David and Goliath

Posted on June 25, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

This may be the most famous Old Testament story. Israel was fighting the Philistines. They did that a lot during this part of history. Saul was king. He was a king who was afraid. He had disobeyed God (1 Samuel 15) and God had rejected him as king. David, son of Jesse, had now been anointed by God’s prophet, Samuel, to be king. David was not actively trying to overthrow Saul. He was waiting on God’s timing for that. That is a wise word for me! So Saul and his army are sitting on one hill and the Philistines are on the other with a valley between them. Every day, the Philistines’ best fighter, Goliath, would come out and shout insults at the Israelites. This nine foot soldier challenged them to send out someone brave enough to fight him. No one volunteered.

One day David came to check on his two older brothers who were part of the Israelite army. He heard Goliath’s taunts. He saw how everyone ran away in fear despite Saul’s promise to give great wealth and his daughter to the one who would fight the giant. He saw no one stepping forward. No one answered ‘the call’. It should be noted here that although David’s older brothers did not step up to fight – they were quick to criticize David and seemed to be jealous of him or afraid that David would embarrass them by failing! No help but willing to throw stones at their own brother! And what was David’s response?

“Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?

1 Samuel 17:26 (NIV, my emphasis)

David identified his enemy as a ‘zero’ in his estimation. This giant was NOTHING in David’s eyes. He had NO FEAR of this loud mouth Philistine! David also knew who would stand with him when he stepped into that valley with Goliath.

“The LORD who deliver me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:37 (NIV)

King Saul surprisingly to me said “OK. Let the kid go.” Guess he was desperate! The king even tried to give David his own armor. David found out quickly that Saul’s armor would not work for him. Now that will preach! I cannot go into battle every day and try to wear the faith of another. I must spend time with the Lord myself and allow the Holy Spirit to water the faith God has given me.

David walked into the valley with the assurance of who would win. His relationship, his intimacy with God was so strong that he knew the outcome before it began.

“All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” verse 47 (NIV, emphasis mine)

David knew that not only would Goliath be defeated but the entire Philistine army would bite the dust!!! I want that! I want to grab on to the strength and power of God and KNOW that there is no army or weapon that can defeat me! (Isaiah 54:17)

David defeated Goliath – with a sling and stone. That’s the story we usually tell. It is a story of faith and God’s love. It is a story of a boy who would be king and would defeat many armies – because he walked with his LORD.

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Moses in a Basket on the Nile River

Posted on June 24, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

Exodus 2 begins with the birth of Moses. Moses begins as the son of a Levite, the priestly tribe of Israel. Moses’ life continues on for 3 more books or 137 more chapters! In Numbers 20 Moses disobeys God and the consequences are that he will not enter the Promised Land. Moses’ death is recorded in Deuteronomy 34.

Moses is hidden for the first three months of his life by his mother because Pharoah has decreed that all Israelite males are to be thrown in the Nile at birth and drowned. This was Pharoah’s idea of how to take care of the Israelite population explosion that he feared would result in a rebellion among the Hebrew slaves and the overthrow of his government. I don’t know how a woman can hide a newborn-3 month-old baby. I haven’t known any infants who were quiet enough to be invisible!

So Moses’ mother makes a waterproof wicker basket, puts her infant into it, and floats the basket into the Nile River. Rather ironic that Pharoah had used that same site for his method of infanticide!

Pharoah’s daughter finds Moses one day as she is doing her bathing ritual and decides to keep him as her own. Exodus 2:6 says that she knew he was Hebrew. Maybe he looked like a Hebrew. Maybe he had a cloth wrapped around him that identified his heritage. The daughter knew he was a slave child and yet she took him in as a son.

Exodus 2:11 says that Moses himself knew he was Hebrew and saw the slaves as “his own people”. As he saw how his “people” were treated, Moses felt the need to intervene. He killed a Hebrew overseer and fled to Midian, across the desert, and the rest—is history.

As I was reading, it was at this point that I thought, “How did all these things come to past?” “How did a baby survive in the Nile?” “How did it ‘happen’ that Pharoah’s daughter was able to keep a Hebrew infant and raise it as her own?” Maybe Jesus said it best:

“…With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 (NIV, my emphasis)

God looked at His children, oppressed by Pharoah, and answered their cries for freedom. He did it through a man, Moses, who grew up because God gave a miracle to protect the one He had chosen. Before I begin to think that Moses had no choice in this, I look at the story of Moses and the burning bush. Moses could have run away. Moses could have decided he was going to ignore this strange phenomenon. How could he do that when he knew the story of his deliverance in the Nile River in a basket?!!!

Moses had a choice when God called him and he argued long and hard. He argued with God long enough that God’s anger burned against him!!! (Exodus 3-4) God didn’t strike him dead. God gave him a partner…Aaron. God gives. God gives us what we need. All we have to do is say, “Yes”. God will do the rest. It is obedience that turns God’s head and touches His heart.

All things are possible with God. There is no prayer ‘good enough’ or number of people who gather that are ‘enough’. It is God’s love. It is God’s goodness that reaches out to His children and pours out blessings of opportunities to do for Him.

“In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed.

In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. Exodus 15:13 (NIV)

Take a step of faith today that you have been reluctant to take. Take a step toward God and let Him love you! ALL THINGS WITH GOD…ARE POSSIBLE!!!

Posted in Devotional, Exodus | 2 Comments

Daniel in the Lion’s Den

Posted on June 23, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

This week God is speaking to me through some well-known Bible stories. Each day I will share one with you.

The story of Daniel in the lion’s den is often shared with young children to (I guess) build faith with the concept that God is able to save you from anything! It’s a good concept but today’s children may not be able to relate to being thrown in a lion’s den. Let’s consider what we can all learn from Daniel chapter 6.

Daniel was a captive. He was taken from his home in Jerusalem to Babylon. Did you know that Babylon is now Iraq? Think of being taken from your home as a captive, bound or in chains, and ending up in Iraq! Daniel didn’t sit in a prison there. He became an administrator for the king. Such a good administrator that other ‘politicians’ tried to slander him. They failed. How did that happen? Look at verse 4:

…the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Daniel 6:4 (NIV, my emphasis)

Daniel lived his faith in obedience to God. He did not present one side in public or when someone was looking, and show another side ‘under the table’ when he thought no one was looking. He knew God was always looking!

Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.” Daniel 4:5 (NIV)

They thought they had found Daniel’s weakness. He was a man of faith in an unseen god. Has anyone ever suggested to you that “having faith in God is for weak-minded people”? I remember the night I made my commitment to Jesus and that I came to that place because relying on myself and my abilities and my wisdom for over 40 years really wasn’t working for me!!! Yes, I was weak. I decided to join up with Someone who was stronger and my CREATOR!!!

So the schemers manipulate the king by pandering to his ego and get him to issue a law that cannot be broken or changed that will force Daniel to choose: worship the king or worship God. What the schemers didn’t know was that it was a choice Daniel had made a long time ago and would never change! Daniel hears about the edict and immediately turns to his Lord in prayer. He knows his choice but he also knows that the choice will require strength to follow through the consequences of that choice.

There is a point where we can all relate. We know the right and wrong answer to choices about drugs, purity in relationships, finances, politics, being good stewards, even the stewardship of our time and service. Too often it’s choosing the ‘easy way’ or the less ‘different’ way. As I write this, I can think of daily choices that required such a simple choice that would please my Lord – and I didn’t. (sigh)

Now we see Daniel in the lion’s den. It’s a scary, disgusting way to be killed. Why did God allow it to happen? Why give Daniel such great favor in this enemy land and then allow him to be tossed into this pit? Because God’s ways aren’t our ways. Yes, that is a phrase that doesn’t always give such comfort and joy – but it is true. Look at some of the things that we do know that happened because of what God allowed:

1) The king changed. After sending Daniel to the den, Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep. Daniel 6:18 (NIV) The king cared. His heart was changed. That’s something God can do and wants to do – change our hearts.

2) Justice occurred. Those who had conspired against Daniel ended up in the den after Daniel was released from the den. They didn’t come out alive! We don’t always see justice so clearly. We are promised this justice from Genesis to Revelation as God shows us that He is just and He does see.

3) The land changed. The king issues another law that the people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. (verse 26) and he goes on to testify to who God is. How does the king know who God is? He has seen God in Daniel. And there is where I catch a glimpse of what God sees with His eyes – the bigger picture. God does not have a ‘Plan B’. God’s plan is for us (for me) to testify with my life about who God is. That is what Daniel did…and still does.

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Oscar Winner

Posted on June 20, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” Job 1:8 (NIV)

Now there is a scene worthy of an Oscar! God points out someone that He (God) feels is a worthy opponent for satan! Am I worthy opponent for satan? Would God point me out? (I admit that I have mixed emotions as to whether I want Him to do so!)

God says that Job was “blameless”. When I think of the word ‘blameless’, I think of ‘perfect’. When God describes a human, His creation that He KNOWS is sinful, God is NOT thinking ‘perfect’. God is looking at the heart. God is able to see the TRUTH of a person because He knows their heart. Maybe Job did not intentionally go against God’s commands. He had an open, teachable heart.

God says that Job was “upright”. Job was “righteous”. His relationship with God was daily. God knew him AND God says that Job knew HIM well enough to know holy “fear”. Job understood that God was powerful and so like a child who has learned consequences to his actions. Job feared God and turned away from evil. Again, Job’s relationship to God was daily because he had learned to love God and he had learned God’s discipline too. Holy fear.

As I read through the book of Job I realize that Job was certainly not perfect. Job lost – EVERYTHING! (except his less-than-helpful wife!) Job was impatient. I can certainly relate to that and I have not lost all that Job did!

[Job says,] “What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient? Do I have the strength of stone? Is my flesh bronze? Do I have any power to help myself, now that success has been driven from me?” Job 6:11-13 (NIV)

Job admits that he spoke without understanding God. He says, “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:2-6 (NIV)

Job was considered “blameless” and “upright” by God Himself. Job was not ‘perfect’ by anyone’s standard. Jesus, and only Jesus, is my standard for perfection. He is my goal; my ideal. Jesus teaches me about my relationship with the Father. God gave me Job and David and Peter and Paul and Hannah and Mary(s) as my ‘less-than-perfect’ brothers and sisters who are there also. They teach me about God’s love and forgiveness.

The book of Job is an Oscar-winner for me. It is has a ‘good guy’ and a ‘bad guy’; good and evil. It has a hero. It has love and forgiveness. It even has some ironic comedy in Elihu, Bildad, and Eliphaz. And no matter how many times I ‘see’ it – I learn something new. Best of all, the Good Guy WINS in THE END!

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Our True Strength

Posted on June 19, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength! Proverbs 24:10 (NIV)

Proverbs is not a book for the ‘feel good Christian’. If you want to grow and strengthen as a child of God, it’s a book that you may want to read every day. I know some Christians that are examples to me that read a chapter a day, every day, in Proverbs. There are 31 chapters in Proverbs so it works out well to read one a day!

The writer says to me here, “Jody, there are going to be troubles. They are ‘seasons’. They have a beginning and an end. It will feel like you are trudging up a steep mountain. You want to exercise that spiritual muscle of yours so you are prepared for these times! You do not want to stumble during the season of trouble! Prepare now and build your strength!” Ok. How do I do that?

Exercise and diet. That is the real answer to maintaining good physical health, isn’t it? It is also the real answer to good spiritual health!

Exercise: This means more than sitting in church on Sunday and being spoon fed by my pastor and Sunday School teacher. There are ‘couch potatoes’ in the Church, too! Do I take notes? Do I go home and reread the passage for myself and think about what it means to me? Do I make time/prioritize my time to read my Bible EVERY DAY?!!!!! Do I have a devotion routine? If I spend money and time on a physical exercise program, isn’t spending time and money on a spiritual devotion program even more important?

Diet: With what do I fill myself? How much TV time fills me and what kind of TV do I consume?

And here is a tough one: my friends. With whom do I spend time? I am blessed by good friends. They encourage me. They talk straight to me but I’ve never doubted their love. They are the friends that know me. Jesus had 12 disciples. He had only 3 who were close. There’s a good example there. One of the most difficult areas to put on a diet when I gave my life to Jesus was my friends. Jesus changed me. I now had different values, different priorities. It was difficult to make those changes. I wanted my ‘old’ friends to come along with me in my new, improved life! I can think of them even today and say a prayer that God won’t give up on them just as He didn’t give up on me.

“Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.
Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.
Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.
For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD.
But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”

Proverbs 8:32-36 (NIV)

Jesus said He came to give us life – abundant life. Conversely, if we say, “No” to Jesus then we are choosing death. Jesus came here. Jesus lived here. He did that so we would know that we have Someone to follow through this life. We do not have to forge a new path. We can follow His path. No matter what may come, Jesus is there. He is our GREAT strength in times of trouble.

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Respect for Authority

Posted on June 18, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. Titus 3:1-2 (NIV)

Have you read the book of Titus recently? I have not. It’s one of those between Paul’s letters to Timothy and the book of Hebrews that sometimes gets lost in our reading. So if you haven’t read it this year, join me this week and do that. It’s a short book stuffed with some really good words from Paul “To Titus, my true son in our common faith” Titus 1:4 (NIV)

Paul speaks about our submission/obedience/ and being ‘subject’ to those in authority over us. It is not something that we, especially here in America, want to read and take into our spirits. We are very ‘democratic’ and like to know that we have choices. God gives us choices but we must remember that each choice comes with a consequence.

What was Jesus’ example to authority? Luke 2:51 says that Jesus was obedient to his parents. He submitted to their authority as any child is expected to do – even though He created them! Jesus stood before Pilate and spoke very little. Pilate reminded Jesus that he had the power to kill Him or release Him. Jesus reminded Pilate that power came only from the will of God. (Luke 19)

Whether it is a deputy sheriff who pulls me over in traffic or my pastor who tells me “not today when I come to him with a word from God, it is my joy to be obedient to those in authority. That is not always easy since I may think that they are wrong and I am right! Am I sure of my ‘rightness’ that I am willing to take the consequences of my actions? Do I expect consequences to go away if I prove I am right?

I am not to insult any one. I am to be humble in all things and around all people. Paul continues in that chapter to point out how foolish it is to be self-centered and in need to receive affirmation from others or receive their approval. It is enough that my Father in heaven gives His approval when no one else is aware. Envy and bitterness, convincing myself that some one deserves my anger, even hatred brings destruction on me no matter how I believe myself to be right! The judgment and opinion of those in this world has no eternal effects. It is my Heavenly Father that holds the key to the blessing that I can receive when I walk through my day with humility wrapping my heart and guiding me into ‘unseen roles’ where I serve only God and do not look for man’s applause.

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Titus 3:9 (NIV)

There is a verse to meditate on as a member of Christ’s body, the Church. Am I a person of unity or a person that brings division? Do I build up my pastor? Do I pray for the President? Do I keep myself open to the options that others bring to a meeting or am I set with my agenda before the meeting starts?

Read Titus this week and write me a line or two about what God says to you through this writing.

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Render to God

Posted on June 17, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. [ones who followed King Herod] “Teacher, “ they said, “we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

Matthew 22:15-22 (NIV, my extra note)

So the church leaders got together with the people who supported the governor and plotted how to show Jesus as a hypocrite and traitor. Nice folks! Just the kind you want following you around!

These ‘scum drinkers’ begin their plan with what could be seen as flattery. It is really a verbalizing of their own frustration and bitterness that Jesus is a man of integrity and truth and they are not! Remember Peter’s words about how we should be ready with an answer about Jesus but do it with such integrity that even those who speak maliciously about us – will also feel ashamed. (1 Peter 3:13-17)

The question is then asked about the rightness of paying taxes. We here even in the 21st century hold our breath to hear Jesus’ answer! Before the answer, however, comes His judgment, “You, hypocrites!”

When I come to Jesus and seek His will, His direction in a situation, Jesus is first going to respond to my heart-focus and then to my actions. Do I think I can hide my true agenda from Jesus and get Him to bless my actions? Do I remember the plea of the psalmist to:

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 (NIV)

Jesus looked at their heart, spoke His judgment, and then answered the question.

I believe that I owe the government in the country where I live:

  • my prayer support

  • my participation in the democratic process of electing officials

  • my obedience to the laws. And if I disagree with those laws then I work within the system to exact change or submit to the consequence of disobedience.

May I seek Jesus’ answers today and not walk away but walk with Him.

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Our Rights from God

Posted on June 16, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. –That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776 (my emphasis)

Are we given “rights” by our Creator? Are children of a King given “rights” just because they are his children?

Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” Exodus 3:13-14 (NIV)

It’s been over 200 years since our forefathers declared that we had Rights that had been given by our Creator and no earthly king had the power to take them from us. It’s been 3300+ years since God told Moses who and what He was. God’s statement implies that He is all and all comes from Him. God declared us His children and if we had any doubts, Jesus clearly stated that the Father loved us and loved us enough to given His firstborn as the perfect sacrifice that would bring us into this family relationship – Father and children – forever.

Our earthly forefathers were careful to state that “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” were only three of the rights that we had been given by the Creator. How wise of them not to limit their Creator! They didn’t mention race. In their time, they may not have seen slaves as ‘men’. They certainly did not see the need to include ‘women’ in their beautiful and inspiring words. But I submit to you that true words, inspired words, have ETERNAL significance and do not come to an end in their power.

By this time, you may be wondering: “Where’s the ‘devotion’ here, Jody?”

Look around the fellowship of which you are a part. Look at all the God-gifted people. Is everyone welcome in the fellowship? Is everyone ‘allowed’ to use their God-given gifts? Are people equipped and encouraged to serve in God’s kingdom? Is evangelism or outreach done but only ‘certain people’ are really encouraged to attend your fellowship? Are you willing to allow the Holy Spirit to exam that area of your heart? It’s time to come to the Lord’s communion table, kneel before Him, and be reconciled to Him and all of our spiritual siblings!!!

Faith in Christ Jesus is what makes each of you equal with each other, whether you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a free person, a man or a woman. So if you belong to Christ, you are now part of Abraham’s family, and you will be given what God has promised. Galatians 3:28-29 (CEV)

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My Hope

Posted on June 13, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of y our life.

Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope. Give a kind and respectful answer and keep your conscience clear. This way you will make people ashamed for saying bad things about your good conduct as a follower of Christ. 1 Peter 3:15-16 (CEV)

Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of y our life. What does that mean to me? When I say, “I love Jesus”, what does that mean to me? There are so many songs that I sing in worship that speak about my love for Jesus. Do I think about what I am singing? Is my heart true to Jesus? Is there anything that I love more than Him? If I love Jesus most then He would be first priority in my life. How I spend my time, money, and gifts He has given me would reflect that “first love”.

Living my life like I have the Hope of Jesus is living my life with eyes that see into the promised future. When someone asks how I can “get through” or “survive” hardship, then I am prepared with an answer about my Hope because I have spent time with my Savior. I know His Presence is real!

Peter, the one who is known to have led with his mouth ‘way before his mind kicked in to filter, is warning me to always share my Hope in Jesus with “a kind and respectful answer”. I want to represent Jesus with truth but also with compassion and love. And Peter’s remark about ‘clear conscience’ is about my motives, my agenda, my heart when I speak about my Hope in Jesus.

One of the ‘perks’ to being married to Henry Neufeld is that I have met and become friends that I probably would not have met except through Henry. Two such friends are Elgin Hushbeck and Alden Thompson. It is AWESOME to listen to these three men discuss a point about God. (Discuss it for a much longer time than I could have imagined!) As I quietly sit back and listen, it is their passion about their relationship with their Father and Savior that I hear over the points of theology. It is exciting to see their respect for each other and mutual love for Jesus and because of Jesus!

…and if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. [or me!]

Philippians 3:15 (NIV, comment mine)

There are so many ‘things’ that could be covered in any conversation I might have with these wise words that Paul spoke. It could cover a group that wanted to work TOGETHER to reach out to the poor in our community – even if the group members belonged to different churches!!! WOW! What a concept! It could be a Sunday School class or small group that comes together to study God’s word and find a point of disagreement. Does the time become a ‘battle’ to convince each other about who is right? Or is it an opportunity to LEARN???

Each day is an opportunity to allow God’s Holy Spirit to go through my heart and examine me. As He shines a light in every corner I bow and let Jesus be the Lord of my life and give Him the honor and glory for all that the day brings.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me… Psalm 51:10 (NIV)

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God’s Chosen People

Posted on June 12, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

[God said,] “Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.”

Genesis 18:18-19 (NIV, emphasis mine)

But you are a chosen people, a royal priest hood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

How wonderful and truly unimaginable to be CHOSEN by God! Makes me feel all warm and SPECIAL! But that isn’t what God meant by being ‘chosen’. He didn’t mean for Abraham or for me as part of the generations to come to be ‘special’ and then just rest on that feeling. He said that Abraham was to “keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just”. Paul described us as being God’s ambassadors. (2 Corinthians 5:20) We are to LIVE as examples. We are to work in God’s Kingdom. We are to “Go and make disciples”. (Matthew 28)

Peter said that we are people chosen by God and we belong to Him. We are not chosen or priests just to get but we are chosen to give. We testify to what God has done. We give Him all the praises for the blessings we receive. The Pharisees thought they were chosen just to get because they were special. Jesus admonished them over and over for their ‘exclusiveness’ and told His disciples that they were to serve and not burden people down with laws and traditions. They were to set captives free and restore and bring Light into the world!

God only has one requirement to belong to His chosen people. Jesus said that “no one can come to the Father except through me”. (John 14:6) Believe in Jesus as Messiah. That’s it. How often have I made my beliefs the ‘law’ for others? How long is my list of absolutes? Am I looking and working as Jesus did to reach out to those who do not feel ‘chosen’? Remember the story of how Mary Magdalene was seen as such a sinner, a ‘bad’ Jew, as a woman of ill-repute so she couldn’t possibly be ‘chosen’ to be noticed even forgiven by God! Could she? Yes! Jesus reached out and she was chosen to be His ambassador. WOW!

Remember how I said the other day to read a different translation to a familiar Scripture? The CEV uses the word ‘special’ instead of ‘chosen’ in the following verse. But again, Paul is telling us that we are to be examples of His characteristics if we are truly His chosen people. Forgiving and loving; welcoming to those who would (and might come to) believe in Him.

God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient. Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you. Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together. Colossians 3:12-14 (CEV)

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