Amity Methodist Church

In my reading last night I came across a verse that I had been thinking about. It is Matthew 19:30 and is repeated in Matthew 20:16. dealing with the last being first. I don't think it is the main point of the verse, but here is what strikes me.

As I have shared, I'm not an athlete. I basically stunk at basketball and baseball. The only sport I could play was football, and that was more desire than ability. I can recall a time at school when people chose up teams at recess. You might guess where I ended up.

I think about Jesus's words differently. It isn't who served longest but who is "wanted on the team". The world says grab the best and most talented. I remember being on a church conference board that interviewed pastor candidates. We were to look for the 'best and brightest', which was awkward for me because I myself was average with a big God. So why the last? I suggest the last are the ones who know they are not a prize. They do not see themselves as better or one deserving to be chosen. They know who they are and, as such, know that it will only be by the grace of God that they are chosen for the "team". God sees their hearts and is ready to show His power by not only choosing them, but doing good things through them. They won't take credit for what gets done. The truth is we are all last, but that doesn't matter to God. He just wants a heart that will follow in love. He'll take care of the rest. So for all who have felt the pain of being chosen last, take heart. You are wanted and have a valued place, as God sees it.

he other day, I was again walking on the trail. A man was walking not too far in front of me. Suddenly, a younger man came jogging by me. I watched him go by and continued walking. But then he passed the man in front of me. This was an older man by the way. Then the man in front of me also began to jog, not as fast as the younger man who passed him, but jogging nonetheless. He jogged until he turned around and was still jogging when he passed me going the other way.
I wondered if seeing the younger man jog by moved him to decide to jog. He was just walking until then. Hebrews 10:24 talks about Christians spurring on others to love and doing good. Is my life modeling walking with Jesus and showing others it is worth considering? A jogging man may have inspired another man to do likewise. We are called to do the same thing before others by our following Jesus. Am I? A

Black Friday was last week. I had thought of something and then saw it from others. We think of Black Friday as a day to buy great gifts, perhaps on sale. Merchants think of it as a day to make income for their business. I thought about another Friday that really is what Christmas is about. We call it Good Friday because a priceless gift was offered for us all. It was not "good" for Jesus. He died a horrible death in place of rebels so we could be offered forgiveness if we seek it from him. This is the greatest gift and we could never afford it. He says come follow me and it's yours. The baby was born to give his life for us. That is the gift beyond all others. I hope you have sought it. If not, it really doesn't matter what's under your tree in the end.Black Friday was last week. I had thought of something and then saw it from others. We think of Black Friday as a day to buy great gifts, perhaps on sale. Merchants think of it as a day to make income for their business. I thought about another Friday that really is what Christmas is about. We call it Good Friday because a priceless gift was offered for us all. It was not "good" for Jesus. He died a horrible death in place of rebels so we could be offered forgiveness if we seek it from him. This is the greatest gift and we could never afford it. He says come follow me and it's yours. The baby was born to give his life for us. That is the gift beyond all others. I hope you have sought it. If not, it really doesn't matter what's under your tree in the end.