1 Corinthians 1:14-16

I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, Lest anyone should say that I baptized in my own name. [Yes] I did baptize the household of Stephanas also. More than these, I do not remember that I baptized anyone. 1 Corinthians 14-16

Remember that Paul was dealing here with people who were getting all caught up in who they were associating with. Some people were saying that they were of him, some of Peter, and some of Apollos. And while we could study on the reasons people get all caught up in things like that, I feel more led to study on baptism today.

In my life I have seen religion argue over what words should be spoken when someone is baptized or if they should be dunked or sprinkled. Once again, the problem is that we have taken something and turned it all religious and by doing so we have diminished its true glory and meaning. I marvel that people really believe that our Father is so petty and would ignore someones heart over the words spoken or amount of water used for their baptism. Give me a break, Grace is so far superior to that.

John the Baptist, the greatest ever born of a woman according to Jesus, said this about baptism. 

I indeed baptize you in (with) water because of repentance [that is, because of your changing your minds for the better, heartily amending your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins]. But He Who is coming after me is mightier than I, Whose sandals I am not worthy or fit to take off or carry; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Matthew 3:11

John was saying that a mightier baptism was coming for us and that baptism was the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We were shown that Jesus does not baptize us with water, He baptizes us with the Holy Spirit, which is the power, victory, ability, knowledge, wisdom, glory, Love, Faith, and Hope of our Father. Now that is what we truly want to be immersed in. We should want what Jesus is giving because it so far exceeds what John was doing. Water baptism is a person publicly displaying that they are going to try and change. All the power of water baptism lies with the person, but what Jesus gives with His baptism is the power for our Father to publicly display His abilities and glory through us. Jesus’ baptism of the Holy Spirit is eternal and the victory of it cannot be lost. I don’t know about you, but I would rather our Father display Himself through us, then for us to display ourselves. 

And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you shall heed My ordinances and do them. Ezekiel 36:27

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:2-4

Now don’t get me wrong, water baptism is an awesome expression of faith. But it is not what the Bible is talking about when it talks about the New Testament Baptism. Our baptism is becoming one with our Father and Him placing His very Own Spirit within us insuring our success. Our baptism causes us to be as Jesus is, even though we are still on this earth. Our baptism allows us to be used to do the works that Jesus was used for and it allows our Father to do even greater works through us. Our baptism allows us to be used to intercede for people so that they may have life and have it abundantly. So don’t get all caught up with what words are spoken over a person or how much water is used. Look to the overwhelming power of our Father being poured out on a believer.   

Communion

And when He had given thanks, He broke [it] and said, Take, eat. This is My body, which is broken for you. Do this to call Me [affectionately] to remembrance. Similarly when supper was ended, He took the cup also, saying, This cup is the new covenant [ratified and established] in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink [it], to call Me [affectionately] to remembrance. For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are representing and signifying and proclaiming the fact of the Lord’s death until He comes [again]. 1 Corinthians 11:24-26

A friend and I were talking yesterday about communion and I really felt led to write about it. I honestly believe that churches have taken communion and made it so religious that it has lost all of what it was intended to be and that is fellowship. There is something about food and the fellowship that we all enjoy around it. That is what was happening when Jesus taught about communion. Look at what we are shown here, “when the supper was ended.” They had been eating a meal and then they had some wine to finish it up and Jesus said to do this kind of thing often. He was saying get together, fellowship, and eat. He said this because as humans we enjoy something special around getting together and eating and what a perfect time to share the Truth and be there for each other in Christ.

Google communion and you will see that it means: 

The sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level.

Christians worship at which bread and wine are consecrated and shared.

Communion is an awesome thing and it absolutely should be done all of the time. We are to get together all of the time, have a meal, and exchange our thoughts and feelings with each other and remember and share the Truth that sets us free. We are to be there for each other all of the time. This shouldn’t be all religious either, it should be real and comforting and what better place to commune than in our kitchens, a great restaurant, a coffee house, or a park. When we have communion everyone should be able to share and exchange their thoughts and feelings. 

  

The Greek word for communion is Koinonia and it means:

contributory help. sharing, spiritual fellowship, a fellowship in the spirit.

So share your help often with others by getting together around a meal and discuss the Truth of our Father.  

1 Corinthians 1:11:13

For it has been made clear to me, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions and wrangling and factions among you. What I mean is this, that each one of you [either] says, I belong to Paul, or I belong to Apollos, or I belong to Cephas (Peter), or I belong to Christ. Is Christ (the Messiah) divided into parts? Was Paul crucified on behalf of you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul?1 Corinthians 1:11-13

I don’t know about you but I find it really refreshing that people were as nutty 2000 years ago as we are today. These people may have not said Catholic, Church of God, Baptist, Church of Christ, Methodist, or one of the other thousands of names that we have given to ourselves today, but they did try to divide up the Body of Christ. They thought that to be legitimate that they had to be connected with a group. They wanted to belong to something that they could talk about that had a name, so they looked at the world and tried to be like it by making clubs with names out of their churches. We do the exact same thing today. But our glory is not in belonging to a denomination, our glory is that we are all part of the Body of Christ. The world cannot and will not know Jesus until He reveals Himself to them and that will not change because we create denominations. 

For we [no matter how] numerous we are, are one body, because we all partake of the one Bread [the One Whom the communion bread represents]. 1 Corinthians 10:17

For just as the body is a unity and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so it is with Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). 1 Corinthians 12:12

Christ is not divided and the problem with denominations is that they divide us. Denominations far too often point out our differences and they far too often elevate themselves over others. None of us is better than any other. That would like be saying that my left arm is better than my right. I may use my right one more, but I still love and cherish the left one and would be far less capable without it. Both arms are part of my body and both are needed, loved, and cherished.  

I have seen a really great thing happening over the last several years and it is that people are leaving organized religion. They are not leaving Jesus or God, or faith, but they are leaving all of the nonsense that religion has been giving us for so long. Our Father is not having them forsake the gathering together of believers either. We are meeting in homes, over coffee, at the markets, in the malls, and wherever else our Father wants us to join up. Our Father is having us realize that buildings, titles, and names are dividing us and that they do not bring us the peace and Truth that we need to be set free. 

1 Corinthians 1:10

But I urge and entreat you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in perfect harmony and full agreement in what you say, and that there be no dissensions or factions or divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your common understanding and in your opinions and judgments. 1 Corinthians 1:10

The only way that we will ever be able to be in perfect harmony and full agreement, and the amazing Truth is that we can be, is when the Word set’s us free from all of the garbage of the world. When our Father allows us to see that we are all actually one in Him, that is when unity and agreement will come. The problem is that way too many of us think that this is waiting fro us in Heaven, when in reality it is for us right now. It is because we are all in Christ right now. 

I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one [even] as We are one: I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and [definitely] recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them [even] as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also whom You have entrusted to Me [as Your gift to Me] may be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory, which You have given Me [Your love gift to Me]; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. John 17:22-24

Jesus has given us His honor and His glory so that we can be one. Through Christ we are all already perfectly united.  Now here is the really cool Truth, our Unity is with everyone not just with Christians. 

With a view to this we toil and strive, [yes and] suffer reproach, because we have [fixed our] hope on the living God, Who is the Savior (Preserver, Maintainer, Deliverer) of all men, especially of those who believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to Him). 1 Timothy 4:10

Look at what our Father shows us in 1 Timothy: Jesus is the Savior of all men. Jesus maintains all men. He delivers all men, and He preserves all men. Now He will especially do these things for those of us who have been empowered to believe, but the glorious Truth is that He does it for all men. I think that is so powerful and shows just how victorious Jesus was. I also believe that this Truth is what will allow us to all truly come into unity. 

For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in and for Him. Colossians 1:16

We all, whether we confess it or not, exist through Jesus. He has control of all of us, so we are all one with each other. Some of us have been empowered to know this Truth now and some of us haven’t yet. But the Truth is that we are all one regardless of what we may think. In every house there are vessels of Gold and Silver and vessels of wood and clay, and they all work together for the good of the house. The Truth of our unity in Christ is what allows us to love even those who hate us. The so called lost, aren’t lost, Jesus has them, they just haven’t come to know the Truth yet. They will, and that is why we love them and aren’t divided or angry with them.   

1 Corinthians 1:9

God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9

We are told here that our Father is faithful and that He can be depended on to do what it is that He has said that He will do. So let’s recap what we have been shown in the first 8 verses of 1 Corinthians and see what God, Who is our Father, can be depended on for.

Verse 1: God can be depended on to call us and insure His will is accomplished through us. 

Verse 2: Our Father can be depended on to consecrate us and purify us.

Verse 3: Our Father can be depended on to influence our souls, causing us to be Christlike.

Verse 4: God can be depended on to make sure that we are favored. 

Verse 5: God can be depended on to insure that we are enriched with full power and that we are always used to speak the Truth. He can also be depended on to make sure that we have complete knowledge and that we are fully illuminated with the Truth. 

Verse 6: Our Father can be depended on to insure that Christ is confirmed in us. 

Verse 7: Our Father can be depended on to never let us fall behind or lack in any Christian endowments.

Verse 8: God can be depended on establishing us, keeping us steadfast, strengthen us, guaranteeing our vindication, and eliminating all indictments and accusations against us. 

In the first 8 verses of 1 Corinthians we can see that it is our Father Who is responsible for everything in our life’s that insure success. Remember too that our Father can be depended on for our Faith, Hope, Love, health, needs, wants, peace, and joy. Never let anyone try to rob you of our victory and freedom in Christ by causing you to think that we must depend on ourself’s. That type of preaching is anti-christ. 

1 Corinthians 1:8

And He will establish you to the end [keep you steadfast, give you strength, and guarantee your vindication; He will be your warrant against all accusation or indictment so that you will be] guiltless and irreproachable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah). 1 Corinthians 1:8

Look at what we are shown here! Our Father plainly tells us here that there is absolutely no chance whatsoever that we will not be victorious and triumphant. Jesus is completely responsible to establish us, keep us, strengthen us, and He Alone guarantees our success. Because of Jesus there can never be any accusations or indictments against us. 

You ever hear this glorious Truth preached? You ever hear that we cannot fail? That there can never be any charge made against us? Or that we are guaranteed complete victory with no chance of failure? I honestly never did, but our Father just flat out tells us that these things are true.  

Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect [when it is] God Who justifies [that is, Who puts us in right relation to Himself? Who shall come forward and accuse or impeach those whom God has chosen? Will God, Who acquits us?] Romans 8:33

We have been chosen and therefore we never have to take thought about being strong, vindicated, or established. We do not have to work at trying to obtain these things, because they are all just a free gift that have been given to us. 

So why do you suppose that we have been given these great things? The reason that we have been given such greatness is to serve. The Truth allows us to to be used to intercede for others with absolutely no condemnation of them. The Truth allows us to pray for all, even those who despitefully use us. These attributes allow us bless all, even those who curse us. These Truths allow us to be used by our Father to do the works that He did through Jesus and even greater ones. These Truths allow us to be as Jesus is, even though we are still on this earth. 

We don’t have to fear anything anymore. I use to fear myself like crazy. I would fret constantly over what I was thinking or doing. The more that I concerned myself with myself, the more I would feel condemnation and fear. Then I would end up doing the very things that I was fretting about. But then our Father removed me from religion that told me what I must do and He took me into His Truth that showed me what He has done. The Truth began to set me free and I was empowered to stop thinking about myself and salvation became a lot funner and easier. The Truth also allowed me to begin to be used to actually help people. 

When our Father allows us to see that there are never going to be any charges against us, the freedom in that Truth allows us to serve in the full and complete capacity of Christ. If anything was left up to us we would fail, but nothing has been left up to us therefore our Father is able to work mightily through us.  

Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]— Ephesians 3:20

! Corinthians 1:6-7

In this way [our] witnessing concerning Christ (the Messiah) was so confirmed and established and made sure in you. That you are not [consciously] falling behind or lacking in any special spiritual endowment or Christian grace the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating in your souls by the Holy Spirit], while you wait and watch [constantly living in hope] for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and [His] being made visible to all. 1 Corinthians 1:6-7

The reason that we will never fall behind isn’t because we are so diligent, it is because Grace is so victorious and diligent. It’s all about God’s diligence and efforts, not ours. Our Father will never stop influencing our success. The Holy Spirit will never allow us to not be exactly where our Father wants us to be and Jesus will always insure that we are enriched and full of power. 

[So] that in Him in every respect you were enriched, in full power and readiness of speech [to speak of your faith] and complete knowledge and illumination [to give you full insight into its meaning]. 1 Corinthians 1:5

The great thing about our salvation is that it is all our Father’s abilities. We will never know enough or be worthy enough to succeed, but thank God it doesn’t matter. God is not limited in His ability to use us because of our knowledge level. If God’s abilities to use us were determined by our abilities then think of how we all would all be doomed as we grow older. Or what if we had an accident, or a disease, or sickness that effected our thought process, what would we do then? Our peace and joy is that God does not respond to us, we respond to Him and He is always influencing us, regardless of our condition. 

When we need Faith, God Authors and Finishes it. When we need Love, He gives us Jesus’ Love to live in us. When we need Hope, our Father gives us His Holy Spirit to cause us to abound in Hope. When we need money, He supplies are needs according to His riches in glory in Christ. When we need understanding or knowledge, He gives us the Holy Spirit to teach us all things. When we need miracles, God gives us the Gifts of the Spirit. When we need to get along with other’s, He gives us the Fruit of the Spirit. And we are given all of these things based on Grace, not works. According to the Word if you believe that you must work or keep laws to receive anything from God, then you are living under a curse.  

And all who depend on the Law [who are seeking to be justified by obedience to the Law of rituals] are under a curse and doomed to disappointment and destruction, for it is written in the Scriptures, Cursed (accursed, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment) be everyone who does not continue to abide (live and remain) by all the precepts and commands written in the Book of the Law and to practice them. Galatians 3:10

So never look to yourself, relax you have been empowered with the Holy Spirt to look to Jesus and because you have, you will never be disappointed. 

1 Corinthians 1:5

[So] that in Him in every respect you were enriched, in full power and readiness of speech [to speak of your faith] and complete knowledge and illumination [to give you full insight into its meaning]. 1 Corinthians 1:5

Our victory is that it is Jesus Who makes us powerful and ready. The responsibility for our success squarely lies with the power of Christ and Christ is in no way limited by us. The Truth is that you and I are very different people. We have different personalities, different strengths and weaknesses, and none of our differences or weaknesses matter to Jesus success through us. Our victory is always based on Jesus being Great within us. Jesus will absolutely do what is needed for you and for me to live abundantly and what you need will probably be different than what I need. Our peace in this world is that God’s plans for us will be accomplished regardless of what we need. Our confidence is that Jesus will enrich us with all that our Father has and He will do it in every respect. Jesus will insure that we have the full and complete power of God, not just some of His power and abilities, but all of His power and abilities!

[That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]! Ephesians 3:19

Look at what our Father tells us here in Ephesians: we are not just filled with some of Him, we are filled with all of Him. Jesus completely illuminates us with the Truth that sets us free. This is why we can be so powerfully used to serve regardless of the situation. We are even told in the Word that the weaker our flesh gets the more powerful God gets within us. All things will always work out for us.  

I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father. John 14:12

But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ's victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere, 2 Corinthians 2:14

I believe that far too often we think that there are limitations to just how we will be used by our Father, but according to the Word there really isn’t limitations at all on us. Just look at how many times our Father had it written: all, every, full, complete. perfect, glory, victory, and abundant when He was talking about His power within us. The Truth is that we are just like Jesus even though we are on this earth. We are just like Jesus is right now, not like He was, even though that would be great, the Truth is we are like He is. We are one with the raised up from the dead, glorified, completely victorious Jesus right now. So expect to have full insight into all of the meanings of an abundant life in Christ!  

1 Corinthians 1:4

I thank my God at all times for you because of the grace (the favor and spiritual blessing) of God which was bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, 1 Corinthians 1:4

It is a reason for pride and exultation to which our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world [generally] and especially toward you, with devout and pure motives and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God (the unmerited favor and merciful kindness by which God, exerting His holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, and keeps, strengthens, and increases them in Christian virtues). 2 Corinthians 1:12

Grace is all free and it is all undeserved. So the Truth is that our Father will exert His influence freely on all of us. Our Father will cause us to be strong and virtuous. Our Father will lead us into the paths of righteousness. He will sanctify us and glorify us. Our Father will absolutely insure that His will is accomplished through us. We cannot help but to be safe and secure in Christ. We have been sealed with the Holy Spirit, He is our guarantee of success. The battle is our Father’s and the victory is ours. 

THEREFORE, SINCE we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God's favor) in which we [firmly and safely] stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

Grace has justified us, we do not have to wait for it, it has already been given to us. God has declared you and I righteous already. We are in good standing with our Father, He likes us and He is not disappointed in any of us. Our Father will influence all of us to be exactly what He has chosen for us to be. There is so much peace in that because the responsibility is all His. The burden is all His, which leaves us to enjoy the fruits of His labor. We are able to part of it all while not having to stress about it. 

Our Father will use all of us. He will work through all of us. We cannot help but to be a blessing and if there is anything that would hinder us from being used, our Father has said that He will get it out of our life’s. This allows us to have peace. Never let anyone tell you that you are in control. God is not our Co-Pilot, He is the Pilot. Our Father is not reactive to us, He is proactive in causing us to be successful. This is why we are so thankful for Grace, because it relieves all of the burdens from us.  

1 Corinthians 1:3

Grace (favor and spiritual blessing) be to you and [heart] peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:3

Grace means that we have favor and that we are blessed. Grace is also all undeserved and unearned. Salvation is a very powerful thing and we have it. I have found though that a lot of us really don’t know what salvation actually means, so let’s study it here so that we can know and share the Truth that sets us all free.

To start with here is the dictionaries definition of salvation. 

deliverance from sin and its consequences, believed by Christians to be brought about by faith in Christ.

preservation or deliverance from harm, ruin, or loss • ( one's salvation) a source or means of being saved in this way : his only salvation was to outfly the enemy.

The original Greek word used in the Bible for salvation is Soteria {so-tay-ree’ah} and here is its definition.

deliverer, health, rescue, and safety. Fourfold salvation: saved from the penalty, power, presence and most importantly the pleasure of sin. Deliverance from the molestation of enemies, future salvation: the sum of benefits and blessings which the Christians, redeemed from all earthly ills, will enjoy after the visible return of Christ from heaven in the consummated and eternal kingdom of God.

Finally the Greek word for saved used in the Bible is Sozo and its meaning.

to keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger and destruction. To save one from perishing, to save from disease, to make well, to heal, to restore. To preserve, to deliver from the penalties of sin and judgment and finally to save from the evils which obstruct the reception of deliverance.

The Truth is that we have all of these benefits now.

For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2

The Truth is also that we can never lose any of these benefits.

For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.] Romans 11:29

So right now we are preserved from sin and all of its consequences, we are safe, delivered, healed, and rescued from all danger and ruin. This is Grace, we have been freely given it, we didn’t earn it,  and our Father will never take it from us.   

1 Corinthians 1:2

To the church (assembly) of God which is in Corinth, to those consecrated and purified and made holy in Christ Jesus, [who are] selected and called to be saints (God’s people), together with all those who in any place call upon and give honor to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: 1 Corinthians 1:2

How awesome is this verse? The glorious Truth is that we have been selected. You and I have been selected by God to be saints. We have been selected to be filled with the Holy Ghost and that means that we have been selected to serve. It is also a wonderful Truth that we did nothing at all to be selected, it’s all just a gift. Our selection was made even though our Father knew every last little fault that we have, and even with all of that knowledge, He still selected us.

And the children were yet unborn and had so far done nothing either good or evil. Even so, in order further to carry out God’s purpose of selection (election, choice), which depends not on works or what men can do, but on Him Who calls [them], It was said to her that the elder [son] should serve the younger [son]. Romans 9:11-12

For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent] Ephesians 1:5

Before we ever did anything good or bad, we were selected to be filled with the very glory of Jesus. It never depended on our works. Our selection only depended on our Father’s purpose and will, so we can’t blow it, our Father will not permit such a thing. Our Father’s purpose for us will be realized and He will insure that we are a blessing and that we are blessed. 

For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.] Romans 11:29

Jesus has purified us and He has consecrated us and He has done it apart from any work that we have done. The Truth is that we have been foreordained to be saints. So whatever is needed in our life’s will be done. We don't have to worry about how to be righteous, that is up to our Father and His power that is being great within us. Our sanctification and purity will be accomplished in spite of ourselves to insure that our Father’s will is accomplished. We have been chosen for Jesus’ Names sake to show just how merciful and gracious our Father really is.  

Now He Who has fashioned us [preparing and making us fit] for this very thing is God, Who also has given us the [Holy] Spirit as a guarantee [of the fulfillment of His promise]. 2 Corinthians 5:5

We can’t fail in any way shape or form. Congratulations, Jesus has insured your success. 

1 Corinthians 1:1

Paul, summoned by the will and purpose of God to be an apostle (special messenger) of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, 1 Corinthians 1:1

I was listening to a preacher yesterday who said that many are called, but only a few are chosen. She then went on to say that the reason that more aren’t chosen is because they won’t listen. My answer to that is BULL! We can look at the Bible and see that she is completely wrong. Paul was riding down the road on a donkey and Jesus showed up with all of His glory and knocked Paul off his ride, blinded him, and told him that he had been chosen to preach the Truth. Jonah was chosen and didn’t listen and our Father had him spend three day in a fishes belly. So I think our Father knows how to get our attention if we aren’t listening.

The Truth is that only a few of us have been chosen to be the Bride of Christ, which means that only a few of us have been chosen to serve. The Truth is also that we were chosen to serve before we were ever born, actually we were chosen before the world was even created.

So then [God's gift] is not a question of human will and human effort, but of God's mercy. [It depends not on one's own willingness nor on his strenuous exertion as in running a race, but on God's having mercy on him.] For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, I have raised you up for this very purpose of displaying My power in [dealing with] you, so that My name may be proclaimed the whole world over. So then He has mercy on whomever He wills (chooses) and He hardens (makes stubborn and unyielding the heart of) whomever He wills. Romans 9:16-18

But when He, Who had chosen and set me apart [even] before I was born and had called me by His grace (His undeserved favor and blessing), saw fit and was pleased To reveal (unveil, disclose) His Son within me so that I might proclaim Him among the Gentiles (the non-Jewish world) as the glad tidings (Gospel), immediately I did not confer with flesh and blood [did not consult or counsel with any frail human being or communicate with anyone]. Galatians 1:15-16

Man's steps are ordered by the Lord. How then can a man understand his way? Proverbs 20:24

Declaring the end and the result from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure and purpose, Isaiah 46:10

So only a few of us have been chosen to serve, but amen, that doesn’t mean that the rest of us are hated by our Father. It just means that the other’s have been chosen to be served. The Bride of Christ serves the guests of the Wedding Feast and if you have been chosen you can rest assured our Father will get His way and order your steps in the paths that He has destined for them to walk in. 

Ephesians 6:21-24

Now that you may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord [and His service], will tell you everything. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may console and cheer and encourage and strengthen your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love joined with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). Grace (God’s undeserved favor) be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with undying and incorruptible [love]. Amen (so let it be). Ephesians 6:21-24

Our Love and our Faith both come to us and operate through us by God. The Bible tells us that perfect Love will drive all fear from us of us. We are told that Love covers a multitude of sins and that Love will never fail us in any way shape or form. We are told that Faith as small as a grain of mustard seed can blow a mountain into the sea and our peace is that it is our Father Who Authors and Finishes both through us. As we have studied God will not only give us Love and Faith, He will give them to us above all that we can ask for, pray for, dream of, or even imagine. We are blessed beyond expression and our Father will always cause us to be victorious. Faith come to us by hearing these Truth’s and these Truth’s set us free.

For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us, because we are of the opinion and conviction that [if] One died for all, then all died; And He died for all, so that all those who live might live no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died and was raised again for their sake. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

But concerning brotherly love [for all other Christians], you have no need to have anyone write you, for you yourselves have been [personally] taught by God to love one another. 1 Thessalonians 4:9

Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Today is the Day of our Salvation and now is our accepted time, so today is the Day that our Father is pouring His Love into our hearts so that we may know the breadth, the length, and the height of it. Today our multitude of sins have been completed covered and blotted out. Today all of the ordinances and laws that were against us have been nailed to the Cross and they have been completely done away with. Today the Love of Christ controls us and His Faith actively works through us and they don’t because we have accepted them or allowed them to, they do because our Father has willed it to be so. Our Father’s Grace has willed that He be great in us and our victory is not dependent on us, it is all dependent on Him. God is willing and able to carry out all that His Word has proclaimed.   

Ephesians 6:20

For which I am an ambassador in a coupling chain [in prison. Pray] that I may declare it boldly and courageously, as I ought to do. Ephesians 6:20

We are told repeatedly in the Word that we will be persecuted. Paul wrote that if the world was his friend then he would be an enemy of the Cross. Our peace is that our Father will cause us to actually find and enjoy peace in the persecutions that He leads us through. I can personally attest to this Truth. When our Father begins to use me in different ways persecution always comes right along with it. It is really how He shows me that it is Him working through me and our Father has given me peace with the process. I won’t say perfect peace yet, but each time, stronger peace.  

And you will be hated by all for My name's sake, but he who perseveres and endures to the end will be saved [from spiritual disease and death in the world to come]. When they persecute you in one town [that is, pursue you in a manner that would injure you and cause you to suffer because of your belief], flee to another town; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. A disciple is not above his teacher, nor is a servant or slave above his master. It is sufficient for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant or slave like his master. If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub [master of the dwelling], how much more will they speak evil of those of His household. Matthew 10:22-25

I would be lying to you if I said that I wanted the persecution and the trials, but I should, because they always come with a growth spurt. Trials and persecutions are just part of the process of life on this earth. Our Father is not bringing them on as punishment, He is bringing them on because it is His will to grow us in ways that only going through trials can. 

Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-4

There is no way to avoid persecution and trials. We cannot tithe them away, pray them away, bind them away, or serve them away. Actually the more our Father has us live in the Truth the more the trials will come. So we might as well expect them and rejoice when they come, because they are going to come.

Three times I called upon the Lord and besought [Him] about this and begged that it might depart from me; But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and [a]show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength). 2 Corinthians 12-8-10

Ephesians 6:19

And [pray] also for me, that [freedom of] utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news (the Gospel), Ephesians 6:19

I would ask that you all pray this for me as well. There are some really powerful examples of how we can pray for each other in the Bible and here would be a great place to look at them.

I do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers. [For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him, By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places], Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come. And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church], Which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all [for in that body lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself]. Ephesians 1:16-23

May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]! Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]-- To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it). Ephesians 3:16-21

And this I pray: that your love may abound yet more and more and extend to its fullest development in knowledge and all keen insight [that your love may display itself in greater depth of acquaintance and more comprehensive discernment], So that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value [recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences], and that you may be untainted and pure and unerring and blameless [so that with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied, you may approach] the day of Christ [not stumbling nor causing others to stumble]. May you abound in and be filled with the fruits of righteousness (of right standing with God and right doing) which come through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One), to the honor and praise of God [that His glory may be both manifested and recognized]. Philippians 1:9-11

We can really see just how much glory and power our Father wants for us to have in these prayers. The Holy Spirit will cause us to be relentless in praying these types of things for each other and He will cause us to do it in our most private rooms and what He causes us to pray for in private will be rewarded for us in the open for all to see.