Philippians 3:3 - for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and take pride in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh

In simple terms we have

2 choices: 

  • Put confidence in our own abilities.
  • Place our confidence in God.

Things such as acquiring knowledge, critical thinking and mindset define our abilities.  – While we can accomplish great things out of our own abilities, it is not God’s highest and best for our lives.

What is God’s highest & best?  How do we handle our abilities?

  • God’s highest & best involves resting and abiding in Him.
  • Putting confidence in the flesh causes us to nurture, build upon and live out of our own abilities.
  • Focusing upon our abilities in everyday life distracts us from cultivating a life of abiding in Christ.
  • BEWARE of navigating daily life by things in the natural (w/o the Holy Spirit) such as: experiences, learning – education, logic & critical thinking.  These are wonderful things in their (proper place). 
  • BEWARE abiding is not optional. Making choices outside of His rest is not the Godly fruit we want. 
  • Live with a mindset of continuous surrender and close fellowship w/God

Ecclesiastes 1:8 and 18:  All things are wearisome; No one can tell it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor is the ear filled with hearing.  Because in much wisdom there is much grief; and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain.

Fear & Knowledge

Proverbs 1:7:  The fear of the LORD is the beginning (1st in rank) of knowledge; fools despise (disrespect) wisdom and instruction. 

  • To fear (revere) God is to live in such a way that we have the utmost respect for and honor God in all we do. We desire, long for and delight in the freedom we have to acknowledge His holiness, power, wisdom and love. 
  • To obtain and use knowledge w/o this highest respect and love for Him turns knowledge sour. The highest and best entry point for knowledge is through Him. 
  • When we use knowledge outside of Him, we are exposed to corruption in our mindsets and ways and things become disordered. The evidence of this becomes increasingly evident over time.  Eventually people “fools” come to despise knowledge and simply do what is right in their own eyes. 

Judges 21:25 - In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Proverbs 3:7 - Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. 

Proverbs 21:2 - Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts. 

Proverbs 26:12 - Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. 

Expectations

  • A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. – Douglas Adams
  • To diminish expectation is to increase enjoyment. - Fanny Burney
  • How tedious is time, when his wings are loaded with expectation! -Mary Collyer
  • Events never arrive as we fear they will, nor as we hope they will. - Comtesse Diane
  • The thing we look forward to often comes to pass, but never precisely in the way we have imagined to ourselves.
  • Expectation improperly indulged in must end in disappointment. - Samuel Johnson.
  • To release others from the expectations we have of them is to really love them. - Shirley MacLaine
  • Life’s under no obligation to give us what we expected. We take what we get and are thankful it’s no worse than it is. - Margaret Mitchell
  • Expectation…quickens desire, while possession deadens it. - Hannah More
  • What is destructive is impatience, haste, expecting too much too fast. – May Sarton

Circumstances

The conditions or factors that make up situations in everyday life. 

  • Neutral nature: These conditions simply exist.  This is similar to the individual ingredients (conditions) that make up a final food dish (circumstance).
  • Thoughts & Feelings: This is what determines our reaction to the overall circumstance which leads us to look at it as positive or negative.  See (Emotions – Tool Box)  Practice breaking this process down in the following way:
  • Acknowledge the conditions & circumstance. In calmness & prayer lay thoughts and feelings before the Lord.
  • Let the Holy Spirit bring healing, direction and revelation.
  • Keep abiding in this way especially when thoughts and feelings try to take over. Remember, Jesus said, “Come to me all who are weary…and I will give you rest.”
  • As we discern God’s leading, focus on simple obedience to His leading even if it is a small step.
  • Manage expectations, keep a perspective of trust and hope in Him.
  • Accept where you’re at and move with steadiness while abiding in Him.
  • Allow “room & time” to sit with God and listen. This is where we find deeper understanding and rest.  This allows us to respond and move forward in health. 
  • BEWARE & REMEMBER capacity is not limitless.  Practice sensitivity to recognize when you may be moving into self destructive behavior due to lower capacity and diminishing willpower.  Breathe, sit with God, abide.  Take a bubble bath, go for a walk, sit in nature….set your mind on Christ.

 

  • “Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside them (Holy Spirit) was superior to circumstance.” – Bruce Barton
  • “Our worst foes are not belligerent circumstances, but wavering spirits – Helen Keller.

Confidence

  • Acts 20:32 - "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 
  • 2 Corinthians 9:7,8 - So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency (content, satisfied) in all things, may have an abundance (excess) for every good work. 
  • Ephesians 3:20 - Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us
  • Philippians 4:12,13 - I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.  I can do all things through Him who strengthens
  • Proverbs 3:5,6 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.