[This is] because the foolishness of God [is not foolishness at all and] is wiser than men [far beyond human comprehension], and the weakness of God is stronger than men [far beyond the limits of human effort].  Just look at your own calling, believers; not many [of you were considered] wise according to human standards, not many powerful or influential, not many of high and noble birth.  But God has selected [for His purpose] the foolish things of the world to shame the wise [revealing their ignorance], and God has selected [for His purpose] the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong [revealing their frailty].  God has selected [for His purpose] the insignificant (base) things of the world, and the things that are despised and treated with contempt, [even] the things that are nothing, so that He might reduce to nothing the things that are, so that no one may [be able to] boast in the presence of God.  But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God [revealing His plan of salvation], and righteousness [making us acceptable to God], and sanctification [making us holy and setting us apart for God], and redemption [providing our ransom from the penalty for sin],\ so then, as it is written [in Scripture], “HE WHO BOASTS and GLORIES, LET HIM BOAST and GLORY IN THE LORD.”—1 Corinthians 1:25-31 AMP

Mary Jo and I say we are the poster children for the fact that God will use anyone to further His kingdom who is willing to make Him The LORD of their lives by selflessly, sacrificially, and intentionally loving and obeying Him and loving those around them. 

We’re not trying to boast in ourselves, but in what Christ has done in our lives!  If you’ve known us for any length of time, I think you’d agree, why us?  We certainly have plenty of excuses.  We’re older, out of shape, have major physical issues, dietary issues, used to have a lot of debt, could make a lot of money working for a living, have kids, grandkids, and parents that we rarely get to see, and we could go on and on.

But God!  Not saying we all should jump into leaving it all and going full into ministry like we do, but what if that’s what The LORD wants you to do?

We have a good friend in her 70’s who has Parkinson’s and cancer which keeps her from doing a lot of things and she's approaching heaven quicker than most of us.  She’s still serving The LORD locally and since her diagnosis has gone on a couple mission trips around the world!  Just another example of someone who has all the excuses one could imagine, yet still presses on!  I’m sure if you look around you, you’ll see others just like her.

Look at Paul and the rest of the disciples in the NT.  Need I go on?  What’s your excuse?  Where are you serving?  Do you really believe that you’ll have tomorrow to do what you know you need to be doing today?  How many times have you said, when this happens, I’ll do this for The LORD?  And now you’ve either never put forth the effort to do what needed done, like get out of debt, and/or once the thing was done you just changed your excuse to another one, like getting into more debt!

It took a lot of sacrifice and effort on our part to get where we are today with Calvary Relief and believe it or not, we never set out to do this full-time.  We just wanted to do whatever we could to get out of those situations that we had put ourselves in that could keep us from moving forward and being ready should God put something in our path.  For example, we had a lot of debt.  Instead of taking on more debt for things of this world and doing nothing about it, we sacrificed a lot of stuff and worked harder to get the debt paid off.  Then when The LORD put full-time on the road in front of us, we simply moved forward.  We had, and still have, plenty of excuses that we could use, but we want to be faithful to The LORD in ALL areas of our lives while we're still able on this earth, after all, this is NOT our home!

Again, not wanting to lift ourselves up, we are nothing without Christ and can do nothing without His power living in and through us.  We owe it ALL to Him, how could we be selfish and demand what we want?

So, what’s your excuse?  What are the things that you say are keeping you from serving The LORD?  What are you doing to get rid of those things including the idols we’ve made of our kids, grandkids, etc., which are all fine but NOT to be the center of our lives and decision making?  When do you think you’ll be thankful enough for all that The LORD has done for you that you’ll decide to sacrifice it all for Him?  I know many of you already are.  Paul said that he doesn’t let anything from his past keep him from moving forward and this includes resting on his laurels, all the things he’d already done for The LORD.  (Philippians 3:13)

Jesus said that the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  (Matthew 9:35-38)  He also told us to teach others all He taught us in our hometown and then all around the world.  (Matthew 28:19-20)  You don’t have to leave your home, but are you willing to?  What can you do right where you are today to begin doing what Jesus told us to do?  Remember Jesus said that if you love Me, you’ll keep My commandments.  (John 14:15)  He also said  that if we want to be His disciples we MUST deny ourselves daily.  (Luke 9:23)

Be encouraged that God is willing to use you to further His Kingdom today, right where you are.  Know that He has great plans for you to succeed in serving Him.  Don’t worry about what He might want you to do tomorrow just love God by serving Him as you selflessly serve others in such a way that shows them Christ’s love in and through you to them!  You won’t make it down the road if you don’t start taking a step today!

Need help figuring this out and moving forward?  Let us know, we only exist to share Jesus’ love with those who don’t know Him and to help those who already have a relationship with Him to be obedient to His calling on their lives!

Please don't hesitate to reach out to us with any questions, prayer requests, etc.  We'd love to pray with and for you and to the best of our ability answer any questions you may have soley using God's Word!

Here to serve and disciple until He calls us home,

Curt & Mary Jo

Note-all Scripture references in parenthesis are direct links God's Word so that you can easily click and read what The LORD has to say about the section before the reference.  I encourage you to click, read, study and even memorize these passages for yourself and NOT to just not just take my word for it.  (Psalm 119)