Daily Bread 8-21-17

Romans 4:17

(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

ref. - Ro 8:11 - But if the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

1Co 1:28 - And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought the things that are.

Abraham had done many great things and had achieved many things but he was not recognized by God of his works. His reward was not given because of all of the work that he did. These things were all a result of what he was rewarded for; his faith. He believed in what he had been given and he believed in the one that had given it to him. Contrary to many religious beliefs, which have been skewed by men's (mis)understanding, it was not his works but his faith that we are to remember him by. Today, we have been called from sin, from a place that has nothing to offer or has done nothing for Christ, to serve God and to also let our lights shine. It has nothing to do with our works but our faith. When our faith is right, the works will follow. In this faith we must also believe that we may have not created a clean person of ourselves but that God can give us the opportunity to be reborn. All the addictions, the habits, the traditions, the worldy beliefs can be taken away from us and we may be born again. It has nothing to do with what we have done, what our heritage is, our level of intelligence, what color we are, what language we speak, it has to do with if we believe. We must believe in what this gospel brings us and that it is the only gospel that can save this generation. It was not originally made for us but it has now been given to us. We have been taken out of a sinful life, from a dirty past, even from prisons, to be made beacons in the night for Jesus Christ. Direct representatives of God as if we know Christ we also know God. The one thing that we must allow God to transform in us is the fact that when we are born again, our sin is cast from our bodies. And if the Spirit dwells within us we can also remain clean and holy. This is faith that is a gift from God and it is for us now. It may bot have been for us, and that world may be telling us that it is still not, but God called us for a purpose. This purpose to show the ones who had it all that from the dust God can form a people who will serve him and represent him in truth. We are those people and now is our time. We are the "outcasts" that the "chosen" ones do not understand and will not understand unless they, too, receive the same type of transformation. But it is not for us to linger back and try to prove ourselves to the ones who will hold us back, it is time for us to allow God to work in us like never before. It is time that the ones who were once despised are now chosen. It is the time of Jesus Christ!! And it is our time!! This Spirit that is written about is for us now, in this day and age!! What a gift and what a responsibility. Let us take this opportunity seriously, and move ahead with Jesus Christ as he builds his holy Church and creates winners from losers and champions from quitters!!! We may be looked upon as outcast, but Jesus Christ himself says he is not ashamed to call us Brothers and Sisters!! That, my brethren is a Brother that will lead us straight and narrow through the gates to God!! Have a great day!!!