Repurposed Christians

Several years ago a friend of my husband’s gave us a small charcoal barbecue grill.  It had been ages since we had one like this, because we switched to gas.  His friend was going to throw it out since they replaced it with a larger one, but decided to give it to us.

The hand-me-down grill had seen some serious barbecuing, and its days for working as it was intended only lasted one season.  No longer using it for food we started burning bits of mail with personal information.  I loved the idea that we could recycle the ashes into the garden and re-purpose the grill.

Eventually there was a big hole in the bottom so we couldn’t use it for burning any more.  Now what?  Was it time to give it the old heave-ho?  Can something outlive its purpose?

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God has sent us visits from so many countries.  What a blessing to meet you and share this Inner Journey together on Daily Favor.  (DFB - Daily Favor Blog)

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Don’t miss out on this week’s challenge (below).  Q & A



Re-purposed Grill Flower Box

By now I think you are getting a good idea of what I’m like and know I didn’t chuck the old worn out grill, but actually turned it into something it wasn’t made for originally. 

Thinking about this week’s challenge the Lord reminded me of an area I had a hard time dealing with in the past…

“What good am I anymore if my purpose in life has changed?”

When I first started to write I really wanted to call this “Recycled Christians”, but didn’t think it would go over big.  What do you think?  It’s sort of how I feel at times and a feeling I had to deal with if God was to use me for His glory.

My life was all planned out – by me.  I was doing what I wanted teaching special needs children, lived in a great home, traveled, family was nearby, had a good income and basically did whatever I felt like that fell in the boundaries of  a “good” Christian.  My life had purpose … you could say it was a “purpose driven life” so to speak, where I was extremely blessed and favored by God doing wonderful things for Him.  So why did it have to change?

I Didn't Expect This

Have you ever felt like everything you worked for was for nothing?  Maybe you were employed at the same place for years when they decided to let you go by downsizing. 

What about those relationships that you thought would last a life time and poof, it was over?  Did you ever reach a dream only to have it snatched away from you?  I’ve got something to say on those situations: 

The bad thing about life is that it changes!

The good thing about life is that it changes!

Going over my notes I got a revelation about myself and all believers.  What God showed me concerning our grill is that it was a vessel for whatever I needed and never stopped being a vessel.  The only thing that changed was its purpose, and that was because I decided to change its use.  Vessels get repurposed according to the need.

God revealed to me that He moves people (His vessels) for His purpose.  We don’t always have to be broken to be used if we are already in His will.  Sometimes He moves us when we are no longer needed in certain areas or positions.   What looks like a bad change is in reality a good change only we haven’t recognized it as such.

This was made perfectly clear to us when we moved to a new neighborhood.  The old location we fed 65-120 people every week, but where we are now food programs aren’t an issue.  Our service of feeding people changed and we became vessels God could use for feeding rescue animals with special needs.

Now that might seem strange and not a godly thing, but it fell right into place.  I can’t remember a time when we haven’t fed people and it seemed natural to make meals.  What you don’t know is that God knew the desires of my husband’s heart. 

Faithfulness Brings Favor 

Since childhood he wanted to become a veterinarian, but was never given the opportunity to go to college for it.  Now he is in position to work with various clinics and animals, discovering a world he thought was out of reach to him. 

Although our life is extremely different, it’s never dull and we are exposed to things that we wouldn’t have experienced if we stayed in the same place and remained unchanged.



Seriously, how many of us have gotten the opportunity to work on an alligator, put an IV in a cat, create an instrument for the doctor in surgery or hold a tumor from a dog?  My husband has.  There are some things I really don’t need to know the details of, you know what I mean?

My husband is still a vessel God uses, but he has been re-purposed and re-positioned to be in a place the Lord needs him.  I didn’t understand this at first, but it wasn’t long before I realized why God moved my husband into a new area using the same skills he had.

Allowing God to re-purpose our lives for His use opened doors for me as well in teaching far beyond a regular classroom into college levels and in travel.  With my new vessel assignment God has allowed me to pursue other interests that I didn’t have time for working in the school systems. 

Do people outlive their purpose?  Absolutely not, but they can be re-purposed for something even more exciting if they allow God to use them for His plan. 

Maybe your life has changed dramatically and you can’t find a reason or purpose for being on Earth, let me remind you of what God has said in Genesis 1:31 (NLT).

 “Then God looked over all He had made (including you & me),

and saw that it was very good! (How good? Very good.)”

When God makes a vessel for His use, He may redesign, remold, rebuild, recast, recycle or re-purpose it, but you can be sure it’s never discarded or destroyed.  As long as the vessel is willing to remain a vessel, there is always a purpose for its existence. 

“… and the vessel that He made of clay was marred in the hand of the Potter; so He made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the Potter to make.”(Jeremiah 18:4 NKJV)

So maybe we’re going through a bit of reshaping, that’s OK.  Think of it as a spiritual makeover with God footing the bill.  The “newer” vessel is going to be better than the last, do greater things and be more effective.

Vessels of Honor

On this part of our journey back to Jesus we need to take a look at the vessel God wants to use for His glory and to fulfill His promise of giving us a good end.  

“Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity (sin).  But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 

Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter (dishonor), he will be a vessel of honor, sanctified and useful for the Master (Jesus), prepared for every good work.” (2 Timothy 2: 19-21 NKJV)

When I came to terms with God re-purposing me so He could still use this vessel, I spent most of my time in His Word and prayer.  There really wasn’t much else to do without furniture, television, car or computer.  In the beginning it was a house with walls and a yard … not much to keep one occupied.

That “down time” or what some may say “small beginnings” was exactly what I needed.  It allowed me to develop skills I had, apply them to new ways changing me into a versatile vessel that could be used in so many more areas along my journey.  This is where God is leading us.

 “Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work.” (Titus 3:1 NKJV)

Remember the envelope from step 1 in last week’s challenge where you had to list things that changed your life that you couldn’t let go or forget?  No, don’t go get it.  You know what it says.  Anyway, you gave it to God so no peeking.

Looking back on those things, pick the one that really changed your life.  You no longer have that burden, but are letting God repurpose it for your good.  What has the Lord done since that time to turn the situation around?  If you don’t see anything happening it’s time to resubmit the vessel!

Challenge of the Week:

Re-purposed into Vessels of Honor

Last week we learned that we needed to let go of some things in our past so God could do something in our present and future. (See last week's challenge.)  

Our challenge this week is to identify the things that may seem to be bad situations and let God re-purpose them making us vessels of honor He can use for every good work.  

We’re going to do 2 things to accomplish this task in one week.

1) Become a prayer vessel throughout our study time.

2) Re-purpose our vessel by volunteering. 

Need some examples?  Let suppose you lost your job and had to go on government assistance. It’s embarrassing, your pride is hurt and you don’t want anyone to know.

Prayer Vessel: How can God use this situation for good so that you become a vessel of honor?  This is a great opportunity to be humbled giving insight and compassion for something you never understood.  Instead of taking this personally, take it globally praying Matthew 6:9-13 for others in the same situation.
 

Re-purpose Vessel: Volunteer your skills.  Remember that vessels get re-purposed according to other people’s needs, not our own. 

If you were in sales you know how to deal with people.  Use those people skills for an event or program in your community such as fundraisers. 

Are you a builder or contractor?  Commit one day to making minor repairs for seniors or widows housing needs.  Fix a sign for someone, nail something back in place, change a light bulb … whatever it takes to get you out of the house and take your mind off of the problem.  

Broken relationship? Build one for someone else by introducing people of like interests. A child without grandparents or friends can be matched with people who have lost loved ones.

If you are a teacher who didn’t get asked back for next year, don’t volunteer to teach something around the same age level or subject you taught.  Use those talents for age levels higher or much lower and not for school related things. 

By seeking God and allowing Him to re-purpose your life, you will be overwhelmed by the favor He shows you because of your submissive spirit.

Heavenly Father,

Make me a Vessel of Honor for You.

Mold me so I become all that You want me to be.

Manifest the patience of the Holy Spirit in me,
Help me so that I’ll stay and not run.

I submit my vessel; finish the work that You started in me...

Please click on the music video links of the week to encourage your faith.

Vessel of Honor

Vessel of Honor by Jerry Williams

 Until next time, become a vessel God can favor.

What's New this Week:  Go Green – Recycle What You Have 

Book of the Week: 

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Scripture reference was taken from the New King James Bible Version provide by Bible Gateway.

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Requesting and Releasing Favor

As a Christian, I am continually at the mercy seat of God for requests of blessings, favor, forgiveness and whatever brings me into His presence.  It’s something every believer does or should do if God is a vital part of their lives. 

I can't speak for others, but I want to live blessed; even more I want to be a blessing to others.  Staying blessed allows God to keep using me as a vessel for His purposes, and that requires me to continually respond to His calling regardless of my feelings in the situation.  That also means my faith is in a testing mode daily.

*What's that sound?  Read my special memo at the bottom.

 

The Envelope Please!

 “Let your requests be known” is something I spend much time on with God on a regular basis.  After all isn’t that what prayer is all about?  I’ve learned that I’m not the only one who petitions for something they desire.

We received an unusual appeal on Tuesday. “The Favor of Your Reply is Requested!” was printed on the front of a large white envelope.  It was from an investment company asking us if we would favor them over other firms, with our income.

My husband and I both looked at each other and smiled as he said, “You can use that on your blog.” I tore off the front with the message, and tucked it under a stack of papers ... you know, just in case he happened to be correct.

Right away it got me to thinking.  Overnight I tried to process what that statement actually meant in the company’s eyes and if God was trying to get something through to me.  Well, of course He was, who was I kidding?

Release of Favor Calling

Earlier in the day I received an urgent phone call asking me to pray for a person concerning a situation. I called my husband and asked him to pray with the vet at the animal clinic where he happened to be working that day. 

We discussed the state of affairs briefly and went into more detail later that evening.  What appeared to be an attack from satan I actually thought was a testing from God. 

That person’s problem took me back to the message on the envelope and if they were somehow tied together.  Both had requested something from me, but what they wanted was entirely different.

 

Bestowing Favor on Believers

It doesn’t come as a surprise when another Christian asks me to pray for them and it shouldn’t to you either.  This is something we are to do for one another daily as members of the family of God. 

What I felt honored over was that the individual called me (us).  This person knows plenty of believers, but felt that if they called us, we could agree with them in prayer for the desired answer.  Wow, isn’t that something?  Doesn’t that make you feel special knowing someone trusts you to have the faith you need for Heaven to move? 

“For where two or three are gathered together in My name (as my followers), I am there in the midst (middle/among) of them.” (Matthew 18:20 NKJV emphasis mine)

When someone asks us to pray for them, they are requesting favor from your faith reserve.  They believe in your faith, because you have demonstrated you are trustworthy of God’s favor on your life in answered prayers.  Somewhere along your faith journey they have seen God work on your behalf, and want to tap into that grace. That says a lot about your Christian walk.

If no one is calling you to ask for your “two or three” faith, there is a reason. Our favor walk is directly related to our faith walk, and people can see if it is working in our lives.

Bestowing Favor Unintentionally

As a teacher, minister, counselor and writer I read a lot for my work.  Researching material takes quite a bit of my time, and in my exploration I have come across some great and not so great writing.

One of the places where I write has thousands of contributors.  As part of that community of online writers we encourage one another by reading articles written by other people.

I have been writing for this establishment for almost two years and by the time this is published I would have read 7,000 out of the three plus million articles they have online.  I enjoy the research aspect of writing and always have.  It’s actually the best part of it for me, because I often get to meet writers from around the world, and learn tons of interesting facts.  If you want to be a good writer, you have to do your homework.

The thing about looking at other people’s work doesn’t mean they will look at yours.  Let me explain why that little bit of information is so important to an online writer.

Most people who are online writers are doing it to make money and do it part or full time.  If a person is writing online as a career, they don’t often look at articles unless it pertains to the topic they are working on at the time.  This particular place where I contribute some of my articles keeps tab on how many articles you have visited.  So when I see that a top writer has only visited 25 articles in the past five years and mine was one of them, I am thrilled!  Not all writers feel that way, and get angry when that individual’s article gets top billing.  They feel that socializing should play a part in the rank of the article.  They’re not too off with that thinking, because the Internet search engines think the same way. 

The more visits a site has, the higher it goes in ranking for the search engines such as Google, Bing or others.  Having more visits is important to an online writer, because it generates traffic from other search engines all over the world.  Visits (likes) mean your message was noticed and hopefully will be promoted to the public successfully.  This is something every Christian writer strives for in winning a life to the Lord – “getting the word out to the World.”

What does this have to do with favor?  If you receive something from the world that causes you to increase in any form, that is God sending favor to you from man.  An experienced writer that notices my work and promotes it causes increase to my credibility as a writer, thus increasing my income. Most of the time the world doesn’t realize that they are being used by God to increase you in finances, position or favor.

There are countless times when the unsaved have given to ministries or a religious cause because they want to do something good or need a tax break.  Either way, it is another lesson of proof that God does fulfill His promises.  In reality, it’s favor given unintentionally, so God can receive the glory, not man.

Bestowing Favor Like Christ

Scriptures tell us that we are to show exceptional kindness, grace and favor to our brothers and sisters in Christ.  That is usually easy, even though not everyone does it.

“As we have therefor opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10 (KJV)

The hard part about operating in obedience to God is demonstrating the grace of God toward those who we feel don’t deserve it.  I have to be honest, I don’t always want to be nice to nasty people, and surely don’t want to hand out my grace card of favor to them.  However, that’s exactly what we are supposed to do… show love to the unlovely.

“Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine (your) hand to do it.” Proverbs 3:27  (KJV)

“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power (ability) to help them.” (from the NLT)

The person that called for prayer was facing several serious things, in which they were being treated unfairly and unkindly.  It was as if a swat team from the devil was zooming in to destroy their faith, finances and family.  Doing something good for this individual would be easy, because they certainly were due my kindnesses.

“But I (Jesus) say unto you, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Matthew 5:44  (KJV)

Love, bless, do good, pray for my enemies? Ooh, I don’t want to do that.  Love the enemies that are trying to destroy my world?  You’ve got to be kidding.  My phone friend told me that along with the persecution came cursing, ridicule and threats as well.

Sure we know that’s what the Bible says, but doing it is another thing right? That would mean I would have to give grace like Christ did regardless of what was coming against me.  I’m not sure I can or want to do that.

That brings me back to the envelope. So what do we do when the world seeks a favor from us?  When it is within our power to do good we are to do it right?  Isn’t that what God is telling us?  Yes, however, we are not released to give favor to those that are not of the faith when it goes against His Word, because that would be an unequal yoking with Him.  

God sometimes asks us to do things that seem unreasonable and makes no sense to us, but it will not contradict the Bible.  For this very reason we need to stay in the Word of God so that we recognize if it is a favor request from God, satan or man.

I came across an old television program this week that happened to deal with a similar situation of the person who called me.  There was an accident where the person hit them from behind.  Neither of the vehicles was damaged, and an agreement of $5 was given to the first driver because of the inconvenience caused by the second driver. (That tells you how old this program was!) As soon as the person realized that the other driver was famous, they decided to sue for $250,000. 

The mother chose to show mercy and goodness to the individual that was suing them.  She showered the disgruntled driver with kindness, grace and favor even though she was the one being sued.  In the end, the charges were dropped.  What happened?  Mercy happened.  Even in situations where favor, God’s mercy is not warranted, God still gives grace when it comes to repentance.  If we are to be Christ’s hands and feet in this world in order to win souls, it means we are to reply to the request of “favor” in order to bring others into the Kingdom of God.

Vessels of Favor

There are many ways God shows His favor; we perceive them as blessings or forms of His protection from the evil one. 

Vessels of God are to become vessels of His favor for Him to pour out on others as He blesses us.  We learned this in our lesson about God’s favor shield.

“But let all those that put their trust in Thee (God) rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them: let them also that love Your name be joyful in You.

“For You, LORD, will bless the righteous; with favor You will compass (surround) him as with a shield.” (Psalm 5:11-12  KJV)

“But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You. ¹² Surely, Lord, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield.” (Psalm 5:11-12 NIV)

Are you a vessel of favor God can use to dispense on undeserving souls?  I think that we often forget that we were once unbelievers that God showed grace to when we received His favor to forgive us from sin. 

Maybe God wants to use you to do something that will change the life of an unbeliever and you really don’t want to do it.  You might want to reconsider the cost of not obeying the voice of God. 

We receive blessings, grace (unmerited favor) from God because He loves us.  Favor is never given because we “deserve it”, but is given as a tool or vessel for a greater cause. 

Paul admonishes us that we have knowledge of the good news of Christ in our bodies or “vessels”.  This information is a hidden treasure to the world, and God’s mercy allows us to be a part of His overall plan.

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.  We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair.” (2 Corinthians 4:6-8 NKJV)

In order for favor to be increased in our own lives, we have to be willing to give it to others freely.  God didn’t ask us to validate His reasons why we need to be kind to others that persecute us; He just said to do it. 

I feel richly blessed when God calls on me to give blessings (which are favors) to others.  It lets me know that He feels I am a vessel He can use, and that draws me closer to Him.  The more I am used to bless others, the more my favor levels need to rise.

If you are seeking God and longing to walk in His blessings, there will be times when someone out of the blue asks, “The Favor of Your Reply is Requested!”  How will you respond? 

You cannot give favor if you don’t have it to give.  This company was hoping I would bless and favor their company above any others with something I had that they needed (or wanted).  They did not realize that I was not required to bestow anything on them without the direction of the Holy Spirit.

On the other hand, my phone friend messaged that God heard our prayers and the situation was resolved.  As a fellow believer, I was required to use my faith and reply to their plea. Praise God for His mercy and favor toward our request.

It’s Time to Release God’s Favor

                             

Christian Mom with six kids sunrisewithasixpack.com 

After reading this, I guarantee that your favor vessel will be tested.  As a matter of fact, if you have been seeking God for blessings (favor) I know you have been in trials.  The question is, what are you going to do when a request is made of you from God or man?  It may have to do with finances, but not necessarily. 

Perhaps God is asking you to give the favor of time to someone or something.  You may be asked to give up possessions, friends, family or a position.  Whatever it is, don’t delay giving God what He requests of you.  If God wants you to release something into His hands so He can reply to someone’s request for favor, do it.  You can be sure that what you give up will not compare to the blessing He has that will replace, restore and renew what you gave away.

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly above all we ask or think, according to the power (of the Holy Spirit) that works in us.” (Ephesians 3:20 NKJV)

Our God is able to do above that we can ask or think.  Release favor blessings and your request for them will come back to you. 

“Give, and it will be given to you” (how) good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.  For with the same measure that you use (give blessings, favor and mercy), it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38  KJV)

Let God use you as His favor dispenser. Get excited when someone calls on you above all others and reply “Yes” to their request according to God’s Word, knowing you have been called as a chosen vessel of favor for our Almighty God.

If You Can Use Anything, Lord Use Me - Ron Kenoly

 

Until next time, release blessings of favor at God’s request!

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Maybe you don’t know the Living God that I know, but would like to have this kind of favor in your life also.  Click on the above tab “Tell Me” for more information on becoming a child of the Savior.

Content and Image Copyright from Favored1. Do not copy.
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Scripture reference was taken from the New King James Bible Version provide by Bible Gateway.

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