WHAT GIVES ME THE RIGHT?

     Just who am I and what gives me the right to challenge others in their relationship with Jesus?  Why would I think anyone would be encouraged by my words?  It's not like I have been to seminary,  bible college or even a Christian school.  I  am just "the nurse" in a high school and live in a small town 15 minutes from where I grew up.  Anyone who knows me well can tell you, I'm a pretty messed up person.  I drink way too much coffee, can't keep clean socks in my son's drawer, I over analyze what people say, I can be too sensitive, I can expect to much from friends, I can be impatient, I can talk when I shouldn't and quiet when I should be speaking, I lean in and listen without responding just long enough that people end up telling me personal things they hadn't intended (this is unintentional by the way), I can spend time on social media that should be spent in prayer and in His Word,  I can yell at my kids, say hurtful things to my husband, forget to call my mom and forget to pay my cell phone bill until I get the "at risk for losing service" call,   I have carried guilt and shame despite the cross and have doubted God's forgiveness and  have been prideful and self-righteous.  I have struggled and continue to struggle with my on selfishness and insecurity.  And I haven't even touched the college and high school years.  That would make your browser shut down!

     How can I share with others anything to help in their Christian walk being a sinner "and I am the worst of them."?  (1Tim1:15) "There is nothing good in me, that is in my flesh." (Rom7:8)  But there is good news! Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners and "I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate His extraordinary patience as an example to those who believe in Him for eternal life." (v.16) I am imperfect  in countless ways, sinful and lacking. But, I am an ordinary person who serves an extraordinary God.
     The power of the Gospel is transforming.  God purchased me with the blood of His Son on the cross.  My identity is not in me, it comes to me from the Heavenly Father who gave me life. I have been adopted into the family of God and in Christ,  I have "received an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of  His will."  So that my "hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory." (Eph 1:11-14)  This gift is not just to me but is available for ALL who place faith in Jesus and become part of "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9-10) 

       "I waited patiently for the Lord,

and He turned to me and heard my cry for help.

He brought me up from a desolate pit,

out of the muddy clay,

and set my feet on a rock,"

making my steps secure." Psalm 40:1-2

      I was in a pit and me trying to save my self only put me deeper into the pit.  Then came Jesus! He grabbed my hand and in an unforgettable moment of grace, I received God's love.    

"I consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.  Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ. and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ-the righteousness from God based on faith. My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death." (Phil3:8-9)

     Because of Christ, absolutely nothing is the same.  And now, with assurance in my salvation, I can live in reckless abandonment, courage and with all boldness to live fully for His glory!  God saved me,  even being a completely messed up person.  He uses our failures, messes and triumphs to shine the spotlight on Jesus so others may come to know Him. May the message be "given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.  For this, I am an ambassador in chains.  Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should" (Eph 6:19-20)My identity and confidence is in who I am in Christ.  The fear of the Lord is my strength and my value comes from Him, not anything I have done or will do. There is freedom in receiving Jesus as Lord of my life that gives an open door for  boldness to give testimony to the Gospel and encourage and challenge others to "live to show His glory and die to tell  His story."   I am not a that girl who has got everything together and telling you what you should do with coercion and manipulation.  Response to the Gospel, living with faith in Jesus, repentance, obedience and acknowledging Jesus is Lord is for the individual.  I'm just pointing you to the living water and bread of life.   Not because I am worthy but  because He is that wonderful!