December 27
Zech 10:1-11:17 | PS 146:1-10 | Prov 30:33 | Rev 18:1-24
The best place for those of us in Christ to be is usable. When we realize that we bring very little to the table, that our strong points really aren't that strong, that our gifts and talents aren't really that gifted or talented, that our intellect is really not that profound, is the moment when God can start using you, for there will be little of yourself and much of God. Foolishly we tend to measure others up by externals, but we really know very little about these others that we either raise up or diminish in our eyes. Some despise the rich calling them greedy. Others despise the poor calling them lazy. Others judge based on race or ethnicity. Henry Heinz 1844-1919,(founder of Heinz ketchup); Conrad Hilton 1887-1979 (founder of the famous hotel chain); James C. Penney 1875-1971 (founder of J.C. Penney), and James L. Kraft 1874-1953 (founder of Kraft foods), are but four examples of extremely wealthy men who openly professed God publicly and allowed God to use them for the good of people. John Bunyan (writer of Pilgrim's Progress), Francis of Assisi, Mother Teresa, along with many others are notable poor individuals who God used mightily. Forget your past, stop placing obstacles in the path of how God can use you for His kingdom.
Read David's words in Psalm 146:3-6, "Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help. His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish. Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the Lord his God, Who made heaven and earth, The sea, and all that is in them; Who keeps truth forever,". You might have placed your trust in some thing or yourself, but this is misplaced. Place it in God. He will not disappoint. We read of the future Antichrist in Zechariah 11:15-16, "And the Lord said to me, “Next, take for yourself the implements of a foolish shepherd. For indeed I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will not care for those who are cut off, nor seek the young, nor heal those that are broken, nor feed those that still stand. But he will eat the flesh of the fat and tear their hooves in pieces." This horrible world leader will seem to have all the right answers and will hold all the power in the world at his possession. He will lead his future monopoly of everything from Babylon. It will seem impenetrable. It will seem to have all the answers. But we read of it's outcome in Revelation 18:2, "“Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!" Sadly, we see the response of all who thought they were on the right side, the winning side in 18:9-10, "“The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’"
If you want to be used of God, come empty. Paul wisely said in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, "And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." When sizing up others, seek not what they can do for you, or their economic standing. Seek men and women of God who stand for truth and come with the strength of God. He is the only true source of everything. Investing in Him will have eternal dividends.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: