Who God Uses

Scandals are everywhere in church leadership right now. Moral failures, abuse, coverups.

I am also noticing a problem in stubbornness, pride and arrogance from some of the most famous Bible teachers of the day. 

They’re nasty to people who disagree with them, speak in arrogance, give their opinions on things that they are ignorant on.

All the while their followers build them and lash out at those who disagree with the Pastor or teacher. 

They mock, put words in others mouths, misrepresent the other side, call people heretics and just behave so far away from what the Bible teaches.

They do this under the guise of glorifying God but in reality they’re just glorifying their own perceived intellectual superiority.

Quite frankly all this gets me angry and it grieves me.

It’s helped me come to realize why God uses the fisherman, the tax collector, the Sheppard boy, the stutterer and so on.

He doesn’t just find the smartest and brightest.

Look at the smartest and brightest religious leaders of Jesus time on Earth, they looked in His face and cursed Him. 

They stared in the face of God and didn’t recognize Him, they didn’t know Him.

Yet the people thought they were the most holy because of their knowledge but they lacked humbleness, mercy, grace and love.

I’m not saying God doesn’t use intellectual people of course, Paul was a pharisee. God uses every type of person but I see a pattern that those willing to be humbled and have faith get used by God for His glory.

Of course you may say but all those people still failed.

But what stands out is all those dealt with their failures, humbled themselves and repented.

Jesus said, “The humble will exalted and the exalted will be humbled”

Truth is getting angry at other Christians failures and arrogance is easy and satan I’m sure loves that.

Because while your focusing on them you get distracted and won’t focus on your own sins and failures.

Which is why I must focus on my own sin and flaws and pray that God humbles me before I fall.

God help me, I pray You humble me, take away my anger and grief and help me focus on my own sins, and be a helpful hand to those who need restoration.

In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Have a Blessed Week,

Chris 

Scripture Reading Plan:

Monday – Amos 8:1-12

Tuesday – Psalm 15

Wednesday – Colossians 1:15-28

Thursday – Luke 10:38-42

True Freedom Means Dependence On God.

This is a post from 2020…

The Good Word

This past Saturday we in American celebrated Independence Day. A day where we celebrate our freedom but the truth is many in this country and in the world are not free no matter what type of country they live in or what type of government they have.

In reality true freedom comes from God.

Only He provides you with true freedom.

Freedom from sin and destruction.

Freedom from this world that hates what is good and loves what is evil.

Freedom from all your past mistakes.

Freedom from those chains that hold you down.

Freedom from the darkness in your life.

Freedom from the lies of this world.

God is the truth and the truth can set you free.

Have a Blessed Week,
Chris

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The Importance of Rest III

I have written twice and re-blogged once about the Importance of Rest.

I am writing about this subject again because quite frankly I am exhausted.

Some may point out to me that I have taken on too much lately but the truth is that is not the case. I have neglected my rest.

I have gone to bed far too late far too many times.

Then when I could sleep in or nap I chose to fight of the fatigue in order to stay awake to do other things. Often leisure and fun activities.

In the moment I always think I am just sacrificing rest to do what I need or want to do but the truth is what I am doing is wrong because God tells us to rest.

I need to repent of allowing myself to neglect my rest.

Also my Pastor preaches on rest and has talked to me personally about the importance of rest.

Really there is no excuse for me to continue to fail to get proper sleep.

So in conclusion I leave you with these 12 Bible Verses on rest.

https://dailyverses.net/rest

Have a Blessed and Restful Week,
Chris

Scripture For The Week
Monday – Isaiah 6:1-13

Tuesday – Psalm 138

Wednesday – 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Thursday – Luke 5:1-11

Prayer For The Nation

I think it is important this week to offer a prayer for our nation.

Lord I want to first pray for all those affected by the violence at the Capitol, it was horrible, horrific and avoidable.

I also want to pray for those affected by the violence that has occurred throughout the year in this country.

This nation has faced tragedy after tragedy this year. I pray that we overcome, that people’s hearts are healed and their needs are met.

I want to offer prayer as we go through a transition of power in this nation. Many are hurt and angry, some are excited, others relieved.

I think it is an important reminder we must not trust in man but God.

You God, sit on a throne that is greater than any throne made by the hands of man.

I also want to call for repentance of this nation. This is not about one party or group this is about the nation as a whole. Everyone in this country should go to the Lord humbly.

The truth is we have lived very comfortably so long Lord, help us Lord to be humble and remember our brothers and sisters throughout the world who have suffered so much.

We must turn back to you and live our lives by Your will not ours and by Your Word not ours.

Thank you Lord for your continued blessings, have mercy on us God and help us return to you.
.
Amen.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (English Standard Version)

14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Links:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+7%3A14&version=ESV