Damaged Goods

How many times have you thought you were too damaged, too screwed up or had too messy of a past to be used by God? For me, that answer is more than I can count. But just as clay is the potter's material, we're God's material. He is shaping us, even our past, into what He wants us to be.

A cracked pot has more places for the light to shine through.

Jeremiah 18:4-6

And the vessel that he was making from clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he made it over, reworking it into another vessel as it seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the Lord came to me: O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does? says the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.

I Need Help

Luke 5:31-32

Jesus (answering for the disciples): Healthy people don’t need a doctor, but sick people do.  I haven’t come for the pure and upstanding; I’ve come to call notorious sinners to rethink their lives and turn to God.

"I got this." Or "I don't want them to know I'm struggling." So often we stay sick, oppressed or hurt because we act like we have it all together.

James tells us to "Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant]."  James 4:10

We must humble ourselves by asking for help so that we can be exalted (lifted up) out of and above our problems.

Go Alone

Judges 4:8

And Barak said to her, If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.

Ever been dared to ring the doorbell of the old man's house that everybody says is haunted? You go first. And nobody goes.

God is wanting a people to go when He says go, not when somebody goes with you.

What is God calling you to do, not you and your buddies,  but you to do?

Decide today to go even if you go alone.

Zombies Defeated

Ever feel like a zombie; you just felt dead? I have. You just go through your day, week, maybe even months going through the motions. Everything is boring and dull. It's like you're in a fog. Everything is blah.

Want to feel alive again?

Deuteronomy 4:4

But you who clung fast to the Lord your God are alive, every one of you, this day.

John 10:10

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

Strength Training

Matthew 26:41

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Prayer, the most powerful tool we have, but the one we probably use the least consistently.

Do you find yourself struggling with being tempted off and on over and over again?

How often are you praying, and not just over food or when the pastor prays at church?

Your ability to resist temptation is directly related to the time you spend in prayer. As you pray, you are strengthened.

Lord place a desire for prayer inside of me.

What's your name?

Proverbs 22:1

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

When people think of me, I want them to think "she loves God and she loves people".

When people hear my name, I want them to have positive thoughts.

God reveal to me how I can influence Your Kingdom by influencing the people You created.

Submit and Delegate

Luke 7:8-9

For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.”

True leaders SUBMIT and DELEGATE.

The ability to submit to authority and to delegate authority and believe that what needs to be accomplished will be accomplished is faith.

The Consistency Struggle

Just a warning: this is longer than normal.

Romans 2:6-7

God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

Galatians 6:7-10

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

In the past, I've always struggled with being consistent. I'd do really good for a while and then fall to a horrible state. The above scriptures tell me that it's not enough to do good for a while. My actions must be consistent.  Now am I perfectly consistent, of course not. However,  I am improving.  How? Good question.  I'm improving in consistency by choosing to pray and read daily. Yes, CONSISTENCY IS A CHOICE.

Romans 12:2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.