Who Do You Think You Are?

This is the question that seems to be brought to my mind these last few days. As my family and I are getting on a plane tonight to go to Brazil where we plan to magnify Jesus Christ, I keep thinking, "Who do you think you are, to be venturing on such a task?" The truth is: There is nothing inherently special in me that would make this mission successful. I am not especially intelligent or knowledgeable, neither am I very strong in communication or in people skills. Besides that, the Bible says that my heart is desperately wicked and my righteousness is as filthy rags. So, the question, "Who do I think I am?", is fairly easy to answer, in light of Biblical truth. So, when this question comes to my mind, what is it that pushes me to continue ahead toward this hard mission? Who do I think God is? I am so grateful for God working in me and proclaiming Himself to me. What makes me distinct is nothing about my own person, but it is that "God goes with me." (Ps. 33:16) It is so humbling to me that God would get involved in my life and proclaim His name to me. As a desperately wicked sinner, I deserve no good thing but only Hell and death itself. David, I have been challenged lately to fight the heart attitude that says I deserve this good thing or that good thing. You don't deserve to get support from churches or even to get meetings at all, even though God has called you to Brazil. Humbly remember each day of what you deserve and of what God has given you that you do not deserve. I'm still working on that myself. Tonight I don't deserve a good flight or well-behaved children or no problems in Sao Paulo. If it happens, praise the Lord! So the question that perhaps Satan or my flesh seems to keep asking me, "Who do you think you are?" can best be combatted by another question, Who Do I Think God Is? It's great to know that God has chosen the foolish things of the world (that's me) to confound the wise, and the weak things of the world (that's me again) to confound the things which are mighty. He can use me because of who He is-Allmighty and All-wise.

JT