“Now when the men of the Sanhedrin (Jewish High Court) saw the confidence and boldness of Peter and John, and grasped the fact that they were uneducated and untrained ordinary men, they were astounded, and began to recognize they had been with Jesus.”
Acts 4:13
Today, we live in a culture that says, “If you’re not higher educated then you are lesser than.” College degree, successful! No college degree, failure! How far from the truth.Attending a higher education institution isn’t the only path to success. In fact, studies show that nearly a third (30%) of today’s billionaires do not have a bachelor’s degree at all. As a matter of fact, they never attended a day of college in their lives.Jesus chose 12-ordinary men. The three leaders who had the greatest influence and who we read about the most in the Gospels were Peter, James and John. All three were “Untriained, Uneducated, Ordinary” men. They were simply fishermen. They went from a life of catching fish to catching men. Jesus saw something in these three men that separated them from the others.I’m reminded that “God doesn’t call the equipped . . . He equips the called.” He specializes is taking ordinary, often times uneducated and untrained everyday people to do extraordinary things. A life surrendered to God is more valuable than one who is highly educated, but has no relationship with God. Notice closely the last sentence in the verse above. “They were astounded, and began to recognize that these men had been with Jesus.”Peter & John hung out with Jesus every day. They watched Him. They did life with Him. They ate with Him. They walked with Him. They learned from Him. They did ministry with Him. From sun up to sun down for three straight years they had “been with Jesus.” God desires your heart. Not just on Sunday mornings for an hour; sing a few songs, throw some money into the offering and listen to a message. Then go on your way until next Sunday. Not when it’s convenient for you. Not when you’re only around like minded believers who think like you. No! He desires all of your heart, every bit of it. Henry Varley, a famous British evangelist of old told Dwight L. Moody one day:“The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully committed to Him.”Allow me to encourage you. God created you! He loves you unconditionally. He has a great plan and purpose for your life. Whether you’re highly educated or not. That alone should give you great hope. Be committed to Him and then watch what He will do in and through your life.When you can’t trace God’s hand—trust His heart.Be Worth Being,KevinSUBSCRIBE TO "OVER THE HUMP" DEVOTIONALKevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 39 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.
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