The next time you feel like God can't use you, just remember:
Noah got drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was cross eyed
Joseph was abused
Moses had a speech impediment
Gideon was afraid
Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were young
David had an affair and planned a murder
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
John the Baptist ate bugs
The apostles were under the age of 20
Peter denied Christ
The Disciples fell asleep while on watch
Martha worried about everything
The Samaritan woman was divorced, 5 times
Zaccheus was too short
Paul was a Pharisee
Timothy had an ulcer
Lazarus was dead
No more excuses! God can use you to your full potential. Matter of fact, He uses the weak. Everyone knows that you have a flaw. If you let God use you, the world will know it was not you doing this great work - you are not capable. Only God could have done it. This is how He shows Himself - through the common sinful man.
Stop making excuses and let God use you to do miracles. Be a miracle worker.
Amen
Not too long ago, I was in our local dollar store to pick up some household items.
I wasn't in the store very long when I heard a woman's voice that sounded upset. Naturally, as a "curious" person, I wanted to know what was going on; so . . . I listened. I mean, it didn't take much straining to hear her. This woman had the kind of voice that seems to permeate the atmosphere. (Know what I mean?)
She was asking about the price of an item. No idea what the item was and it is not important. She was at the register complaining that a price had been rung up that was incorrect. The clerk was explaining that it was the price listed in the register. The lady customer was countering, emphatically, that the price on the shelf, where she found it, was different than the price being rung up. We've all been there. And, it does happen that a price can be in the register that has not been changed for a sale. This lady did not seem to be considering the possibility of an excusable error. In fact, she was getting quite agitated. After a couple minutes of discussion with the clerk was getting her nowhere, she asked for the manager. As far as I can remember, the price difference was just a matter of less than a dollar.
The manager was prompt on the scene and asked the customer to show her on what shelf in the store she found the price of this item. The customer marched the manager straight to the shelf with the price. The manager, seeing the issue immediately, patiently explained that her item was not in the correct location in the store. The manager further explained that people frequently pick up items and leave them in different locations when they change their mind about a purchase.
Apparently, this lady did not like her answer. Her agitation was growing as could be witnessed by her volume. Here and now, I can no longer be accused of eaves dropping; the entire occupancy of the store was within hearing range.
The manager was leading her customer back to the register to settle the situation. A line of customers was forming and half of this woman's purchases had been rung up. We were in the middle of a "incomplete checkout".
Discussion continued further as the customer was getting more and more upset. She was insisting on the price that was on the shelf where she found the item in question. The manager, to her credit, was even in tone, volume and patience as she continued to repeat the actuality of the situation. This customer, for whatever reason, finally relinquished and very sharply declared, "Well, then, I don't want it."
By this time, I had joined the line of waiting customers and could witness the situation first hand. With, pursed lips this lady refused to say another word, pushed her money into the hand of the manager, threw her change into her purse and mumbled something under her breath.
As she turned with her cart, I could see her purse in the baby seat, which sported a decal that declared, "I am a Christian".
Amen
Today may sound a bit stern, discouraging, harsh - even frightening. I tend to "call it as I see it" but remember: I have read to the end of the book and I know who wins. Besides, I'm in a bit of a "snit" today and I have a right (If you have a right, I have a right.)
So, you have chosen to be a Christian?
Can you drink from the cup? Ps 36:1
Society has a cancer called "sin" because she spurns her foundation, Jesus Christ. "Everyone has a right". A right to murder a fetus. Ro 3:15 A right to get drunk and operate a motorized vehicle on a public street. A right to cheat on their spouse because they are bored with them. A right to abuse a child because their dreams did not get fulfilled. A right to stop a majority from prayer in school. A right to be respected even if they are lazy, unkempt, loud, rude and crude. A right to benefits in a country where they hold no citizenship or reject it's laws.. A right to unnatural sexual choices. Ro 1:27 I could go on for hours.
Note: The prostitute in Rev 17 is an immoral society. Babylon is an oppressive and Godless government.
Freedom is not to do what you want but the right to do what you should.
Being a Christian today is not always pretty. And . . it ain't gonna get any better. We are in the final generation before the coming of our Lord.
Suffering is the fire that forges the steel that is the Christian. After all, there was a lot of suffering before the resurrection. Learn to embrace your cross. As a Christian, you have chosen a path of one degree or another. Learn to turn to your Savior in prayer for your peace and strength. He needs proud warriors.
Happiness is a choice, honesty, faithfulness, sobriety and the sex of your partner is a choice. Hell is a choice. We are not made to fit in but to stand out. We are the light in a dark world and the salt that gives it flavor.
Story: When I made my (absolute and final) decision to follow a Christian life, I lost my husband, home, step children, a business and friends. I chose to turn from a way of life - repent means to turn around. Everything seemed to fall apart all at once. I found myself one evening sitting in the back room of my studio with a loaded gun in my hand. That small voice came to me and whispered, "You cannot give life, so you cannot take life." I put the gun away - scary.
When my pastor, at that time, realized what I was going through, he said, "We gotta get you dunked right away". He went on to explain that baptism brings the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that would give me the strength to deal with my trials. If you have chosen a Christian life style, you need to be baptized - it works. Ro 6:4
* There is scientific proof that after baptism, a person's DNA is different. We truly are born again.
The Enemy is coming after you - HARD and, he is sneaky. He does not want new converts. He wants to take the throne that Jesus earned. He hates you - venomously! He is jealous of you, as a child of God. He hates you have the favor of God. He hates you have the Holy Spirit with you. He hates that God hears your prayers. He hates you are destined to reign on this earth in the new Jerusalem. Rev 21:2
We are in a spiritual battle. Satan himself wants you miserable, suffering, defiled, polluted, lonely, sick, confused, devastated, sitting with the loaded gun of surrender.
Good News: It's all good. Believers have the weapons of the Holy Spirit, prayer, communion, anointing, faith, discernment and the support of the church. Our heavenly father offers an amazing support system. He wants us happy with our choice. We are forgiven, loved by Almighty God Himself, promised a place with His Son and will not face judgement. As believers, we are already forgiven; Christ did it all for us. Ro 3:24
B E A U T I F U L: Jesus continues to do it all. Call on Him for anything, anytime. If you lack faith, are afraid, confused, lacking spiritual strength, pray and ask for these things. Jesus has enough for everyone and He wants to give to you. He loves us. He loves you as the greatest father you could ever know. You have chosen the narrow path, the right choice - door number three. There is no turning back; the victory is already ours. Christ won our battle on the cross. Jesus has only to come back and claim His prize. You
Amen Amen Amen
