The Visitor » The Visitor – August 29, 2010

A CHOSEN PEOPLE Roger Owen
I remember growing up playing sandlot baseball almost every single day. My parents owned the empty lot beside the lot our house was on, so a lot of our games were played right there beside my home. We played there when we only had a few players for each team and that made the field smaller to have to cover. If we had a large number of players, then we went to the city park that was across the street.

The games were always organized the same. Two team captains were selected, a coin was tosed, and whoever won the coin toss got to pick first. Then the two captains alternated choosing players for their team until all were chosen. Two things influenced the picking order, talent and being best friends. You wanted the best players on your team and you wanted to “team up” with your closest friends. No one wanted to be the last one taken. Even being next to last still meant you were wanted more than the last one picked. The last one remaining was considered to be “forced” upon whoever was stuck with the last pick.

In athletics it really is the same as one grows up. High school athletes are posturing themselves to be chosen by the college of their choice for a scholarship. Professional teams conduct a draft to chooe their players and everyone wants to be a first round pick. Free agents are even signed by choice. The teams only sign the players they want. Many a college and professional player have talked about being extremely motivated when they play against certain teams because “they didn’t want me on their team.” Every- one wanted to be chosen.

In previous articles we have discussed how we are to be a peculiar people and an influential people in God’s kingdom. The third part of a trilogy of what kind of people we should be is the fact that we are a CHOSEN people on God’s team!

Peter tells us Jesus was “chosen and precious in the sight of God,” and “he was a cornerstone chosen and precious” (1 Peter 2:4,6). God told Ananias in Acts 9:15 that Saul “is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles.” Revelation 17:14 tells us those who are with the Lamb “are called chosen and faithful.”

Chosen people are special people. “Many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 20:16; 22:14). “For we know brothers, loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power” (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5). And, “you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession…now you are God’s people.” It is not only great to be chosen, but it is really great to be chosen by the best “chooser”!

God’s chosen people are privileged. They are justified by him into a salvation for all eternity. “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect (chosen ones)? It is God who justifies” (Romans 8:33). “Will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night” (Luke 18:7)? “He will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds” (Matthew 24:31). Paul was willing to “endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (11 Timothy 2:10).

God’s chosen people are not invincible. They can be kicked off the team! “False christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24). Peter tells us that once we are drafted, we have to “work out hard” to be able to perform to the best of our abilities if we are to stay with the team. “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure for if you practice these qualities (faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection and love, vs. 5), you will never fall” (1 Peter 1:10).

Therefore, God’s chosen people have a tremendous responsibility that goes along with that election. “Abstain from the passions of the flesh…keep your conduct honorable” (1 Peter 2:11-12). They are to increase their faith through “the knowledge of the truth which accords with godliness” (Titus 1:1). And they should “put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience, bearing with one another, and if anyone has a complaint against another, forgiving each other.”

What a fantastic privilege and blessing it is to be chosen by God! And what a huge responsibility we then have to “perform” to a level equal to that election! ————

PRAYER LIST
Wes Price is now home and doing better.

Jennie Wright is improving and she would like for you to continue your prayers in her behalf.

Jimmy Mooney will begin taking chemo soon and we pray he will soon be in remission.
Rick Ramsey received his test results and cancer has returned, and he is again on strong doses of chemo. We all pray that he will soon be in remission once again.

Muriel McMillion’s problem can be treated with medication. Muriel and Sylvia would like to thank all of you for your prayers.

Special prayer request for Don Bowman and Family.

Continue to remember: Sylvia McMillion; Fran Womelsdorff; Mary Ruth Percival; R. C. Bell; Jim & Elaine Birkhead; Lois Rodriquez; Jimmy Mooney’s mother, Dorothy; The Tyson Family.

REMEMBER ALL OTHERS ON THE PRAYER LIST
Donna Denise Allen; George Bailey; Addie Bennett; Dr. “J” Coats; Perry Cotham; Urbanelle Cox; Carol & Pete Diamond; Tom Duvall; Ruby Faas; Rita Harrison; Doris Henry; Bill Hinton; Bob and Madeline Hinton; Ed Horn; Mary Catherine Jayroe; Oleta Landin; Nancy Lindley; Pat Mitchell; Billie Morgan; Bobby Muirhead (sister of Billie & Jean Thompson); Lula Murray; Vernon Percival; Henrietta Pummill; Mildred Sala; Dan Sherbit; Nancy Spurgeon; Treva Traylor; Marie Works.

Vital Signs: August 22, 2010 Bible Study 53 Offering: $2,622.75 Budget $2,893.27

Morning Worship 72 Afternoon Worship: 50 50 Wed. Eve. Bible Study, 8/18 -34 ———–

CHANGE: The phone number for Domingo Martinez is

469-951-7190

The number in our directory belongs to Josh.

———–

“Looking Forward” by Jack Armstrong We We received some bad news on 8/22/10. Bro. Wes had to go back in the hospital for some of the same problems. We pray this will only be a setback and he will be right back with us soon.

I’m trying to cover sweet Mamie’s job of sending the bulletin to those who miss on Sunday A.M. and send them a little note along with it, and believe me it’s a pretty tough job keeping up with the absentees. She did a remarkable job of it!

I know we’ll be glad when this old hot weather subsides and it cools off once again. It makes it awfully hard to breathe for all who have breathing problems, but it could be a lot worse.

Rick won’t know about his test until 8/25/10 and we pray it comes out real good. We also pray Muriel’s tests came out good and Sylvia continues to do well. Be sure and keep Jimmy Mooney in your prayers. We miss the Bells and the Swansons when they can’t be with us, as we do all of you who can’t always make the services.

We thank the Lord daily for Bro. Roger Owen and Linda for filling in when Wes has to be out. Roger is truly an answer to a lot of prayers. They have been here so long now they are just a part of our bunch. I know Wes feels a lot better to have such a capable man to cover for him.

Oleta wants to thank all of you who have asked about her while she is out with her bad foot, and called to offer encouragement.

Vernon Percival called to give us an update on Mary Ruth, and he said she is not able to put any weight on her injured ankle and it will probably be several more weeks before she can get back with us.

Our attendance has been holding up pretty good even with all those who are out sick. The Bible classes are staying good too!

If you didn’t read the piece in our Visitor about “The Snake Pit”, you should read it because it really tells it like it is. Wade Webster uses Hebrews 10:24-25 as his reference for the story.

Well, folks I guess I’d best sign off for now since it is time to get ready for the evening service.

We’ll see you soon the Good Lord willing. We pray all of our sick and shut-ins are doing much better and all the tests come out good.

See you soon “Here and There”. Hang in there!

Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful)