The Calling
Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2016 5:04 amTHE CALLING
Many times you'll hear people talk about having "missed their calling", but the phrase usually isn't used in a spiritual sense, but is used rather to express when someone is unsuccessful at reaching a goal.
Missing your spiritual calling is much more sobering of a thought. How do you know when you are being called by the Holy Spirit of God to serve Him in the way that He has designed specifically for you?
One way, is that your soul will feel it. You will feel the Holy Spirit, nudging you to make the right choices in your life. Another way that God may call on you, is by the Holy Spirit revealing it to you through another servant of God. Yet another way, is with His still small voice. And still another, and maybe even the most often used because people seem to miss the voice of God through other means, is by changes in your life.
You may lose your job. You may lose one of your faculties. You may lose a loved one through death or divorce. You may gain time because of retirement, or children growing up and going off to school or getting married.
You may be confronted with a situation where you are needed to serve another of the Lord's children because of one of the things just mentioned has affected their lives. It's important that you become aware of what is happening in your life ... And WHY.
Because it may just be your Father ... CALLING!
Many seem to just sit around waiting for some huge sign. That may be the way He comes to you, but you should not wait around expecting a beautiful white dove to fly up to you out of nowhere with a white ribbon in its beak that says, You're being called, and drop it in your lap.
There's something that occurs oft times when people are called to serve the Lord. They don't believe that it's a commitment that should be first and foremost in their lives.
It's almost like people think of it as a side job, or a hobby, or like volunteer work ... Ah, I'll do it when I have some spare time. How much do people miss by maintaining this kind of attitude? Plenty.
Matthew 16:24-27
Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His Angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works.
In other words all the reasons you have as to why you can NOT follow Jesus and serve Him full time are not worthy of losing your soul.
Take a look at some of the people who answered their calling, with total devotion, to the Lord. They had jobs, and families too, but they put God first, and if you know anything about them, you probably hope for the reward that they obviously earned.
We know that the twelve Apostles left their homes straightway (that means immediately or in an instant by the way) and followed Jesus. There's mention also of Simon Peter having a wife, so we know that he even left his spouse and possibly children to follow the Lord.
Sound like a pretty tall order huh?
When one is called to serve Christ, there is much contemplation spent, concerning whether this is a commitment that should be made. Worldly thoughts usually hinder many, like whether or not its practical.
The issue is usually financial.
The issue is usually financial. But remember what Jesus said ...
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
The same thing happened in Jesus' day, but the Apostles CHOSE to commit without hesitation. They saw through the worldly things that try and prevent people, and recognized the spiritual reward inviting them to accept the calling of the Lord.
Matthew 19:21-26
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto His disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God. When His disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Answering the calling may mean that you may not be able to maintain the accommodations in life that you're used to:
Matthew 8:19-20
And a certain scribe came, and said unto Him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head.
The priorities that the world counts are not priorities when you're called to serve the Lord.
Matthew 8:21-22
And another of His disciples said unto Him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
If you picture in your mind, what it is like to answer the calling, you may think of people who have gained worldly grandeur and respect for themselves as pastor of a church.
You may have heard of and admired missionaries who go to third world countries to spread the Gospel with the financial support of the mission that they are employed under. Television evangelists may come to mind when you think of people who have answered the calling.
It is important that you always remember that the Holy Spirit has different gifts for each and every person in the body of Christ, and God has a specified purpose for each of us when He calls.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
You may not have the gift of prophecy like another of God's servants, but you may know how to counsel someone with a drug problem like nobody's business. Only God knows what He has planned for you.
There are different administrations ...
1 Corinthians 12:27-31
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
So discerning what administration you are called to perform is IMPORTANT.
In answering your calling, you're assisting the Holy Spirit in saving lost souls. The fulfillment you receive in accomplishing that, no matter what method God chooses for you personally, is sure to equal that of any other servant of God, because it is what God has chosen FOR YOU.
He has a custom made calling with your name on it.
Others that didn't hesitate in answering the calling of the Lord were Joshua and Caleb. They gave their hearts with total devotion in following the Lord and they were the only two people from the original children of Israel that were freed from Egypt, to enter the Promised Land.
Remember, the means by which the Lord's will is done through us, is not always what we expect. When you consider the people in the Bible who changed their lives in order to answer the calling of the Lord, Paul is definitely a person worth talking about. You can bet that his calling was anything but what he would have expected following the Lord to be like.
First of all, he was blinded by the light from Heaven:
Acts 9:9
And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
Then he was told that he would suffer many things for the Lord:
Acts 9:16
For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
Does that sound like what one would expect the "Light of the Gentiles" to experience as part of their calling?
Now, don't forget, Paul was a persecutor of Christians before he was called, so no matter who you are, or what your past beliefs may have been, when you're called by the Lord, nothing is impossible.
Paul was a tentmaker by trade. Though he did practice his craft after he was called, it was NOT his priority. He didn't do this to maintain a living, he did it only so that he wouldn't be held accountable by anyone for his support. The Lord was Paul's first priority.
Another thing to remember is that if writing or speaking with eloquence is not one of your strong points, you need not worry, because it doesn't matter. God will speak through you. Moses was slow of speech:
Exodus 4:10-12
And Moses said unto the LORD, O my LORD, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
Jesus confirms that your own talents are not a concern in answering your calling, the Holy Spirit will work through you:
Matthew 10:19-20
But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
Paul also claimed that he didn't have a way with words, but we all know how powerfully the Spirit worked through him.
2 Corinthians 11:6
But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
In fact, the rumor was that Paul's speaking abilities were "contemptible" (2 Corinthians 10:10).
By answering God's calling to you, you're showing Him that you trust Him with your life, and He will lead you into doing His will. Don't answer your calling halfheartedly, but with an attitude like Paul had. He rejoiced especially in the trials and tribulations of his calling. He was beaten, whipped, imprisoned, stoned, shipwrecked, robbed, hungered, cold, and a fugitive ... Just to name a few things (2 Corinthians, Chapter 11).
Will there be rough times ... Yes. Will it be worth it ... Absolutely. Don't forget, Jesus said,
Matthew 10:39
... he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Do you see the hidden meaning in this scripture? Because most Christians don't die defending the name of Christ, they die from accidents and natural causes. This is something deeper ... Giving up your lifeSTYLE for His sake.
That doesn't mean that your life will be sad. He wants to make you happy.
Psalms 37:4-5
Delight thyself also in the LORD: and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.
Because society has dictated that people must practice a certain standard of living, today's generation spends most of their waking hours dedicated to work. Preparing for, traveling to and from, and performing their jobs is what most people spend the majority of their lives doing. What if you put God first, instead of your job? Will He not take care of your food and clothing and other necessities?
Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
I'd like to direct your attention once more to the fact that God does move pieces into place in our lives in hopes that we will recognize His calling to us. Is it any surprise that the divorce rate is so terribly high in today's world? How many marriages do you know of, in which the foundation is the Lord?
In a marriage, you become united in serving the Lord, but you'll find that for most couples, one or neither have answered their calling and the Lord WILL take away anything that is more important to people than serving Him.
If the Lord is calling you, and you feel apprehension in answering His call ... Beware of who is putting the hesitation in your mind.
The "practical" world has no place in spiritual matters, so start thinking spiritually, and answer your Father with welcome and gladness, and embrace the rewards that He promises His servants.
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
CONSIDER WHAT JESUS SAID ...
Matthew 10:37-39
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
CONSIDER THIS ...
Is it not strange that if one's country asks them to step up, walk away from their family for months and even years at a time and even to sacrifice their life for their country, in the military ... It is deemed as NORMAL and NOBLE (Which it very well may be in many cases) ...
BUT, If Jesus asks Christians to be willing to do the same for HIS CAUSE, as He did above ... Even some Christians find it to be an extreme request and any who choose to do so are seen as Jesus freaks or extremists.
Are you CALLED to be one of the few, the humble, the CHOSEN?
Get involved in the Many Called Few Chosen chat program and Forum and CHOOSE to answer your calling.
Be not as Jonah and try and hide from your calling.
The darkness of the whale's belly is the darkness of being out of the presence of God and is unbearable.
ANSWER THE CALL.
Many times you'll hear people talk about having "missed their calling", but the phrase usually isn't used in a spiritual sense, but is used rather to express when someone is unsuccessful at reaching a goal.
Missing your spiritual calling is much more sobering of a thought. How do you know when you are being called by the Holy Spirit of God to serve Him in the way that He has designed specifically for you?
One way, is that your soul will feel it. You will feel the Holy Spirit, nudging you to make the right choices in your life. Another way that God may call on you, is by the Holy Spirit revealing it to you through another servant of God. Yet another way, is with His still small voice. And still another, and maybe even the most often used because people seem to miss the voice of God through other means, is by changes in your life.
You may lose your job. You may lose one of your faculties. You may lose a loved one through death or divorce. You may gain time because of retirement, or children growing up and going off to school or getting married.
You may be confronted with a situation where you are needed to serve another of the Lord's children because of one of the things just mentioned has affected their lives. It's important that you become aware of what is happening in your life ... And WHY.
Because it may just be your Father ... CALLING!
Many seem to just sit around waiting for some huge sign. That may be the way He comes to you, but you should not wait around expecting a beautiful white dove to fly up to you out of nowhere with a white ribbon in its beak that says, You're being called, and drop it in your lap.
There's something that occurs oft times when people are called to serve the Lord. They don't believe that it's a commitment that should be first and foremost in their lives.
It's almost like people think of it as a side job, or a hobby, or like volunteer work ... Ah, I'll do it when I have some spare time. How much do people miss by maintaining this kind of attitude? Plenty.
Matthew 16:24-27
Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His Angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works.
In other words all the reasons you have as to why you can NOT follow Jesus and serve Him full time are not worthy of losing your soul.
Take a look at some of the people who answered their calling, with total devotion, to the Lord. They had jobs, and families too, but they put God first, and if you know anything about them, you probably hope for the reward that they obviously earned.
We know that the twelve Apostles left their homes straightway (that means immediately or in an instant by the way) and followed Jesus. There's mention also of Simon Peter having a wife, so we know that he even left his spouse and possibly children to follow the Lord.
Sound like a pretty tall order huh?
When one is called to serve Christ, there is much contemplation spent, concerning whether this is a commitment that should be made. Worldly thoughts usually hinder many, like whether or not its practical.
The issue is usually financial.
The issue is usually financial. But remember what Jesus said ...
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
The same thing happened in Jesus' day, but the Apostles CHOSE to commit without hesitation. They saw through the worldly things that try and prevent people, and recognized the spiritual reward inviting them to accept the calling of the Lord.
Matthew 19:21-26
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto His disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God. When His disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Answering the calling may mean that you may not be able to maintain the accommodations in life that you're used to:
Matthew 8:19-20
And a certain scribe came, and said unto Him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head.
The priorities that the world counts are not priorities when you're called to serve the Lord.
Matthew 8:21-22
And another of His disciples said unto Him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
If you picture in your mind, what it is like to answer the calling, you may think of people who have gained worldly grandeur and respect for themselves as pastor of a church.
You may have heard of and admired missionaries who go to third world countries to spread the Gospel with the financial support of the mission that they are employed under. Television evangelists may come to mind when you think of people who have answered the calling.
It is important that you always remember that the Holy Spirit has different gifts for each and every person in the body of Christ, and God has a specified purpose for each of us when He calls.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
You may not have the gift of prophecy like another of God's servants, but you may know how to counsel someone with a drug problem like nobody's business. Only God knows what He has planned for you.
There are different administrations ...
1 Corinthians 12:27-31
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
So discerning what administration you are called to perform is IMPORTANT.
In answering your calling, you're assisting the Holy Spirit in saving lost souls. The fulfillment you receive in accomplishing that, no matter what method God chooses for you personally, is sure to equal that of any other servant of God, because it is what God has chosen FOR YOU.
He has a custom made calling with your name on it.
Others that didn't hesitate in answering the calling of the Lord were Joshua and Caleb. They gave their hearts with total devotion in following the Lord and they were the only two people from the original children of Israel that were freed from Egypt, to enter the Promised Land.
Remember, the means by which the Lord's will is done through us, is not always what we expect. When you consider the people in the Bible who changed their lives in order to answer the calling of the Lord, Paul is definitely a person worth talking about. You can bet that his calling was anything but what he would have expected following the Lord to be like.
First of all, he was blinded by the light from Heaven:
Acts 9:9
And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
Then he was told that he would suffer many things for the Lord:
Acts 9:16
For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
Does that sound like what one would expect the "Light of the Gentiles" to experience as part of their calling?
Now, don't forget, Paul was a persecutor of Christians before he was called, so no matter who you are, or what your past beliefs may have been, when you're called by the Lord, nothing is impossible.
Paul was a tentmaker by trade. Though he did practice his craft after he was called, it was NOT his priority. He didn't do this to maintain a living, he did it only so that he wouldn't be held accountable by anyone for his support. The Lord was Paul's first priority.
Another thing to remember is that if writing or speaking with eloquence is not one of your strong points, you need not worry, because it doesn't matter. God will speak through you. Moses was slow of speech:
Exodus 4:10-12
And Moses said unto the LORD, O my LORD, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
Jesus confirms that your own talents are not a concern in answering your calling, the Holy Spirit will work through you:
Matthew 10:19-20
But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
Paul also claimed that he didn't have a way with words, but we all know how powerfully the Spirit worked through him.
2 Corinthians 11:6
But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
In fact, the rumor was that Paul's speaking abilities were "contemptible" (2 Corinthians 10:10).
By answering God's calling to you, you're showing Him that you trust Him with your life, and He will lead you into doing His will. Don't answer your calling halfheartedly, but with an attitude like Paul had. He rejoiced especially in the trials and tribulations of his calling. He was beaten, whipped, imprisoned, stoned, shipwrecked, robbed, hungered, cold, and a fugitive ... Just to name a few things (2 Corinthians, Chapter 11).
Will there be rough times ... Yes. Will it be worth it ... Absolutely. Don't forget, Jesus said,
Matthew 10:39
... he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Do you see the hidden meaning in this scripture? Because most Christians don't die defending the name of Christ, they die from accidents and natural causes. This is something deeper ... Giving up your lifeSTYLE for His sake.
That doesn't mean that your life will be sad. He wants to make you happy.
Psalms 37:4-5
Delight thyself also in the LORD: and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.
Because society has dictated that people must practice a certain standard of living, today's generation spends most of their waking hours dedicated to work. Preparing for, traveling to and from, and performing their jobs is what most people spend the majority of their lives doing. What if you put God first, instead of your job? Will He not take care of your food and clothing and other necessities?
Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
I'd like to direct your attention once more to the fact that God does move pieces into place in our lives in hopes that we will recognize His calling to us. Is it any surprise that the divorce rate is so terribly high in today's world? How many marriages do you know of, in which the foundation is the Lord?
In a marriage, you become united in serving the Lord, but you'll find that for most couples, one or neither have answered their calling and the Lord WILL take away anything that is more important to people than serving Him.
If the Lord is calling you, and you feel apprehension in answering His call ... Beware of who is putting the hesitation in your mind.
The "practical" world has no place in spiritual matters, so start thinking spiritually, and answer your Father with welcome and gladness, and embrace the rewards that He promises His servants.
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
CONSIDER WHAT JESUS SAID ...
Matthew 10:37-39
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
CONSIDER THIS ...
Is it not strange that if one's country asks them to step up, walk away from their family for months and even years at a time and even to sacrifice their life for their country, in the military ... It is deemed as NORMAL and NOBLE (Which it very well may be in many cases) ...
BUT, If Jesus asks Christians to be willing to do the same for HIS CAUSE, as He did above ... Even some Christians find it to be an extreme request and any who choose to do so are seen as Jesus freaks or extremists.
Are you CALLED to be one of the few, the humble, the CHOSEN?
Get involved in the Many Called Few Chosen chat program and Forum and CHOOSE to answer your calling.
Be not as Jonah and try and hide from your calling.
The darkness of the whale's belly is the darkness of being out of the presence of God and is unbearable.
ANSWER THE CALL.