The Beginning of Our Confidence - Part 2

Podcast Notes: The Beginning of Your Confidence – Part 2Teachable Woman Podcast with Rev. Michele Owes & Rev. Diana P. CherryIntroductionIn this episode, Rev. Michele Owes and Rev. Diana P. Cherry continue their discussion on “The Beginning of Your Confidence”, focusing on Hebrews 3:14 and the importance of maintaining the same confidence in Christ that we had when we first believed. They challenge listeners to examine their spiritual walk, identify areas where confidence may have shifted from God to self, and return to the wholehearted trust and dependence that marked the beginning of their faith journey.1. Examine the Beginning of Your ConfidenceKey Scripture: Hebrews 3:14 – “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.”Take time to remember how your relationship with Christ began.Reflect on God's faithfulness during the early days of your salvation.Consider how easily you trusted God before life's responsibilities and achievements accumulated.Compare your confidence in God then to your confidence in Him now.Ask yourself: Have I maintained that same trust and dependence on God?Takeaway: Spiritual growth begins with honest self-examination.2. Are You Still Teachable?Rev. Cherry opens with an important challenge:Are you receiving and applying what God is teaching you?Hearing truth is not enough; transformation comes through obedience.It is easy to become distracted by daily life and lose sight of the centrality of Jesus.Apart from Christ, we can do nothing and are nothing.Takeaway: A teachable spirit remains open to correction, growth, and God's direction.3. Confidence Must Remain in God, Not in OurselvesThe hosts discuss how confidence can subtly shift:Successes, accomplishments, certifications, and recognition can create self-reliance.Small victories may tempt us to believe we can manage life without seeking God's direction.What begins as natural decision-making can become operating from personal confidence rather than dependence on God.Even good intentions can lead us into situations God never intended us to carry alone.Takeaway: The danger is not always rebellion; sometimes it is slowly replacing confidence in God with confidence in ourselves.4. The Enemy Works Through Subtle ShiftsRev. Cherry emphasizes that Satan's strategy is often gradual.Spiritual decline rarely happens all at once.Small compromises and "slippages" weaken steadfastness.The enemy understands how to pull believers off course through subtle distractions.Believers must know their strengths and weaknesses and remain vigilant.The hosts note that weakness is not always obvious sin—it can be overestimating our own strength and abilities.Takeaway: Remaining steadfast requires spiritual awareness and humility.5. Confidence Produces Hope and ExpectationThe discussion moves to biblical hope.Three definitions of hope highlighted in the episode:A happy anticipation of good.What we fully expect to receive.Confidence in the outcome.Important truths:Hope is not wishful thinking.Hope and confidence are connected.Believers can trust God's outcome even when circumstances seem uncertain.God is always working on behalf of His people.Takeaway: Biblical hope rests on confidence in God's character and promises.6. Don't Cast Away Your ConfidenceKey Scripture: Hebrews 10:35–36"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward."The hosts explain:Confidence carries rewards.Losing confidence can affect our participation in God's purposes.Patience is necessary after doing God's will.God's timing is often different from our expectations.Trusting God means waiting for His promises without abandoning faith.To return to the beginning of our confidence:Remember where you started.Repent for areas where trust has shifted.Return to spiritual disciplines that once strengthened your faith:PrayerQuiet time with GodChurch attendanceBible studyGivingWitnessingTakeaway: Confidence grows when we intentionally return to the practices that nurtured our relationship with God.7. Return to Your First Love and Dependence on GodThe hos