MIND OF CHRIST MINISTRIES, INC.
PASTOR THOMAS E. OGLESBY
P.O. BOX 85
NUTLEY, NEW JERSEY 07110
website: mindofchristministries.net
Phone: 973-818-2750
e-mail: mindofchrist@verizon.net
September 2022
“God Uses The Worst Ones”
Dear Believer (s):
“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:32) God uses the worst ones.
There are people and individuals that God uses, and we wonder why. In Biblical times and now, God is using individuals that we look down upon. We might even say, why is God using that person?
We as God’s people are too busy looking on the outside of a person. Thank God when He saved us, He was looking on the inside. He saw our hearts and knew what we would become. God can and does use whomever He chooses. The Pharisees and many people of Jesus’ day did not believe Him. Jesus was not doing what was popular. He was not doing what they thought was right. He was doing the will of God.
In Mark Chapter 6, Jesus went back to His hometown and taught in the Synagogue. Many people were there, they heard Him and were all amazed. What wisdom is this that has been given Him? How does He perform miracles? Isn’t He Mary’s son the carpenter? Isn’t He the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t His sisters living here? They rejected Jesus because they were looking at the outside circumstances. Jesus said to them “A prophet is respected everywhere except in His own hometown and by his relatives and family” Jesus was not able to perform any miracles there, except that He placed His hands on a few sick people and healed them. He was greatly surprised because the people did not have faith.
God uses people that we look down upon and individuals we sometimes think of as outcasts. God uses the ones who bow to His will knowing and unknowingly. Amen!
Let’s look at the story of Pharaoh. God used Pharaoh of Egypt. Some might be surprised. We know that God used Moses, but He also used Pharaoh. Here is a man that stood against Moses and God. Pharaoh hardened his heart. He would not obey Moses.
In Exodus Chapter 7, Moses and Aaron went before Pharaoh as the Lord commanded. Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods. And God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said. God had Moses to turn the rivers into blood. God covered Egypt with frogs. He sent the lice, the flies, and caused all the Egyptians animals to die. God sent boils on the Egyptians and their animals. He sent the hail, the locusts, and the darkness. Pharaoh still refused to let the Israelites go. Why? Because God was the One who hardened Pharaoh’s heart. God used Pharaoh to show His power. To let the world, know of His great might. After the death of every first-born son of Egypt, Pharaoh let the Israelites go. God uses the worst ones.
In Romans 9:17 it says, “For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.”
Look at how God used Rahab in Joshua Chapter 2. Joshua sent two spies to explore the city of Jericho. When they came to the city, they went to spend the night in the house of a prostitute named Rahab. The king of Jericho heard about this, that some Israelites had come to spy out the land. So he sent to Rahab; “the men in your house have come to spy out the whole county; bring them out.” Rahab told the king, “Some men did come to my house,” but I didn’t know where they were from. They left at sundown before the city gates were closed. Rahab saved and protected the two Israelite spies. Because of this she and her household were saved from destruction by Joshua and his army. God uses individuals who we think are not worthy.
In the book of 2 Kings Chapters 9 and 10, God uses a man by the name of Jehu. Read this story; God had Jehu anointed King. He used Jehu to kill his master the king, to kill Jezebel, to kill all Ahab’s family and descendants. God had Jehu to kill King Jeroboam of Israel, to kill King Ahaziah of Judah, to kill all of King Ahaziah’s relatives and to kill the worshippers of Baal.
The Lord said to Jehu, “you have done to Ahab’s descendants everything I wanted you to do. So I promise you that your descendants, down to the fourth generation, will be Kings of Israel.” But Jehu did not obey with all his heart the Law of the Lord, the God of Israel, instead he followed the example of Jeroboam, who led Israel to sin. Read this story; See how God used this King.
Let’s look at Saul of Tarsus. He hated God’s people. He would persecute them. Wherever and whenever he could. But on the road to Damascus, he met Jesus Christ. You know the story. He was blinded, taken to a street called straight. Ananias laid hands on him, he received his sight again and was filled with the Holy Spirit. God changed him and used him in a mighty way. He became Paul the Apostle.
The person you are looking down upon today can be changed by God. This worst one can become mighty in the service of God. Don’t give up on them but pray for them.
If you are considered to be a worst one. God can use you. He can clean you up and purify you. No matter what man thinks, it’s never too late. Right now, cry out to God. Lord, “I come as I am, change me, use me and help me. I am a failure. I am a tough person, and I am self-righteous.” Lord, “Let the blood of Jesus, free me. I want to be yours. Thank you, Lord! I have received you, and now I am yours.”
Let those of us who are saved not forget where God brought us from. We were considered worst ones also. But thank God for His grace and his mercy. Let us continually pray for those we consider to be the worst ones.
I want to thank all of you who have been so faithful in supporting the ministry. I need your continued support to carry forth the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost, the hurting and those without hope. Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
Let us pray. “God, fill our hearts with your love and mercy. Let us not turn our backs on any sinner. Let us pray for God to save the person and change their lives. We pray for unsaved loved ones. We ask that you take us through the storms of life and bless us. We pray in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen!”
With Love & Prayers,
Thomas Oglesby
Pastor Thomas Oglesby
