I Am The Worst Of Them All

^"This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life." 1 Timothy 1:15-16

Amen! Trustworthy saying indeed! I've realized this over the past few years. Sometimes folks really listen to someone that was "the worst of them all". I reckon I ain't like some that have had the faith since youth, God bless those that do! Nope, I sure didn't have it, but was what you'd call the worst of sinners for a long, long time spanning decades. But there comes a time when a person meets face to face with what is truly real and everything changed since that day. Meeting Jesus never leaves a person the same. If your the same you didn't meet Him, simple as that.

But God is my deliverer! Believe me, He sure was and is! But a while back I was wondering if I was just plain nuts or what because quite simply things happen in my life, allot of things that can't be explained away as coincidence. There have been so many moves of God, some would call them miracles, and I was wondering do I have an over active imagination or is this all really happening. But one person who is very mature in the faith told me the reason for all these things happening in my life is because I hear or read the Word, believe it, and apply it. When those things are done God moves because that's the way it works. Only believe! Only, only, only believe! Pure Christianity!

I have to smile, remembering some of the first simple testimonies I'd give in church years ago. How God would move in my life and the lives of our family. Talk about scared to get in front of people and talk and I ain't kidding. If there would have been an escape route I'da taken it. And those sleepless nights later when I would be asked to give a tithe and offering message for a couple minutes in a service. I remember a few times with barely any sleep the Saturday night before, worried about speaking in front of folks. Then I remember my first real sermon and oh Lord, my nerves were shot! Remember driving to church so nervous I shouldn't of been allowed to drive. But I also remember that first sermon and how it hit people and how they came up afterwords and were in a state between shock, heavily moved hearts, and joy. And these were the regular church folks.

But there isn't anything that compares to hitting the road! To preach Jesus in places I never been before. New faces, new surroundings, everything different. And every single place I ever preached quite a few folks would make sure they talked to me afterwards and this is hard to describe. They were moved so differently than normal. I guess that's how to say it simply. And another strange thing is, I can feel it when there's folks really drawing from the message as I preach. Many won't understand this but its so true. There's a real draw, a transfer of power. I ain't talking hocus pocus here, but its real. The Word coming out is being drawn into certain listeners who God has pricked and they need what's being said, if that makes any sense.

I had no idea what to write about when I started. I had no idea what Bible verse to put up here. Came across this one and took off from there. I've been around the block a few times before becoming a believer, had some pretty tough times, mostly self inflicted. But after meeting Jesus I simply believe Him at His Word and things happen, allot.