Have you ever felt like God couldn't possibly use you? Do you think that the life you lived before you came to know God is holding you back? Here a few examples of men God used in the Bible.
Paul-the apostle Paul was a persecutor of the church. He was out to stamp out Christianity. But God revealed Himself to Paul and used him as the primary(most written) writer of the New Testament.
King David-King David was a man after God's own heart. But he was an adult-er, murder, lied, etc. But God still used him.
Matthew- Matthew was one of Jesus's disciples. He was a tax collector. One of the most despised jobs then and honestly they aren't very popular now. God still used him and called him as one of the twelve disciples.
Peter-Peter was one of Jesus's disciples as well. Peter was emotional, doubted and even denied knowing Jesus. Still he was forgiven and God still used him after Jesus's death.
These are just a few examples of the many people God has used. They like many of us could have made excuses as to why they couldn't serve God or be used by God. They could have gone their own way or given up altogether when the times got tough. God still had his hand on them despite their shortcomings in the past and some in the future. Our job is to repent and trust God. Does that mean we won't struggle sometimes? No of course not. Jesus is the only one who was perfect we strive to be like Him. Jesus is the standard. Not your neighbor, Pastor or the preacher on television. When we give our lives over to Christ we put off the old things and are made new. We don't seek out the things we did before we were saved. We hunger and thirst for Him, His will and His plan.
Next time you find yourself getting down and doubting you are of any use to God, open your bible and see He can use anyone..that includes you!
Showing posts with label Peter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peter. Show all posts
Monday, September 15, 2014
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Worried?
We have all done it at one point or another...We worried. There was something going on in our life that we couldn't control, fix, or find a solution to when we wanted to. Worry isn't all that helpful but some of us live constantly in a state of worry. Once a problem gets solved we find something else to worry about. So what does the Bible say about it?
“An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up” (Proverbs 12:25, NIV).
“I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7)
(Also see Psalm 55:22-23)
“Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?’” (Luke 12:22-26, NIV). (Also see Matthew 6:25-34)
“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:5).
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones” (Proverbs 3:5-8).
“…the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:26-28).
These are just a few examples of what the Bible says about worry. So when God made us He had a plan for us to deal with these feelings. He knew that we would need Him. God is our answer to those times of worry, doubt, fear, anxiety, etc. He wants us to trust Him. He wants our problems, prayers, and to give us peace. God is in control...He made the world we live in and everyone around us. Shouldn't God be the one we run to?
“An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up” (Proverbs 12:25, NIV).
“I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7)
(Also see Psalm 55:22-23)
“Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?’” (Luke 12:22-26, NIV). (Also see Matthew 6:25-34)
“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:5).
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones” (Proverbs 3:5-8).
“…the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:26-28).
These are just a few examples of what the Bible says about worry. So when God made us He had a plan for us to deal with these feelings. He knew that we would need Him. God is our answer to those times of worry, doubt, fear, anxiety, etc. He wants us to trust Him. He wants our problems, prayers, and to give us peace. God is in control...He made the world we live in and everyone around us. Shouldn't God be the one we run to?
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