This was wrote by Samuel Logan Brengle 'from a chapter' HELPS TO HOLINESS published in 1896.


I was talking with a Christian storekeeper a while ago who said, "People
are crying for God to use them, but He can't. They're not yielded to Him, they're
not humble, or teachable, or holy. There are plenty of people who come to me
and want to work in my store, but I can't use them-they're not fit for my
work. When I need someone, I advertise and sometimes spend days trying to
find the man I need, and then I test him to know whether he'll suit me or
not."

The fact is, God is using everybody that He can, and using them to the full
extent of their fitness for His service. So instead of praying so much to be
used, people should search themselves to know whether they're usable.
God can't use just anybody who comes along anymore than a storekeeper
could.

It's only those who are "sanctified, useful to the Master," and "prepared
for every good work," that He blesses with great usefulness (2Tim. 2:21) God
wants men and women, and He's hunting for them everywhere-but He has to pass
by hundreds before He finds even one that is usable.

ATTITUDE---NOT APTITUDE

The Bible says, "For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the
earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His." (2
Chron.16:9)

Oh, how God wants to use you! But before you ask Him to use you, make
sure your "heart is completely His"-then you can count on God to show Himself
strong on your behalf. Glory to His dear Name!

When God searches for someone to work in His vineyard, He doesn't ask,
"Is he talented? Is he well educated? Does he have a great voice? Is he eloquent
in prayer? Is he a powerful speaker?" But rather, He asks, "Is his heart
completely Mine? Is he holy? Is he loving others? Is he willing to walk
by faith and not by sight? Does he love Me so much, and have such a
confidence in My love for him, that he trusts he's being used even when he can't see
it?

Will he be tired and quit when I correct him and try to prepare him for
greater usefulness? Or will he, like Job, cry out, 'Though He slay me, I
will hope in Him?' (Job 13:15)

"Does he study My Word, and meditate on it day and night, so that he may
be careful to do according to all that is written in it? (Joshua 1:8) Does
he rely on My counsel, and seek to always be led by My Spirit? Or is he
stubborn and independent, like the horse and the mule, which have to be held in
check with bit and bridle? (Psalm 32:9)

"Is he a man pleaser and one who lives for his own pleasure, or is he
willing to wait for his reward and seek solely the glory that is from the one and
only God? (John 5:44) Does he preach the Word, and is he ready in season and
out of season? (2 Tim. 4:2) Is he gentle and humble in heart? (Matt.
11:29)"

When God finds such a person, He will use him. God and that person will
have such a friendship with each other, such mutual sympathy, love and
confidence, that they will at once become workers together.

FULLY YIELDED--FULLY USED

Paul was such a person-the more they whipped him, stoned him, and tried
to rid the earth of him, the more God used him. At last they threw him in
prison, but Paul declared with unshaken faith, "I suffer hardship even to imprisonment
as a criminal; but the word of the God is not imprisoned." (2 Tim. 2:9)

He spoke God's Word and neither devils nor men could put shackles on it.
It pierced right through the prison walls and flew across oceans and
continents. Down through the long centuries it has borne the glorious news of the
blessed Gospel-overthrowing kingdoms, powers of evil, and everywhere bringing
light, comfort, and salvation to troubled and sinful hearts.

Paul's mighty words and works are bearing tremendous fruit almost two
thousand years after his enemies thought they had finished him. Since the time
they cut off Pauls' head and thought they were done with him forever, his
usefulness has increased, and his mighty words and works are still bearing
fruit today, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord..that they may
rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them." (Re. 14:13)_ How
surprised Paul will be on Judgment Day when he receives all of the treasures
he has laid up in Heaven and the everlasting inheritance prepared for
him!

WELL DONE!

Paul saw dark days. He wrote to Timothy and said, "You are aware of the
fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me." (2 Tim. 1:15) Study
Pauls' life in Acts and the letters to the churches. See what conflicts and
discouragement's he had and take courage! You may think you're useless,
but you're not. Trust God!

Jesus is waiting to use you-but first ask Him to make you USABLE. Make
sure you're right with God and filled with His Spirit-and Jesus will make sure
rivers of living water will flow from your innermost being to bless the
world. And you too, will be surprised on Judgment Day to see how great your
reward is, compared to the small amount of your sacrifices and work.

Samuel Logan Brengle . He turned down a tempting offer to pastor a very
renowned and affluent church, but instead worked for the The Salvation
Army for more than 40 years.