When I went to Winter Park elementary school we often played kick ball or dodge ball as a class. It started when the teacher picked two captains (never me) and they took turns choosing their teams. You always knew the best boys in the class were picked first and then the first girl! It feels pretty special to be one of the first people chosen for a team! That is what I observed - I was always one of the last! I bet they are not allowed to do that anymore!
I was reminded of that memory this week in our small group Bible study. The author mentioned that Nehemiah is one of the "chosen ones." Our question was, "Who do you think are the "chosen ones" in our time? The first person spoke up and said, "Billy Graham." I stayed quiet because I was embarrassed to be honest (probably because I was always picked last for sports teams) about my answer. My first thought was, I am His chosen one! We are all His chosen ones! One of the reasons people think of Billy Graham is that Billy, himself, chose to follow God and give Him 100%! If we would give ourselves to God - 100% we would be amazed at what God could do with our lives!
I believe Scripture shows us that God has CHOSEN to call us into his family. We certainly don’t deserve it, do we? When we begin a personal relationship with God we begin realizing that we are chosen and precious to God. James 2: 5, "Listen to me, dear brothers: God has chosen poor people to be rich in faith, and the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs, for that is the gift God has promised to all those who love him." 1 Peter 2; 10, "Once you were less than nothing; now you are God’s own. Once you knew very little of God’s kindness; now your very lives have been changed by it."
1 Thessalonians 4-5, "We know that God has chosen you, dear brothers, much beloved of God. For when we brought you the Good News, it was not just meaningless chatter to you; no, you listened with great interest. What we told you produced a powerful effect upon you, for the Holy Spirit gave you great and full assurance that what we said was true. And you know how our very lives were further proof to you of the truth of our message." If God has changed your life then you know you are chosen. I know God listens when I call to Him. Psalm 4: 3, "Mark this well: The Lord has set apart the redeemed for himself. Therefore he will listen to me and answer when I call to him."
John 15: 16, Jesus said, "You didn’t choose me! I chose you! I appointed you to go and produce lovely fruit always, so that no matter what you ask for from the Father, using my name, he will give it to you." Our faith is the result of God choosing us. Deuteronomy 7: 6, "For you are a holy people, dedicated to the Lord your God. He has chosen you from all the people on the face of the whole earth to be his own chosen ones. He didn’t choose you and pour out his love upon you because you were a larger nation than any other, for you were the smallest of all! It was just because he loves you, and because he kept his promise to your ancestors. That is why he brought you out of slavery in Egypt with such amazing power and mighty miracles."
Had God not chosen us we would not have faith and obedience - it is because we know we are chosen! God's Word reflects the truth that I am chosen and loved. And, that my friend, includes you. "For you are a holy people, dedicated to the Lord your God. He has chosen you from all the people on the face of the whole earth to be his own chosen ones." Deuteronomy 7: 6
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