Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

"For many are called, but few are chosen."¹

"There are many reasons why God wouldn't want to use many of us, but don't worry. We're in good company! As another has shared:

    "Moses stuttered.
    David's armor didn't fit.
    John Mark was rejected by Paul.
    Hosea's wife was a prostitute.
    Amos' only training was in the school of
       fig-tree pruning.
    Jacob was a liar.
    David had an affair.
    Solomon was too rich.
    Abraham was too old.
    David was too young.
    Timothy had ulcers.
    Peter was afraid of death.
    Lazarus was dead.
    John was self-righteous.
    Jesus was too poor.
    Naomi was a widow.
    Paul was a murderer. So was Moses.
    Jonah ran from God.
    Miriam was a gossip.
    Gideon and Thomas both doubted.
    Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal.
    Elijah was burned out.
    John the Baptist was a loudmouth.
    Martha was a worrywart.
    Samson had long hair.
    Noah got drunk.
    Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse?
    So did Peter, Paulâ€"well, lots of folks did."

"Satan says, 'You're not worthy.' Jesus says, 'So what? I AM.' Satan looks back and sees our mistakes. God looks back and sees the cross. He doesn't calculate what you did last year. Sure. There are lots of reasons why God shouldn't have called us. But if we are magically in love with Him, if we hunger for Him more than our next breath, He'll use us in spite of who we are, where we've been, or what we look like."²

Perhaps today's Scripture could be interpreted as follows: "For many are called, but few prove themselves to be chosen." In fact, God calls every one of us to follow and serve him. If he waited until we were fully mature, whole and complete, he wouldn't get anything done. He will use us exactly as we are as long as we are available and willing to be used. In so doing we will then prove ourselves to be chosen ones.

Suggested prayer: "Heavenly Father God, I'm availableâ€"warts and allâ€"please use me to be a part of what You are doing in the world today. Help me to keep growing so I can, with Your help, become more usable. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Jesus (Matthew 22:14).
2. Author Unknown.

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