December 10, 2014
Weekly Articles Feed you soul each week with thought provoking articles from our Pastoral Sta. This week from out church Blog:
7 Reasons why God won't use you. Throughout time, God has, in His Sovereignty, chosen to use people to accomplish his purpose. When he needed a deliverer for his people in Egypt, he called Moses. When he needed to finally save men from sin and damnation, he chose Mary to bring Jesus into the world. He used a stick to part the Red Sea, a little boy's lunch of fish and bread to feed thousands. He even spoke through a donkey at one time. So God is in the business of using people to accomplish his plan. But as much as God wants to use us, sometimes he cannot adequately use us because we get in His way. The following are 7 reasons God cannot adequately use you. 1
December 10, 2014
1. You steal His Glory I am the Lord ; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. Isaiah 42:8 ESV Satan was banished for it Nebuchadnezzar regretted it Herod was killed for it. Simon was cursed for trying to buy for his glory Paul was kept him from stealing it by way of a thorn in his flesh Our motives can easily become carved images. Therefore, we must ask ourselves Are my tweets for His glory? Is my platform for His glory? Are my posts for His glory? Is my speaking for His glory? What is my motivation? Not to us, O Lord , not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! Psalm 115:1 ESV 2. You abuse power Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 1 Peter 5:3 ESV
The 12 Disciples disputed amongst themselves about which one of them was the greatest The mother of the sons of Zebedee petitioned Jesus on behalf of her sons to have power and authority. The Pharisees exalted themselves to Places of honor. The Gentile rulers Lord it over those in their charge God has called us to humility. He has called us to service and putting others first. Therefore, we must ask ourselves: 2
December 10, 2014
Am I greedy for power? Do I find self worth in it? Does it make me feel better than others? I'm I domineering and love to boss others around? Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith. 2 Corinthians 2:24 3. You nurture the flesh more than the spirit For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13 ESV Cain gave into the flesh. David fell because of it. Solomon indulged in it. Samson died because of it. The Corinthians were famous for it. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5
We are called to put on the Lord Jesus and make no provision for the flesh. Therefore, we must ask ourselves: Am I grieving His Spirit? Am I walking in obedience to leading of His Spirit? Am I feeding my flesh more than my soul? Am I overcome by the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh and the boastful pride of life? How much time am I investing in feeding my soul with Godly things? If the Spirit of Him who raised Christ Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11 4. You rely more on your 'Savior Faire' than on God's power 3
December 10, 2014
With him is the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord, to help us and fight our battles. 2 Chronicles 32:8 Ahaz refused the sign of deliverance offered by God by making an alliance with Assyria. Israel set out to go down to Egypt to seek protection from Pharaoh without asking for God. The disciples were told to wait for it and do nothing without power from on high. It's comes by abiding in him. It's about relying on his vision, his plans and his wisdom to get the job done - not ours. Only God can bring the increase in every thing we are doing for him. Therefore, we need to ask ourselves: Why do I keep leaving God out of the picture? What's keeping me from relying on him? Why am I not seeing a great harvest? Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your path straight. Proverbs 3:5, 6 5. You are thinking perfection instead of availability Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Isaiah 6:8 Isaiah said, "here I am send me." Samuel said, "Speak Lord." Moses said, "who, Me?" Esther said, "I've come for such a time as this." Thomas said, "let's go die for him."
God is not looking for a perfect staff. He is only looking for people who make themselves available to him. Therefore ask yourself: 4
December 10, 2014
What excuses am I still making? Why do I feel I need to be perfect before answering the call? Why am I still running away from him? The man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.  2 Timothy 3:16 6. You despise small beginnings For whoever has despise the day of small things shall rejoice, and see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. Zechariah 4:10 The Kingdom is like a mustard seed, small when planted, but mighty when given the chance to grow. A talent seems small when received, but it's impact is massive when employed Vision, dreams and goals may seem insignificant in the moment, but God has a way of making big things out of small things. Therefore, we need to ask ourselves: Why do I despise my small beginnings? Why do I underestimate my gifts? Why am I burying my talents? Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31 7. You imitate others instead of seeking to be original And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11, 12 God has assigned to you a specific area of influence. Measuring and comparing oneself to others leads to copying others. There is no other one like you in the world 5
December 10, 2014
"It is better to live one's life imperfectly, than to imitate somebody's else's. You are original in God's design, so be original in everything you do. Embrace your gifts and unique calling. Ask yourself: Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 1 Corinthians 12:29, 30 ESV Which one of these am I? Having gifts that dier according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:6-8 So, the bottom line here is, to be used by God, one must develop certain characteristics: Humility, selflessness, able to listen and follow God's lead, trust, surrender, tenacity, obedience, spiritual discipline and emotional stability, and a keen sense of who they are. May the Lord help us!
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