Where would you be now, if it wasn’t for the Grace of God?
- Would you be saved?
- Would you be here today?
- Would you be the mother, father, business person you are today?
As Gracious Women we believe that we are to walk worthy of our calling. Our mandate is encourage, empower and equip women to know their Living God, themselves and to carry that into all spheres of their lives; their marriages, relationships, children, community and beyond.
I was invited to attend our first conference at a time in my life when only God could have orchestrated it.
Jesus commissioned us all as believers to : “Go out and train everyone you meet far and near in this way.” (Matthew 28)
For myself, I can only thank God because I felt stuck a few years ago. I was stuck emotionally and spiritually on a lonely and dark journey. It was lonely in the sense that my perception was nobody understood what I was going through and I believed things would never change. The darkness came because although I was living and breathing daily, my existence had no vision, hope or joy.
We looked at the life of Paul this past week; a man who wrote two thirds of the New testament. He had previously spent many years killing Christians and did everything to stop the growth of Christianity. However, after an encounter with Jesus (Acts 9:1-19) his heart and way of living was completely changed. Lessons we can learn from Paul’s example:
1. God can use anyone
– Do you believe you are chosen by God?
We can be so hard on ourselves, dismayed by our life circumstances and situations.
Are you allowing guilt and past mistakes to hinder yourself from being used by God?
2. God was number one in Paul’s life
Philippians 1:21 ” to live is Christ and to die is gain.
– What is number one in your life?
Is it God or do other things or people have that number one position in your life? You can see that by assessing what motivates you daily; what do you give your energy and time to most of all? Searching your heart for this is a good place to start; because whatever is your primary focus will direct your thoughts, habits and actions.
3. He knew how to care for others
Paul had a heart for God and in turn he also had a heart for His people
Genuine love and compassion will move us towards others. Often lip service is just that; lip service. True compassion leads you to action for freedom, salvation, revelation so that others can walk in it.
4. He was humble
– he recognised the continual need for God and walked in the Spirit.
– he kept his eyes on God.
Our own salvation should be enough to witness to others about God.
Where would you be today; if someone didn’t tell you about God? Can I encourage you to not let another day go by without living authentically for Jesus in whatever area He has called you to be; without guilt, anger, bitterness, jealousy, envy, regret, self pity and disdain. We see these qualities demonstrated in the scriptures below:
2 Kings 5:3-4, tells us;
3″And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.”
4 “And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel”
Genesis 45:8, says;
“Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.”(H) When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!(I) 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.”
Joseph and the slave girl of Naaman in the above scriptures were both thrust into situations that they didn’t deserve or ask for but yet they both chose to serve God and moved with compassion thus impacting the lives of the people around them with grace and the love of God.
Messages from the pulpit are great, door to door knocking is sufficient, standing in the middle of the street shouting repent can be effective but how much more is being a living testimony for the kingdom of God in our day to day, in our interactions, workplaces, relationships.
Matthew 5:14, says;
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”
