestyle, ensures families, and opens the door to blessings in their lives… We must understand that the prosperity comes, not by the company in which we are, not by our work or the possibilities, but that it comes to our life when we believe. All of God’s riches are within your reach; all you need to do is extend your hands and say: “Lord, I believe that they are for me.”

4. Enjoy your Blessing, do not accept failure and Believe you are a Child of God
God’s blessings are real, and as a loving father he tells us, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9)…… The enemy plants thoughts in people’s minds like seeds. The best soil for such seeds (of accepting the idea that one is a failure) to grow in is the lives of people who have been beaten up by different adversities, or exposed to great trials…. Don’t let your past or your fears take you away from the love that God wants to show you.

Conclusion
God is faithful to His word in each one of us. In His mercy, the Lord brings us to Him to heal our wounds, to give us back what the enemy has taken away, and to enjoy each one of His promises.

Have a blessed week!
Ps William