Calling

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Luke 1:30 You Have Found Favor

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. Luke 1:30

People love to have favor with famous or people in high positions. In their minds it gives them a special status or position.

In the workplaces, many desire that favor so that they can get higher positions or higher pay. Others desire that favor to keep them out of trouble or to allow them to get by with things that they should not do. Some will go to great lengths to gain some favor, including trying to bribe to get it.

An angel came to Mary with a message from God. As Mary was scared of what was happening, the Angel said that she had found favor with God.

It is common for people to think that Mary was someone special to get God’s favor upon her. However, she was a human being with sins, just like every one else is. The difference is with the heart. Mary was willing to follow and obey God, no matter how crazy it appeared to be.

Every person has a chance to be favored by God. People live in sin, but God sent His Son to die for them and save them. Although every one deserves extreme eternal punishment, God is willing to give them favor and remove those sins. He is willing to send His Holy Spirit to live in each person to lead and guide the person, and give him strength to do what needs to be done.

This is greater favor than any person on this earth can give any other person. It is a favor that brings life, and not just life, but eternal life.

No one has to fear God, if he is willing to repent and follow Jesus. Jesus has brought people God’s favor.

You may wonder if God even knows who you are. He does and He has given you great favor. Instead of punishing you for your sins and crushing you, He is willing to forgive you and build you up.

God may not call you to carry His Son, but He has a work for you to do for Him. He has a special assignment just for you that no one else can do. That is His great favor.

Do not be afraid of God, but embrace Him and what He has for you.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that you will know God’s favor towards you; that you will know what God has for you; that you will know what God wants you to do; and that you will serve God with all of your life.

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Luke 14:18 Making Excuses

But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ Luke 14:18

Every day people have many things to do. They have to make many choices as to what they will or will not do. The method of deciding what to do or not do is commonly left up to what is most important to the individual.

In order to decide, most people will choose what is most pleasurable or beneficial in the moment to do. Only occasionally do people look at the long-term effects of their choices.

Jesus gave a parable about a king inviting people to a banquet. Many gave excuses as to why they could not come.

It is very easy for a person to come up with a reason to not do something. Often it is difficult, inconvenient, costs too much, scary, or some other reason. Those who are successful in things, find ways to make it happen. Their eyes are on the long-term future, not just the present.

People can come up with a million reasons why they cannot make it to church, take time to pray, take time to study God’s word, or take time to be a witness. They are often busy with self in the moment and reject what God wants to do.

True believers will seek to find ways to do what God is calling them to do. They will desire to follow God with all of their heart, regardless of the cost. All excuses will be cast out, knowing that God does not care to hear excuses.

Jesus paid the ultimate price of His life so that a person can have life. This leaves zero room for any excuses to not follow and fully obey Jesus.

God is calling you to do a work for Him as a believer. It may be a small job or a large one, but either way it is an important one. At a minimum God calls you to obey Jesus, worship Him, know and study His word and be His witness.

Do not be like the world and allow yourself to make up excuses to not do what God is calling you to do. Do not be kicked out and rejected for making an excuse.

Do what God is telling you to do today.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that you will do what God calls you to do; that God will strengthen you to not make excuses; and that you will see God’s hand of blessing and provision as you obey and follow Him.

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Luke 3:4 A Voice Calling

As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A Voice of one calling in the wilderness, Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” Luke 3:4

Preparations are always made for important people’s arrival. They want everyone to be aware that someone of high importance is coming. There is also the desire that everyone give the proper honor to the one arriving.

For each important person, what needs to be done in preparation is different for each one. Some require much more, while others will require less. It is dependent upon the level of importance for each.

Talking of John the Baptist, Luke quotes from Isaiah about one calling out in the wilderness the need to make a way for the Lord’s arrival. This quote comes from Isaiah 40:3-5.

Even though John the Baptist was talking about the first arrival of Jesus, the call can, and needs to be, still be made. Jesus can still be making the first appearance into the lives of people all over the world.

The majority of the world has still yet to have heard about Jesus. Out of those who have heard, most have not accepted or made a way for Him. Most of the world is still rejecting Jesus.

There is also those in the church who have accepted Christ, but have not really made straight paths for Him. They have chosen to accept Christ, but not really live their lives for Him, staying in a sinful lifestyle.

Every person needs to make a straight path for Jesus. They must open their hearts and lives up to His reign and control. The challenge is not everyone knows this.

Every believer must be willing to be the voice calling in the wilderness of the world. They must be willing to point people to Jesus and encourage people to make a straight path for Him in their lives.

Starting with your own life, you must make a path for God in your life. Allow God to reign as absolute authority over all you say, think or do.

Once you have begun to do that, then you must be a voice calling in the wilderness. Give others a chance to know Jesus by being His witness in this dark world. Do not keep the information to yourself, but call it out for others to hear and respond.

Are you a voice calling in the wilderness?

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that you will give Jesus complete authority in your life; that you will be a witness of Jesus to others; and that you will be a voice calling in the wilderness of this world.