A Worthy Vessel for God - there’s a hunger and desperation in the land for something authentic, and what is more genuine than to acknowledge our own weakness and brokenness along with the greatness and power of God who has sovereignly chosen to work through us. God wants to move, but it’s really important how we live, behave and walk in order to position ourselves in a way so our hearts are open to God’s move. When we’re emptied of ourselves, we become the vessels God is looking for as begins his work. We have to be vessels that are ready to be entrusted with his power

One thing that I’ve said over the years as a pastor is “I have one job, and it’s to stay out of God’s way.” 

The caveat, of course, is that God does work through people, and I believe that there does need to be a confidence in God’s calling and gifting; but that should never be a self-based confidence. 

Our strength lies in the power and working of the Holy Spirit. 

Navigating through that is a lot more difficult than it sounds, though. 

Our hearts want to take credit, or at the very least, we want to feel like our part in the equation was really important. 

I think that’s just part of our flesh. 

When we put our confidence in Jesus and his work, we’re able to steer away from fixating on what part we played in it. 

When the church talks about itself, it is at its weakest.

When we talk about Jesus and his work, we are at our strongest. 

We must learn to balance a great confidence in the Lord but an equal awareness of our own limitations.

We have to become more like Jesus, not so we get to do cool things but because we adore God. 

I believe this is part of the command, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith …” - (1 Peter 5:8-9, ESV).

There’s a hunger and desperation in the land for something authentic, and what is more genuine than to acknowledge our own weakness and brokenness along with the greatness and power of God who has sovereignly chosen to work through us. 

God wants to move, but it’s really important how we live, behave and walk in order to position ourselves in a way so our hearts are open to God’s move. 

When we fill up with ourselves and our own power, we empty the cross of Christ’s power (see 1 Corinthians 1:17). 

When we’re emptied of ourselves, we become the vessels God is looking for as begins his work. 

We have to be vessels that are ready to be entrusted with his power. 

By John Bailey

John Bailey is the Vice President of World Challenge Inc. and the Founding Pastor of The Springs Church in Jacksonville, Florida. John has been serving the Lord in pastoral ministry for 35 years, ministering the gospel in over 50 nations, particularly as a pastor and evangelist in Cork, Ireland.

World Challenge, Inc.

Transforming Lives Through the Message and Mission of Jesus Christ

worldchallenge.org

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