Can God Use You, or Not?

Jacob was a cheater. Peter had a temper. David had an affair. Noah got drunk. Jonah ran from God. Paul was a murderer. Gideon was insecure. Miriam was a gossiper. Martha was a worrier. Thomas was a doubter. Sara was impatient. Elijah was moody. Moses stuttered. Zacchaeus was short. Abraham was old, and Lazarus was dead.

God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called! So, what's your excuse? Can God use you, or not?

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

Pastor Lyle Newell ("Christian Life Ministry")

Music: "Lord, I'm Losing Myself, Please Find Me"

Pleasing God Is Greater

In our walk with Christ, we will inevitably face moments when we must choose between doing what is wrong to be accepted, trendy, popular, supported, etc., and doing what is right while standing "alone." But remember, we are never truly alone; God is always with us, and His presence comforts us in temptation and struggle.

Heavenly Father, I pray that when we face the choice between right and wrong, we will call on the Holy Spirit's strength and wisdom. Help us recognize and follow Your truth rather than the world's trappings. May our choices demonstrate and strengthen our trust in You. Father, as You lead us through life's battles, help us realize and trust that all things are possible through You. As we face trials and tribulations, may we allow them to help shape and grow us into the people You will us to be, more loving, forgiving, and kind, like Your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May our thoughts, words, and deeds honor and glorify You. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Galatians 1:10

"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."

Luke 9:25

"For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?"

Deuteronomy 7:9

"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,"

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

Romans 8:37-39

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Pastor Lyle Newell ("Christian Life Ministry")

Prayer: Believe

Even when it seems I'm surrounded

by many liars and my own fears,

and though I'm hurting in my suffering and trauma,

I still stay faithful to God and I speak words of faith.

Psalm 116:10-11 (TPT)

Lord, in the midst of turmoil and fear, give me unwavering faith. Demolish every fear with your powerful love. I let go of every thought that tries to make my problems look bigger than you. Nothing is too hard for you. Nothing.

I believe. In the areas where I struggle with unbelief, I ask for your mercy. I'll stand and declare your promises, letting them penetrate deep into my heart, so they become life within me. I remind myself of the many times you've come through for me before. You've never forgotten me, and even when it feels as if you have, I'll shake off the lie and lean into your love.

I release control and the need to understand. I seek you for wisdom and trust that if there's anything you want me to do besides believe, you'll show me. I refuse to worry. I was created to trust you and be at peace. Give me eyes to see this situation the way you do.

You'll get me through this. You love me. Faith gives me the victory.

Excerpt from "Prayers On Fire" by Brenna Stockman

I Still Need Him...

I’m a Christian who didn’t wait until marriage.

I’m a Christian who has walked away from the church.

I’m a Christian who has struggled with anger, bitterness, and forgiveness.

I’m a Christian who has lied, lost her temper, said things she couldn’t take back, and hurt people she loves.

I’m a Christian who has put people, feelings, and worldly things before God.

I’m also a Christian who STILL battles sin.

I say this, because somewhere along the way, people got this idea that following Jesus means you suddenly become incapable of making a mess of things… and I hate to break it to you, but that’s not how sanctification works.

I didn’t come to Jesus because I had it all together. I came to Jesus because I was falling apart…

I have a past. Some of it isn’t pretty. Some of it I’m ashamed of. Some of it I wish I could go back and change.

Even after a surrendering my life to Christ, I’ve had moments when my flesh was louder than my faith… but I’m not going to dress up my testimony to make Christianity look more appealing to people who think Christians should be perfect.

I’m not going to pretend I’ve never fallen just because somebody might use my failures to question my salvation.

Because my testimony isn’t that I’ve lived a sinless life… My testimony is that Jesus met me right in the middle of my sin and loved me enough not to leave me there.

But DO NOT confuse that with me making excuses for sin.

Grace isn’t permission to keep living however I please. Grace is the very reason I get back up, repent, and keep allowing God to change the parts of me that still don’t look like Him.

Some days that growth is beautiful… Other days it’s ugly, humbling, and downright uncomfortable… but it’s growth.

I’m still being pruned. Still being convicted. Still learning to die to myself daily.

I would much rather sit at the feet of Jesus, fully aware of how desperately I need Him, than stand on some imaginary pedestal looking down on everybody whose sin happens to look different than mine.

THE GROUND IS LEVEL AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS.

You won’t find perfection in me. You’ll find a woman who has been forgiven much, who still gets things wrong, and who is eternally grateful that God’s mercy didn’t run out when she messed up again.

Jesus didn’t come because we were righteous enough to deserve Him… He came because we were sinners who desperately needed a Savior.

I still need Him.

Every. Single. Day.

Author: Haley Brannon