Calling

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1 Thessalonians 4:7 How To Really Live Life

For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 1 Thessalonians 4:7

All around the world there are many different views on how one should live his life. Each culture has a slightly different norm as to what is expected of a person in living life. Some are extremely focused on education, while others are on careers, and yet others are on family.

The one common theme throughout the world is that one lives to please self without being too separated from everyone else. If it pleases self, then it must be acceptable.

After talking about living like Jesus, Paul tells the people that God did not call them to live an impure, but a holy life.

Living a holy life is something that is different, it is being separated from the world unto God. Very few people like to be separated or different from others. Everyone wants to fit in with those around them.

In reality, the world does not have any set standards of how to live life other than to please one’s own self in whatever way that means or is needed. With that type of mindset, there is no true moral standard.

Sin does not exist according to the world, thus any action is acceptable, causing the world to live an impure, sinful lifestyle in anyway possible. Nothing is off limits.

The believer is to live to a different standard, by God’s holy standard, a pure and sinless life that pleases God. Living in this way is living on a different path than the world. It is choosing to not sin or follow the ways of this world. It is going against the flow of the world around him.

Jesus lived the expected standard, setting the example of how to live life and He gave the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide a believer to live that same way of holy living.

As a believer, you are called to be separate from the world and its ways of living. Jesus has forgiven you of past sins, so do not go back to those sins or ways of living.

Come out from among the world and live a life that is separate and holy unto God. Choose daily, even moment by moment, to reject a sinful lifestyle and be holy as God is holy.

He has given you everything you need to live the holy life, now live it.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know the standard God has called you to live; that you will allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in living a holy life; and that God will strengthen you to turn from all sinful ways of living.

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Acts 16:10 Are You Willing To Go Immediately?

After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. Acts 16:10

The pizza delivery person must be ready and willing to leave the work place to deliver the pizza immediately upon getting the request and the pizza is made. He does not get to choose when he should leave. If he does not leave immediately, the restaurant will most likely quickly lose all business.

Many different services work with the same principle, that one must be ready to leave or do the work quickly.

Paul had received a vision of a man calling for help in Macedonia. He immediately got ready to leave, with the mindset that God was now calling them to Macedonia to preach the gospel.

Being willing to get up and go to a new place immediately can often be very inconvenient. Sometimes it may not even make any sense.

People are often very comfortable were they are and do not want to make any major changes. Often they are unable to see the real value in the move or action.

The believer who has his heart and mind set upon the things of God, will be able to see value in going to a new place. It is an open door to spread the gospel message to a new group of people.

God, in His all-knowing ways, can see the bigger pictures. He knows when it is best to move someone to reach someone else.

Instead of fighting to do his own thing, the believer must trust God and be willing to pick up and move forward to the new place for service to God. It may be a major move, or just going to a new store, but a life may be at stake.

As a believer, there will come a day when God asks you to change direction so that you can reach someone with the gospel message. He may give you a vision, or it may be just a small quiet voice in your spirit that guides you to a new location.

Do not ignore God’s call, but be willing to get up and immediately go where He is leading you. Trust that He knows what He is doing and will provide for all of your needs on the way. Then be willing to be used by Him to spread the gospel message there. A life is at stake.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that you will hear and know God’s leading; that you will trust God’s leading; that you will go where God says to go; and that lives will be brought to Jesus because of your obedience.

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John 20:16 Knowing When He Calls You

Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). John 20:16

In today’s society most people have a cell phone. One of the advantages of a cell phone is that when someone calls the phone can usually identify who is calling. This helps when one cannot see the person calling.

Hearing a person call in person is much easier to identify who is calling. Although in a large crowd, some will not always recognize the voice of a friend calling, unless it is a close friend that is well known.

After Jesus rose from the dead and before everyone knew about it, He had met up with Mary. At first she did not recognize Him until He called her name, then she knew who He was.

Couples who have been married for many years have learned to recognize each other’s voice, even in a large crowd. This is just like mother’s who can recognize their child’s cry in a room full of little children all calling at the same time.

The only reason people can recognize the other’s call is because they have spent time with the person and know that person very well. They know the voice of those who are close to them.

Believers who have spent time in prayer and communication with God will recognize His voice when He speaks. This is something that does not happen over night, but over a long period of time of a building of the relationship.

One should strive to build his relationship with God so closely that he knows as much as possible about God and will always recognize His voice. God is willing and ready to speak, but His people need to know His voice and be listening for it.

As a believer you should desire to be led by God in every area of your life. In order for this to occur, you must be able to recognize God’s voice when He is calling you.

He will call you to tell you what to do next, guiding every step and action. There will be times when He will also call you to stop you from an action.

Throughout your life there will be many other voices calling to you to lead you into sin. Listen for God’s voice and follow what He says. It is the best path for you.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that you will know God’s voice when He calls; that you will be listening to hear God speak; and that you will obey what God is telling you.

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Luke 5:27-28 Leave All To Follow

After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. Luke 5:27-28

When most people hear the phrase, ‘to follow someone’, they often think about following someone on some social media platform. They want to know what that person is doing as much as possible, but only from a distance.

In following someone on social media, it does not require much effort, and no change in a person’s life. There is only a few clicks involved.

Jesus saw a tax collector, Levi, sitting at his job. Jesus tells him to follow Him. Levi gets up, leaves everything and follows Him.

Following Jesus is often very similar to following someone on social media. People claim to believe in and follow Jesus, but never make any real changes to their lives.

Yes, they go to church, but only to get something out of it, not to build others up. Their bible sits on a shelf, only to be dusted off for a church service. They continue to live in a life of sin. It is rare to never that they tell someone about Jesus.

The question comes up as to whether they are really following Jesus or not. Following Jesus must mean a change. Jesus came to change lives, not just have a social gathering online in word only, but not in real life. He came to save the world, not just get some likes.

In the same way that Matthew got up and left everything behind to follow Jesus, every believer must be willing to do the same. He must allow Jesus to be Lord and Master of his life, in every area of his life.

If you have chosen to follow Jesus, ask yourself how are you following Jesus. Are you following Jesus just like following someone on a social media platform? Or are you leaving everything behind and giving it your all to follow Him?

God has great things in store for your life, but you must be willing to trust Him and follow Jesus with everything in you. Do not hold anything back from God, but give Him it all. Jesus is ready to build you and use you in great ways, when you allow Him to do so.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that you will follow Jesus with all of your life; that you will allow God to change your life; and that you will be willing to leave everything to follow and obey Jesus.