COULD GOD USE YOU? Joshua 1:9-18Introduction: Through the ages God has spoken to people in many different ways, even using a donkey one time. God has used many prophets through the centuries but sometimes He picked a person out whom He used just once, like the man, Ananias, whom God used to restore Saul's (Paul) sight after the encounter on the road to Damascus. What kind of person can God use best? Sadly most Christians are not as useable as God would want. Joshua was used by God in a mighty way, although he was strong at times but also weak. He seemed to be bold, but also was afraid. At times he was reliable but at other times he would quit. How in the world could God use someone like that? Do you think God could use you? Just what kind of person does God really use best?.
A PERSON WHO IS FAITHFUL IS BEST USED BY GOD . Moses led Israel in the wilderness for many years and when it was time for him to be replaced , God chose Joshua. - Joshua had been Moses' assistant for 40 years and had been faithful as an assistant. Joshua had no idea that God had him in mind to replace Moses. - Nobody knows what God has in mind for him or her. God is different for with Him, little things come first, then the bigger things. Ask yourself, "how well do you do the little things when nobody is watching you?" Remember that Jesus was about 30 years old before He began His public ministry. With "faithfulness" being a criteria for being used by God, how would you describe your faithfulness? Would you qualify?
A PERSON WHO IS WHERE GOD WANTS IS ALSO BEST USED. God didn't have to hunt for Joshua for he was where he needed to be and he said "yes" to what God told him to do.Joshua was not "qualified" to do what God wanted. However with God qualifications are not as important as obedience. God can qualify a person to do anything. So, are you where you should be? Are you doing what God wants you to do? God's call is always more important than how qualified you think you are or how unqualified you think you are. God always equips those whom He uses when they are faithful, obedient and are willing to serve wherever and do whatever He wants. 6. A church would do well to remember that God qualifies those He calls into His service andnot set their own qualifications higher than what God sets.
SOMEONE WHO KNOWS GOD'S WORD CAN BE USED BETTER BY GOD. Joshua heard God's voice and words and knew without a doubt that God would be with him constantly, therefore he had no cause to be afraid of being alone. To do God's will, one must know God's Word. - A person must be familiar with God and God's "voice." There is no short cut to being qualified for God to use. God doesn't pick somebody's name out of a giant jar full of names. In order to know God, one must study God's Word and spend time in prayer to/with God. Jesus often spoke of His power coming from God and very often He quoted from the Bible. A person just cannot do God's will, being where God wants, unless he/she knows God and that comes from knowing God's Word.
CONCLUSION: To be used by God as God wants has certain prerequisits that have to be met - faithfulness, availability and knowledge of God and His Word. Do you think you are where God wants you to be? How is your faithfulness? What about you and God, do you spend time in His Word and in prayer with Him? Considering the prerequisits in being used by God, could God use you right now? Whatever the cost, do what you have to do to become useable to God. That is what every Christian ought to be doing.
No comments:
Post a Comment