Insurance -- we have insurance for everything. We get to just in case something happens.
Assurance -- God paid the "policy."
We are called the children of God. We didn't earn this. What that means is we have no worries. Faith in Father. When you're a child it's natural to have faith in your parents. We need to hve this same kind of child-like faith (or even greater) in our Father.
It's not about you or me. God loves you.
"Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law." 1 Corinthians 9:19-20
So often we feel worthyless -- the world reinforces this feeling. This is a lie! I am valuable to God. You are valuable to God.
No matter what you think He says you're worth it.
"Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings." 1 Corinthians 7:21-23
God freed us to be more than who we are. God will correct us because He loves us. Celebrate His love for us.
"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8
The Example of Gideon: Gideon was not a man of strength or wisdom or vision or anything. He was the weakest member of the weakest clan.
"When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.'" Judges 6:12
Gideon recognized the Israelites abandoned God.
"The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?'" Judges 6:14
I want you to go! I'm sending you. It isn't aobut your abilities. It is about Me (says God) and your willingness to go.
Gideon's faith and approval -- 32,000 down to 300 men -- this was God's plan (and of course it worked).
Gideon doesn't do it all super confidently -- he does what God tells him to do in the middle of the night so no one sees him....but he still does it.
And Gideon, in faith uses the 300 and the enemy is destroyed. Israel is freed!! He believed in the One who can change things. He used his own history to remember God is faithful.
Where's your faith coming from?
"For we live by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7
Our faith must be deeper than the surface. God doesn't bargain with us.
"know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in[a] Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified." Galatians 2:16
All God asks is that we believe in Him.
"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." Romans 8:31-34
Our Assurance.
God doesn't want us to try and work things out without Him. What are we to do?
Draw Near to Him! That is assurance.
"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." James 4:7-8
"let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."
Hebrews 10:22
"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 4:16
"I, in my Savior, are blessed."
Insurance is doubt. Assurance is faith.
We are at war with the world. Jesus says rest in Me. The world wants to deny it all. Jesus is our battle standard. If you keep your eyes on Jesus....It's God's battle. Not ours. Draw near to Him.
"Filled with His goodness. Lost in His love."
"This is My story!"
Each of us has a story, unique and precious. God has a story being written in my life, in your life. Common thread -- Jesus!
"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—" John 1:12
"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:15
Read the story God is writing in your life rather than trying to write it yourself.