He Chose You, First!

Scripture: John 15:16

"You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you."

God is so Good. He makes it so clear to us that we are His chosen. He hand picked us for His purpose. He has given us authority to walk this earth for His name sake. Therefore, it does not matter how educated that we are, or, are not. It does not matter if we have everything together or not. It does not matter if we don't have everything perfectly organized, when He chooses us or not. When Jesus chose us, He made a public declaration, that we are who He wants! We, the children of God, are the chosen of God; selected personally by Him. He has entrusted to us, His Word; to be an example of His love to each other, and to the world. We are blessed in that He chose us.

Reflection:
Most of us have had the experience of being on some type of sports team at school. During the selection process, usually the best players are chosen first. At the very end, the worst players are reluctantly chosen, because there is supposed to be a certain amount of players on the team; and everyone must participate.

However, God did not choose us last. He chose us before the foundation of the world, while we were yet in our mother's womb; He chose us. Therefore, He chose us first! The Lord God is amazing, and makes us feel like we're on top of the world, by loving us in spite of our shortcomings and/or weaknesses.
Not only did He choose us first; He has given us the authority to act on His behalf. Just like He gave Moses the authority to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt, regardless of the speech impediment that Moses had. God still used him, because He was chosen for that purpose. No one else could fit the shoes that God had designed for him to walk in, not even his brother Aaron, who had a purpose to fulfill himself.

The authority that He has given us, includes the power of prayer; to ask anything in the name of Jesus, and He will give it to us. He will reward us with answered prayer, when we walk in His word, and are obedient to His will. Therefore, don't be afraid to ask the Lord for anything, because He loves you; and wants the best for you. All you have to do is ASK.

Prayer:
Lord God, I thank you that I was not second choice with you. I thank you for choosing me, and giving me the authority to walk this earth; and be an example of Your love to the world. You are such an awesome God, and I love you with the love that you, have given me to love you with.

I thank you for the authority that you have given to me: to speak, to act, and to work in the building up of your kingdom. I thank you in advance for hearing me when I pray, and answering the petitions of my heart. I thank you for choosing me before the foundations of the world. I know that no matter what I have on my mind, I can talk to you about it; and you will hear me and direct my steps, every step of the way. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Strong's Concordance Definitions:

You did not choose: 1586
1) to pick out, choose, to pick or choose out for one's self

a) choosing one out of many, i.e. Jesus choosing his disciples
b) choosing one for an office
c) of God choosing whom he judged fit to receive his favours and separated from the rest of mankind to be peculiarly his own and to be attended continually by his gracious oversight
1) i.e. the Israelites
d) of God the Father choosing Christians, as those whom he set apart from the irreligious multitude as dear unto himself, and whom he has rendered, through faith in Christ, citizens in the Messianic kingdom: (James 2:5) so that the ground of the choice lies in Christ and his merits only

You, and appointed: 5087
1) to set, put, place

a) to place or lay
b) to put down, lay down
1) to bend down
2) to lay off or aside, to wear or carry no longer
3) to lay by, lay aside money
c) to set on (serve) something to eat or drink
d) to set forth, something to be explained by discourse
2) to make
a) to make (or set) for one's self or for one's use
3) to set, fix establish
a) to set forth
b) to establish, ordain

That you would go: 5217
1) to lead under, bring under

2) to withdraw one's self, to go away, depart

And bear: 5342
1) to carry

a) to carry some burden
1) to bear with one's self
b) to move by bearing; move or, to be conveyed or borne, with the suggestion of force or speed

1) of persons borne in a ship over the sea
2) of a gust of wind, to rush
3) of the mind, to be moved inwardly, prompted
c) to bear up i.e. uphold (keep from falling)

1) of Christ, the preserver of the universe
2) to bear, i.e. endure, to endure the rigour of a thing, to bear patiently one's conduct, or spare one (abstain from punishing or destroying)
3) to bring, bring to, bring forward
a) to move to, apply
b) to bring in by announcing, to announce
c) to bear i.e. bring forth, produce; to bring forward in a speech
d) to lead, conduct

Fruit: 2590
1) fruit
a) the fruit of the trees, vines, of the fields
b) the fruit of one's loins, i.e. his progeny, his posterity
2) that which originates or comes from something, an effect, result
a) work, act, deed
b) advantage, profit, utility
c) praises, which are presented to God as a thank offering
d) to gather fruit (i.e. a reaped harvest) into life eternal (as into a granary), is used in fig. discourse of those who by their labours have fitted souls to obtain eternal life

Would remain: 3306
1) to remain, abide

a) in reference to place
1) to sojourn, tarry
2) not to depart
a) to continue to be present
b) to be held, kept, continually
b) in reference to time
1) to continue to be, not to perish, to last, endure
a) of persons, to survive, live
c) in reference to state or condition
1) to remain as one, not to become another or different
2) to wait for, await one

That whatever: 3739
1) who, which, what, that

You ask: 154
1) to ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require

Of the Father: 3962
1) generator or male ancestor

a) either the nearest ancestor: father of the corporeal nature, natural fathers, both parents
b) a more remote ancestor, the founder of a family or tribe, progenitor of a people, forefather: so Abraham is called, Jacob and David

1) fathers i.e. ancestors, forefathers, founders of a nation
c) one advanced in years, a senior

2) metaph.
a) the originator and transmitter of anything

1) the authors of a family or society of persons animated by the same spirit as himself
2) one who has infused his own spirit into others, who actuates and governs their minds
b) one who stands in a father's place and looks after another in a paternal way
c) a title of honour

1) teachers, as those to whom pupils trace back the knowledge and training they have received
2) the members of the Sanhedrin, whose prerogative it was by virtue of the wisdom and experience in which they excelled, to take charge of the interests of others

3) God is called the Father
a) of the stars, the heavenly luminaries, because he is their creator, upholder, ruler
b) of all rational and intelligent beings, whether angels or men, because he is their creator, preserver, guardian and protector

1) of spiritual beings and of all men
c) of Christians, as those who through Christ have been exalted to a specially close and intimate relationship with God, and who no longer dread him as a stern judge of sinners, but revere him as their reconciled and loving Father
d) the Father of Jesus Christ, as one whom God has united to himself in the closest bond of love and intimacy, made acquainted with his purposes, appointed to explain and carry out among men the plan of salvation, and made to share also in his own divine nature

1) by Jesus Christ himself
2) by the apostles

In my Name: 3686
1) name: univ. of proper names
2) the name is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering, the name, i.e. for one's rank, authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellences, deeds etc.
3) persons reckoned up by name
4) the cause or reason named: on this account, because he suffers as a Christian, for this reason

He may give to you: 1325
1) to give
2) to give something to someone
a) of one's own accord to give one something, to his advantage

1) to bestow a gift
b) to grant, give to one asking, let have
c) to supply, furnish, necessary things
d) to give over, deliver

1) to reach out, extend, present
2) of a writing
3) to give over to one's care, intrust, commit
a) something to be administered
b) to give or commit to some one something to be religiously observed
e) to give what is due or obligatory, to pay: wages or reward
f) to furnish, endue

3) to give
a) to cause, profuse, give forth from one's self

1) to give, hand out lots
b) to appoint to an office
c) to cause to come forth, i.e. as the sea, death and Hell are said to give up the dead who have been engulfed or received by them
c) to give one to someone as his own

1) as an object of his saving care
2) to give one to someone, to follow him as a leader and master
3) to give one to someone to care for his interests
4) to give one to someone to whom he already belonged, to return

4) to grant or permit one
a) to commission

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Gospel of John 15 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 23 Dec 2009. < http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=15&t=NASB

Higgins, S. (2009). He Chose You, First! Devotions for Thought. Http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com, http://www.higginspublishing.com