I am often overwhelmed by all that God is up to in and around me.  I am just a simple man.  I make more than my fair share of mistakes and it seems that I am in a continual fight with the temptation to sin.  This is why I am amazed at how good, loving and trustworthy God has been and is to me.

I still find it hard to believe that He would call me to do anything of service to Him, especially preach, teach and lead.  As I have pursued this calling, I have had my heart-broken many times, faced difficulties of every shape and size.  I have known hurt, felt rejected and believed myself to be very inadequate to do the things that God has allowed me to do in and through ministry.

It has been amazing to see how God can use the tough, hard stuff to bring some of the greatest miracles and blessings.  It has taken me a long time to learn and I am still learning this amazing truth:  God is not interested in our looks, talents, abilities or influence.  God is interested in us.

More than anything, God desires a real, meaningful and personal relationship with you and me.  This relationship is to take and keep first place in our lives.  Who I am and who I will be flows out of my relationship with Him.  Get the relationship right and it is incredible what God will do.

The truth that we often forget is this:  It really is all about Jesus!  It’s not about who you are, what you can do, where you’ve been or where you think you are going.  It’s not about your agenda, goals and personal ambition.  It’s about Jesus and through Him, living in the center of God’s perfect will, where we can rest in confidence that His will is best, regardless of the situations and circumstances of life.

So stop today and take a moment to remember Who you are living for and let that influence what you do and say.  Let the Who influence how you do it.  Let the Who influence the when = all the time and the where = wherever He leads I’ll go.  Get the Who right and everything else will fall into place!

What is it that God has given to you and how are you using it for His glory?  Many times in life, we look at what we have or don’t have and start to make excuses about what we can or can’t do.

Real servants don’t make excuses.  Real servants get the job done, because God’s glory is more important than anything else.  Real servants don’t procrastinate.  Real servants jump in and take the risk, because risk grows our faith.  Real servants don’t wait for ideal circumstances.  Real servants take what they’ve got, where they are to do whatever needs to be done, because people need the amazing grace of an awesome and loving God.  Real servants do what needs to be done, just because it needs to be done and because God is worthy.

I Peter 4:10 says:  “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

Our service may not be perfect, but it is better than intentions that never get us anywhere. Serving God is not for perfect people who always get it right.  Serving God is for everyone that was created by Him.  Our prayer does not need to be for perfect service, but for blessed service.

God created you and He created you for the purpose of service.  The kind of service that blesses others and brings glory to Him.  Open you heart, soul and mind to Him and the opportunities He has given you and jump in – you will be glad you did!