“THOSE WHO ARE CALLED!”

 

Romans 8:26-30                    (ESV)

“[26] Likewise the SPIRIT helps us in our weakness. For WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO PRAY FOR AS WE OUGHT, but the SPIRIT HIMSELF intercedes for us WITH GROANINGS TOO DEEP FOR WORDS. [27] And HE WHO searches hearts knows what is the mind of the SPIRIT, because the SPIRIT intercedes for the saints according to THE WILL OF GOD. [28] AND WE KNOW THAT FOR THOSE WHO LOVE GOD ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD, FOR “THOSE WHO ARE CALLED” ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE. [29] For those whom HE FOREKNEW HE also PREDESTINED to be conformed to the image of HIS SON, in order that HE might be the firstborn among many brothers. [30] And those whom HE PREDESTINED HE also called, and those whom HE CALLED HE also justified, and those whom HE JUSTIFIED HE also glorified.”

As for this humble servant, the passage of Scripture shared above that GOD uses to get my mind OFF OF what “the enemy” attempts to cloud my mind with, especially when GOD is about to do something that ONLY HE can do!!!  There are many WORDS that I might highlight this morning from this passage, but the point that stuck out to me was “THOSE WHO ARE CALLED”!  

Why would THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES “elect” a Brain Damaged, financially challenged, retired person to do ANYTHING for and through?  I AM NOT WORTHY!  BUT GOD is the ONLY THING that I have going for me.  All I can offer HIM is my broken-down body that is controlled by HIS HOLY SPIRIT???  I pray that this is all HE requires, for it is ALL I have to offer HIM!!!

Remembering back SEVENTEEN YEARS is a humbling experience!  I was out of rehab following the “massive brain hemorrhage”, and I was trying to “find my place” in the world where I was living in.  The joy and excitement of being alive with all of my physical abilities seemed to be enough!  

As I type this devotional this morning my cup of coffee is right beside me!  

It says “I GOT THIS- GOD”!!!

ALL I have to offer GOD is that broken man who HE brought through “the valley of the shadow of death”!  But then I remember that I am “THOSE WHO ARE CALLED” and I recall how BLESSED that makes me!!!