Inadequacy: December 12, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 12. 2013.

INADEQUACY

DEFINITION:

Below par; wanting; deficient; lacking.

SCRIPTURE:

For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? II Corinthians 2:15-16.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Most of us assume that having feelings of inadequacy are enemies that we need to subdue rather than a friend to live with. In some cases these enemies of inadequacy are feelings that can prepare us for great accomplishments.

The Apostle Paul had great feelings of inadequacy when he began to preach the gospel. God allowed Paul to feel inadequate for a reason. No one is adequate without God’s help to preach God’s message of salvation. In spite of his great learning and varied gifts, he acknowledged that he was not sufficient in himself to minister for the Lord. By taking this attitude, which he truly felt, he was able to step out and preach beyond his own personal limits. He was able to tap into the supernatural power that God offered.

Consider what God accomplished through Paul when Paul allowed God to have all that he was. Paul spread the gospel throughout the Roman world. His letters, preserved for us in the New Testament, continue to impact lives for Jesus Christ today. We never know what God can do with us until we allow Him to have all that we are.

Many times we let opportunities pass by because we so easily surrender to our inadequacies. We use our limitations as an excuse for not taking on difficult assignments when faced with God’s call to serve. Our excuses are unacceptable because the Holy Spirit will empower us for any task the Lord assigns us.

Unless we claim God’s supernatural power, we run the risk of multiplied failures. We miss out on the joy, peace, and contentment derived from stepping out in faith to answer the call of our Lord that we thought was “impossible.” In addition, our hesitation may deprive other people of the benefits of our service.

Perhaps you feel you do not have a lot to offer, but remember if you are a child of God, He has equipped you with all that you need to serve Him. Never underestimate the impact of one person who has learned how to depend on the adequacy of Almighty God.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in I John 3:23.

This is His commandment that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.

PRAYER:

Help me to live beyond my inadequacies by turning my weaknesses over to You. Use me to fulfill Your direction for my life as I endeavor to accomplish great things for You