Message for February 7, 2021 from Pastor Shirley

Out on the playground we went.  It was time to play ball.  Two leaders would be chosen.  They  would pick who they wanted to be on their team.  You stood there and waited to be called.  Everyone around you was called and you stood there alone.  No one called for you.  The teams were even numbered and you were sidelined-counted out. 

     Counted out-to decide that someone cannot  win or succeed.  Counted in-to plan to include someone in: to consider someone as one of the people who will be doing something

     Don’t count yourself out when I have counted you in.  This has been whispered to me from the Holy Spirit often.  We can be our worst enemy.  The last one to encourage ourselves.  The last one to believe that God would anoint us for service.  At times it seems we take two steps forward and three steps backward.  We seem to be on the sideline while everyone else is moving forward in life. 

      When it seems as if life has counted you out remember God has already counted you in.  When people have counted you out remember God has already counted you in.  You have  been counted by the One who matters the most.  After all His opinion of you is all that matters.  

      Ephesians 1:4 Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him). 

     This scripture reminds me we have been counted in by the One who spoke worlds into existence.