I once heard a preacher say, "If you're equipped for it, its not the calling of God on your life." And I was amazed at how God can take someone who was absolutely not able, and make him/her do what God purposes in His heart. But it always intrigued me, at How God works. I was indeed a little disappointed, because I believe I can speak well, I can sing well... Does that mean God can't use me? That was the question that plagued me a long time.
And then I heard about Moses.. When he was called, he indeed said unto God, "But Lord I cannot speak!" It further disappointed me, for after all, Moses had been called to speak to Pharaoh, to the Israelites... when he could not speak....!!
So.. Is there no hope for God calling those who are talented? Will they always fail God by depending on themselves rather than leaning on God in their weakness? After all, if I'm good at something, I may end up taking for granted God's grace and go ahead in my own strength and destroy everything!
But, if you notice, in Acts, Stephen describes Moses as a man "mighty in words and deeds"..BEFORE he was called by God. Then came the question in my mind, did God call a man who was well capable of speaking..? Then what about the fact, that Moses said to the Lord, "I cannot speak"?
Aah.. I finally got it. Its not necessary that when we're called we are not capable of doing anything.. Rather, it means, that when we realise the responsibility given to us by His Majesty, to carry out His purposes here on earth, despite our talents, we can look upon ourselves and say.. "But Lord, I can't!!"
Its a point of realisation that we must reach, that without the Lord's grace, we can do nothing. That's when God can use us.
So Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
May the Lord use you... Mightily!!
Love,
Rini

SURRENDER.

Contrary to common opinion, I find 'surrender' to be such a beautiful word.When we truly know our Father, we can trust Him. And when we focus on who He is, that He never changes and is eternally good, we can begin to 'let go' and 'let Him'.

Little by little, He takes us, He teaches us to trust Him. As we get to know Him, we learn to let Him. Let Him take control, let Him take over. And we learn, that though we may have the choice of saying 'NO' , but He's always the One to say 'YES'. If we're doing what God wants us to do, its still only His grace..Its only because He chose us for those good works. However, its always our own choice to miss out on what He wants us to do, by sayin No to Him.

I did not choose Him, He chose me. I've only chosen to 'let Him'. And that's the only sane thing that I could do, knowing that He is my 'all-in-all'. There is nothing without Him, and in Him I find all things.

There's such unspeakable joy when I lay my life in His hands, and let Him. Even in my worst, I can look up and see Him with me and say "Yes LORD!".

The sooner we learn this, the better.

Isaiah6:1-7
Isaiah sees the Holy Almighty God seated on the throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filling the temple. The seraphim standing and crying to one another, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!"

Mark1:40
The leper sees Jesus. The same God..only His glory wasn't apparent to the naked eye. The same "I AM THAT I AM".. Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, the Alpha and the Omega...as mere man, yet fully God.

Isaiah saw the glory and was cut to the core. He cried out in repentance, "Woe is me!" Surely there was no hope now!
The leper, according to the law, an outcast; thrown out of the society after making his head bare and tearing his clothes. Surely there was no hope now!
"I am undone Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips..." How profound.."I am undone ... I've lost all that i have done in my life.. my very being is at stake. I am a sinner!!!!! The holiness of His Majesty is so awesome. What should I do? Where should I hide myself ?"

The leper looked at Jesus. I know not what he saw, because the Word says, "When we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him". Yet he came to Jesus. Imploring, begging, pleading, kneeling down, probably taking the chance of his life. After all, Jesus could have asked him to go away. He was a leper after all...an outcast. "If you are willing....You can make me clean."


Now picture yourself, a sinner, cut off from God's kingdom. Probably choking in the sea of your own sins and iniquities. Coming to Jesus and sayin, "Woe is me, for I am undone! A sinner and I live among sinners! But Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." You're wondering if there's any hope for you now.

Then occurs the greatest miracle of all---SALVATION!

The seraphim flew to Isaiah, a live coal taken from the altar, the place where sacrifices were offered. He touched it to the lips of Isaiah, and said, "Behold this has touched you, your iniquity is taken away and your sins purged."

Jesus moved with coimpassion, put out His hand and touched the leper. No, not the live coal from the periodic sacrifices that are offered on the altar, but the Supreme Sacrifice, the "Lamb that was slain" touched the leper.


Today too, Jesus touches us, and says, "I am willing; be cleansed."

All glory be to God!