Testimony #5

Chosen for a Purpose

 Over the years God has put dreams and desires in each person in regards to their call in life. On the other hand many have known of their blessing and have turned away from the Gods promise. And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory (Romans 9:23) An excellent example was Esau the first born of the twin brothers, Esau and Jacob, sons of Isaac and Rebecca (Genesis 25:24-25) before their birth God spoke to their mother that the elder would serve the younger… at this point the twins had not done anything good or bad, so that Gods purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls. So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires (Romans 9:18)

Esau became a man of the fields, in his father's eyes he was a Mans- Man His brother Jacob spent his time with his mother helping around the camp. One day after working the fields Esau let Jacob have his birthright for a dinner of red stew because he was hungry? Jacob new his brother's weakness as chapter 25 in Genesis concludes Esau despised his birthright, "why? Did he realize? He had been seduced, was it remorse, guilt, regret! God knew when he gave up his birthright it would set in motion the deception that Jacob would bring upon his father Isaac in order to receive the blessing! The Bible is filled with so many accounts of mans behavior pattern that does not line up with His desire for us to be like Christ. Just as it is written, "Jacob I loved, But Esau I Hated."
(Romans 9:13) What does God hate with today's generation.  Rejection of the Holy Spirit is the only sin that will not be forgiven. Today most folks go about their business ignoring the call to receive the free gift of salvation; Gods purpose will come to past whether you believe or not, Today there's no need for deception, we all have the birthright, because of the work of our Lord Jesus Christ it was paid in full on the cross when he shed his blood! The believer will bypass the white thorn seat of judgment the Bible says that every knee shall bow before Him. Sadly many will bow before Him on that day and regret the choice they made in not believing in Him... many will be led to a place that was not meant for us Human Beings? It's a place for Satan and the fallen angels!  God's will through Jesus Christ is that no one shall perish. Esau gave it all away for a bowl of soup? What's in your bowl that's going to keep you from your blessing! Keep in mind it's a free gift? 

A similar situation took place in the world of football, in regards of being blessed with physical talent, in 1991 when the Raiders drafted Todd Marinovich in the first round. A top prospect from the University of Southern California, labeled as Robo Quarterback! Groomed to be the next great Raiders QB, somewhere along his journey in life he loses interest, so many believed in him it was all there for him to receive the fame and glory of being an NFL superstar? What happened with Todd was it the Hollywood scene in Los Angeles the night Life? Or was he just tried of listing to everyone in his inner circle of influence, of how great he would be. Do you think just maybe, Esau got tried of Dad constantly? Giving him glory of being the next in line to carry on the blessing that God spoke to Abraham in relation to the many followers that would come to Him because of his faith in God? As we make observation of the scriptures today we can come to the conclusion that the Lord is not looking for "Robo Christians! We as parents should learn from Isaac and Todd's parents that there's a fine line on how far we should go with our desires for our kids. Our desires may not be God's desires for them? It's something to think about. As parents we can make a mess of things when we don't consultant with the Lord in prayer in regards to our children's future... Would have the outcome been different for Esau, if his mother relayed the message that God gave her in regards that the young would rule over the older? Would Isaac have listen to his wife? We can see the outcome in the scriptures the family was divided? Surely these are things to ponder as we guide our families, it's important that fathers and mothers pray God's will for their kids and discuss what God shares in regards to their future. Parenting should never be a one-way street...

Many today feel unworthy of the promise of a fresh start in life or feel God can't forgive them for the choices made in life. In the genealogy of Jesus Matthew 1:1-2, it makes one wonder what God was thinking? Every immoral act played out by the human race can be found in the Lords family tree. We today can never say that we are unworthy; Jesus broke the curse on the cross of every sinful act imaginable, according to the Fathers will and plan of reconciliation through his son to Himself to be transformed into His likeness! We today reap the benefits by Gods grace and mercy. The words spoken and written by Peter the Apostle are so appropriate for the Raider Nation today, as the Holy Spirit inspired him-You are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A "HOLY NATION A PEOPLE FOR GOD'S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. For you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. (1Peter2: 9-10) Many among the Raider faithful have made the conversion to walk with Christ; some might feel it's being weak or soft to walk with the Lord. It takes a real man to submit to authority! The profile of a Man's Man- Steve Wisniewski drafted by the Raiders in 1989 out of Penn State eventually selected to 8-Pro Bowls in his 12-year career, A Raider that would knock up upside down! Regarded as one of the toughest offense lineman to play the game! He resembles the "BIG BAD RAIDER! That pillages the town in that well-known song the Autumn Wind that's regarded as the Raider Nation theme song. Many never knew he had made a choice at a young age to Man up and walk the walk with Jesus Christ, filling his "Bowl" with the living water. He's a man that's active with his family he's married with three kids. He volunteers at Napoleon Kaufman's, church as a children's ministry leader -Chosen for a purpose! The balance of God's word and His promise is that we consult with Him on all things. "Why? He knows before hand if any of us will do something good or bad! God's word is truly alive among the Raider Nation…

 

Pastor Mando
"Just keeping it Real!