 The eight ball is the one who doesn’t fit in any group in anyplace. It’s a standalone ball on the pool table. It really doesn’t fit in with the other solid color balls. It certainly doesn’t fit in with the striped balls either. Well, this eight ball is just like some people out there who seem to not fit in any type of group. No matter where they go, they just don’t fit in at all. Now what is interesting is the eight ball has to go in last to win the game on an normal pool game. That’s what makes the eight ball so special. When someone puts in the eight ball that person wins. It’s the same in the Kingdom of God. No matter how left out you feel, when you find Jesus and accept him you become a winner. Consider this scripture Matthew 19:30 “But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” At first we felt in last place with being an outcast, but in the end will be first, because Jesus has come in and turned our situation around and we become a winner with Christ Jesus.
Now, some may fit in with a group, but still feel like an outcast within the group as well. Being labeled as something can hurt deeply. Why? It identifies you as something that you’re not. Then it can take a good long period of time to break that labeling off of you. I am here to tell you that your “stand alone” feeling can go away with Jesus. Labeling is no different now than what it was years ago. The only difference is the list has gotten longer. Here are some labels that can be put on a person such as a drug head, an alcoholic, a rich kid, a poor kid, a trouble maker, or even being called a funny one in an ugly way, and the list goes on and on. Labeling is the same in the Christian world as it is in the real world. Someone can be called a pew warmer, a faith doubter, one who is earning brownie points, being classified with certain denominations because of certain beliefs, and this list can be just as long as the worldly list. I know this is true. I have experienced some of those labels myself. I also have had some of those deeper inner wounds that needed to be healed. Often times someone will bring up that subject and begin to stir up that old wound, but one night I found the one who can take those labels off of me and start removing that anger and hurt out of me. I would also like to add that some can get rid of those hurts easier than others, but for those who have trouble with getting rid of those hurts, hang in there with Jesus, because he will get rid of those hurts as you strengthen your relationship with him. Remember when I said, there is one who can take all that hurt away from you and that is Jesus. Why? Because Jesus thinks you are special to him. Take a look at this scripture out of Luke 15:4-7 “4) What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5) And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6) And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7) I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” What I love about this passage is that the eight ball represents the one that is to be part of the ninety-nine. Jesus didn’t only leave the ninety-nine to get the one who felt left out, but he called out to everybody to rejoice with him for finding the one who was lost. Why is this important? The one who was not welcomed or fitting in is now welcomed in. This person will eventually take on the likeness of Jesus, because they felt the love of Jesus working inside of them. Meaning that label given to them by other is beginning to fall off of them. Yes, it means a change of heart has taken place and salvation will begin to take place. Now, just as that subtitle above says “Labeling may look bad up front, but it has its rewards with Jesus” is now taking place within this passage. The greatest reward is your going to be with Jesus and living in that promise land forever. John 14:2-3 “2) In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” Most importantly when this happens he calls us friend John 15:15 “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” This means we need to seek him daily to find those avenues to remove those hurts. 1 Chronicles 16:11 “Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” Now as you seek him you begin to find rest in him. Matthew 18 28-30 “28) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” The trick of it all is that you have to be serious within. What do I mean by this? It has to come from the heart not of the min. Take a look at Jeremiah 29:13 “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”
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