Apart from God, there is no good in me

If any of you like me as a person, realize that it is not me that you like, but my God that graciously lives in me. There is nothing of me that is worth liking. My thoughts are wrong. In the past, and present, I have thought of stealing, lying to cover my own skin, deceiving, doing something for my own benefit that doesn't benefit others or may even hurt others, how things are unfair to me, complaining, how I was better than someone else, how I was worse than someone else, keeping things for myself so I can have more, and many others. Those thoughts were intensified when I wasn't walking with God. I saw who I was without God, and there was nothing to like. The best thing I did was choose to give up myself. Don't misunderstand me, that process isn't finished. I have to give up myself daily and sometimes minute by minute.

Many people, including myself at times, say or believe "Well you only thought about it, you didn't actually do it, that makes you a good person." No, it doesn't. Jesus said that if we thought about it, it was just as bad as doing it. It's hard to admit it, but I am wicked. The things that you like about me are not me at all, the things that you like about me are God living in me. He humbled himself to live in a wicked person like me, for my benefit. I just want to point you to what you actually like, and who you are actually attracted to, and that is my Father.

Sincerely, 

God's Tool

Early Church

You are in Jerusalem for the Feast of Weeks.  In the distance you hear a commotion and see a crowd gathering, so naturally you get closer to get a better look.  There are Galileans speaking in every language.  But how would they know these languages?  There was no Rosetta Stone or college classes for other languages.  These men were proclaiming the wonders and power of God in your native language, and every one else's too.  This is incredible.  The one named Peter stands up and raises his voice above all the others.

"Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.  These men are not drunk, as you suppose.  It's only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel."  Then he quoted Joel and spoke about how in the last days, the Lord's spirit would be poured out onto people.  He talked about Jesus of Nazareth.  Wasn't that the man who did miraculous things? It was!  Peter went on to talk about how God had accredited Jesus with signs, miracles, and wonders.  Then, he talked about how Jesus was the messiah and how we put Him to death.  Could it really be?  Was He the messiah we had been waiting all these years for?  And we murdered Him?  "What should we do?"  How could we fix this?  This is a catastrophe.  Punishment should be fierce. "Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." said Peter.  That's it?  Is God really that merciful that all we have to do is repent?


They did.  They repented and 3,000 were saved that day.  Can you believe that?!  What an amazing day!  God was really working there.  These believers knew that they needed each other's help to go through life now.  They knew life would be hard but they were on fire for God! They were so in love with Him and they loved each other as well.  They were wholly devoted to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer.  That doesn't mean that they just liked to do this, or that they sometimes did these things.  It means without fail, because they wanted to and because they knew they had to.  Amazing things happened in those days.  The church was filled with miracles.  Did you know that they would sell all their possessions and give the money to other members of the church who needed it, or even poor strangers?  This is fantastic.  I wish I was that passionate and on fire for God.  I can't imagine giving up EVERYTHING for a stranger.  They also met daily.  In the church today, we seem to think we are doing great if we go to church one day a week, and these members met daily.  Imagine how much of a family sense a church with members who met daily would have.  These people knew where it was at.  I want to get back to that.  I want the church today to be like that.  On fire for God.  Do you?

Lord help me to become more like those first disciples.  Break me and mold me into the person you want me to be.  Give me that FIRE and passion for You and Your children.  I know I am far from one of those early church members but change me a little each day, a little more like them.  Thank you for everything that you do for me, and thank you for molding me.  

Sincerely,            
The Lord's Vessel