Qualified by God

Galatians 1:1-2

Key points for me:

Having a sinful past prior to receiving Jesus as Savior and Lord does not disqualify anyone from being used by God.

  I like this!  I remember that Mom scoffed when my cousin Carol was studying to be a minister.  She recalled that she had been married and divorced and spouted off about some of the things that Carol had done in her life (not sure how Mom actually knew these things which makes the entire concept questionable).  By Mom's estimation, Carol was the worst candidate to be a minister.    Now, I am not trying to do the same thing.  What I am saying is that Carol and Mom's comments about her came to mind when I read this.  I admire Carol for pursuing her degree in divinity and taking a turn in her career path.  This has to be an example of being called by God to serve Him.

Nothing helps us understand someone in trouble more than having had the same trouble ourselves.

And that is why Rhonda and I are such good friends.  We have the same situations with our mothers and understand each other's feelings.

God often chooses people who do not have the right qualifications for the job based on worldly standards, but they do have the right heart.  Their motives are pure, and they love Jesus greatly.

No big example on this one, but I do know that I have felt this way about some of the people I have worked with or about my students, especially those at Ivy Tech.

God doesn't look on the outward man, but on the heart, and David had a heart filled with desire for God.

I love it when studies tie together.  I didn't finish this one with Proverbs 31, but I did start learning about the kings.  I read the story of Samuel searching for the new king and David being overlooked at first.  This story has popped up several times since I studied it.  That must mean there is a message there for me, right?

He was saved by grace, certainly not by any of his own good works.  He was deeply convinced of the truth that we are saved by grace alone and not by our works, and his mission in life became to teach others that same truth.

This one concerns me.  I will have to look at the medallion on the door that we have from Leo's casket.  One of the sayings that he used often was something about letting his works speak for him.  I always thought that was a testament to his service to the community.  As a trustee.  As a farmer.  As an insurance salesman.  As a member of the school board.  As a Lion.  As a founding member of the Bi-Centennial committee for the county.  And he was honored for his service posthumously by his selection as a Torch Bearer for the Bicentennial kick off.    Something I need to ponder...or maybe talk with Tina about

Don't look at the wrong things you have done; look at the right things you can do.

This one hits me hard.  Why?  Because most of my life, specifically in my relationship with Mom, I was told how wrong I was about everything.  Any mistake I made was resurrected and thrown back at me to add to my stack of wrongdoings. I have been struggling this week about Mom's death, her not loving me, Dad's being the Grand Marshal of the Memorial Day parade before he died, and his last birthday that we celebrated.  I have been slipping into the habit of saying "Well, I was wrong again." over and over.  I have been really down on myself.  I need to stop doing that.

Personal Reflection:  In what ways are you qualified for God to use you?  How could He use your past to help others?

From something that Jim told me when I was struggling with Mom's death....The one thing that I learned from Mom was what kind of mother NOT to be.  Jim encouraged me to be a great example to Megan and Hilary and be a wonderful grandmother to Landon, Tessa, Cooper, Owen, and Lynnlee.  God can use me to do that.  I can also help Rhonda through her struggles with her mother. While my struggles are not continuing to grow with each encounter with Mom now, I  struggle with the after-effects sometimes. I hope I can at least listen when Rhonda needs someone to talk to and offer advice if needed.

I think this will be a great study.  I like it so far!  Stay tuned....