The world might say there are many reasons why God wouldn't want to use you or me.
But don't worry, because...
Moses stuttered.
David's armor didn't fit.
Paul rejected John, Mark
Hosea's wife was a prostitute
Amos' only training was in fig pruning.
Solomon was too rich.
Abraham was too old.
David was too young.
Timothy had ulcers.
Lazarus was dead.
John was self-righteous.
Naomi was a widow.
Paul was a murderer.
So was Moses.
Jonah ran from God.
Miriam was a gossip.
Gideon and Thomas both doubted.
Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal.
Elijah was burned out.
John the baptist was a loudmouth.
Martha was a worrywart.
Mary was lazy.
Samson had long hair.
Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse?
So did Peter, Paul, well lots of folks did.
But God doesn't require a job interview. He doesn't hire and fire like most bosses, because He's more our Dad than our Boss. He's not prejudiced or partial, not grudging, sassy, or brassy, not deaf to our cry, not blind to our need. As much as we try, God's gifts are free. We could do wonderful things for wonderful people and still not be... wonderful. Satan says, You're not worthy. He looks back and sees our mistakes. If we are hidden in Christ, God looks back and sees only the cross. He doesn't calculate what you did. If it's repented sin, it's not even in the record. Sure–there are lots of reasons why God shouldn't want to use us. But if we are utterly in love with Him, if we hunger for Him more that our next breath, then He'll use us in spite of who we are, where we've been, or what we look like.
STEP OUT OF YOUR LIMITATIONS INTO THE ILLIMITABLE NATURE OF WHO GOD IS!!!
-Author Unknown
Ephesians 1:4-5: "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will . . ."
There is an election somewhere in this world every year. Our own country elects a president every four years. The candidates spend a lot of time and money to get their name and agenda in front of the people of America so they might hold the seat in a position of prestige. Guess what - you have won an election! And its not because of the fact that you are somehow extra special. I like how John Calvin puts it when he said, "When God elects us, it is not because we are handsome."
Meditate On This!
Do you realize that you have been called from darkness into light - I mean really realize it? Often when I am flying across country, I look out of the plane and ask the question, "Why me, God?" Not, "Why am I in the ministry," (even though that is a question I have often asked), but, "Why in Your goodness would You choose me?"
This week, I ask you please to take the above two verses, chop them up, and really think about what God has done. Rejoice in the fact that not only has God handpicked you, but He has given you a purpose for life.
Exodus 3:14: "God said to Moses, I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I am has sent me to you."
Anymore you need to be a linguist to be able to follow the NBA! How many players come into the NBA and change their names to give them a new identity?
In watching the 1999 NCAA basketball tournament, I was so overwhelmed with the number of International players from the Eastern Block countries, as well as Europe and other parts of the world.
Names are important to God. As you study through the Old and New Testaments, the names of God as well as the names given to people are significant.
Meditate On This!
What does your name mean? Have you ever looked it up? If you could give yourself a spiritual name, what would it be?
Lets remember - as we have our identity in Christ - that is all we need. When people ask who you think you are in word or in action, we may need to adjust the way we act. However, who we are is what we are in Christ forgiven, saved, empowered by the Spirit, confident of our direction in life. Just as God expressed to Moses that He is "I AM" no beginning, no end, dont live this week in the reputation or position we have, but only in the understanding that the Eternal God lives within us and we need to be representing Him.
This week, wouldnt it be great if someone said to you, "He is different because he has been with Jesus."
Galatians 2:16: " . . . know that a man is not justified by observing 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 Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.
The story is told of an artist who searched for a man to be a model for a painting of the Prodigal Son. One day he saw a beggar in the street and asked him to come to his studio and pose for him, promising to pay him. At the appointed time, the man appeared, neatly shaven and all dressed up. "Who are you?" asked the artist. "I,m the beggar," answered the man, "But I thought I would get cleaned up before I got painted." "I can,t use you as you are now," said the artist as he dismissed him.
Meditate On This!
God does want us to "clean up" our sin. However, He has sovereignly made us who we are. There is nothing we can do to gain His grace anymore. If he has called us into a relationship, He loves us for who we are. Are you trying to be someone you are not? You may just move yourself out of where God wants to use you. He has made you like you are, and given you many different experiences so that you can reach your world. Yes, clean up sin in your life, but also realize the interests and the audiences He has given you have been sovereignly put there for a reason.
Jeremiah 1:4: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
The prophet Jeremiah was much wiser in his youth than I. As the Lord issued this marvelous mandate to be a special spokesman, Jeremiah recoiled in fear and with feelings of inadequacy. The fact of his young age was used as an attempt to excuse himself from the call of the Lord . . . He has entrusted the treasure of the gospel to us to proclaim. But we must realize that we are only jars of clay and that the all-surpassing power to save is from God and not from us (II Cor. 4:7).
. . . Dave Sitton, Los Fresnos, TX
Meditate On This!
What has God appointed you to do for the Kingdom? He is the one that will accomplish all, but He wants to use you. Maybe today is to be a day of contemplative readjustment of your understanding of life goals. Maybe God has you exactly where He wants you . . . BE BOLD and don't be afraid to ask the hard questions this week.
II Corinthians 13:14: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion
of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
Recently I watched the Mets do something that not many teams do on a regular basis. A sharp one-hop bullet was fielded by John Olerud at first, and he immediately fired to second base to force the runner out. The return throw got the hitter at first, and then John fired home to get a sliding Barry Bonds at the plate . . . A TRIPLE PLAY! It was a thing of beauty for any baseball enthusiast to see! Doesn't happen every day.
The above scripture shows us three things that are also pretty amazing when we think of the love of God. First, we have the forgiveness of sins through our Lord Jesus Christ. The second great benefit of redemption is the reception of God's love. The third benefit of redemption is the "communion of the Holy Spirit."
Meditate On This!
The schedules of life can keep us so focused on tasks that we forget the great truths mentioned in this passage. Forgiveness means freedom from penalty - love gives us our sense of worth to a Holy God - and the giving of the Holy Spirit allows us to function with, and for, God in the arenas He has placed us. This week, consider the great benefits from the gracious call of God to Himself.
Hebrews 12:2: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith . . . "
Most large retail businesses have many departments. Two departments that are very necessary are Sales and Purchasing. First, you must have a product before you can sell it. It is important not only to have people that have a keen eye for displaying products for the public, and we also need to have those people who can sell the product.
Meditate On This!
At what phase are you in your Christian faith? Are you in purchasing, or in sales? It is important to know what we have in Christ - the fact He is the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith. He started it - and He is taking care of it. But if we are always in the area of purchasing (looking for what we can get from our faith), we may have some tough days.
God has also told us to be involved in sales (Act 1:8). If in Christ we are His corporation, let's make sure that we are about both the business of understanding who we are in Him, and telling others about who He is.
Think about your situation today.
James 2:1: "My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, dont show favoritism."
For the past twenty years I have been able to minister in, and to, baseball. It is amazing to me how the world treats the Major League player. As a player they are afforded many privileges that the typical citizen would never see. Some of those are material and financial gifts, and special privileges at many events. We all applaud and give special honor and recognition to the achievements of these athletes.
Whereas these athletes have gained in notoriety in the world system, we must realize as believers in Christ, that there is not a "pecking order". You have heard it said many times that the ground at the Cross is level".
Meditate On This!
Are there situations in your life where you are "over impressed" with the accomplishments of another believer? I am not saying that we should not respect the giftedness of God in the person and the "stick-to-it-iveness" that they may have shown as a result of their strong faith in Christ. However, I am saying that there need to be no other idols but Jesus. This life is about Him, not about us, and in a Biblical way, we are working out His purposes. He has given the gifts, the opportunities, and every bit of strength we have to be able to accomplish anything in this life. Yes, the world will bestow rewards, but we need to stay on steady ground.
Perhaps this week you need to look at people in a different way. If you have responsibility over great numbers, lead with a servants heart. If you are over-impressed with what someone does, take time to look at the Giver of the gift, rather than the one who has received it.
James 2:9: "But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers."
Isaiah 9:6: " . . . And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
This week we look at a verse that we often hear at Christmas time. But this verse is for everyday living.
In the game of baseball, scouts and management are looking for players with tools of the trade - running, throwing, hitting, quickness, power, etc. The more tools, the higher you should be drafted, and the more tools you sustain and increase, the higher and longer your professional career will last.
Meditate On This!
As we look to our God and Father, realize that He not only has all the tools, but He is the giver of tools! Look at the four that are mentioned in this verse - Wonderful Counselor (isnt it great to know that we can always go to Him in prayer); - Mighty God (sovereign and in control of all things); - Everlasting Father (He will never pass away, He will never make a mistake, He will always love us); - Prince of Peace (John 3:17 says "For I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world".).
This should give you four things to meditate on this week. Would you take one each day, and on Friday put them altogether and make this a festival of praise.
