Can God Use Me?

Last night I had the opportunity to preach at the prison. During the message, which was on Hebrews 12:1-2, I felt the need to spend a few minutes on the first section of verse 1 which says, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses". The witnesses that are being referred to here are those mentioned in chapter 11. Some mentioned were Abel, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Samson, and David. Speaking to a group of men who were in prison for committing crimes of various sorts, it seemed imperative to encourage them concerning their present and future opportunities to serve God. I reminded them that many of those listed in what has been referred to as the "hall of faith" in chapter 11 were guilty of committing some very serious crimes. Moses killed an Egyptian, Rahab was a prostitute, Samson was a killer and an arsonist, and David was an adulterer and a pre-meditated murderer. Sounds like a pretty rough crowd to me. If you looked at those actions, many of us wouldn't have dared to let our children to come within 100 yards of any of them. We warn one another to stay away from the kind of people listed above; people who have committed heinous acts. In our conversations we label those who do these things as "trash" and "worthless." I bring to attention though a very important fact: God used each of these people to accomplish great things. I don't mean mediocre things, we're talking about people that God used to establish His earthly kingdom. So, can God use you or a prisoner or an abortionist or a rapist or a prostitute? YES!! He has before and He will continue to do so. There is hope for all of us. When a life is turned over to God. When a person submits themselves to His will. When someone puts their faith in Jesus Christ, anything is possible! Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever." He hasn't changed His standards. He still accepts and uses those who call on Him as Lord and believe that God has raised Him from the dead (Rom. 10:9). How powerful that truth is! It gives hope to the one on the street corner, to the one in the prison cell, and to the one knee-deep in sin sitting at the office.

Upcoming Opportunities

Hey everybody! Sorry it's been so long since my last post. It's been busy, as I know it is with you all as well. Here are a couple of pics from the last two tournaments we've done. It's a privilege to be able to go out and preach the gospel to a group who don't see it coming. People go to church with some expectations. They that there will be music and a message and an invitation. But people going to a softball tournament to watch "Junior" or "Girl Junior" play don't know that the life-transforming gospel of the One and Only Jesus Christ is getting ready to be brought right before them. If it sounds exciting to you, just imagine being there and seeing the Holy Spirit move and change lives. As a matter of fact, if any of you ever want to join us at one of these tournaments and see it for yourself, just let me know. God may want to use you in a ministry like this that is a little out of the box. I'd also like to ask those of you who have taken the time to read this far to pray for our ministry over the next couple of weeks. We have several opportunities to preach the gospel. I will be in the prison on the 25th and 29th, at a tournament in Greensboro on the 26th, at a Sertoma league kickoff (in front of a couple hundred football players and their families) on August 1st, and at another tournament (location TBA) on the 2nd. Craig will be in Tupelo, MS at a revival the 26th through the 31st. Please pray that God will do great things at each of these events and that many will come to know Him as their Savior, accepting the victory that He gives through the sacrifice made on the Cross. "Trust in the Lord with all thy heart and lean not in your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy path" Proverbs 3:5,6. May He guide your every step as you seek to serve Him.