Can Our FATHER Use YOU?? The "Bar" has been Set!

[WISDOM]

You know.......each character in the Book of Hebrews, Chapter Eleven (11) is placed there by our mighty GOD, the ONLY Living GOD and FATHER to teach us different aspects of a faith that is PLEASING to HIM. Faith that pleases HIM always reveals itself in OBEDIENCE. If you have received CHRIST as your SAVIOUR, there will be evidence of it in your TALK, ATTITUDES, and your ACTIONS. Saving faith ALWAYS reveals itself in a changed life.

NOAH, the third honoree in "Faith's Hall of Fame", lived in a time VERY MUCH like today (Genesis 6:5). He was a very righteous man of integrity (Genesis 6:9). Now, "blameless" DOESN'T mean NOAH was perfect (not by any means), but that he had no outstanding faults. The main purpose of the story of the "Flood" IS NOT to show why our FATHER sent a flood, but why HE chose to save NOAH and his family. While the thoughts and actions of NOAH's contemporaries were ONLY evil all the time, NOAH was a man of RIGHTEOUSNESS and was BLAMELESS among the people of his time.

In AMERICA we have the mistaken idea that the majority is ALWAYS right. We take "polls" to get the opinions of people. In the WORD/BIBLE, the majority is almost always wrong! Our culture conditions us to be conscious of what other people think. We call it "peer pressure" in relation to children or youth, and "keeping up with the Joneses" when talking about YOU and ME (Adults.....I hope!!).

We all want to fit in and be accepted, BUT if we want to be of GOD's use, we will be outside of that "inner circle" of the world's way of doing things. All of us are concerned about what other people think of us, but if we let what other people think DICTATE what we do AND don't do, GOD can't use us. Our FATHER commands YOU and I to put our confidence and hope in HIM....not others or ourselves. ("Without FAITH it is IMPOSSIBLE to Please GOD"). It is offensive and hurtful for HIM to see and hear our doubt and fear, our skepticism regarding HIS ability to care for us!

HE doesn't "call" us to be successful.....HE "calls" us to be FAITHFUL. The most important ability we have is AVAILABILITY. NOAH had his weaknesses, just like YOU and I have. He WASN'T perfect by any means....actually, he was an ordinary person that the LORD used to do EXTRAORDINARY things. He was chosen by our FATHER to build the ARK and for 120 YEARS he labored FAITHFULLY, all the while PREACHING/WITNESSING about COMING JUDGEMENT to people who had NEVER seen RAIN!!

Today, our FATHER comes to us asking us in the same way as HE asked NOAH to TRUST In HIM. HE wants us to do so in all our daily tasks, even when things look impossible. And if you're honest you'll admit this is NOT always easy to do, however, when YOU don't know where the next paycheck is coming from, when you lose your job, when the pressures of life begin to overwhelm you, when your "friends/associates" laugh at you and ridicule your faith in JESUS CHRIST, when your CHRISTIAN friends begin to have seconds thoughts/doubts about their faith, our FATHER asks YOU to put your trust in HIM...NOT ANYTHING ELSE!! WHY? Because our FATHER is the CONTROLLER of ALL things.....not some, ALL THINGS! (1 Timothy 6:15)

If YOU ever read the entire story of NOAH you'll see around Chapter Nine (9) of Genesis how NOAH made a fool of himself AFTER getting drunk. Some of you reading this may say why did GOD tell us about it?? Simple....the BIBLE is the WORD of GOD; it tells "the TRUTH, the WHOLE TRUTH, and NOTHING but the TRUTH!" If our Heavenly FATHER had left this out, HE would have only told us (today) part of the truth about NOAH. As one of my elementary school teachers use to say, "half a truth is a WHOLE LIE", and GOD NEVER LIES in any form or fashion!

That's why HE tells us the TRUTH, the WHOLE TRUTH, good and bad about NOAH, MOSES, DAVID, SOLOMON, ELIJAH, PETER, THOMAS, RAHAB the Harlot (In the Bloodline of JESUS CHRIST), JOB, and countless others not only in Hebrews "Hall of FAITH", but throughout HIS entire WORD.

If our FATHER uses sinless, perfect people, HE couldn't use people like YOU and ME! All of us have our hang-ups, weaknesses, and quirks, and at times we are GUILTY of Sin. Thank GOD for 1 John 1:9 over and over AND OVER again!! If the WORD was filled with stories about "perfect people", it wouldn't be much help to us because we COULDN'T relate to its characters...think about it. A journey into pleasing our LORD/SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST is NOT one in which YOU and I NEVER sin, but when we do, we CONFESS and FORSAKE it!

When YOU think the bad side of you has distanced our FATHER from you, you need to remember the things HE has done for you (and your family) in the past. DON'T give up on HIM....HE will NOT give up on YOU. HE has an "ark" for every Believer to build. It probably won't be made of "gopher wood" like that of NOAH's....however, like NOAH's, it will probably look FOOLISH in the eyes of the world. It is easy to praise GOD when all is going well, and we have plenty to eat, drink, wear....there's a new car in the garage/driveway, and the house/apartment is immaculate, however, what happens when all is taken away from you? Do YOU still praise our FATHER then? Do YOU still trust and obey HIM, and believe HE has a GOOD PLAN for YOUR life? Can HE Still Use YOU??

Please....ask our LORD/SAVIOUR to give YOU the wisdom to see yourself (not anyone else) as you REALLY are and to give you the strength and will power to release the "controls" to HIM. Above ALL ELSE in life YOU must keep YOUR relationship with CHRIST current ("Seek Ye FIRST the KINGDOM of GOD AND HIS Righteousness....."). Everything else will be added to your life by HIM. HE is working on YOU daily conforming YOU into the image of HIS SON, the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Don't think otherwise! HE is always preparing us for HIS use.

[traveller]

Today, our FATHER comes to us asking us in the same way as HE asked NOAH to TRUST In HIM. HE wants us to do so in all our daily tasks, even when things look impossible. When YOU don't know where the next paycheck is coming from, when you lose your job, when the pressures of life begin to overhelm you, when your friends laugh at you and ridicule your faith in JESUS CHRIST, when your CHRISTIAN friends begin to have seconds thoughts/doubts about their faith, our FATHER asks YOU to put your trust in HIM...NOT ANYTHING ELSE!! WHY? Because our FATHER is the CONTROLLER of ALL things.....not some, ALL THINGS! (1 Timothy 6:15)

AMEN Brother! Beautifully said!!

I used to wonder why God used people that appeared unfit for the task. Most in the "Faith Hall of Fame" appear to be weak or scared or ill equipped for the job. But our Father was wanting them (US) to rely on HIM for the answers and to be their (OUR) source, lest they (WE) boast of their own abilities or skills. Just like you said WISDOM, to put their (OUR) trust in Him, as He is in total control. Now isn't that something?

[WISDOM]

Yes it is Sis, and the hardest part for us as Christians is to look/see BEYOND the "veil/mask" we individually HIDE BEHIND. Even when we fool everyone else, our FATHER is not fooled. Unlike us HE isn't concerned about the outer man. HE judges (rightfully) the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). The REAL person shows through it (Jeremiah 17:9).

HE can take those weaknesses/shortcomings and turn them into strengths WE NEVER would have believed to be possible. We serve a GOD of the IMPOSSIBLE, but also a GOD of SECOND CHANCES.

When all others have given up on YOU and I, our FATHER proves them ALL to be liars. And get this.....unlike us, HE isn't concerned with the time elements. Frustrating for us.....eternal for HIM. There are many, MANY times that I am weak and scared, and feel I am ill prepared for certain tasks, but it always seems when I'm ready to give up (including on myself), HE won't let me....neither will HE let YOU or any others who maintain a microscope of FAITH in HIM, when all else seems to have failed.

[irishcowboy]

yep, God does not call the qualified...... for there are none that qualify......

God qualifys the called.... for we are all called.....

good post... thanks...

mike

[Guest dove2]

What a blessing this thread is. Oh has it ever helped me. Thank you.

[WISDOM]

Mike & Dove 2:

Nice to make your acquaintance! *smile*

Bro and Sis.....tyvm for the kind words, and PLEASE continue to give the thanks and honor to our FATHER, WHO uses us to edify one another in times like this!

[traveller]

WISDOM! Nice to see you here at this hour Brother!

Dove2 is shadow2b's (Gary's) lovely wife. She has been a blessing on the boards!

[Catsmeow]

This really hits home, bro. I was reading on another thread where some folks were justifying what's tantamount to stealing and trying to excuse it because people get rich if you pay them for their product.

Uh, well..maybe so. That's no excuse not to pay.

It's a matter of character, brother Wisdom. If we surrender to the "popular wave" and do things because others do it or we can get away with it, it doesn't make it right.

Thank you for this....it so hits the mark!

[WISDOM]

Trav:

You don't miss whenever I'm on here do ya?!! *lol* I don't know who is "worse", you or George! **LOL**

Yes, I'm "gracing" ya'll (in my best Traveller voice) with my presence...(Tim's "hee hee"). I had Law Enforcement Driving Range all day long (literally). What are you up to??

Cat:

How are ya Sis? You are so right....there truly is NO justificaton for those type of actions, other than what's in the individual heart. You didn't say it, I didn't say it.....our FATHER said it!!!!

[traveller]

Trav:

You don't miss whenever I'm on here do ya?!! *lol* I don't know who is "worse", you or George! **LOL**

It's definately George!