“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”–2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Hudson Taylor, the famous missionary and founder of the China Inland Mission, was once complimented by a friend on the impact of his mission work in the Far East. Taylor, being known as a very humble man, answered,

“It seemed to me that God looked over the whole world to find a man who was weak enough to do His work, and when He at last found me, He said, ‘He is weak enough—he’ll do.’ All God’s giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on His being with them.”

Taylor’s words ring true today, as they have throughout biblical history. When God looks for people to use, He doesn’t look for the strongest or the smartest, but for the weak and humble in heart. Then God takes those weak people and equips them for His service. In other words, God doesn’t always call the equipped, but He always equips the called.

Perhaps today you see yourself as weak, as if your best days are behind you. That’s a lie from the enemy. The truth is that God will use the weak to do amazing things for Him if they’ll only submit to Him. Let God empower you for His purpose and He’ll use you in profound ways!

Pray and ask God to show you how He wants to use your weaknesses to make a real impact for His Kingdom.(Senior Living)

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction“– Proverbs 1:7

The first thing that many schools throw out of any discussion or pursuit of knowledge is God. Yet here we see that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge — we cannot hope to attain any real understanding of our world, its purpose, or our place in it without first turning to and learning from God.

The fool looks at material things and therefore assumes things about God; the wise man or woman looks at God and therefore assumes things about material things. Which are you?

Do you look at the world through the lens of God’s Word and with a fearsome understanding that it was created for the glory of God? If so, then intellectual pursuits, family relationships, job opportunities, and every other area of life will fit into place. On the other hand, if you do not begin with the fear of the Lord, then life will seem like a crossword puzzle with the wrong answer already scrawled across its middle; nothing will seem to fit.

If you are getting some wrong answers, that don’t seem to fit or solve the problems in your life, try erasing all your own answers and replacing them with God’s. Remember, He is the one that made us and He has given us the solutions we need in His Word. The fear of the Lord is the beginning…(Baptist Bible Hour)

I realize that that we live in a hurry-up world with a lot of responsibilities, and that people are busy. Naturally we can’t be everywhere and do everything, but when we join a church we are committing ourselves to it–it least we should be. Church membership involves more than just a place to worship, it also involves work. Members are to be ministers. Maybe you’ve never thought about yourself as being a minister, but you should–you are, whether faithful or unfaithful. You have a responsibility to support the church in every way. Maybe it would be good for you to read and study this great chapter of the Bible–remembering that it is speaking of a local, visible church just like this one. There are many members doing nothing, but there are no members with nothing to do. There are no unimportant members of the church. Find your place and fulfill your duty–you and everyone else will be blessed as a result. Remember, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful”.(1 Cor. 4:2). Are you?

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.“–2 Cor. 4:7

“…Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”—Matt 22:39

It was Christmas Eve, 1910. General William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army in London, England was near the end of his life. His health was poor, and he was going to be unable to attend the Army’s annual convention. Booth had become an invalid, and his eyesight was failing him. No one knew that he would not live to see another Christmas.

Somebody suggested that General Booth send a telegram or a message to be read at the opening of the convention as an encouragement to the many soldiers of the Salvation Army that would be in attendance following Christmas and their many hours of labor ministering to so many others through the holidays and the cold winter months. Booth agreed to do so.

Knowing that funds were limited and desiring not to use any more money than necessary so that as much money as possible could be used to help the many people in need, General Booth decided to send a one word message. He searched his mind and reviewed his years of ministry, looking for the one word that would summarize his life, the mission of the Army and encourage the others to continue on.

When the thousands of delegates met, the moderator announced that Booth would not be able to be present because of failing health and eyesight. Gloom and pessimism swept across the floor of the convention. Then, the moderator announced that Booth had sent a message to be read with the opening of the first session. He opened the telegram and read the one word message: “Others!” —- Signed, General Booth

Where is your focus? Is it stayed upon the Lord Jesus Christ with intense focus? Are you allowing Him to open your eyes to the world around you so He can meet needs and minister to people through you? Perhaps it is time for you to spend time with Jesus and allow Him to retune your focus.(Copies)