serving – prayersandpowerchords

a flaw by any other name

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

As I study the Bible I find it is filled with flawed, broken people. There are liars and thieves, cowards and cheats. It has those that are angry, some that are bigots. Really the Bible covers the whole range of character flaws one can find throughout humanity. Yet God has chosen people like that to use for His purposes over and over.

Moses was an angry man. He proved during his life. God used him to deliver His people from Egyptian slavery and give them the Law. David was a murderer and adulterer that God used many times during his life. He wrote many of the Psalms. Matthew was a thief that wrote one of the four Gospels. Peter was impulsive and coarse, but he preached the first message of salvation and saw thousands receive Christ, be saved and be baptized.

Maybe we are too quick to decide that someone is disqualified for ministry because of some perceived flaw. Maybe we ought to take a lesson from scripture and realize that God sees things differently than we do.

Flaws, or what we perceive as negative traits or characteristics, can often be seen as strengths when viewed from another perspective. For example, being overly critical of oneself may be viewed as a flaw, but it can also be a strength in terms of setting high standards and striving for excellence. Similarly, being too sensitive may be seen as a weakness, but it can also be a strength in terms of being compassionate and empathetic towards others.

One way to reframe flaws as strengths is to think about the positive intentions behind them. For example, someone who is overly critical may simply be trying to improve themselves or others, while someone who is sensitive may be trying to be understanding and supportive. By recognizing the positive intentions behind our flaws, we can begin to see them as strengths rather than weaknesses.

Another way to reframe flaws as strengths is to think about the unique perspectives and skills they bring. For example, someone who is shy may be seen as weak, but they may also have a great ability to listen and observe, which can be valuable in certain situations. Similarly, someone who is impulsive may be seen as reckless, but they may also be able to make quick decisions and take risks, which can be beneficial in certain circumstances.

When we recognize and embrace our flaws we are much more apt to turn to God for help in those areas of our lives. When David’s sin was revealed it was then that he turned to God for forgiveness and deliverance. Paul’s overzealous nature was put to good use once he stopped pursuing believers and began to preach the gospel instead.

It’s also important to remember that flaws are not always negative. They can be the things that make us unique and different from others. Embracing our flaws can help us to be more authentic and true to ourselves, which can lead to greater self-acceptance and usefulness to the Kingdom of God.

Furthermore, sometimes flaws are simply a matter of perspective. For example, someone who is described as “lazy” may simply have a different approach to time management, or they may have a different set of priorities. On the other hand, someone who is described as “overly ambitious” may simply be highly motivated and focused on their goals.

So, flaws can be seen as strengths when viewed from a different perspective. By recognizing the positive intentions behind them, thinking about the unique perspectives and skills they bring and embracing them as a part of our unique selves, we can begin to see them as opportunities and strengths rather than weaknesses. Additionally, it’s important to remember that flaws are often a matter of perspective and that what one person sees as a flaw, God may be able to use as a strength.

Lord I pray that you will reveal to me my flaws and weaknesses. Where they are hindering me help me to overcome them. Use me as I am to further your will in my life and the lives of those around me. Where I am weak make me strong. Humble me in what strength I have so that I may rely on You and give you the glory and honor for any success I find.

I had it upside down

Wasted time equals a neglected page. Never thought I would admit something like that. It’s been said to me many times throughout my life but somehow I seem to get by. But I’ve had some time to really reflect this past week or so and I’ve learned a few things about myself that aren’t very flattering.

Toss in the topics I’ve been preaching on the last few weeks and oh boy.

Let’s start by saying that self-reflection has never been my strongest trait. I tend to find what I like and stick to it. I’m not saying that I’ve never had a wake up moment but they are pretty rare. It’s easier for me to slide into the sin of pride than I’d like.

I take a lot of things in my life for granted and if those granted things go away I have a powerful tendency to turn my back on them. New things will come right? But what if I’m wrong? My strategy seemed to work for me. What if I had done things differently?

I know it’s a waste of time to dwell on the past. But what if it’s not?

If you look over my old posts you’ll see two characters pop up a lot.

Worthless

Worthwhile

I wrote about my struggle with these two and which was winning. I think my struggle is real but my analysis flawed. Let me explain briefly as an intro.

I always thought that Worthwhile ought to win but it was my pride that made me feel Worthwhile. Getting knocked down a peg or two and suddenly I’m Worthless and fighting to regain my stubborn pride, thinking I’m winning.

Sometimes I’m a moron.

Father God, all praise to You who created me. Forgive my sin of pride. Bless my mother who bore me, bless my father too. Bless my children with my secret hope for them. Bless my wife who loves me in spite of my failures. Remove my pride even if it hurts. I yield to you. Let Worthless win. Amen

More to come

volunteers make the church work

At the beginning of the year I put out the call for volunteers at the church where I pastor. I made a list of needed help and called the church to pray for the right people to come to us and fill the roles that had been identified. I don’t know if anyone is still praying over our list but we did see some results and I’d like to publically thank those that stepped up to help out.

Brian thank you so much for taking on the task of maintaining our grounds. It is a very important task and I know that it takes up a lot of time. How the property looks is the very first impression that people have of our church and we want that impression to be a good one. Without your efforts that wouldn’t be possible. Paul and Junia I know that you have also pitched in and your help is very much appreciated. You two were also instrumental in the ongoing remodel of the new classroom. It was your efforts that really got that project moving again after it had gotten stalled.

Good first impressions continue because Sandy came forward and volunteered to take on the task of keeping the sanctuary, bathrooms, and other spaces clean and tidy. Your personal touches in those areas have really made a huge difference in the way members and visitors alike see our facility. I don’t know if anyone has thanked you personally but several people have asked me who has been cleaning because the place looks great. It feels like somebody actually loves it and wants it to look it’s very best. Your servant’s heart really shines through the work that you do. I pray that God bless you abundantly.

Stan and Kathy have continued to keep the kitchen and coffee room clean and tidy. I always know that you’ve been there even if I didn’t see you because of the smell of Pine-Sol in the air after you leave. You two have been performing this task for several years and it’s about time you got a public thank you for it.

Papa G, Stan, and Dan have done a lot of work in our new classroom and I am really happy to let you all know that we will be opening up one side of it this Sunday for use. These men have worked very hard to present to you all a building that you can be proud of. They’ve done demolition, put up Sheetrock, textured and painted. They’ve dug trenches, run wires, installed a bunch of stuff. Been up and down ladders countless times and made numerous trips to a variety of home improvement stores. Their work has been done with excellence and love. There is still a lot more to be done but I know that these men will be there to do the job and do it right. Thank you thank you thank you.

In one sense a church is just a bunch of people that get together once in a while and do church. If that’s all you get from it God bless you and expand your thoughts. Because really a church ought to be like a family with all that implies. A family does things together with a common goal and so should a church. I am certain that if you are attending a church somewhere that there are plenty of opportunities for you to serve. It is my prayer that you find that spot and fill it because you are necessary and important no matter what you think. God will use you if you make yourself available for use.

I know that I have not mentioned every person that volunteers in our church. Fear not I see all and so does God. There are many more blogs to write.

Be the answer to someone’s prayer

Do you ever think about how God answers our prayers? I know that I do. I do so because I get asked quite often to pray for or about a person or situation. After I pray for something or someone I will monitor the situation or circumstance as at I am able because I really like to know how my prayers are being answered. I think that is reasonable and I think also that lots of other people do,the same thing. We all ought to be looking for our prayers to be answered because that is one of the best ways we can build up our witness.

God uses people to answer prayers.

A lot of times my prayers are for people or situations that are far away from me and so my prayers are often a request that God move someone “over there” to act on behalf of whatever I am praying about. It occurs to me that there are likely people far from me making the same kind of prayers about people or situations near to me. In that case there is a possibility that God may try to move me to be the answer to that prayer.

God uses people to answer prayers because it build faith and testimony in three different people. In the one praying, the one answering, and the one for whom the prayer was offered.

For the believer being a co-laborer with God in these situations is privelage that is not to be taken lightly. Being an answer to prayer may take courage or boldness. It may include the possibility of persecution or danger. It could expose you to difficult circumstances. It could even lead to emotion or spiritual stress. But along with these come certain blessing and great joy a well.

If you want to be used by God as the answer to someone else’s prayer (and you should) there are a few things you’d better know because while He is sovereign and can use anyone he prefers to use the qualified. So what makes one qualified?

First you must be available. If you are self absorbed paying attention only to yourself and your concerns it will be hard for you to be used purposefully by God. Selfishness is a barrier to a meaningful prayer life. It is something that God dispises. Paul reminds us in Romans 12 that we are to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice as our duty to God. We are to lay ourselves on the altar and by doing so we become ready for his use. The word to use here is holy, that is set aside for his purposes. Again Paul says in his letter to Timothy that a vessel that is to be used for honorable purposes must be clean.

Second you must be listening. God speaks to us in any number of ways so in order to be used we ought to be paying close attention to Him. We need to be praying. Remember that prayer is a two way conversation with God. All too often we get so caught up in our requests that we forget to be listening. We forget to pause and give Him a chance to say something to us. He also speaks to,us through His word so keep reading scripture. This is the best way to understand His mind and ways. He will also speak to you through the people around you so pay attention and be sensitive when talking to others. Be a good listener.

Finally you must be willing. God is a gentleman. He won’t force you to do things. He may make it difficult to refuse. He may use circumstances or hardship to help you understand His will but you always get the option to opt out. Like Malachi told Ester you if you refuse God will find another way for His will to be achieved but you will miss out on the blessings that would have been yours.

What an honor we have as believers to be workers in God’s kingdom. Don’t be so self-interested that you miss the opportunities out there to be His answer to someone’s plea for help. Don’t miss the blessings that are to be yours because you are unavailable or unwilling to answer the call when it comes to you. Your testimony is your best witness and your testimony comes by answered prayers.