Chosen

One of the things that I dreaded during grade school was recess. I know that may sound strange, so let me explain. Our school was looked in the country and we had plenty of space to play during recess. We would often play softball and that was the one activity that I hated.

Two of the most athletic students where chosen as captains (logical) and they would choose their team from the other students. This is what I dreaded. Being that I was not they athletic, I was always one of the last chosen. To me that meant that I was not worthy to be on their team.

How much different in the Kingdom of God! When Jesus chose His twelve disciples, He did not chose them because of their talent or ability. By today's standards, they would not have been selected for the most likely to succeed. Jesus chose them because He saw their potential they had to become.

In our family devotions, my wife read John 15:16 "You did not choose me, but I chose you..." Jesus choose me not based on my talent or worth. He chose me because He loved me and THAT is what gives me worth.

Accountable

It seems too often that we hear news of another moral failure in the church. Just recently it was brought to my attention that a former pastor was arrested for taking money from people in a bogus investment scam. Another mark against the church. Is it any wonder that people are losing confidence in the church.

But what does not get told is that there are thousands of people who serve God faithfully. In 2 Kings 12, we read that money was given to the priests to rebuild the Temple. While Scriptures does not say they were dishonest, it does say that they did not use the money wisely. King Josiah took the money from the priests and gave it directly to the workers.

Here is the verse that caught my attention; "it was paid to the workers, who used it to repair the temple. ¹⁵ They did not require an accounting from those to whom they gave the money to pay the workers, because they acted with complete honesty." [verses 14-15] THAT is a great testimony!

May God grant us more of these faithful men!

Who Are You Following?

When I read the Bible I cannot help but see the difference between New Testament Christianity and today’s version. This morning I was reading Luke 5 which tells of Jesus calling of the twelve disciples. The contrast of Jesus’ call then and the call of today is so contradictory.

Luke 5:11 says, “When they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.” The Greek word translated ‘forsook” literally means ‘to drop what is in your hands,’ walk away and leave it behind. Doesn’t sound much like today does it?

The message we hear today is if you come to Christ, he will bless you with prosperity.  The emphasis is on receiving not forsaking. People are told all that they will receive if they follow Jesus. The idea of forsaking is not appealing to our culture today. We are into gratification not denying one’s self.

What has Jesus asked you to ‘forsake’ in order to follow Him?

World Hunger

All of us have been touched by the pictures on TV of children that are dying from starvation. We would all like to do something about it but after all, what can ONE person do? There is no denying we have a serious problem and many relief organizations are striving to meet the need but literally thousands die each day.

I don’t believe that this problem will be solved by airing ads pleading for financial help from individuals. As noble as these efforts are, I think the answer is much broader. Our churches have enough resources that we could eliminate hunger in a very short time. But we cannot get past our difference. We do not trust one another. We ignore multitudes of Scriptures that command us to care for the poor.  Matthew 25:35 ; Mark 8:2 It is time that the churches become the true church and respond to the cries of the needy. After all is that not what Jesus would do?

Another factor to the problem of world hunger is some countries have the wrong theology. In India, hundreds of thousands of people believe in incarnation. They believe that depending on the life you now live, after death each living creature returns to earth in some different form. A person who has led a despicable life may die and return as a rat. Therefore, they will not kill a rat because it maybe some relative!

It is a fact that rats in India eats tons of grain each year, grain that could be used to feed the starving masses.  But because they have a wrong belief system, thousands die each year! Someone has said that India has the potential and resources to feed the entire world! (A fact that I cannot verify.) But the truth is India could at least solve their country’s hunger problem.