Category: Blog

PEACE.

How do you define peace?

The Bible has a lot to say about peace; it appears 329 times. Peace in the Bible is a bit different than what peace is in the world. It’s more than just an emotion, the absence of stress, a good night’s sleep, security, tranquility or a vacation. The Hebrew word translated as peace is “shalom,” which means completeness, soundness, wholeness and welfare.

Peace is not so much the absence of something, as much as it is the presence of Someone.

The peace that Jesus provides surpasses human understanding.
It’s peace that quite literally doesn’t make sense.
It’s peace in situations where you should have none.

I have found that peace can be found where you often least expect it. When you think you’re too far gone, when you’re convinced you messed up too much, when you think God forgot about you. Peace is connected to His Presence, and it’s a promise. Peace is a Person.

True peace isn’t found in the absence of problems.
True peace is found in the presence of the Prince of it.

Here is what the Bible has to say about peace:

Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 29:11
The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

1 Thessalonians 5:23
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

James 3:18
Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

2 Corinthians 13:11
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Romans 12:18
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

1 Peter 3:11
They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.

Psalm 4:8
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.

2 Thessalonians 3:16
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

Philippians 4:9
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…

Colossians 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…

Romans 8:6
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

Ephesians 6:15
…and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

Proverbs 12:20
Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.

– Carly Lynn // @car1ylynn

The Sweet & Sour Part
Biting into a strawberry. Sometimes sweet, sometimes sour.

Well…that’s a lot like college.

You are in and surrounded by temptations of the flesh. But, when it comes down to it, it’s not any different than what you could face outside of college. In college, you are just in a bubble where the sour can be more pronounced than the sweet.

I’ve had moments where my relationship with God fell short of transformational. It wasn’t until closer to the end of my college career that I started building my relationship with the Lord. College brought out sides of me that only God could heal and prepared me for how He was going to work in my life. The truth is, no matter how sweet or sour my college experiences got, God remained consistent. And I have no doubt He will do that for you too.

Here are 10 things I would’ve told my college self about being a Christian in college:

1) Hardships Will Come.
John 16:33 says that trouble will come. But, as long as we remain in God we will have overwhelming peace. He works all things for good. No matter what you face, give it to God. Stay in His word and stay in prayer.

2) Do Everything For His Glory.
“For me” to “For Him.” It’s easy to have a “for me” mindset especially since the goal of college is to be scholarly. But when you begin to understand your identity in Christ, you just can’t help but to love God wholeheartedly. 1 Corinthians 10:31 reminds us to give God glory in all we do. Fixing your mind on Him and understanding your identity in Him will lead you to find Him in each thing you do. Just take a step back and ask yourself, “WWJD.”

3) You Are Not Who/What They Say You Are.
Your identity is found in Christ alone. Your worth is not your failed grade, honor roll, or the rumor that’s being spread around campus. We are reminded in 1 John 4:7-8 and 2 Corinthians 5:17, that our identity is beloved and we are made new in Him. Your worth is more than you could ever comprehend. You are loved by the Most High.

4) Healing Is Possible Through Him Only.
Regardless of your circumstances, if you’re in college or graduated, healing can be found through the Lord. Lay whatever it is at His feet. Psalm 147:3 tells us that He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Note here, that a certain circumstance isn’t identified as a prerequisite for God’s healing. Healing is for ALL that are brokenhearted. Nothing is too much for Him to handle.

5) You Are Not Alone.
Yeah, I’ve had those nights. The nights where you just feel lost. Maybe you haven’t decided what to major in, you’re experiencing relationship troubles or maybe you just aren’t feeling fulfilled. Know you’re not alone. This is a common experience for many in college. This is why incorporating God and inviting Him into your day to day life in college is critical. In Isaiah 41:10, God assures us that He will always be with us. We just have to take a second to realize it. This may include making time for Him and sitting in stillness, praying more often, or getting involved in the community. Some of these may be out of your comfort zone, I know they were for me at the time. But when you get a taste of God’s love in these moments, you begin to realize you aren’t alone and never will be.

6) It Isn’t Eternal.
Reminder, you’re going to graduate. College isn’t forever. Whether it was a great experience, a horrible one, or a mix, college isn’t forever. But, your relationship with the Lord is. Jeremiah 29:11, which I proudly decorated my graduation cap with, makes it clear that God plans to give us a future of hope. Isn’t that refreshing and freeing? We are never stuck in anything of this world forever–just His eternal love.

7) Make Time For God.
Want to see busy? Look at a college schedule. Classes upon classes, events, extracurriculars, sports practice. You can do it all…until you burn out. A simple tip for burn out–make time for God. In making time for God you are doing what’s best for you in every way possible. “Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually” (1 Chronicles 16:11). For everyone, this could mean something different, like praying more, attending church more regularly, or serving in the community. And if this means intentionally blocking out time in your color coded planner just for God, do it. You won’t regret it. I promise.

8) Dwell In Downtime.
Speaking of busy schedules, have you ever had that suspicious break in your schedule where you feel like you should be doing something? Those moments are very precious. Use that time accordingly with God. Be still and know He is God (Psalm 46:10). These little moments are sacred for you and God to connect intentionally.

9) Get Outside The Bubble & Inside the Bible.
Your favorite cafe, your hometown, a park. Literally, anywhere away from the noise that you’ve been consumed in for the past week. Getting off of campus at least once a week is a nice reminder that there is more outside collegiate life (Psalm 62:5). There is a world waiting for you to project that Jesus light.

10) Surround Yourself With Good Community.
The keyword here is “Good.” This means people who bring out the best in you. People who bring you closer to Jesus. Surround yourself with them and let your Jesus light shine. Don’t be afraid to lose people. God hears conversations you don’t and sees things you don’t. I have often found that every time people walked out of my life, beautiful godly people walked in. This is part of spiritual maturity and transformation.

God will never let you do life alone. As my favorite Christian author Jennie Allen always says, we are meant for community. And as my all time favorite book says, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20).

Beyond The Sweet & Sour: Transform
To my undergraduate and graduate friends, holding that degree feels great, but holding God’s love and pursuing His purpose for your life is extraordinary. Let Him transform you!

Elevated Faith Ambassador,
– Ziera // @zieramarie

SEEN.

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people?
If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10

Where do you find yourself being noticed? Is it through your accomplishments of work and school? How about that particular group of friends? While it’s wonderful to excel in areas of education and work, it only highlights an essence of us. The same goes with friends, they are wonderful companions to walk through life with, but they aren’t our identity.

If you are in a season of feeling unnoticed, let me encourage you… do not worry. It isn’t because you aren’t good enough, it’s because whatever “it” was, was not good enough for you. Think of it as the direction and protection of God. You didn’t need to become friends with that person because God saw them leading you astray. That job you wanted? It could have led you away from the ultimate calling of God on your life! That relationship? God doesn’t want you to settle; you deserve more. You deserve His very best!

Let your requests be made known to God.
Seek Him in all you do. He wants to hear it all.

Ask Him to make your calling known. Turn your heart posture into one of obediently following His plan and trusting that it is perfect. Wherever He calls you, remember you aren’t too far gone – He qualifies the called.

Rest in the peace that you are fully known and still fully loved by our God. He is in awe of who He made you to be. So, find value in being seen by God. You are a treasure.

Other scripture to reference:
*Romans 12:2 (the good, pleasing and perfect will of God)
*Psalm 34:8
*Romans 8:28
*1 Corinthians 12 (the unique spiritual gifts the Holy Spirit bestows to us)

Elevated Faith Ambassador,
– Hanna // @banana_hanna01

GOD’S TIMING.

“God’s perfect timing.” We’ve all heard it, said it and probably prayed for it. But do we believe it?
Do we really believe His timing is ALWAYS perfect?

“Faith in God includes Faith in God’s timing.” – Neal A. Maxwell

Can you imagine your favorite meal? What if it was prepared correctly, but cooked at the wrong time?
Whether it be undercooked or overcooked, either way the wrong timing would ruin it.

The One who created time knows everything about it.
He’s outside of it, yet somehow, inside all of it simultaneously.

His ways and timing are perfect and precise.
And regardless of whatever hallway we are each currently waiting in, eventually we will all be able to look back and clearly see His fingerprints and footprints. The ones that took us there, kept us and fed us there and led us elsewhere.

Time and time again, God’s timing always proves to be perfect. Let’s trust Him?

Here is what the Bible has to say about God’s timing:

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (there is an appointed time for everything)
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven…

Jeremiah 29:11 (His plans & timing for you are good)
“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.”

Lamentations 3:25-26 (wait for His timing & seek Him in the waiting)
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (submit & trust in His timing)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 16:9 (He establishes your steps & the timing of them perfectly)
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

2 Peter 3:8-9 (He is patient & He teaches us patience while we wait on His timing)
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Habakkuk 2:3 (His timing isn’t delayed, even if it feels like it)
This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (His timing is formed from a much higher perspective & vantage point)
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Ecclesiastes 8:6 (your story will be for His glory, including the timing of it)
For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a person may be weighed down by misery.

Micah 7:7 (as you wait on His timing, get your hopes up; He hears you)
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.

– Carly Lynn // @car1ylynn

KINDNESS.

The kindness Jesus displayed was bold and courageous, not fearful or timid.
There is a supernatural work God does in us as we walk with Him to cultivate kindness, which is different than “niceness.”

Kindness comes from a transformed heart that has been touched by the love of God. It isn’t conditional, it doesn’t waiver on other people and how they treat us. It isn’t natural; it must be cultivated IN us so that it can become a reservoir that flows OUT of us 💙

How would you define kindness?
What is something you can do today to display kindness in your own life?

Here is what the Bible has to say about kindness:

Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Psalm 11:17
A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.

Colossians 3:12
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…

Proverbs 31:26
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant…

Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Proverbs 21:21
Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.

Joshua 2:12
Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a sure sign.

Zechariah 7:9
Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another.”

– Carly Lynn // @car1ylynn

JOY.

As followers of Christ, (and let’s be real, human beings 🙃),
we understand and can all agree that joy and happiness are not the same.

Happiness is conditional and circumstantial. It’s a feeling.
Happiness usually depends on our happenings, and because of that, it’s fleeting.

Joy is something we are able to access at all times, regardless of what may or may not be happening.
Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Joy is a gift 💙

In Greek, the word for joy is “chara.” This is defined as an inner gladness; delight or rejoicing. A deep seated pleasure. It is a depth of assurance and confidence that ignites a cheerful heart. This inner gladness leads to a cheerful heart and a cheerful heart leads to cheerful behavior.

Joy is ultimately an atmosphere of the heart. It’s the deep-down sense of well-being that abides in the heart of the person who knows all is well. Even if it doesn’t currently look that way. I believe this comes from abiding in Him (John 15:4).

How do you create and cultivate joy in your life?
How do you hold on to it consistently and continuously?
What do you do when you need to get your joy back?
Let us know in the comments! 👇

Here is what the Bible has to say about joy:

Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Psalm 126:5
Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 51:12
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

James 1:2-3
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

Psalm 94:19
When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought me joy.

Isaiah 35:10
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

Proverbs 15:23
A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Psalm 119:111
Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.

John 15:11
I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

1 Peter 1:8-9
Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Nehemiah 8:10b
…Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!

Romans 14:7
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 12:2
…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

John 16:22b
…but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

Matthew 25:11
His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”

Psalm 71:23
My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to You; my soul also, which You have redeemed.

1 Thess 1:6
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 7:4
I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.

Proverbs 12:20b
….but those who promote peace have joy.

Psalm 19:8
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

– Carly Lynn // @car1ylynn

The key to getting closer to God? Your heart.

Your heart is the key to God. All throughout the Bible, you will find that it’s your heart God is after. Every sin initially starts in the heart; therefore, the prescription is first a character issue.

It all starts in the heart.

Sin separates us from God. Being separated from God is dangerous. We need to deal with it seriously. Thought patterns, habits, offense, unforgiveness, pride, fill in the blank; we need to repair the breach that separates us from Him at all and any cost.

HOW TO APPLY THIS 🙂 ↓

ASK: “Holy Spirit, what’s in my heart that’s keeping me from You?”

1. Ask Him to reveal to you the things you can’t see. Aka spiritual blind spots.
(Ask Him to search your heart – Psalm 139:23-24.)

2. Ask Him how He sees it.
(God’s perspective is higher. Ask Him to show you this – Isaiah 55:8-9.)

3. Ask Him for forgiveness.
(Repentance = changing your heart, actions & the way you think.)

4. Ask Him to remove it & replace it with what should be there.
(Exchanging bad fruit with good fruit – 2 Peter 1:5-7 & Galatians 5:22-23.)

Ask Him to FILL you. With His love, His Spirit, His strength, and to keep you there, in Jesus’ name.

Friend, please hear me; nothing, absolutely nothing, is worth you losing your relationship with Jesus for. Don’t let your heart grow cold, bitter or offended. Ask Him to search your heart and heal it; it will be 100% worth it every time.

– Carly Lynn // @car1ylynn

GRACE.

Grace is one of those words we hear all the time, but do we personally know what it means?

Grace is something we could never earn,
but are given freely through relationship with Jesus.
Grace is what empowers and transforms us.
It’s what continually works in us and changes us.
It cleans up our hearts, it refreshes us and renews us.

Father, we ask for wisdom and revelation to dive deep into the gift of Your grace.
Help us to understand all that it encompasses, walk in it daily and extend it to others. In the name of Jesus, amen 💙

Here is what the Bible has to say about grace:

Ephesians 2:4-5
But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

1 Peter 5:10
And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Titus 2:11-12
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.

Isaiah 30:18
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!

Romans 6:14
For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

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.

2 Chronicles 30:9b
For the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.

2 Corinthians 12:9
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Philemon 1:25
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Acts 20:24
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Romans 5:21
So that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Galatians 2:21
I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!

Nehemiah 9:31
But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.

Romans 12:3
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

2 Corinthians 13:14
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

– Carly Lynn // @car1ylynn

FAITH.

Contrary to common belief, faith is not a mindset, nor is it feelings-based. It isn’t “good vibes” or “positive thoughts.” It’s not even believing that God is real or the realization that He wants to move in your life and current circumstances.

I highly suggest doing an in depth study on the biblical definition, meaning and application of faith in scripture. It very likely will change your walk with God entirely… for the better 🙂

Here is what the Bible has to say about faith:

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.

2 Corinthians 5:7
For we live by faith, not by sight.

Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 3:12
Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.

James 1:3
Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

James 2:17
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

Romans 10:10
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Galatians 3:26-27
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

James 5:14-15
Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.

Romans 10:17
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Hebrews 12:2
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

2 Thessalonians 1:3
We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 3:22
But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

Matthew 17:20
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

1 Peter 1:8-9
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

– Carly Lynn // @car1ylynn

CONFIDENCE.

The word is often defined as, “a feeling of self-assurance arising from one’s appreciation of one’s own abilities or qualities.”

However, our own abilities are unreliable; they aren’t consistent or constant. Our talents, emotions and circumstances are always subject to change. But, God never does. Amen?

As Christians, we are not called to rely on our own strength, but fully place our trust, faith, hope and complete confidence in who He is and who God says we are.

In the world, confidence is found looking in the mirror; in the Kingdom, confidence is found looking at Christ. Don’t let your circumstances keep your head down, hide the Word of God in your heart and look UP!

Here is what the Bible has to say about confidence:

Jeremiah 17:7
But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.

Hebrews 10:35–36
So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised.

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Psalm 27:3
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.

Proverbs 3:25-26
Do not be afraid of sudden fear, nor of the storm of the wicked when it comes [since you will be blameless]; for the Lord will be your confidence, firm and strong, and will keep your foot from being caught [in a trap].

2 Chronicles 32:8
With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.

Isaiah 32:17
The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.

Phillipians 1:6
…Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.

Ephesians 3:12
Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 10:35-36
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 13:6
So we say with confidence, ‘“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

Philippians 4:13
I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.

2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Psalm 71:5
For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.

– Carly Lynn // @car1ylynn