THE MAN GOD USES

Never in my wildest imagination did I think I would be doing what I am doing today. I grew up in a Christian home—though my father wasn’t born again, he ensured we went to church regularly. My mother was even more committed to making sure we never missed a service. For nearly thirty years, I was in and out of church, almost weekly.

Life in the Church 

In those years, I witnessed the raw power of God. I saw miracles and healings that defied reason. I remember one occasion when people in wheelchairs began walking just as they entered the campgrounds—before the service had even started. I saw people delivered from various diseases and afflictions by the power of God.

But in the middle of all that, my heart wasn’t with God. Many times, I would sneak out of church to hang out with friends or watch a movie. There were Sundays I didn’t even make it to church. Whenever my mother gave me money for offering, I used it for personal pleasures. My friends and I were more focused on dating girls in church than seeking God. That was often the main topic of our conversations.

Life Outside the Church 

Outside church, I lived as a hustler. From the age of twelve, I worked various jobs—anything just to make money. And the money was always for pleasure. All I wanted was to enjoy life—partying, hanging out with friends, watching football, engaging in meaningless arguments, gambling, and listening to secular music. I also engaged in sexual immorality, including sleeping with prostitutes. I even stole from my parents, relatives, and friends.

I also grew up as a secular artist, performing at shows and carnivals, and singing at parties. I deeply desired fame, but it never came. In frustration, I turned to the occult. I consulted witch doctors, astrologers, enchanters, herbalists, and spiritualists. Some gave me charms to wear, others took me to rivers for spiritual baths. One fake prophet even stripped me naked under a banana tree, covered me with red cloths, and chanted incantations over me. These were terrifying experiences.

Yet here are two shocking truths. First, despite attending church regularly, I never once understood the messages. I only knew a few Old Testament stories. I had no understanding of grace, and without grace, there’s no way to understand salvation. I believed that the Old Testament was for strong Christians, and the New Testament was for weak ones. I had it completely backwards.

Second, though I participated in occult practices, I never truly believed in them. I never put my heart in any of it. In fact, during some of those rituals, my mind would drift back to teachings on the Rapture. I feared that if the trumpet sounded while I was in the middle of those acts, I’d be left behind. That fear haunted me.

God's Calling 

Who would have thought that God could use someone like me? My life is proof that there is no one too far gone for God to redeem and use for His glory. I was a confused and useless human being. Living with worries, fears and anxieties. 

I always wanted to figure things out by myself. Then, I reached a point where I had come to the end of myself. I had nowhere to turn. In a moment of desperation, anger, and confusion, I cried out to God. And graciously, about twelve hours later, in the early morning, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to me in a vision. He stood between Elijah and Moses and showed me a vision of myself preaching the Gospel in Gaziantep, Turkey.

That same month, I was baptized in the Holy Spirit, and power came upon me. Today, I am a witness for Christ in Turkey and Pakistan. Praise the Lord!

The Kind of Person God Uses 

What kind of man does God use? Interestingly, the first requirement is that there are no human qualifications. God doesn't choose those who think they are worthy—He chooses the broken, the rejected, the confused, the addicted, the immoral, the weak, and the lost. Just like me.

1 Corinthians 1:27–28 says: "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong... the lowly and despised things—to nullify the things that are."

But after that initial call, something else happens. God begins a work of transformation. He begins to shape and mold the vessel for usefulness.

In Scripture, we see this clearly. God called men like Abraham, David, Peter, and Paul—all broken in their own ways. But after the call, He sanctified them, transformed them, and empowered them for His work.

So while the call doesn’t depend on your qualification, the walk certainly does. 

Therefore, a Man that God will use must:

Live a consecrated life 

A life that is holy and set apart. He must shun sin and strive daily to be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 12:1–2).

Be filled with love: 

He must walk in love—towards God and towards people. Jesus, our perfect example, lived a life of love (John 13:34–35).

Be devoted to prayer and the Word: 

He must love the Scriptures and pray continually. As Acts 6:4 says, “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”

Walk by faith: 

Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.” Faith is the currency that unlocks God's promises.

Be generous: 

A person used by God must be open-handed, using their resources to bless others and support the work of the kingdom (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Remain faithful: 

Perhaps most importantly, he must remain faithful through trials. Storms will come, but God seeks those who will endure to the end (Matthew 24:13).

YOU ARE CALLED! 

God has called every one of us—first to salvation through Jesus Christ. Then to be conformed to His image. Finally, He has called us to serve as His ambassadors on the earth.

Jesus said in Matthew 28:19,

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..."

You have a divine assignment. You are the light of the world and the salt of the earth.

May the Lord bless you and keep you in Jesus’ Name.

Pastor Johnson Emmanuel 

New Life Compassion Turkey