Just hear the names of Roberts, Rossi, Nixon, Aldana, and Rainey and you
think of motorcycle road racing and its champions. Think McGrath, Johnson,
Stewart, and De Coster and you think moto-X champs. Unser, Foyt, and Mears
and you know they have all won multiple times at Indy. Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio,
and Mantle-who else but the NY Yankees. How about Harrison, Harding, and
Wilson? Stumped on who they played for-try US Presidents! And how about names
like Jan, Brandy, Joy, Theresa, and Penny? Tick...tick...tick...times up. If
you guessed those who brought us meals when I was sick this summer, you guessed
right. And in my estimation, although serving in obscurity, they are the best
of best on any list. Servants who serve, without recognition, but are at the
top of their game in the eyes of God. Where do you fit on that list?
While watching yesterday's speech by Benjamin Netanyahu at the over rated
United Nations, he spoke of men like King David, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and
others. At first I thought he was quoting from the Bible, but it turned out he
was talking about Israeli history. He could have easily added the names of
Begin, Dayan, and Ben-Gurion and have woken up the ears of the uninitiated, but
yet he chose to go back over 3500 years, to those who were responsible for
Israel's earliest history. To the beginning. It just happens that these men
were written of in the Bible, thus placing them not only a prominent place in
history, but in scripture as well. Try to imagine Jacob without Esau, Isaac
with Abraham, and Abraham without Sarah, and history turns sour. But figure
into that history, Ishmael, and Hagar, his mom. Then mention Abraham, his dad.
And you get a better insider's look into the middle east.
When God promised Abraham and Sarah a child, who God told Abraham he would
be the father of countless people to come, they had no faith. They were old,
and she had never conceived. yet leave it to God to pick those who could not do
it on their own. But at Sarah's insistence, Abraham had a child with Hagar, her
hand maiden, and then some 13-15 years later, Sarah bore Isaac. Just as God
promised. But yet the damage was done. Same dad, yet Ishmael was not the
promised one, and had to give up his inheritance. Fast forward some 3500 years
and we have the Middle East Crisis, where two brothers who could not get along,
has perpetuated to this day. And a reinforcement of God's promises. Yes, the
Jews still exist as a people today, even though there nation has been taken from
them several times. A good lesson to remember for those who threaten them with
extinction-don't mess with His people. And respect His promises, they always
come true.
Do you realize that when you accept Christ that you are part of Abraham's
legacy? For God tells us that the Gentiles were grafted in when they turn to
Jesus, thus even adding many more to Abraham's legacy. But when you deny Jesus
you add to a different legacy-those who don't choose God, and are damned for
eternity. So choose a legacy that brings life, instead of death and strife.
Choose a life with Jesus. For there are names, and then there are
names...
Quick-consider the list of friends you associate with. If it doesn't
include Jesus, may I suggest you add Him to your list and life today. And don't
wait for Yom Kippur like the Jews, who on that day hope their name is written in
the Book of Life. Accept Jesus today-for there is no better day to start your
own legacy-based on the eternal, loving one. Today is the day-make Jesus the
most important part of it. And if Abraham with his sin of disobedience can be
listed in the Book of Hebrew's Hall of Faith, imagine what you and I could do!
With God's help of course. And a little faith...see. it goes a long way.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
