Supposed to continue our heat wave for the next week or so, we have a warning advisory for the next couple of days.  Water bill is doubled, but the plants are still holding out.

Carla has most of next week off, unfortunately almost every day entails a visit to one physician or another, so taking off is not an option – however, she doesn’t like to go out of town this time of year and leave the garden unattended, especially on these warmer days.

1 Corinthians 15:9-10 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

What am ‘I’?  Who am I in Christ?

Paul considers himself the least of the Apostles because he led the persecution of Christians before he accepted Christ as the Savior.

From all we know, from that point on, he continued, without wavering in his service to God.  He told people, to follow him.

I have sinned many times as I have walked on this earth.  I have embarrassed my God and failed to acknowledge Him in some of my most positive actions accepting accolades that rightfully belonged to Him.

I have gone astray and found myself on paths that I knew were wrong, yet, continued them until He pulled me up short with discipline, reminding me that if I didn’t change I would fall from His Grace.

I say I am a Christian – follow me to Christ - and my conscience and those that oppose me snicker and point to my failures – long after I had accepted Christ – and say, ‘who are you to tell others how to live their lives.’

yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

God is still within me, He still wants to use me; it is up to me to trust in Him, follow His leading and let Him be concerned how I am being perceived. 

As long as I keep pride and self out of the service to Him, He can use me.  It is not about me, it is about Him and I must truly accept that fact.

It is one of my most difficult mind sets.  Yet, it can be done.

1 Corinthians 15:57-58  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Later, Art :-)