Daily Bread_December 17, 2013

Title: The Kind of People that God Chooses and Uses

Text:

2 Timothy 2:20-21 (HCSB)
²⁰ Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver bowls, but also those of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.
²¹ So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

Observation:

I stand in awe of God and the people that God chooses and uses to do His kingdom building work in this world. Surely His ways are not like our ways, and His methods are not like our methods. This statement by Jesus amazes me.

John 20:21 (HCSB)
²¹ Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you."

I have heard it often said that, "God does not call the qualified, but that He qualifies the called". Hearing and obeying the calling of God upon your life is not an easy task; there is a burden to bear. However, there is a blessing to receive, and a God to glorify.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (HCSB)
²⁴ Don't you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize.
²⁵ Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a crown that will fade away, but we a crown that will never fade away.
²⁶ Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air.
²⁷ Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, there is no place I would rather be than in the center of Your will for my life; doing the things that You qualify me to do. Father, doing them not in my strength, but in Your strength, and in obedience to Your will and plan for my life.

Father God, I pray for the wisdom to see and the will to cooperate with You as You work to make me more holy, so that I might be more useful in Your service. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

"Fill me with gladness from above,
Hold me by strength divine;
Lord, let the glow of Thy great love
Through all my being shine.

Make this poor self grow less and less,
Be Thou my life and aim;
Oh, make me daily through Thy grace
More meet to bear Thy name."

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/395#ixzz2ndwmyu82

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Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
⁵ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/