No matter what you have done in your past, God can work through you. He can change you and give you strength. Nothing in your past is so terrible that He will not use you to His glory and through it, bless you and others. The struggles in your past may be the thing he uses to help someone with the same struggles. He shows His power through our weakness, his strength in our insecurity. Throughout the Bible, God used the people that most would never believe possible. Paul, the great minister of God, persecuted the Christians of his day. Moses murdered someone and could not speak well. Gideon was the least of his family of a low-class tribe. Joseph was a slave and became the highest ranking officer in Egypt to be used by God. These are just a few.
1 Timothy 1:12-17
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
I feel very honored to be used by God. Being able to write this blog and share His word in hopes that people will read this and serving in my church in this small community are a couple things I am not worthy to do, but because of God’s grace and changing my heart and showing me who I am in Christ, I am willing to let Him work through me. I could not do it alone. In a couple weeks I will be going on a mission trip to an orphanage in Haiti. It is a small thing, but I believe God can and will use me in a mighty way over there to help feed the poor and help the missionaries build a schoolhouse for the children (I have very few skills in building). Not only that, I can bring the love of Jesus to these children and show them they are loved. I hope to share God’s word to those I see down there. Again, it is not me, it is God working through me and around me. This is my 4th time on a mission trip in Haiti and I have seen God work here. I have seen miracles happen…people coming to Christ, food being distributed to everyone present even when it seemed there was not enough to go around, injuries healed and protection of Christians from voodoo not firsthand but it was evident). It was a blessing beyond my comprehension.
And he used me, who for many years when I was young (and dumb), I was a pothead, cocaine user, drug dealer, profane, sexually immoral, making fun of Christians, doing my own thing, even after growing up in a godly Christian home. Yes, that is me in the pictures above. That did not stop God from changing my heart, forgiving me and accepting me, to use me for His glory and the benefit of others. I am not worthy, but I am forgiven and I am blessed. And, through my blessing, I hope to share that blessing with others, especially those who may feel they have no hope or are not good enough. Let me tell you, none of us is good enough, but God loves us anyway and you do have hope through Jesus Christ. There is nothing too small or too big for Him and He loves to use those who are broken to do great things.
My Daily Scriptures 