Have you ever been declared the best at something? The VERY best: first in your class, best of show in the horse ring, an All-Star athlete or a blue ribbon winner at the Fair?

How did you feel, having achieved that pinnacle of success and admiration? Pretty great, huh?

Or, have you ever been found to be the worst? A dismal failure, a reprobate, possibly even a criminal? That is how the Apostle Paul saw himself:

“Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.” I Timothy 1: 13.

Paul was the worst of the worst, yet God blessed him. He continued: “The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” I Timothy 1: 14.

Don’t despair that you haven’t lived a perfect life. Don’t believe yourself to be beyond the reach of Jesus Christ’s redeeming love.

If He can do what He did for Paul, He can bless you in the same way. Just trust Him and surrender to Him.

Pastor Jim.