GOD WILL USE YOU, BUT YOU HAVE TO TRANSFORM FIRST

(Acts 9:1-19 NKJV)

Saul of Tarsus was the worst of the Christian persecutors. He was the one who witnessed and approved Stephen's murder. He would often hold the coats of people while they stoned others to death. Little did Saul know that he was going to be the one God would use to become one of the greatest missionaries the world has ever known!

But Saul couldn't be used by God until he allowed God to TRANSFORM him into what the Lord needed him to be first. One day as Saul was walking on the road near Damascus the Lord called out to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" (Acts 9:3 NKJV) Here's the amazing thing however. His response was, "Who are you Lord?" It's like Saul answered his own question as he asked it. So God was already beginning the transformation in Saul. From that point Saul was blind and didn't eat or drink anything for 3 days. This was the Lord cleaning out "Saul" so He could enter him and do a mighty work. At the end of the 3 days, Saul was fed and he was given a word from the prophet Ananias. He received his sight and received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. THEN Saul began to preach!! He became a great witness for the Lord but suffered much persecution because of it.

When we allow God to transform us He will then use us mightly for His purpose as long as we are willing. God will never say, "You have to do this". He will just get someone else who will. He needs a willing vessel. Some may think they can minister God's word without the transformation but in reality they are not ready yet. Allow God to do His work in you and He will use you in ways you could never imagine!

God bless you!
Robert T. Sells

YOU CAN HAVE FAITH OR FEAR, BUT YOU CAN'T HAVE BOTH

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) says, "Now faith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see".

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for. The evidence of things not seen."

The Amplified says it best to me when it says, "Now faith is the assurance, (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things we hope for. Being the proof of the things we do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]."

The dictionary defines fear as "an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, painful or threatening."

Now, having totally defined fear and faith, what are you holding onto as a believer? Faith or Fear? Fear stands for False Evidence Appearing Real so why do we fear something that isn't real?

As followers of Christ we can't have faith AND fear at the same time. We have to choose which one we desire. Fear stops us from moving forward in the things we're supposed to be doing. Fear causes us to become stagnant and stuck in a situation we could easily get out of if we just decide to face the fear and do it anyway. You see when we believe in God's Word then we have to believe in ALL of God's Word. That means that the things God spoke over our lives is true and His Word will NEVER go away. So if we believe that then we are saying that we subscribe to the idea that NOTHING will stop us from getting to where we need to be. That is the mindset of a true believer. We are "more than conquerors". We have already overcome the world because of Jesus who resides with us. So as true believers we have a different walk, a different confidence that allows us to face and conquer ANYTHING that comes our way.

So stop saying what you CAN'T do. Stop making excuses for what you are AFRAID to do. Start saying what you CAN do. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". Start saying you have no fear. "For God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind."

Start speaking what the Word of God says about you and the love of God in your heart will cast out all fear. You will be able to conquer EVERYTHING that comes your way. And you will begin to find the devil releasing some of the things he had bound you up in when you speak the name of Jesus in faith over EVERY circumstance; EVERY situation, EVERY challenge. It has come to destroy you but God will use it for your good!! Let go of fear and grab a hold of faith!!

Glory to God!!
Robert T Sells

THERE'S NOTHING LIKE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A FATHER AND HIS CHILDREN

I remember the last time I took my daughter to Great America. It was the Fright Fest. I really didn't care about that. I was just so excited to be spending time with my little girl. She is getting older (almost 19 now) and she is so independent. I remember when she always wanted to be with me. But it's just a part of growing up. Eventually our children develop their own values, principles, habits and friends as they move on into adulthood. And your relationship with them takes on a different structure. There are times when you wish you could have the old times back. I remember when my daughter was 8 years old, I used to take her to work with me in Chicago on the weekends. We would either ride the train in together or drive in. All that day while I was working I remember she would constantly run to my desk to show me something she just did. "Daddy, Daddy!! Look at what I did!!" I was always so excited to see what she had for me. Those were wonderful times. I do miss them.

Just like our Father in heaven watches us grow up in the Lord from the first time we came to Him as babes in Christ and we went to Him with everything. When we read a complete book of the Bible we told God. When we led our first person to Christ we told God. When we resisted the urge to sin we told God. We were so excited and when we matured in the Word we began to get busy with "things" in life and we stopped talking with Him as much. But God still longs to have a relationship with His children He loves so much. He misses the times we spent with Him in the middle of the night and at all times during the day. He longs for use to come to Him about everything that concerns us. But we treat Him like an ATM, only going to Him when we need something or when we're in trouble.

Let's get back to our relationship with our Father! He wants to hear from us. Let's get back to talking with Him everyday. Renew your relationship with God and He will renew everything within you and take you to a new level!

God bless you!
Robert T Sells

********************************************************
About the author: Robert T. Sells (aka The Anointed Poet) is the co-owner, with his wife Marlas, of Words of Inspiration Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee. He is known for his gift of prose and has been spreading the message of the Gospel through poetry and song around the country. Sells is also the author of several books in the Words of Inspiration poetry series and a Christian spoken word CD. For more information about his ministry or to purchase products and/or services, visit him on facebook at www.facebook.com/anointedpoet.