HAPPY MONDAY!
Today’s scriptures are about being chosen by God. Wow, Christianity could sometimes be confusing, and it seems like, just when you think you have the answer to life, God throws another challenge at you. This leads you on a continued search and journey for Him. When we run into those times when we feel like we haven’t a clue, and don’t know what is going on in our life, those are the times that we forgo knowledge, and receive God-given wisdom. Remember the difference between the two? Both wisdom and knowledge come from God, but knowledge is sometimes learned by studying the Word or learning from a teacher, and Wisdom comes from God through everyday experiences—in other words by simply living the life you were chosen to live.
The bible says that we were chosen before the creation of the world. Our lives were already spoken into existence before we were even formed in our mother’s womb. There’s a reason why we’re here, so understand that as a believer Christ chose you, before you chose Him. He chose you to be a wise servant of God, and He won’t rest in your life until you complete the task laid out for you. You are special, loved, important, favored, and blessed by the almighty God! You always have been, and always will be. All He needs from you is your love. To love Him is to keep His commandments, and to be obedient to the life that you’ve been chosen to live. We are made in the image of Jesus Christ, from the inside out, and it’s important for the rest of the world to see that. It’s important for us to represent Him well, and to love as He loves, heal as He healed, teach as He taught, and offering ourselves to the Church, as He dedicated His life to us.
During the Christmas season, we’ll hear the reading of the story of the birth of Christ, from the Gospel of Luke chapter 2, many times. As I was doing some research for the devotional on Bible Gateway, I came across their verse of the day: “So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2: 6-7) Knowing the Holy Spirit, I was sidetracked from what I thought I wanted to write, and was drawn to the fact that the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords was born in a dirty barn house, because there was no more room for Him anywhere else. What do you think God’s message was to us, by allowing His only begotten Son to be born in such a way? Jesus was born with no worldly possessions and He died with no worldly possessions, but He was the most influential and important person in the history of mankind. He was chosen to be the Savior for the entire world, not to be a King on earth, or a wealthy man, as King Solomon. He took on His assignment with humility, pride, and love; because He knew that His reward was in Heaven. He knew that life in the flesh was temporary, and it’s not always what you do, but how you do it.
This is the same for each believer. Christ did the hard part; He shed His blood for you, so that you could live the life you were intended to live. It’s so important for us to understand that God is always in control. He has chosen us to follow in Christ’s footsteps which are truly easy steps to follow. Christ simply said love God with all of your heart, and love others. He taught us that life is all about God, and following His will, nothing else is more important—not your career, bank account, social status, or fame. After all, our Savior, the most important man in the history of the world, was born in a manger. He followed the will of God, doing what He was chosen to do, and He never wanted for anything. He never thirsted, hungered, or went without, because God took care of Him in ways that satisfied His soul and not His flesh. That’s what’s most important.
My sister and I were talking about when you realize your calling in life, and how liberating that moment is, just this morning. Believers can often see what other believers are called to do before they realize it for themselves. We can tell by the way their face lights up whenever their doing it. Then there are people who know what they’re chosen to do but fight it, to do what the world says they should do. You can see the utter anguish in their face. I’ve been there and done that, but it’s so exhilarating when you finally receive the wisdom that God was trying to give you all along, and do what you were chosen to do. If you’re confused about what you were chosen to do in this lifetime, first thank God that He choose you, then ask Him to show you His will for your life, and study the life of Jesus Christ. After all, He was also put here as the role model for every Christian to follow. You’ll be surprised, the thing you were chosen to do was in your face all along.
If you don’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior, but you feel a longing in your heart to find out who He is, then you’ve been chosen. If you do believe in Jesus, but still feel lost in life, then you’re not doing what you were chosen to do, so simply “seek first the Kingdom of God and all of His righteousness”. If you’re confused, or don’t know what to believe, maybe the God Quiz can help. My favorite verses today are: God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: whereunto he called you, ... to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14)
ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455551&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/today-on-radio
http://www.intouch.org/magazine/daily-devotional
I love you
