God Qualifies Who He Calls

For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29

God Is Who He Is

I am the Alpha and the Omega,” Says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

Revelations 1:8

God is who He is and there is no other.

Testing, Testing, Testing

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 

James 1:2-4

Nobody likes trials and tribulations.  They can be heart wrenching and heart breaking and at the very least frustrating, but they also make us stronger because we gain confidence by overcoming the problems we face.  Overcoming may mean victory, or it may mean that we go on serving God, even if things do not workout according to our plans and wishes. 

I won’t say shake it off, but I will say keep going for God.  Things will get better and you will get stronger. 

Associate

Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind but associate with the lowly.  Do not be wise in your own estimation. 

Romans 12:16

A few years ago, my husband and I were looking for a church to attend.  At several of the churches we visited, we were invisible.  No one came up and introduced themselves, no one asked us to stay for coffee and cookies after church and no one called us to say they hoped we would come back again.  We were not one time visitors, but several week visitors, all with no response.  We signed the attendance list in the pew and we gave our offering in a check, yet we were invisible. 

Why did no one respond? 

I think perhaps because the regular attenders had a club mentality, that is they viewed the church as a club for members, and they were members and we were not.  Although we enjoyed the worship services, after a few weeks, we went somewhere else. 

The church is not a club; it is an association of real people with real needs. 

Let’s try to be a little friendlier. 

Keep On Keeping On

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

James 1:12

God Is True

The works of His hands are truth and justice;

All His precepts are sure.

They are upheld forever and ever;

They are performed in truth and uprightness.

He has sent redemption to His people;

He has ordained His covenant forever;

Holy and awesome is His name.

Psalm 111:7-9