Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Chapter 23 - Thank you GOD, but…

MY QUESTION:
Thank you GOD, but…

Thank you GOD, but why me? I have had bouts of sin in my past that could be considered the size of the Grand Canyon. I am the last person that can throw a stone in a glass house. Why me? Well guess what? When I stopped trying to figure out why, or let go of trying to figure it out, the more he worked me. 

GOD Bless GOD, not me!

Every one of my past faults has been used to help others on the different shores that I am washed up on. Without me trying or being an example of how low can you go! There was no way that I had the strength to assist or even turn around a life as bad off as I had made my life. I just wanted to hide and be ashamed of what I had done. 

HE gave me the strength to be of assistance, when worldly I could not!

Thank you GOD for using me! Any thoughts?



Discussion: Thank you GOD, but…
This verse just came to me: "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." - John 3:17
I frequently heard: God is not shocked we sinners’ sin. I believe God is more concerned about our attitude toward our imperfections than not living up to His standard 24/7 as nobody can reach that until we all get to Heaven.
Yet I really think being aware of our sins pleases God instead of being aware of the great saying and excuse: "nobody is perfect". I think he's more pleased every time we ask Him to forgive and walk the talk, as we try our best effort to be more like Him than giving ourselves an excuse I'm not perfect. I think He simply desires for us to diligently seek improvement in every area of life to bring him glory and honor and to be excellent for Him. So I believe recognizing that no one is perfect is understandable. But, constantly using the imperfection as a motto in life simply shows no sign of humbleness and remorse, rather very prideful. The devil likes to remind us what a sinner we are. The hardest part for each of us to live by is to just say Thank You God, no but, because all things are brand new in Christ. We all need to learn to fix our eyes on the Cross, not ourselves the sinners, otherwise we made Christ died in vain and will never be set free. The trick is stop looking at and thinking about "self" too much.
"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:22-23
God bless-
By P, Flore F

Discussion: Thank you GOD, but…
Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrated His own love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
“God's love was not exhausted - it was proved at the cross.”
By Daniel Judson

Discussion: Thank you GOD, but…
Perhaps the words of the apostle Paul might help here: here is a trustworthy sayings that deserves full acceptance Christ Jesus came in the world to save sinners of whom I’m the worst... this can be found in one or two timothy can’t remember which one now. Hope it helps :-) God bless you :-)
By Anil K

Discussion: Thank you GOD, but…
First, being a Christian is by grace thru faith. This is not achieved by ourselves, nor of works, so our deeds though may change from good to bad does not affect our Christian status. John said, "He who says he does not sin is a liar." This life is not where we reach perfection, but a training ground for the perfect state. I believe we should strive against sin, but sinless here will not happen. I have sin in my life I must kill which leaves me no time to judge others. LOL. Thanks mark...
By Mark B

Discussion: Thank you GOD, but…
"His power is made perfect in our weakness!" (2 Cor 12:9)
Blessings!
By John R

Discussion: Thank you GOD, but…
As I read you're post, John, I could not help but think of Paul who killed Christians before his conversion. Look how God used him!!!!!!!!!! There are people who think I say too much about my personal life but I don't think this life is my own anymore and I no longer have anything to be shame of. If it helps someone else grasp the transforming love of God, I tell people the truth. He can, change even a wretch like me onto something beautiful in his eyes.
By Gail P

Discussion: Thank you GOD, but…
Yes John. When we are born again our past life no longer exists, except... to be used for good.
When our life is suddenly shining in Christ's light and every corner is highlighted, we squirm and want to hide from it, good, this shows repentance. But He will then use our past to assist those He wants to help, it's His way. We are not an island, we are all connected and without the right experiences, we cannot know what someone is going through.
A few years ago, my life took a radical turn which caused me to spend more time in the secular world. I began to see that even those outside of the church have warmth and love in them and are able, and do, assist other human beings.
God will use whom he chooses, both in and out of the church. Be open and listen and act when prompted, there is someone for everyone in every situation.
Be blessed.
By Dee D

Discussion: Thank you GOD, but…
This is great John I never thought of it that way but it sure hits home for me. Great writing! Peggy
By Peggy B

Discussion: Thank you GOD, but…
Thank you for posting that, it is very encouraging. It reminds me that there ARE other imperfect HUMAN BEINGS out there. I get down on myself for menial nonsense. I mess up in front of others, and Satan tries to worm in with, “See, you are not a Christian. You are not following Jesus". Chip Ingram, "Living on the Edge", said in a broadcast that he once told God, “I can't do it...", and He said, "Good. Now that YOU see that, let Me do it".
By Jedediah M

Discussion: Thank you GOD, but…
1 Corinthians 1:25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards,[c] not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being[d] might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him[e] you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
By Barbara P

Discussion: Thank you GOD, but…
John you have an excellent post. Thank you for sharing.
By Clay N

Discussion: Thank you GOD, but…
I was stripped of everything for my sins but Jesus has carried me on his back, thank you Jesus, thank you Holy Spirit, thank you God
By Stephen H

Discussion: Thank you GOD, but…
I have the same thoughts about my life. I have made so many poor choices and the consequences to those choices could have been severe for me and those around me. Yes, I have “suffered” consequences to my choices I also know that some of the consequences could have been/should have been much more drastic. Why did God choose to spare me from the harsher consequences of my poor choices? Well, I don’t know the answer to that. I do believe that God’s grace saved me from myself, my poor choices, and has blessed me with more good than I could have imagined. When I’m not focused on my “problems” I know that God has a purpose for me and that I can trust Him to get me where He wants me. I thank God for the work that he has done in my life though I could do much better even at that.
By Steve M

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