Post by Zac Loh on Jul 24, 2009 9:54:24 GMT -5
This devotional message inspires you to avoid the entanglement of comparison ...to avoid the urge to habitually compare yourselves with others.
Find your value in God ...because He has put things of value in you ...He has work something valuable in your life!
When you find your value in God ...you will value God!
Chosen, Ordained And Whoever
Acts 10:41-43
not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” (Acts 10:41-43; underline mine)
I would like to highlight three words from the above portion of scripture: `chosen’, `ordained’ and `whoever’.
Chosen
Some people are `chosen’ by God to have a certain type of miracles, some people are `chosen’ by God to have very unique revelations, and some people are endowed with spectacular testimonies.
Occasionally, we become envious of others, or we condemn ourselves, by saying: “Why God gave this person such a blessing?” “Maybe I don’t deserve it!”
Looking at creation, we know God is creative and He likes variety. We have to respect the sovereignty of God in His choosing.
The one who is blessed with exceedingly bountiful riches is required to be a good steward to finance God’s kingdom. The one who is exceptionally gifted might have had to seek the Lord for the longest time before this gift is properly developed …who might have to pay the price of unseen dedication and isolation.
The truth, each of us believers of Christ is `chosen’ in one way or another. We have to escape the trap of `the other side of the grass is always greener’ syndrome.
We need to learn to explore, to observe, to appreciate, the thing that God has given us. By giving value to the works of God in our own personal lives, we are giving value to the Maker and Doer of all good things.
Ordained
Jesus was `ordained’ to be Judge of the living and the dead, because He was qualified in the due process of obedience and sacrifice.
Jesus paid the price which was beyond what money could measure. He took the spiritual quantum leap, taking the journey from heaven to earth, stripped Himself of divine royalty to mingle with sinful humanity. He, Who was pure and holy – was prosecuted and punished as a low life common criminal.
When God blessed us with supernatural experiences and encounters, when He gifted us with a particular ability; we must be willing to undergo a process of trial and testing - before He ordains us with a visible ministry.
God will ordain us by giving us the people who will receive our ministry, but only because we have qualified ourselves through some prolonged obedience and a substantial sacrifice.
Many, in fact, the whole world, are called. And few, meaning us, a small percentage compared to the whole world – believed and are saved, becoming the `chosen’ people.
But we need to go further from being `chosen’, to being `ordained’ for a higher purpose.
Whoever
`Whoever’ blessing is meant for everyone on this planet …eternal salvation.
But not everyone will receive this `whoever’ blessing. Only those who actually believed …will receive this `whoever’ blessing …and they will become the `chosen’ people of God.
WE ARE the `chosen’ people of God. Yet, after becoming the `chosen’ people of God, we actually receive more than what was meant for everyone.
We receive more than this `whoever’ blessing …we receive unique and special …miracles, experiences and gifts …in so many creative ways …in so many varieties.
Nonetheless, not all of us, the `chosen’ people, will receive the same type, the same flavor, the same composition, of these extra blessings from God …because God Himself determines exactly the nature and magnitude of each of these extra blessings …for each different individual.
As God’s `chosen’ people, WE ARE ALSO set and destined to be `ordained’ for God’s higher purpose.
We move from merely being `chosen’, to being `ordained’ …we move from being blessed, to being a blessing to others …in a more permanent manner …God will grant us a work and ministry among people.
Find your value in God ...because He has put things of value in you ...He has work something valuable in your life!
When you find your value in God ...you will value God!
Chosen, Ordained And Whoever
Acts 10:41-43
not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” (Acts 10:41-43; underline mine)
I would like to highlight three words from the above portion of scripture: `chosen’, `ordained’ and `whoever’.
Chosen
Some people are `chosen’ by God to have a certain type of miracles, some people are `chosen’ by God to have very unique revelations, and some people are endowed with spectacular testimonies.
Occasionally, we become envious of others, or we condemn ourselves, by saying: “Why God gave this person such a blessing?” “Maybe I don’t deserve it!”
Looking at creation, we know God is creative and He likes variety. We have to respect the sovereignty of God in His choosing.
The one who is blessed with exceedingly bountiful riches is required to be a good steward to finance God’s kingdom. The one who is exceptionally gifted might have had to seek the Lord for the longest time before this gift is properly developed …who might have to pay the price of unseen dedication and isolation.
The truth, each of us believers of Christ is `chosen’ in one way or another. We have to escape the trap of `the other side of the grass is always greener’ syndrome.
We need to learn to explore, to observe, to appreciate, the thing that God has given us. By giving value to the works of God in our own personal lives, we are giving value to the Maker and Doer of all good things.
Ordained
Jesus was `ordained’ to be Judge of the living and the dead, because He was qualified in the due process of obedience and sacrifice.
Jesus paid the price which was beyond what money could measure. He took the spiritual quantum leap, taking the journey from heaven to earth, stripped Himself of divine royalty to mingle with sinful humanity. He, Who was pure and holy – was prosecuted and punished as a low life common criminal.
When God blessed us with supernatural experiences and encounters, when He gifted us with a particular ability; we must be willing to undergo a process of trial and testing - before He ordains us with a visible ministry.
God will ordain us by giving us the people who will receive our ministry, but only because we have qualified ourselves through some prolonged obedience and a substantial sacrifice.
Many, in fact, the whole world, are called. And few, meaning us, a small percentage compared to the whole world – believed and are saved, becoming the `chosen’ people.
But we need to go further from being `chosen’, to being `ordained’ for a higher purpose.
Whoever
`Whoever’ blessing is meant for everyone on this planet …eternal salvation.
But not everyone will receive this `whoever’ blessing. Only those who actually believed …will receive this `whoever’ blessing …and they will become the `chosen’ people of God.
WE ARE the `chosen’ people of God. Yet, after becoming the `chosen’ people of God, we actually receive more than what was meant for everyone.
We receive more than this `whoever’ blessing …we receive unique and special …miracles, experiences and gifts …in so many creative ways …in so many varieties.
Nonetheless, not all of us, the `chosen’ people, will receive the same type, the same flavor, the same composition, of these extra blessings from God …because God Himself determines exactly the nature and magnitude of each of these extra blessings …for each different individual.
As God’s `chosen’ people, WE ARE ALSO set and destined to be `ordained’ for God’s higher purpose.
We move from merely being `chosen’, to being `ordained’ …we move from being blessed, to being a blessing to others …in a more permanent manner …God will grant us a work and ministry among people.