He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me. Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, and in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9 WEBGod loves us, and He will use the least of the least to do incredible things. He has a completely different measuring stick than man does. He deliberately chooses the weak, the uneducated, the simple, the outcasts, and He makes the simple fisherman into a miracle working apostle. This is demonstrated all through the Bible:
"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled. They recognized that they had been with Jesus. Seeing the man who was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it" (Acts 4:13).
In that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, 'I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight (Luke 10:21).
For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble; but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world that he might put to shame the things that are strong. God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that don't exist, that he might bring to nothing the things that exist, that no flesh should boast before God (1Corinthians 1:26-29).
We love to be exalted and raised up, but unless we remain the humble, teachable servant that He called originally, we can limit His power in our life. Moses was the most humble man on earth, and also the most powerful man alive (Numbers 12:3). The miracles that God did through Moses are amazing. The Lord tells us: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit' (Zechariah 4:6). Our strength should come from the Holy Spirit.
The tendency of an immature Christian, when they start going to church, is to put on a plastic church face that makes everyone think that they have it all together. It's a time honored tradition. We act like we are so holy, an honest-to-God walking Bible that would have made the apostles jealous when they began discussing which of them was the greatest. In reality, we are like white-washed tombs, pretty on the outside, but with an inside full of all types of uncleanness.
It usually takes years to remove that fake outer shell, and some never do, but God will not use you as long as you wear the hypocrite mask. Yes, religion will try to make you into a hypocrite, an actor, but God looks on the heart, and we can never fool Him. We can be squeaky clean and sharp dressed on the outside, but He sees our true colors shining through the facade.
So what does all this mean? If you want to be used by God, be real. Drop the pretending. We are not perfect, He is. Your weakness makes you a candidate for His power and people are drawn to the real thing. Concentrate less on the do and don'ts, and more on the who He is and what He is like. Pray like He is a friend beside you and not a distant God in outer space that doesn't even know your name. He knows how many hairs are left on your head (Luke 12:7).
Prayer: Heavenly Father I thank You for allowing me to know You at all. Please set me free and let me come to know You better. Help me remove every fake coverups in my life and to uncover the real me, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.Note: For those interested in capturing or viewing photos of God's creation, here is this week's theme message from Creation Photographers: Good Morning Creation Photographers, thank you to everyone that joined in our group fun this week!! I really enjoyed every post. Y'all are getting quite creative and I love it!! Matthew 9:37 (NIV) "Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.'" 2 Corinthians 9:10 (NIV) "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness." This week our fun theme will be 'The Harvest' and is wide open for interpretation as always so keep up the creativity!! You are also encouraged to post anything else that inspires you as well. My photos this week (posted in the group) reflect my recent harvests. I just harvested some cattails for my class to explore, and I'm ALWAYS in search of and harvesting Heart Blessings. I love the colors and All the beauty the can be harvested this time of year!!! May he who supplies our seed and our bread increase your store abundantly. God bless! Here is the link to participate in this group:
Creation Photographers group > You can subscribe to our daily devotional here <
Amen Lord
Amen! Everyone should read this one. Father, I just thank you for who you are!
Amen
Amen.
Amen
Amen!!
Amen!!
Amen
Amen,we love you Jesus.
Amen so true thank you pastor Dion for this morning devotion. Thank you Jesus for using pastor Dion to deliver this message to us. Because a lot of us walking around with a hypocrite mask on our face. Man see the outside of human but God see the inside. Heavenly Father please forgive me if I walk around with a hypocrite mask on my face. If I do please help me to remove the hypocrite mask from my face.
Lord make me less like me and more like You. Amen
My prayer, too, Joseph. Amen!
Amen Cathy.
Praise God
Great message! Father, help me to be true to You and not wear any masks. Amen.
Amen!
Heavenly Father You know who I'm, lead me to show my real me. Help me if I'm doing it wrong and that Your grace comes to us to do Your will. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Thank you Pastor for remaind us this.
Amen and Amen! Oh Lord, dear Heavenly Father, by the power of Thy mighty Spirit, please keep me on the straight and narrow path, help me to except my weaknesses and keep me from complaining, for You are my strength and shield!!! Please use me as You see fit where ever you lead me that I may follow, in the name of Jesus Christ I ask and pray, Amen!!!
Amen. We will always praise and thank you LORD GOD ALMIGHTY
Amen! I probably have fit right in with this devotional today. I never meant to be fake and still do not. There are things that are holding me back from being the real me and I am praying that our Lord Jesus will cleanse me and help me to become pleasing to Him. I love reading the scripture and only wish that I could reatain it. There are occasions that our Lord brings them to minnd for me to share. I truly want a REAL relationship with our Lord. Forgive me Lord for the things I should have been doing and haven't. Help me to have my light shine. In Jesus name. Amen!
Amen!
Amen!
Thank you Father for accepting the true me!!
Only You, Lord, knows what is fake in me. To be more like you, Lord is a work in progress so may I be a blessing not a cursing for Your name sake.
Amen. Praise God! Thanks Pastor Todd! Heavenly Father I thank You for allowing me to know You at all. Please set me free and let me come to know You better. Help me remove every fake coverups in my life and to uncover the real me, in the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.