Whose words of appreciation have greatly impacted your life? Those of … [all that apply]
Your father
Your mother
Your wife
Your brother
Your sister
Your son
Your daughter
A relative
A boss
A fellow employee
A teacher or professor
A fellow student
A coach
A fellow athlete
An activity/service project leader
An activity/service project volunteer
An online contact or pen pal
A pastor
A Sunday school teacher or youth leader
A fellow church member
Other
Sand Traps Theme of the Week: Source of Confidence Thursday, March 11, 2004
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Men of IntegrityMarch/April 2004Sand TrapsTheme of the Week: Source of ConfidenceThursday, March 1172
Key Bible Verses: "You can be sure that I am watching over you … I promise to rescue you … I will lead you" (Exodus 3:16–17). Bonus Reading:Exodus 3:1–4:17
Every golfer knows this simple principle: When golfing over water or sand, don't focus on the hazard you're trying to avoid. If you do, you'll likely hit the ball right into it!
When God called Moses to lead Israel out of Egypt, Moses allowed his eyes to dwell on the hazards. "But who am I to appear before Pharaoh?" he protested [in today's Bonus Reading]. "They won't believe me! … They'll just say, 'The Lord never appeared to you,'" he argued. "I'm just not a good speaker."
Our resistance is too similar. We often fail to respond to a call to share our faith, serve His people, or fight spiritual battles because we have questions like, "Who am I? Who are You really, God? Why should we follow You? How can You use me?" Even when God reveals answers to those questions, we beg, "Please send someone else." Our eyes turn to the sand traps of life while we have the world's greatest golf pro swinging the club for us.
God's responses to Moses also apply to us. He will accompany us in any task He gives. As the Lord of heaven and earth, His power is supreme. No person or circumstance can thwart His will. He will empower our gifts and compensate for our shortcomings.
—Tom Schmidt in Command
My Response: A "hazard" I need to stop focusing on is …
Thought to Apply: The one thing that glorifies [God] is to remain absolutely confident in Him, … sure that his purposes will be fulfilled.
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