1 Timothy 1

 3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

It's so common for parents to claim coaches show favoritism. Coaches play little Johnny because his last name is ___________! (you fill in the blank) they might say coaches or teachers show favorites. You know what? Coaches do show favorites. Their favorites are the players who give 100%. They show favorites to those kids who work hard, listen to what the coach says and does it. WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT? God shows favorites too! God loves those who humble themselves, submitting to his teaching.

With the Lord it's not who you know or what family you were born into that matters. It's not who you know, but what you know that's important. That's why you have to continually study God's word and pray without ceasing. If you don't, you'll end up just like the people of this passage. Your wisdom is developed through faith, a pure heart, and a good conscience. How can you speak of Gods work if you do not really know him? Why would people accept your witness without love. Do you want to be a teacher of Gods law or a teacher of false doctrine. If you have departed from God's ways and turned to meaningless talk, you need to change. Open your heart to the creator and he will grant you the wisdom of the ages. Then sharing will be a complete joy. Stop ACTING like you know it all and come to the one who holds all the wisdom.

I'm not special!

Acts 10

 ³⁴ Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism ³⁵ but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. ³⁶ You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. ³⁷ You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— ³⁸ how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

I am nobody special. God has certainly blessed me and my family. But, I am not special. In the United States, we think of ourselves as being special, God's chosen people. We have thought of ourselves as a nation set apart by God. We have thought of ourselves as being a "Christian" nation. I'm not bashing our country. I love the USA and will defend her with my life. But, we are not special. All nations that do what is right and fear the Lord are treated the same. The Holy Spirit has been given to all those who fear and love the Lord. The blessings are the same. 

The early Jewish Christians thought of themselves as being set apart. But, God continually made it known to them, this was not true. He opened the eyes of Peter in this story about Cornelius. Peter was amazed but he could not deny what God had done. 

God loves all of us. He does not show favorites. Praise God!