Pastor Randy Mason

As we look to a New Year let me encourage you to leave the challenges, or failures of 2011 behind and start over with a fresh start in 2012. The bible says, “Brethren I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things, which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)

Maybe in 2011 you went through a divorce, a death of a spouse, or a loved one. Maybe you lost your job, or maybe you encountered a health crisis. Whatever your situation in life and whatever the circumstances of your past it is time to move on, put the past behind and reach forth unto those things that are before to accomplish great things for Christ. It is time to start over. Leave the past behind and start serving God from this day forward. It is time to get with the program- Gods program. God is calling you to a life of service for Him.

Let’s be honest. It is easy in this world that we live in and the culture that we are surrounded by to become discouraged, depressed, despondent, negative and just feel like quitting. The fact is, God is still on the throne and He still loves people just as much as He did when He sent His Son to die for the sins of the world. God is still in the restoration business not the demolition business. God is in the business of lifting up all those who will turn to Him, not in the business of tearing people down. The great news is that God can use any of us. There is not one believer regardless of who you are that cannot be used of God. God tells us that He can take the “nobodies” and make them “somebodies.” He can take the “zeroes” and make them spiritual heroes. In fact, throughout the ages, God has often used the “nobodies” to accomplish His prerogatives.

Let’s notice from the Bible in First Corinthians chapter one the human characteristics that are not a requirement to be used of God?

1) Worldly wisdom in not a requirement to be used of God. “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh…. are called.” (Verse 26)

2) Prestige is not a requirement to be used of God. “How that…not many mighty…are called.” (Verse 26) The word “might” refers to those people who have power, possessions, prestige, and influence.

3) Great social status is not a requirement to be used of God. “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that…not many noble, are called.” (Verse 26) The word “noble” means “well-born.” It refers to those of nobility and pedigree by birth.

Let’s notice now what is relevant in Gods economy as it relates to being used of God?

1) God uses the academically untaught.

“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise…”. (Verse 27) We get our word “moron” from the word “foolish.” You could say that God uses the morons of this world to put to shame the wise of this world. God is not saying that He blesses ignorance or stupidity. He is saying that he often takes those whom the world considers foolish and unqualified and uses them in His work. God uses those that the world often will not use.

2) God uses the physically unfit.

“…and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. (Verse 27) The word “weak” refers to bodily vigor. It refers to those that are “physically weak, handicapped.” It describes those with some physical infirmity or a frail body. The world may not have a place for those that are handicapped and the physically weak, but God has a place for them in His plan and he will use you.

3) God uses the ordinary to achieve the extraordinary.

” and base things of the world.” (Verse 28)

The word “base” is the opposite of “noble.” It speaks of the familiar, the common person. Those born without a silver spoon in their mouth.

4) God uses the forsaken and despised.

“….and things which are despised, hath God chosen…” (Verse 28)

It speaks of those that are treated with contempt and scorn. It describes those who are looked down on by others and written off as of no account.

6) God uses the humble in Spirit.

“That no flesh should glory in his presence.” (Verse 29)

God gives us a reason why he uses the kind of people that He does. When God does His work through this kind of people, everyone realizes it is God who did the work. He alone gets the glory, honor, and praise.

7) God uses those who will give Him all the praise, honor and Glory.

” that, according as it is written, he that glorifieth, let him glory in the lord.” (Verse 31)

Make Jesus your Savior and your Lord and He will use you in great ways in 2012 irrespective of past challenges, or failures.