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Monday, September 22, 2008

Use Me Lord

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Don't you know that God can and will use you right where you are Today.

You don't need to do anything else for God to begin to use you now. You don't have to read another book, listen to another cassette tape, memorize another passage, plant another seed gift, or repeat another creed or confession. You don't even need to attend another church service before God can use you.

God uses willing vessels, not brimming or overflowing vessels. Throughout the Bible, in order to fulfill His plans for the earth, God used all kinds of people from all walks of life:

He used Matthew, a government employee who became an apostle

He used Gideon, a common laborer who became a valiant leader of men

He used Jacob, a deceiver and refugee whose' name became Israel and who became the father of the twelve tribes of Israel

He used Deborah, a housewife who became a judge

He used Moses, a stutterer who became a deliverer

He used Jeremiah, a child who fearlessly spoke the Word 0 Lord

He used Aaron, a servant who became God's spokesman

He used Nicodemus, a Pharisee who became a defender 0 faith-

He used David, a shepherd boy who became a king

He used Hosea, a marital failure who prophesied to save Israel

He used Joseph, a prisoner who became prime minister

He used Esther, an orphan who became a queen

He used Elijah, a homely man who became a mighty prophet

He used Joshua, an assistant who became a conqueror

He used James and John, fishermen who became close disciples of Christ and were known as the "sons of thunder -

He used Abraham, a nomad who became the father of I112: nations

He used John the Baptist, a vagabond who became the forerunner of Jesus

He used Mary, an unknown virgin who gave birth to the Son of God

He used Nehemiah, a cupbearer who built the wall of Jerusalem.

He used Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Hebrew exiles, became great leaders in the Babylonian Empire

He used Hezekiah, an idolatrous father's son, who became a king renowned for doing right in the sight of the Lord -

He used Isaiah, a man of unclean lips who prophesied the birth of God's Messiah

He used Paul, a self-righteous persecutor who became the greatest missionary in history and the author of two thirds of the books of the New Testament.

Thank you so much brother John L Mason for help in inspiring me to write and for blessing me with your wonderful book, "Enemy Called Average". Thank you for reminding me that this same God who use our brothers and sisters in the past is still using willing vessels today, therefore, He can also use me. I will never forget you.

Elder J Andres Vazquez

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About Me

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I'm just a nobody, trying to tell everybody about Somebody who can save anybody. I give all honor to the Father for the privilege of being His instrument, through whom He lives and works for His glory alone. I served in the U.S. Navy for 21 years, retiring in September 2003. In my final three years, I was co-pastor at Greater New Refuge COGIC in Fallon, Nevada, under Pastor Gregory L. Brown. I supported my pastor and church by helping with a new sanctuary's construction and caring for all ministry needs while staying true to my mandate to preach the Word of God without compromise. In November 2002, I was licensed to preach and ordained in June 2003. While stationed in Virginia Beach, I served at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church for 17 years under Bishop-Elect W.D. Scott, Sr., and now I serve at Calvary Revival Church in Norfolk, VA, under Bishop B. Courtney McBath. I also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Religion from Saint Leo University, deepening my foundation and commitment to this path of faith.

MY THEOLOGICAL TRAINING:

It brings to my face a unadulterated smile each and every occasion I am asked, “Elder Dre, What Theological Training do you have?”

My heart beams with joy at the opportunity to humbly give full glory to God as I reflect on on how the prophets, patriarchs and apostles of old would have respond: Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, Gideon, King David, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Matthew, Mark, Peter, James, John and the other disciples, not forgetting the Saviour Himself.

How would they have answered the question: “What theological training do you have?”

The words of the prophet Amos also came to mind: “Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:” Amos 7:14

I surely am not impliedly decrying theological preparation, education or training: I consider it essential, but not as much as some think. For the fact is, the Almighty raises up believers according to His own standards.

Educational qualifications, wealth, fame, talent, social standing, outward appearance etc. are useful; but they are secondary in His sight. Qualities like faith, obedience, holiness, humility, honesty, absolute loyalty to one’s spouse, the ability to raise one’s family to fear God and keep His commandments etc.; these are the things the Most High values.

“Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”

Only on the Day of Judgment will it be known how truly educated, weighty and effective I have been. That is why I have to smile when the question arise.

The vanity of the question is only matched by the foolishness of my answer.

As the wise man wrote: “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; all is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 1: 2 or as the apostle Paul commented in 2 Corinthians 11:16-30 when rattling off a long list of impressive qualifications “... I speak as a fool.”

Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 1 John 4:14-15 (NLT)

I am a preacher, but most of all, I proclaim that Jesus is the Savior with various applications of that truth in my everyday life. My dear friend, if you are a Christian, you are a preacher also. Whether you have been ordained or not, hired by a church or not, or ever been recognized as a preacher or not is beside the point. All who have God living in them are called to proclaim the Savior to the world. It is a Holy calling, and a demanding one. It will pull you out of your comfort zone, challenge your commitment, and help to develop you into the person God has created you to be.

John spoke as an eyewitness to Jesus' saving power. We speak as heart-witnesses; ones who have not seen Jesus with our eyes, but have experienced Him through personal transformation. I speak, and you speak, as a representative of Christ on earth. The message that we bring is simple, yet profound; that God the Father sent God the Son into the world to save those who are lost to bring them into relationship with Him. As you tell the story, and I tell the story, some will listen and receive the grace that God has sent us into the world to proclaim.

PRAYER THOUGHT: Father, what a privilege to be a spokesperson for You.

Thank you for stopping by. Stay encouraged and please do come back.