God Uses Damaged People
"When you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:32 NLT
Too often people are devalued or dismissed because of what they have been through in life. Sometimes it's because of what they have done to others, sometimes its because of what others have done to them. If you have been to a consignment store, you know there are valuable items at deeply discounted prices; you just have to know what you're looking for. Jesus does. In His eyes you may be "down' but you're not "out." Peter's sorrow over denying Jesus ran so deep that he decided to go back to his old job as a fisherman. Can you imagine the scuttlebutt around the harbor? "That's the guy who turned his back on Jesus." Were Peter a pastor, we would have called for his resignation. At the very least, he would have nothing to say that we would be interested in listening to. Yet, he was the first person Jesus went looking for after the resurrection. And when Jesus saw Peter, He never mentioned it--not even once. But three times He asked him, "Do you love me?" When Peter answered yes three times, Jesus said, "Feed my sheep," referring to his future as pastor and head of the church (See John 21:15-17). Jesus looked beyond Peter's failed past and saw his future. Peter's failure was not a surprise. Jesus had told him, "When you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers." The weakness he had overcome and the restoring grace he had experienced became some of his greatest teaching tools in helping others. Yes, God will reprove you, but it's to restore you and use you for His purposes.
This message taken from: Daily Devotional - The Word For You Today
Too often people are devalued or dismissed because of what they have been through in life. Sometimes it's because of what they have done to others, sometimes its because of what others have done to them. If you have been to a consignment store, you know there are valuable items at deeply discounted prices; you just have to know what you're looking for. Jesus does. In His eyes you may be "down' but you're not "out." Peter's sorrow over denying Jesus ran so deep that he decided to go back to his old job as a fisherman. Can you imagine the scuttlebutt around the harbor? "That's the guy who turned his back on Jesus." Were Peter a pastor, we would have called for his resignation. At the very least, he would have nothing to say that we would be interested in listening to. Yet, he was the first person Jesus went looking for after the resurrection. And when Jesus saw Peter, He never mentioned it--not even once. But three times He asked him, "Do you love me?" When Peter answered yes three times, Jesus said, "Feed my sheep," referring to his future as pastor and head of the church (See John 21:15-17). Jesus looked beyond Peter's failed past and saw his future. Peter's failure was not a surprise. Jesus had told him, "When you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers." The weakness he had overcome and the restoring grace he had experienced became some of his greatest teaching tools in helping others. Yes, God will reprove you, but it's to restore you and use you for His purposes.
This message taken from: Daily Devotional - The Word For You Today
Recent
Archive
2025
January
"Forgiving each other ...as...God forgave you."EMBRACING UNCERTAINITY AND FOLLOWING GODBLESSING IS PROGRESSIVEIS GOD SHAKING YOU UP?PROBLEMS? DRAW CLOSER TO GODDON'T AVOID--ENGAGEYOU ARE COMMANDED TO LOVEJUST SOW THE SEEDSEE YOURSELF AS VALUABLE (1)SEE YOURSELF AS VALUABLE (2)PRAY ABOUT IT, THEN TAKE ACTIONTHE IMPORTANCE OF GOD'S WORDTHE LINK BETWEEN DISOBEDIENCE AND STRESSHAVE YOU TALKED TO GOD ABOUT IT?KNOW YOUR PURPOSE, KNOW YOUR PARTNERSHOW TO GET WHAT YOU WANTPARENTING, THE BIBLE WAYHOW TO BUILD YOUR SELF-ESTEEMSIGNS FOLLOW FAITHWORSHIP: GIVING YOURSELF TO GODCHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS, AND CHANGE YOUR LIFEFind Prayer PartnersHOW GOD SEES YOUBE GUIDED BY WISDOM, NOT IMPULSEHOW TO GIVEPAUSE AND REFLECTWHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES US ABOUT MONEY (1)WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT MONEY (2)WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES US ABOUT MONEY (3))WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES US ABOUT MONEY (4)WHAT THE LORD TEACHES US ABOUT MONEY (5)SEEKING GOD
February
Practice Saying No To YourselfThe Best Is Yet To ComeThe Grandfather's Mistake Became The Grandson's MiracleHow To Conquer The Fear Of FailingLet's Respect Our DifferencesPass It On To OthersThrow It DownYou Are Called To Be Salt And LightExpect To "Wrestle"Use Your Gifts In Ministry To OthersKeep Trusting GodFear Is The Enemy Of GrowthChange Your RoutineYou Are Not Beyond God's ReachDon't Look At Christians, Look At ChristHave A God PerspectiveGod Uses Damaged PeopleUnderstanding The Word "Imputed"Governed By Christ's Love For UsToday Expect God's FavorGrowth Is About Enlargement
2024
January
A New Year, A New StartThis Year, Do First Things FirstNever Stop Learning (1)Never Stop Learning (2)Get Out Of Debt And Stay Out Of DebtDon't Be So ControllingThe Seven-Day ChallengeParent, Keep PerseveringTurning Two Families Into OnePut Your Heart Into Your PartFour Principles For Victorious LivingTake Control Of The Small ThingsDon't Give UpLearning To Listen To God (1)Learning To Listen To God (2)Learning To Listen To God (3)Learning To Listen To God (4)Set Other Things Aside And ServeGod And WorkHow To Enrich And Strengthen Your RelationshipsProphecy FulfilledDon't Shout About ItYou're Growing In GraceWalking With GodYour Secret PlaceWork On Growing CloserAre You Worried About Retirement?Gideon's God Is Your GodTo Grow We Must Keep Asking QuestionsBe Interested In Everything God DoesTo Know God, Examine What He Has Made
February
God Will Speak to You - If You ListenDo The WordPraying Without Saying A WordShow Grace Under FireHaving Job Security (1)Having Job Security (2)Having Job Security (3)Having Job Security (4)The Holy Spirit Prays Through YouYour Personal GuideStop and Ask For DirectionsYour Harvest Is On The WayGive Your Children Convictions To Live ByYour Limted Window of OpportunityPull Down Those StrongholdsUse The Gift God Gave You
Categories
no categories