Here are the top 5 posts favored by the community at "Jesus Christ The Messiah" (JCMessiah.org) during the week ending February 11th, 2012, starting with #5. Let's flashback together, all the way to #1, and feel free to forward these highlights to your family, friends, and others who might like to receive them.
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>>> #5 <<<
Are you afraid to get your hands dirty, when it comes to letting God use you? Jesus said in John 13:15
"I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." (NIV)
I have a particular friend to tell you about. He goes to my Church. He has challenges in His life as a single dad with two kids. Even so, he's always one of the first to stand and offer assistance. He tends to reach out to people who are disadvantaged. I've seen this in more than one situation.
What does this have to do with getting hands dirty? Well, he's a mechanic by trade. He works on cars to make a living. I'm sure the last thing he wants to do after a day at work is mess with another car. Yet, he has this ministry that he does on occasion. He goes to our Church, invites single mom's to pass through the parking lot (whether they go to our Church or not), and he does free oil changes. While they wait, they get to go inside and wait and socialize with each other, as well as get counsel from pastors if they wish.
My friend is a shining illustration of someone who is willing to get his hands dirty to serve the Lord's purpose. We can all learn from this example.
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>>> #4 <<<
"God wants me to tell you that He loves you so much, and He wants you to know that He wants to be with you ... always! He just needs for you to believe in Him."
"God wants me to tell you that He loves you so much, and He wants you to know that He wants to be with you ... always! He just needs for you to believe in Him."
As a believer, one who knows these words to be the spirit of God's Word, have you ever said such a thing to an unbeliever OR someone who is struggling. The results, while they will vary, can be intense. It can be like the reaction one might expect, after abrupty covering a gaping wound with disinfectant.
God wants believers to be like the field medic. You know, he's the guy that runs around on the battle field, always prepared to treat someone who is injured? We might not see blood pouring from someone who is spiritually injured OR in shock, BUT an active believer can sense a need.
Are you ready and willing to be useful to God, without hesitation? Are you attentive to needs and have such words on standby, ready to flow freely from your lips in order to aid your fellow man? If your timing and words are led, the person you reach might very well cry out.
I've seen some people become angry, because while they needed to hear the truth of God's love, their heart was too hardened. Nevertheless, they were given the opportunity. Many, though, are ready to receive WHEN you feel led to give. When this is the case, the cries (those that come from the temporary pain of feeling God's love pour over their infected hearts) will eventually cease. Once a heart is healed, spiritual health is restored, and then there is joy.
Also, remember this ... Sometimes a person doesn't need words. One of the most important lessons taught to me in a five month class for hospital Chaplains was that there are times when a person gets more out of a visit, an ear, and a glass of water. God will do the rest. If you're "prayed up" in advance; then you will know what is needed.
You can be useful as a spiritual field medic for the Lord. All that is required is that your heart has been made spiritually healthy by accepting the full treatment of God's healing love.
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>>> #3 <<<
Do you ever stop and wonder what happened in the lives of some of the people that Jesus healed? People who were sick and lame, they got up and walked away. What about the man that had been blind from birth? Jesus gave him sight. See John 9, the entire chapter.
Do you ever stop and wonder what happened in the lives of some of the people that Jesus healed? People who were sick and lame, they got up and walked away. What about the man that had been blind from birth? Jesus gave him sight. See John 9, the entire chapter.
Scripture tells us that the Pharisees (Jewish leaders) threw the healed man out of the synagogue, because they didn't believe in his testimony (much less, Jesus). The blind man still went on to worship Jesus, as Jesus shamed the Pharisees.
Scripture tells us no more about the life of this once-blind man. Yet, we can see how God made him useful right away, as an entire chapter of John was dedicated to his story. He became a living illustration of God's power and mercy. At the same time, he was thrust into a position of persecution. Yet, the man worshiped Jesus anyway. My guess is that the man continued to be an outcast by the Pharisees, while an inspiration to others who were not blind to the divine grace of Jesus.
I'm sure the man's life remained difficult, socially. There are no guarantees that being useful to God is going to be a walk in the park, even for someone who receives a miracle. It isn't going to necessarily going to win you a popularity contest. However, I think when we all see the once-blind man in Heaven one day, he will confirm that his life beyond that point was worth every amount of suffering.
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>>> #2 <<<
Why do you think God can't use you? Is it because you are a new Christian and don't know enough yet? Are you not outgoing? Do you think you're too young, too old, or not smart enough? Consider this from Ephesians 2:10 ...
Why do you think God can't use you? Is it because you are a new Christian and don't know enough yet? Are you not outgoing? Do you think you're too young, too old, or not smart enough? Consider this from Ephesians 2:10 ...
"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (NIV)
Why don't you stop thinking about what you can't do, and tell God you are ready to do whatever He made you to do?
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>>> #1 <<<
PRAYER: Father in Heaven, my week has begun. I have much to do at work, at home, and in between. Yet, I want you to know, Lord, that it is MY will for YOUR will to be done through me. I will not let all of these other things interfere with what you want me to do. I await your calling. I will be watchful for your prompt. Oh, Lord, make use of me for your purpose.
PRAYER: Father in Heaven, my week has begun. I have much to do at work, at home, and in between. Yet, I want you to know, Lord, that it is MY will for YOUR will to be done through me. I will not let all of these other things interfere with what you want me to do. I await your calling. I will be watchful for your prompt. Oh, Lord, make use of me for your purpose.
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His Everlasting Hope
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