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    • YES! God can use me even if I mess up!

      Posted at 7:45 am by sneuhofer, on March 13, 2018

      Romans 15:14-21 (NIV) I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another. I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done— by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.”

      We were all created on purpose for a purpose. Christ has given us different gifts (Romans 12:6) to help us fulfill our purpose while we’re here on earth. In the 15th chapter of Romans, Paul talks about being chosen by God to reach the Gentiles. Paul was excited about what God was doing in his life – it energized him. He wasn’t “proud” of what he himself had accomplished but of what God had done through him.

      When you think about “doing something” for Christ, what comes to mind? Sadly, many of us think we can’t possibly do anything for Christ because we’re too messed up. Instead of focusing on the “new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17) Christ has made, we focus on what’s in the rear view mirror. Why is this I wonder? Why do we feel like we have to have our lives perfectly straight before we can do what God has called us to do? Why don’t we just trust God to equip us to accomplish the task He has call us to?

      For me the question “But what if I mess up?” got stuck in my head. Every time I tried to step out and do what Christ called me to do, I’d allow this question to stop me dead in my tracks. I listened to the lies of the devil instead of the truth of God’s word. As I began to learn the truth, I looked learned lessons from people in the Bible who “messed up” yet God’s purpose was still accomplished through them. He used them even though their lives weren’t perfect.

      Want examples?

      Let’s take a look at Abraham. God promised Abraham he would have a son with Sarah. They were in their 90’s when Sarah became impatient, and gave Abraham her servant Hagar. Sarah tried to “speed” God along in accomplishing His purpose. The relationship between Hagar and Abraham produced Ishmael. This was not part of God’s plan for Abraham and Sarah. Sarah was to bear a child. Thirteen years after Ishmael was born, Sarah became pregnant with Isaac, and Abraham became the Father of a great nation just as God promised.

      Want another one?
      Let’s take a look at David, a man referred to in the Bible as “a man after God’s own heart.” He messed up big time. He lusted after a married woman, had an affair with her, then tried to cover it up by sending her husband off to the front-lines of war where he would ultimately be killed. David made a decision based on the flesh, yet God still used him. In fact, Christ came through the lineage of David.My favorite example is from the Apostle Peter!

      Peter is a great example for me because from the very beginning we see his earnest love for Christ. He dropped everything to follow him (Matt. 4:19). He wanted to learn all about Jesus, yet sometimes Peter spoke and acted without thinking. I tend to be just like Peter – sometimes I don’t think before I speak either. In Mathew 14:28-33 Peter asks Jesus if he could join him out on the water. “Come” Jesus said. Without hesitation, Peter swung his leg over the side of the boat, kept his eyes on Jesus and walked out on water to meet him. COOL! It wasn’t until he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the waves around him that he fell.

      Instead of trusting Jesus, Peter looked at the circumstances around. This wouldn’t be the only time Peter would lose his focus. It was the night before Jesus stood trial before Pilate. Three times Peter denied even knowing Jesus. WOW! Yet, Jesus still used Peter to build his church after he ascended into heaven.

      Paul is a great example for us to follow. After his Damascus road experience, Paul never looked back at his old life. He looked forward to what God had called him to and did amazing things. He didn’t spend time focusing on the rear view mirror, instead he chose to focus on his new mission – winning souls for Christ. Paul was passionate about the call God placed on his life. He didn’t dwell on the past. He laid it down know Jesus had already forgiven him.

      What about you? Are you doing something that you believe God has called you to do? Whatever God has called you to, do it with all your heart for all His glory.

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      Posted in created for a purpose, God's purpose is accomplished through us | 1 Comment
    • Responding to the Button Pushers in our life

      Posted at 7:00 am by sneuhofer, on February 28, 2018

      Romans 8:28 (HCSB) We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

       We seem to be walking through a very difficult season…actually since he was able to walk my son has given us all a run for our money. He is strong willed…and he knows it. God bless his little heart. I remember this one weekend when he was about 7 years old he kept pushing my buttons until he had finally reached the very last one. You know the “last button” I’m talking about right? It’s the button all the way over to the right that, when pushed, turns you into the VERY worst version of yourself. Perhaps your child or someone in your life has pushed your buttons and you’ve been there too. The button goes off and the angry person inside of you comes out. I know that’s what happens when my last button is pushed. As I remember that particular weekend going… my son pushed my last button and I instantly turned into a raving lunatic – the very worst version of myself. After everything was said and done, I felt AWFUL. I don’t want to be that type of parent. If want to be stern yes, but angry…ABSOLUTELY NOT.

      The purpose of my discipline should teach my son right from wrong. But when he sees my fly off of the handle what is he really seeing? I don’t think it’s a reflection of Christ that’s for sure. Whoever said “parenting isn’t easy” was right.  It really takes a great deal of p-p-p-patience. I think I am lacking in that area just a bit. Ugh…patience…I guess I know where I need to grow to be more like Christ. My frustration and anger should not be my cause for discipline. After all, that’s not how God disciplines us. He is full of mercy and grace, slow to anger and abounds in love. (Ex. 34:6, Numbers 14:18, Nehemiah 9:17, Psalm 86:15, 103:8, 145:8, Joel 2:13, Jonah 4:2).

      God always seems to remind me of simple and small truths during worship sets at church. As I heard myself singing the words “and I’ll sing because you are good, and I’ll dance because you are good, and I’ll shout because you are good, you are good to me” I was reminded of all the good things Christ has done in my life. He is working out His perfect plan in me and I can see where he has used the good and the bad to bring me to where I am at this very moment. Sometimes I just lose sight of this truth.

      I desperately want my son to see God’s goodness through me not the  angry human side that becomes a maniac mommy when her buttons are pushed. When God brings these simple truths into a moment of clarity, I worship Him and thank him what He was doing in my life, and asked Him to forgive me for the way I respond when my son gets to “button pushing.”

      Father, help me love with your love and help me to be a reflection of Christ to my family and to others. I know you will use everything in my life…the good and the bad… the mold me into something beautiful.


      You know, God will use everything in your life too…we were all made on purpose for a purpose. He doesn’t want us to be “stuck” by the events of our life. He wants us to transformed by them according to His purpose.

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      Posted in created for a purpose, disciplining children, purpose | 0 Comments
    • We are all works of art…

      Posted at 7:00 am by sneuhofer, on October 26, 2017

      Proverbs 25:4 (NCV) “Remove the scum from the silver, so the silver can be used by the silversmith.”

      I love the analogy of God being the silversmith and me (all of us actually) being the silver in this verse. When I first came to Christ and asked him to come into my heart, I was covered by the “scum” of this world. As I started to walk with him and began to allow Him to work in my life, He started the cleaning process in me. After cleaning off the “dirt” of this world, He polished me off so that I could shine like silver and be ready for His use. God has given me (all of us) a job to do. It is unbelievable what He has in store for us once we allow Him to begin His cleaning and polishing process.

      I am so thankful He pulled me out of the muck and mire of my life. When I came to Him, I was covered in the filth of this world. As He began the “cleaning” process in me, I started to utilize the gifts and talents He had given me to serve others. As He continues this process, I  am constantly being used by Him in ways I would have never thought possible.

      Moving along the path God has placed me on, who knows what He has in store for me next. I know it’s up to me to allow Him to continue to “clean” and “polish.” I also realize sometimes the “cleaning” and “polishing” process isn’t always fun. Growing and being shaped is a painful process – but I know God is with me every step of the way. He is the silversmith and I am His work of art! I am being carefully molded by the hands that created the universe – how cool is that?

      God has me in the palm of His hand and there is no way He will let me go until He has completed His work. This image alone is so comforting to me.

      Additional Scripture:

      2 Corinthians 4:16 – 18; Isaiah 43: 1- 3; Psalm 23:4; Romans 5:3

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      Posted in created for a purpose, growing in Christ | 0 Comments
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