He chose you!

Many times in life I’ve had the privilege to be around some of the greatest athletes in the world. And because of that, I have become a self proclaimed expert judge of talent.  From  Saturday neighborhood sporting activities to professional sports; my eyes are always peering the fields, courts, gymnasiums, etc..., for The One.  The one who has something special, that little extra, that IT!

I can honestly say, I have a good eye for that “It,” and for the most part my initial observation of the athlete proves to be true.  One way or another that athlete will show some skill, talent, or leadership quality that proves he or she is special.

While I choose to think I am a good judge of talent; you have to wonder then, “well how good is God at assessing my abilities?”  

Many people naturally minimize, under appreciate, and overlook excellent qualities in other; but in a greater measure, a person tends to minimize, under appreciate, and overlook the excellent qualities in THEMSELVES.  When we wake up and look in the mirror we almost certainly see our scars and blemishes first before we can appreciate how beautiful we really are.  We spend more time thinking about how to fix something wrong with us, instead of appreciating all the things that have gone right with us.  WE NEED TO CHANGE THIS!

Based upon the bible we have a number of reasons to feel like we are special.  I know we may not do things special all the time, but none of the best athletes in the world have  great games every time they play.  I know you make mistakes, but Michael Jordan has missed more game winning shots than he’s made.  I know you can’t see it, but Christ can!  Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior has always seen something special in us and that’s why He’s called us.

3 Points to knowing that you are special:

Jesus sees it in you:  When Jesus called four of His disciples (his students), it says He saw.  This leads me to believe that He saw something in them, that spurred Him on to ask them to leave their businesses to follow Him.  He had seen others people, engaged with them, but with with these four men, He was something in them.  Mark1:16; 19

He chose you: We got to the school of our choice or preference, we pick our professors, and we can even drop the course if we don’t like it. But not the case with Jesus.  He told His disciples, “you didn’t not choose Me, but I chose You.”  Man that is  an awesome thought, to know He saw something special in me and picked me to be on His team.  John 15:16a

He has appointed you:  There is a point that Christ meant for your life and existence.  Jesus created you distinctly, and uniquely your qualities to be used here on earth to help others, and to bear Godly fruit.  He says, “I appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain.” John 15:16b

To any of my friends that may not know Him, or even believe this about yourself, I think the reason why you are reading this far is because you can resinate with the “greatness trapped inside of you” although you have not let it all the way out.  

Never forget the greatest judge of talents and gifts is the One who chose YOU!  If no one else sees that IT in you, rest to sure that your creator (who is living and active) does.

YOU HAVE THAT IT!!!!

Bless You!

Our Herod Moments Mark 6:14-29

Have you ever had a moment in life when you were confronted with your past mistakes?  Something you thought you had put to rest; that part of your life was over and done with.  You just wanted to move on and forget that phase of your life?  

In life it appears some of the greatest challenges we face are not just the ones the lie ahead, instead it’s the ones behind us that we are still trying to lay to rest.

How many of us would like to go back in time and erase some irresponsible behaviors, or take back some harsh word, or even change your attitude or temperament?  If we were honest with ourselves we would realize that, “time has left our mistakes behind, but we haven’t.”

King Herod was faced with this dilemma. As the acclaim and notoriety of Jesus began to grow; many people were trying to explain who this Jesus really was.  Some said He was a prophet, others said He was Elijah, and some said He was John the Baptist raised from the dead.  

The John the Baptist notion really struck a chord with Herod because, he in fact was the one who killed John the Baptist.  Mark 6:16 says, “But when Herod heard of it, he kept saying, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has risen!”  It all came back, how he did it, why he did it, and all who were impacted by his decision to kill John the Baptist.  In our own lives, there are times when it all comes back.  We have to relive it over again, we have to go back  to the scene of the crime, we remember our accomplices, and have sympathy for our victims.  And when you don’t have Jesus to forgive you; the torment, the guilt and the shame can kills you.

Herod killed John the Baptist because of 3 things:

Arrogance:  He made a promise in front of his prestigious banquet guest to demonstrate how much power he had.

Fear of Man:  He didn’t want to renege on his word because of the people, not because of his convictions.

He ignored his true feelings:  He knew it was wrong but he did it anyway.

In Christ there is forgiveness, and love.  We would be doomed if He kept record of our wrongs (sins), but with Christ there is forgiveness. (Ps. 130:3-4)

When you find yourself battling with past mistakes, or you find yourself holding the past mistakes of your loved ones over their heads; remember we have all been arrogant, we’ve done things to try to please others, and we have ignored our gut feelings when we were being prompted to do right (that’s the precious Holy Spirit).  Yet and still we have been blessed to be forgiven.

If you’ve had your Herod moments, allow Christ to redeem and restore you.  If you would like to share your Herod moments please do, and I will be sure to pray that God would redeem and restore you.

Blessings,

Pastor Darryl