The StarLight News: JULY '19 - Daily On Line Edition

Overcoming the Barrier of Inadequacy

by Dr. Charles Stanley

14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 KJV

No one likes feelings of inadequacy, but they are something we must learn to handle, as none of us can avoid them permanently. Tragically, though, many people live with a cloud over their head because in their thinking, they never measure up. For some, this may be due to childhood experiences that negatively affected their self-image. For others, the problem stems from a lack of success related to work, relationships, marriage, parenting, or any number of things.

The area Paul deals with in today's passage is our Christian life. He asks a question that points to a common insecurity: "Who is adequate for these things?" (v. 16). Have you ever avoided serving the Lord in ways that challenge your comfort zone? If so, you've probably missed a tremendous opportunity to overcome feelings of inadequacy. He's promised to lead us "in triumph in Christ," (v. 14) but unless we believe Him and step out in faith, we'll never experience the life He has planned for us.

Feeling inadequate is not a sin, but using it as an excuse is. When the Lord challenges you to do something that you feel is beyond your abilities, you have two options. You can focus on Christ and proceed in triumph or focus on yourself and withdraw in defeat.

It's really a matter of faith. God would never ask you to do something without empowering you to accomplish it. This doesn't necessarily mean you will do it perfectly, but each step of obedience is a victory. The alternative is to play it safe, but then you'll miss out on God's best for your life.

TODAY'S DEVOTIONAL SPONSOR:

Do You Know For Sure???

Do You Know For Sure That You Have Been Given The Free Gift Of Salvation?
Have you ever wondered why your life lacks true meaning?
The Lord Jesus Christ is the answer! And we would like to share with you the following basic steps to believing what God has told us.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
Believe this and be Saved:
1. Realize you are a sinner. Romans 3:23 and Romans 5:12
2. Realize you can't do it yourself. Eph. 2:8-9 --Eph. 1:7
3. Realize that Christ died for your sin. 1 Cor. 15:3
He DIED in OUR place. Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
JESUS is the WAY to new Life. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Cor 5:17
HE GIVES INNER PEACE Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified (ACQUITTED) by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
HE GIVES FREEDOM John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
HE GIVES ETERNAL LIFE John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
REST, FOR HE HAS DONE IT ALL
4. Realize He has done it all, now walk in Him 2 Cor. 5:21, Colossians 2:6
THANK God that He has RECONCILED YOU TO HIMSELF, receive HIM as your SAVIOR.
To commit yourself, to allow Him to have His way, Pray this.
"Heavenly Father, I have seen that I am a sinner, still in the life of Adam, and that I have committed sins. I believe you sent your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die in my place for my sins. I also believe He rose again, now lives, and right now I receive Him into my spirit as my Savior. I surrender all that I am, all I have, and all I shall be to you Lord. Thank you for having taken care of the sin problem at the cross, and for making me a new creation in Christ. Thank you Lord Jesus for saving me. Amen."

THE BEST EASY ITALIAN PASTA SALAD

from https://pinchofyum.com

INGREDIENTS

Pasta Salad Essentials:

1 pound uncooked pasta – I like rotini!
3 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half
8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese balls, cut in half
1 lb. salami or summer sausage, cut into cubes
3/4 cup kalamata olives, sliced
3/4 cup pepperoncini (optional, but do it)
1/2 cup sliced red onion
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Italian Pasta Salad Dressing:

1 1/2 cups olive oil
1/4 cup white vinegar (white vinegar or red wine vinegar work)
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons coarse sea salt (yes, tablespoons – see notes!)
2 cloves garlic (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons each dry oregano and dry basil
black pepper to taste
fresh herbs if you want! sometimes I add fresh parsley, basil, or chives.

INSTRUCTIONS

Cook pasta according to package directions, in salted water for more flavor. Allow to cool slightly and toss with a little oil to prevent sticking.
Blend up the dressing, or shake together in a jar.
Toss all ingredients together! I like to use about three-fourths of the dressing, and then I save the rest of the dressing to add to my leftovers.
Keep in the fridge for 2-3 days. I think it actually tastes best the day AFTER you make it.

NOTES

Salt FYI: Please note that the amount written is for COARSE sea salt. If you are using fine table salt, start with 2 teaspoons and add more to taste. The dressing itself will be very salty. Like, too salty for a normal salad. But in this recipe, that’s what we want! That dressing is going to get tossed with an entire pound of plain pasta, as well as a whole lot of fresh unseasoned vegetables, and it will taste delicious once it’s all tossed up.

Customizing Your Pasta Salad: By all means, customize this salad – that’s what it does best! Try adding blanched green beans, fresh spinach, artichokes, red or yellow peppers, chickpeas, etc. for a more veg-forward version. Or different types of cheese (feta? parmesan?), or different shapes of pasta (penne? fusili? maybe even some tortellini?)… the possibilities are endless. I love this salad as-is but I also love its flexibility!

DAILY SMILE:

Online Dating

Submitted by Jenmo1

I wanted to try online dating, so I clicked around until I saw someone I found attractive.

We started chatting, and everything was going great, until she told me her career is "professional blood donor".

That's when I knew she wasn't my type.