Equally Needed

Equally Needed

2 Corinthians 12: I have to boast, even though it doesn't do any good. But I will now talk about visions and revelations given me by the Lord. ² I know a certain Christian man who fourteen years ago was snatched up to the highest heaven (I do not know whether this actually happened or whether he had a vision—only God knows). ^3-4 I repeat, I know that this man was snatched to Paradise (again, I do not know whether this actually happened or whether it was a vision—only God knows), and there he heard things which cannot be put into words, things that human lips may not speak. ⁵ So I will boast about this man—but I will not boast about myself, except the things that show how weak I am. ⁶ If I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I will not boast, because I do not want any of you to have a higher opinion of me than you have as a result of what you have seen me do and heard me say.

 

============

 

Eloquent speakers, smart thinkers, strong athletes and talented people seemed to “always” be ahead of me when it came to being chosen. I would raise my hand but receive the words “That’s alright, we have already chosen someone else.” “Am I unwanted?” I would ask GOD.

 

• I felt untalented.
• I felt rejected.
• I felt unneeded, undesired, and unpleasant.

 

Paul speaks about his incredible encounter with the LORD. He was sought after by GOD to be a special messenger and was revealed an indescribable vision that catapulted his purpose to the highest level. Even though this uncommon event happened, he did not want anyone to have a higher opinion of him or be jealous of the calling.

 

My Observations

• I need to recognize GOD’s calling on my life.
• I need to look at only my relationship with the LORD and not be jealous of someone else’s.
• I need to live my life with the purpose GOD gave me and know it is just as important as the next person.

 

Titles cause me to think of people on different levels. I mean, when someone has a special title in the world’s eyes, I follow the protocol associated with that title. This may require extra attention I would not give to a “common” person. BUT GOD wants me to treat everyone the same.

 

HE wants me to see that all of us have sinned and fall short of HIS glory. HE then wants me to praise HIM when someone accepts HIS SON as their Savior so he or she can live a life for JESUS. HE wants me to live my life with that same purpose, knowing we are all equally loved by HIM. I am glad GOD loves me just as much as those who are called to do what they do.

 

Challenge

• While reading this passage, do you feel lower than the writer?
• Have you ever compared yourself to the names written in the Bible and felt better or worse?
• Will you consider not comparing yourself to others and know you are loved, needed and wanted to the highest by GOD today?

Loved Before or After

 

Loved Before or After

Romans 4: ⁹ Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. ¹⁰ Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! ¹¹ And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. ¹² And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

 

============

 

After being ridiculed about my hair, glasses clothes and body shape, I wondered what was left to love. There were other groups who did not like my skin color either. I felt quite alone. “JESUS loves you” someone said. “How?” I wondered. No one else seems to love me. I thought.

 

• There were times when I wondered if I could be loved.
• There were times when I felt like an outcast.
• There were times when I believed the ugly labels some people placed on me.

 

Paul explains circumcision to a group of people who felt privileged for doing so. He explains what David wrote in a Psalm regarding people being blessed because their sin is not counted against them and are forgiven. This forgiveness was for everyone, Paul explains. He was trying to break their habit of trying to exclude people.

 

• GOD wants me to welcome anyone HE sends to me or sends me to.
• GOD wants me to show love to my neighbor regardless of how they look or act.
• GOD wants me to tell people HE loves them, no matter what sin they have done.

 

GOD’s love is not prejudiced. HE loves those who hate other people and who hate HIM. HE loved the world so much that HE died for it. JESUS, being GOD, saw all the sins I would commit and died for me anyway. HE loved me before I loved HIM. I did not have to change for JESUS to love me. HE changed me after I knew HIM.

 

• Are you around people yet feel alone?
• Do you feel like an outcast?
• Will you believe that GOD made you and loved how HE made you and is so pleased with you that HE, through JESUS, died for you and was raised from the dead for you?

Loved

Loved

John 16: ²⁵ “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. ²⁶ In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; ²⁷ for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. ²⁸ I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”

============

After being dumped by someone I liked, I said “no one will love me.” I felt dejected. After a while, I went out with someone else. After a job elimination I said “No one will hire me.” I felt lost. After a while, I found another position.

• I have felt abandoned.
• I have felt lonely.
• I have felt unwanted, undesired and unloved.

JESUS speaks plainly to HIS disciples by saying “The FATHER loves you because you love ME.” JESUS was giving HIS disciples a direct connection to the FATHER, who has all power.

• GOD wants me to know HE loves me.
• GOD wants me to know HE cares about me.
• GOD wants me to know HE wants the best for me.

Love seems to be rare these days. With the major focus on humans ripping each other apart with poisonous words, there is not much room for love. BUT GOD sees those who love JESUS. HE can see though all of the sin, anger and hatred to find those who are truly seeking HIM.

HE guides those HE loves with the HOLY SPIRIT and forgives all sin through HIS SON, JESUS. GOD is marvelous and I feel loved by HIM. I am no longer lonely because of GOD.

• Do you feel unloved?
• Do you feel dejected?
• Will you love JESUS so HE can open your eyes to how much GOD loves you?