"Being Connected"

""For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession." (Psalms 69:35) I don't know what you might think of Israel, but hopefully it is nothing bad or hateful, because believe it or not, you need to be a part of her, or you will have no part in her. Make no mistake about these chosen people of God, they are His inheritance; and if we want to be a part of Heaven, then guess what, we need to be a part of His chosen people! I remember when I first got saved, there was about twelve or fifteen of us newly saved inmates, and we were all standing in a circle singing, "Father Abraham," bobbing our heads, spinning around, marching in step; it must have been quite a sight to those that were watching. Our group was rather diverse; I can remember that there was at least two blacks, at least one Hispanic, and at least one Oriental; but we were all brothers in the Lord, and we were all celebrating being grafted into the people of God! Please don't forget that is the case, because I know it is easy enough to get caught up in the world view of God's chosen people; they are hated and despised by almost everyone, but they are loved by God, and God will come against anyone who comes against His people. There are some who believe that God has left off from saving His people, and that now He is focused on the Gentile nations instead. They most likely get this from a few verses in the Bible taken out of context; because Paul clearly states in Romans, "All Israel shall be saved." So obviously God has not forgotten about any of the promises that He has made! Don't you know what that means for you? In case you might not get it, it is a sign: a sign to all of us knuckleheads that can't get it right, that God means what He says! When God says that He has chosen you, and that He loves you, and that He is not going to let you go, then you had better do what you are meant to do: quit putting your faith in faith, and start putting your faith in God...
"I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say: "The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem, and he will turn Israel away from ungodliness. And this is My covenant with them, I will take away their sins." Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people He loves because He chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For God's gifts and His call can never be withdrawn. Once you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the people of Israel rebelled against Him, God was merciful to you instead. Now they are the rebels, and God's mercy has come to you so that they, too, will share in God's mercy. For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so He could have mercy on everyone. Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways! For who can know the LORD'S thoughts? Who knows enough to give Him advice? And who has given Him so much that He needs to pay it back? For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever! Amen." (Romans 11:25-36) NLT