Are You Beloved

There are a lot of days that I really do not feel qualified to be a pastor. I mean I wake up and ask God if He is sure that He has the right person for the job. And, just like God’s reply to Moses at the burning bush God simply informs me that He is in control and not me. It is in moments like this that I am reminded of a quote that I once heard, “God does not call the equipped, He equips the called.” And upon hearing this I realize that it is not what I can do that matters, it is what God can do through me that matters. So then my self-doubt sets in and I really do not think I can do it.

Romans 9:25 (msg), "I'll call nobodies and make them somebodies; I'll call the unloved and make them beloved." Man was Paul talking to me or what? He’ll call the nobodies and make them somebodies!!! He’ll call the unloved and make them the beloved!!! WOW, is that not awesome? The American Heritage Dictionary has the meaning of beloved as follows, “Dearly Loved.” So not just loved but dearly loved, a special kind of love that flows from the very depths of our inner beings. But does dearly loved really say it all? I am thinking not. The Vines Concise Dictionary defines beloved as follows, “from agapao, to love, is used of Christ as loved by God.” So this is the wording that was used of Christ as loved by God!!! If this does not make you tingle then you need to be in serious prayer with the Almighty right now.

God called the nobodies (me) and is making us somebodies (me), He is taking the unloved (me) and is making them beloved (me). This is my paraphrase of course. Not that I am trying to rewrite the prefect scriptures mind you I am just making it a wee-bit more personal. Trying to help get my point across. What in essence I am trying to say is simply this, God can and will use anyone He wants to and even though we might not feel worthy we are. We base way too much on the way we feel. God has a plan in mind for each and every one of us and it is our job to fulfill this master plan.

Although I do not by any means feel that I can do what God has called me to do does not matter, what matters is that I am willing to trust in Him and do everything that He has called me to do. So listen to Him and see what He might be calling you to today. Is He calling you to be a Sunday school teacher, or an usher, or to help start a men’s ministry? Whatever He is calling you to today please be responsive because you will never be truly happy until you follow Him and Him alone.

Pete

The Jr. Breakfast Burrito Jesus

Just this morning I stopped off a Sonic for a Jr. Breakfast burrito. Before pulling away I have learned to look in the bag and make sure that they put in the hot sauce. Well, once again they failed to place the correct number of packets into the bag. As a matter of fact they didn’t place any in the bag. I then proceeded to let the person at the counter know that I would like two packets to coincide with the number of breakfast burritos that I ordered. When I asked him he simply stared at me like I was speaking a foreign language or something. Yes, I would like one packet for each burrito, I thought. I know to some this is a strange and foreign concept but it is what I would like, and this is what I paid for, and this is what I expect.

Now, this was an isolated case and doesn’t happen very often at Sonic, but it does happen all the time in our spiritual lives. We accept Christ but then we stop there. We don’t research the Bible to see what all we are suppose to be doing or what all God is gonna do. We need to start opening up our Bibles and learning more about Him all the time. The only way that we can have a personal relationship with Him is if we start reading our Bibles and start talking with Him. This is a must or we will always be eating our burrito without the proper fixins.

Guilty/Innocent

Last week as many of you know I was called for jury duty. This was my first time to be selected to jury duty and I was both excited and honored to be able to serve. Honestly, I didn’t think they would call me since I’m a pastor and was wearing me FBC Sweeny polo and I also had the unlucky juror number 13. But with all that against me I was called. As I sat through this trial were a young woman who was being charged with theft of a ladies undergarment and a pair of britches I began to listen to the evidence. Both attorneys asked us to not listen to the testimony as much as pay close attention to the circumstantial evidence as with direct testimony someone might lie, but with the circumstantial evidence it wouldn’t lie. This young lady confessed to both the police (3 police on hand) and the lost prevention officers (3 on hand as well), plus there was a video, plus she physically handed them the britches, and a signed confession stating that of her own free will and by no coercion of anyone else she took the merchandise in question. So with all this as evidence she gal stood there last Tuesday and entered a plea of not guilty. Not guilty are you kidding me? Really? With all this against you, you’re gonna stand there and say not guilty? Then it hit me…isn’t that what we do with Christ? We do everything wrong, most of the time it’s merely slip-ups but it still leads to sin and then we stand before Christ and want to say “not guilty.” Really. Now there is a huge difference in these two situations. In the first one, the mother came and testified along with the gals boyfriend, but neither them nor the attorneys representing her were going to take the sentence that was issued for the crime in question. Whereas in the second case, Christ has already paid the punishment for the crimes that were committed and will be committed, but we have to ask for His forgiveness and for Him to be our God. He is God so it isn’t anything for Him but it is huge for us. Some make sure that you spread that Good News with someone today.

Yep Been There

The Abyss:

Everyone was created with a deep hole inside. Many feel it and know it on a day basis, while others only feel it from time to time. No matter how hard you try you will never be able to fill the hole because our needs will never end. What you have to do is slowly work around the abyss to close it. The abyss is so massive that several tend to simply walk away from the abyss as if ignoring the monstrosity will make it disappear. The two extremes are to be so absorbed with your plight in life or to get so distracted as to never deal with it.

There are times where we are to, “simply be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).” We know that the abyss is there so ignoring it won’t make it go away, and yet at the same time we cannot attack it because it is way to huge for us to deal with. So stop, relax, let go and let God.

New Posts

I am going to copy and past a few of my older posts as I feel that they are worth repeating. Plus, this will give new readers to see what this blog is about.

Christians By Maya Angelou

"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
that a man should have to seek Him first to find her."


When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'"
I'm whispering "I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven."


When I say... "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.


When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.


When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.


When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.


When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain..
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.


When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!

Jesus

I came across this today and just had to post it:

Jesus had no slaves, yet they called Him Master.
Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.
Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.
Had no army, yet kings feared Him.
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.
Feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL

Usher Seats Pastor's Mother

An elderly woman walked into the local country church. A friendly usher greeted her at the door and helped her up the flight of steps.

"Where would you like to sit?" he asked.

"The front row please," she answered.

"You really don't want to do that," the usher said. "The pastor is really boring."

"Do you happen to know who I am?" asked the woman.

"No," said the usher.

"I'm the pastor's mother," she replied indignantly.

"Do you know who I am?" the usher asked.

"No," she said.

"Good."

Haha