Useful Vessels

20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.

2 Timothy 2

Often I think “what can I do?”  Many times weighed down thinking about the bad decisions I have made, poor choices, crooked deals, all of it.  Most people I would meet throughout the day have no idea about my past. Therefore my mental ability to be used by God should be far higher than the one I self-create using my own brilliant judgement. (Hardly right?)

Point is, we are all very different yet hold the same high value to our Father in Heaven. We allow ourselves to be cleansed by Him and He starts using us as his mouthpiece, motivators, witnesses! Basically, WE CAN BE A BARNANBUS MAN!!!

Take your time with everyone but don’t slow down for the nay Sayers and hecklers.., avoid the useless arguemebrs that do nothing for the Kingdom! We are gold, silver, wood, & clay …. all useful and important to the King!

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As One Approved…

14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,

17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

18 who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.

19 But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”

2 Timothy 2:14-19

Do your Best. This brings me back to my friends at “Becoming Your Best” by Rob & Steven Shallenberger. Rob & Steve have designed an organization around this very principle… Be your best! What more can we attain to?
Try saying this out loud, “Good, better, best, never let it rest, until the good is better and the better is best!!”

Tomorrow’s message will only be available here: www.barnabasman.wordpress.com

Why?

The BarnabusMan is being created for one purpose…encouragement… 

If you have someone that you’ve meant to reach out with, but never do…  why is it? Are we too BUSY? Oh how I hate that word! It’s not even a real thing… to be BUSY… how about we just stop doing the trivial junk we do and work on the eternal ? 

Follow the link to subscribe… comment below to participate..  and PLEASE – if you want to contribute let me know and I will ADD you as a Barnanbas Contributor! We all need you, every day ! Build each other up every day! 

Ephesians 5:15-18

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

Ephesians 5:15-18

Paraphrased – walk straight!

Quit jacking around with life and act as a man that wants to stand up for himself and honor God. No getting out of this one, just walk the dang line and live straight. That is the will of the Lord.

1 Peter 4:4-6

4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

1 Peter 4:4-6

Each day we can choose- bring life and light to others, or bring darkness. It is NOT EASY to want to live in the light and bring truth and grace to those we disagree with. Yet, if you don’t do that today who will? Be the different man. Be the son of the King He says we are. Be available and choose positive and encouraging. You may be the only hope someone receives today!

1 Peter 4:12

Warning: this may sting…

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

1 Peter 4:12-13
Warning: this may sting…

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

Pretty simple, easy for Paul to say right? After all he went through? Or what? What is our reason for complaining to God about our “trials” ?

First off, catch this…., “BELOVED” ….. we are cared for, deeply, earnestly, not only by our brothers but by God. Secondly, you are still alive and no one has tried to BOIL, WHIP, or CRUCIFY YOU. Hard to say those words maybe, but even harder to admit we complain about our sufferings WAY TO OFTEN, and 80% of the time I’d say they were caused by our own sin? 

Ok, not too much hard love, it’s Saturday, but BELOVED … you will “rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed”! Oh, what a glorious day that will be … and it is coming Friend.

1 Timothy 6:2-3

3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,1 Timothy 6:2-3

Just throwing this out here for myself. Mother’s day is usually a bit rough for me with not having a relationship with my mom. Bless your moms! I am thankful for my wife and mother-in-law always taking care of everyone else first. Men, at least myself, struggle with this. I do not know why outside of pride & selfishness we can’t figure out how to put others first. So …open book, if you read a statement or word of mine that is out of God’s teaching then call it… and please thank the mom’s in your life!!!! Love to you today!

2 Timothy 1:5-7

5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,

7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

2 Timothy 1:5-7

In honor of yesterday, here are more Mothers that set the bar for their children with strong faith. A friend convicted me yesterday with my own family. Maybe I missed the lesson Jesus gave on “it’s ok to hold onto bitterness?”

Or perhaps the one on “Using substances or things to numb your emotions?” Or “I’ll just be angry for a bit longer, like 5-15 years longer?”

I know it’s silly and easy to say it like that but honestly, why not? Why hold onto to bitter, stubborn, and resistant? Was Christ act on the cross not enough for my “emotions” to be let go of? Was His suffering not long enough?

OF COURSE NOT!!!! Start over this morning with it all! Forgive, reach out, love, whatever it takes to let go of that thing that has you trapped or stuck! Get rid of it!