Use Me!

As a child I remember looking into my dad’s collection of tools and thinking, “Wow, look at all those different tools”. I had no idea what most of them were used for but I knew that my dad knew! He would ask me for a Crescent Wrench or a Phillips Head Screw driver and after he would explain to me what they looked like I would retrieve them from the tool box and hand them to my Dad.

I would watch in amazement as that lifeless tool would go to work on whatever problem we were trying to solve. That tool which had just been laying there all dirt and greasy was now meeting the need of the car or building or whatever we were working on.

Similar to that tool we as Christians are to be tools in the Lord’s Tool box. Sure, He could solve problems and meet needs by just speaking the word but He desires to use us, his “tools” or instruments as Romans chapter 6 says. Before we were Children of the Lord we were in service to “unrighteousness” Rom. 6:19 but now as His Children we are to serve the Lord just as fervently if not more so.

My challenge to you as well as to myself is to consider whether you are a tool the Lord can use. Are you…

           

             * Willing

The Lord will not force any man or woman into service. He allows us to choose which master we will serve but make no mistake you must choose and it must be a willing sacrifice. Romans 12:1&2 describe this choice as our “reasonable service”.

            * Prepared

A call into action from the Lord is always preceded by a period of preparation! You see this all throughout the Scriptures. The 40 days in the wilderness spent by our Lord Jesus Christ was preparation for the coming public ministry Jesus was about to embark on. There would be trials and test from day one (i.e. the temptation of Satan immediately following). If you and I are going to be effective tools for the Lord we must take the time and opportunities the Lord allows to prepare ourselves for future service!

            * Useable

It has been said that the greatest ability is availability. Let me ask you; are you available for the Lord’s use? Is your life in alignment with His word? Are you encumbered by debt or other worldly weights that are rendering you unavailable or unusable? Hebrews 12:1 says “…let us lay aside every weight…which doth so easily beset us…”. Many Christians are willing to serve and have taken the time to prepare but still cannot be used because their life or decisions they have made are hindering them. Is that true of you?

I challenge you to evaluate your life according the looking glass of God’s Word and ask yourself if you are a tool in the Lord’s tool box He can reach for and use to meet the needs of those around you!

Does God Need Me?

Does God need me? To me this is a very interesting question. I believe we have a tendency to see ourselves as more important than we truly are.

Pastors are often accused of thinking the Church revolves around them but this can be just as true of any Layman in the congregation as well.

The Pastor may say, “Well, I am the Pastor, how could this Church survive without my preaching and hard work!” The layman may say, “I give or do so much for this Church, there is no way they could go on without me and my sacrifices!” Both are WRONG! The Pastor and Layman have both failed to recognize that nothing in their life belongs to them be it a talent or treasure. As a matter of fact, everything we are or possess belongs to the Lord. We are simply tools in the Master’s hand.

I believe the Lord does desire to use us in His will or plan for life but it would do us well to remember that we are not indispensable. After a person comes to Christ they are to follow the command found in Romans 6:13 “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”

If we can comprehend that we are just tools which the Lord desires to use, then we will understand that we are useful, but replaceable. As I said, I do believe the Lord desires to use us and He has a perfect plan or will for our life, but if won’t be used then we can and will be replaced. It is hard to imagine what could be worse than to be a Christian with all the potential to be used but because of sin or stubbornness in our life we are “set on a shelf”.

I challenge you to evaluate your attitude toward service today and to ask yourself, ‘do I think I am more than I am?” Remember the thought put forth in Galatians 6:3 - For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. Don’t deceive yourself; anything you are is simply by the grace of God! Be a willing and usable tool for the Lord today! To God be the Glory!

Contentment

Over the last few weeks we have been studying the idea of Contentment. The dictionary definition of contentment is - "the state of being contented; satisfaction; ease of mind”. 

What is your definition of contentment? Everyone probably has a different idea of what would make a person content but the Word of God lays it out pretty clearly in I Timothy 6:6-8 - But godliness with contentment is great gain. -7- For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. -8- And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

The scriptures make it clear that our standard of being content should be do I have food and clothing? If yes, then I have all I really NEED! We know as Christians that our contentment also comes from our Salvation through Jesus Christ! As the passage continues on in I Timothy 6 we see this thought of contentment and what we should seek after in life dealt with thoroughly.

Let’s take a look! 1Timothy 6:9-12 - But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. -10- For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. -11- But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. -12- Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

You see, following after the riches in this life to find contentment will only bring “temptation and a snare” which will ultimately lead to “hurtful lusts” and “destruction and perdition”. These may seem like harsh words but remember they are given to warn us of the truth! 

So, what are you seeking today to bring satisfaction? If you are looking to anyone or anything other than your Personal Relationship with the Lord and His Will for your life, you are following a path that will not lead to true contentment. Let me encourage you to evaluate your life honestly and make any adjustments necessary to align your life with God’s standard of contentment.

Bloom Where You Are Planted

Amy Carmichael was an inspirational lady. She served the Lord faithfully for over 50 years in the Country of India. There is an interesting story about her childhood that I think we can all learn a lesson from. When Amy was a small child she prayed that the Lord would change her eye color from brown to blue because she thought her eyes were ugly and boring and blue eyes were so pretty. The Lord obviously never answered that request and later in her adult life those brown eyes helped her to “Fit in” with those on her Mission Field. The Lord always knows what’s best and He has a plan for your life!

From time to time we can allow discontentment to creep into our lives and we can begin to question God as to what He is doing or why He is doing a certain thing in our lives. We can even get to the point where we begin to doubt or question God. Remember Isaiah 55:8&9 tells us that God’s thoughts and ways are much higher than ours. He sees your life in a much larger context that you ever will.

My encouragement to you is to “Bloom Where You Are Planted”. We are all like flowers in God’s garden. He plants us when and where He wants us. Could you imagine your flowers refusing to grow simply because they didn't like where you planted them. That would be silly. Don’t waste time questioning God and trying to figure out how to change the circumstances in life. Just get busy serving the Lord and put your roots down into the Word of God and He will take care of the rest. Whatever the situation may be that you are facing or going through in Life, remember we serve a faithful and loving God who has promised to never leave us or forsake us (Matt. 28:20). If you will be faithful to Him, He will be faithful to you!

*Check our more on the Life of Amy Carmichael

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Carmichael

Speaking the Truth

How many times have you said something similar to "I am just going to tell them what they need to hear"? I have said this myself, a few times. There is absolutely nothing wrong with speaking the Truth! However, I want to challenge you to consider the following the next time you are going to tell it like it is.

1.) Is it actually the truth or is it my opinion?

       - We seem to confuse these two very easily. As a matter of fact many times our "truth" is truly just our opinion on a matter. If you are going to speak the truth it is necessary to put self aside and to seek what is actually true not just your opinion or what you have always thought. Remember there was a time when the general consensus was that the World was flat. Thankfully someone challenged that "Truth" and we ended up discovering America!

2.) Do I need to say it?

       - I find that most people already know what is going on in their life and the last thing they need is for me to point out the obvious. When you point out the obvious issues it can be like rubbing salt in an open wound. Ouch! Now there are time when it is necessary to speak up and help someone see something they are missing. This is especially true for Parents when dealing with their Children. As a Parent you have the experience to say "Hey, I have walked this road and believe me you don't want to". As a friend sometimes it is necessary to speak up and help a friend who has been blinded by sin or maybe even another person. 

3.) How do I Speak?

       - When you know you have the truth and you have evaluated the situation and it is necessary to speak up, how do you do it? The answer is actually quite simple. We find the proper motivation and way of speaking the truth in Ephesians 4:15...

 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 

We are to speak the truth In Love so that we may assist others in the goal of growing in Christ! Is this your method and purpose for "Telling it like it is"? I challenge you to evaluate yourself and see if you line up with this passage. 

Remember you can say the right thing to the right person in the wrong way or for the wrong reason and you can become wrong for doing so! Follow the Biblical method for "Speaking the Truth"!

Are you Religious or Right?

With Easter approaching this next week many people are planning family dinners and get-togethers for Sunday Afternoon. This is one of those occasions were dad may dust off his suit and mom makes everyone wear their best clothes for a few hours on Sunday Morning. For many this is one of those rare Sundays they will actually attend Church.

Now, you might be sitting there as you read this thinking to yourself, “Ha, this isn't about me. I attend Church regularly and I even dress nice to boot”. Well, let me ask you a question then. Does that make you right with God or does it just make you a religious person? You see, we are all religious in one form or another. Even Atheists are “religious” people. All it takes to be a religious person is to be a person who does the same things over and over again. You brush your teeth “religiously”. You take showers “religiously”. You eat “religiously”. Do any of those “religious” activities help draw you closer to God? Do they help you to be right with God?

The obvious answer is, “NO”! You can come to Church, wear your good clothes, and even put money in the offering plate every Sunday and still not be right with God. I think it is appropriate at this time of year where we stop and remember the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of our Saviour Jesus Christ that we ask ourselves this question. “Am I right with God or am I just going through the religious motions”?

My mind goes to the “Rich Young Ruler” in Mark 10:17-22. This young man had been raised his whole life being a religious person but when the rubber met the road he was not willing to do what was necessary to be truly right with God. Your need may be Salvation as was this young man’s or your need may simply be to submit an area of your life to God which you have been hanging on to. I don’t know your heart but the Lord does and He cannot be fooled (I Samuel 16:7).

I challenge you; don’t go another week or even another day being religious but not right! Don’t depend on your good works to satisfy or appease a Holy and Righteous God. Heed Romans 12:1&2 today and be a man or lady whose life proves “…what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Filled With Knowledge

Man is always seeking knowledge and wisdom. People will spend the better part of a Decade or more in College, Grad School and beyond to prepare for a specialized field of work.

Not only will people spend a great deal of time investing in an education but a great deal of money as well. Many times it takes the next decade or longer to pay off the School Bill after they finally make it into the desired field. Look at the average cost of a year of College for 2012-2013...

"In its most recent survey of college pricing, the College Board reports that a "moderate" college budget for an in-state public college for the 2012–2013 academic year averaged $22,261. A moderate budget at a private college averaged $43,289." - (www.collegedata.com)

Many people that spend this great deal of time and money on a college education do so for the prestige that the World gives for such accomplishments. Don't get me wrong, I believe a good education will be a great asset in your life but Jeremiah 9:23&24 gives us a clear challenge regarding what knowledge we should glory in.

- 23 - Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:  -24- But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

Look at the passage in Colossians 1:9 where Paul is praying for the Christians at Colossi. What does he desire for them? "...that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding:. The word for knowledge in this passage is Epignosis (pronounced e-pē'-gnō-sēs). The term is referring to a detailed or experiential knowledge of someone or something.

If you are going to seek knowledge and understanding let me encourage you to seek this experiential knowledge of who God is and how He can work personally in your life today. Don’t glory in man’s “wisdom” rather glory in knowing who your God is because you have a real, working, vibrant, relationship with Him.

Let Your Light So Shine

What is the purpose of a flashlight or a candle? Despite what men might say it is more than a really cool toy to play with. These light sources have very serious uses.

A flashlight is an important tool to be used when you are in a dark situation and you need light. I can remember getting a flat tire once when we were on a family vacation. Wouldn't you know it happened in the middle of the night in the middle of "No Where". As I coasted to the side of the road my first thought was, "How am I going to see to change that tire". Thankfully I had packed a flashlight for the trip and what a blessing it was to be able to see as I changed that tire. Could you imagine if I had no light? I can see the headlines now, "Pastor is Crushed as His Car Falls off Jack"! Scary!

We would do well to remember that this World is lost and in darkness. The Lord has commanded us to be Light to the World! Look at the command in Matthew 5:14-16...

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  -15-  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  -16-  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

You may feel that your light is not very bright or that you can not make a difference. I would say, "The darker the night, the brighter the light". Your testimony and your words of witness can and will make a difference. Just remember that your testimony or "light" must be pointing to Christ. What a wonderful and exciting calling we have to be the light for our Lord and Savior! 

I challenge you this week, to let your light shine for the Lord. Be a witness for Him. To God be the Glory!

Leadership: Not what you think

Not everyone is cut out to stand in front of crowds to speak or lead. Fortunately you don’t have to be a public speaker or charismatic person to be a leader. God can use “A Word Fitly Spoken…” (Pr. 25:11) to accomplish great things. That word can be spoken at Home or at Work or at School. Really it can be anywhere!

God has given each of us a “Circle of Influence” to work with and lead. Matthew 5:13 – 16 reminds us that the Lord desires for us to be both “Salt” and “Light” in this present world. The Lord desires us to use our influence be it great or small to lead or make a difference when and where we can. If we fail to be that influence Matthew 5:13 lays it out pretty clear. We are “…good for nothing…”! That doesn’t mean that we are useless it just we are unusable. Don’t allow fear or shyness to make your life unusable for the Lord.

As the World around us gets darker and darker even the smallest of lights will have a larger influence. You may think that you can’t do much as one small person. Look at what the Lord said in Mark 12:43 about the Widow’s two mites. It’s not the size of the gift that matters. It’s the size of the sacrifice and the heart with which it is given. Let me challenge you this week to be a light and shine for the Lord. Just remember we are to shine, not to be seen of men, or for a pat on the back, but we are to shine “…that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Let Us Be People of Prayer

What does the Church really need to succeed? There are a few answers to that question but I would say that one the biggest if not the biggest needs is to have people of prayer.

Author E. M. Bounds wrote, “What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use—men of prayer, men mighty in prayer.” We don’t need the World’s Methods of Church growth! We are not and by God’s grace never will be a “seeker-sensitive” church! Unfortunately those who say they are seeking God in our culture today are many times just seeking a religious experience and a good feeling. That is not the God I know!

If we desire to see our Church grow then we need to get on our knees and pour out our hearts to the Lord. We need to pray corporately as a body and that’s a large part of what we do on Wednesday Evening. I encourage you to come and be a part of that blessing. We also need to be individuals of prayer. You might think what can I do. What could one person’s prayer really accomplish? Remember Elijah in James 5:17? The Bible says he was a normal man just like you and me, yet when he prayed, according to God’s will, the results were literally miraculous.

Let me encourage you to be in prayer this week each and every day over the small and the large things. Let’s pray that the Lord will bless our Church with souls and visitors as He sees fit.