High Calling of God

God did not leave us defenseless on the earth. He gave us His Word and His Spirit to comfort and guide us, to give us wisdom and to help us to order our steps (Psalm 119:133).

He teaches and inspires us, and gives us His life and skill for living (Philippians 1:6). Each word in scripture encourages our soul and feeds our spirit. We can actually feel it filling us with faith and determination to press on toward the prize of His high calling (Philippians 3:14).

The high calling of God is to walk in His Spirit and not to fulfill the lusts of our flesh (Galatians 5:15-25). We enter into God's rest and entertain only those fruitful thoughts which lead to repentance and Godliness (Hebrews 4:10-11; Philippians 4:8; 2 Corinthians 7:10).

Paul exhorts us to press on to win the prize (1 Corinthians 9:24). Our confidence is not in our flesh, but in the Spirit of God (Philippians 3:3). We complete His Kingdom work for which He called us, before time eternal (2 Timothy 1:9).

God fills us with His Spirit and His presence which provide us with everything we need to do His will and to find joy in our tribulation (Esther 4:14; Jeremiah 29:11; Proverbs 3:5-6). By His Spirit we abound in hope and He fills us with His joy and peace (Romans 15:13).

His steadfast love never ceases and His mercies are new every morning; therefore we can keep our hope fixed on Him (Lamentations 3:21-24). If God is fighting for us, nothing and no one can remove us from His loving presence or prevail against us (Romans 8:31-39).

Prayer:

Father God, You are our God and You guide us through each moment of our life, even the day of our death (Psalm 48:14). You listen to the prayers of Your Saints as we delight our self in You (James 5:16). As we focus our mind on You, we keep our trust in You, because You put Your desires in our heart as we press toward the goal of Your high calling (Isaiah 26:3; Psalm 37:4).

Even in our trials and tribulation, we find rest for our soul as we remained yoked up with You. You make the negative events of our life easy and light, because You carry them with us (Matthew 11:28-30). You do not give us fleeting peace as from the world, but lasting peace which keeps our hearts from being fearful and insecure (John 14:27).

Thought for the Day:

We often needlessly suffer in this world because of our choices, which cause us to vere away from the will of God for us; but we can do everything which God calls us to do, because He gives us strength to press toward the prize of His high calling. - Philippains 4:13

Authentic Worshippers

God is looking for authentic worshippers who will live for Him by His Spirit and in His Truth (John 4:23). When we come to truly understand that we are dead, and that our life is hidden with Christ in God, we live in God’s power, which works in and through us (Colossians 3:3; Galatians 2:20). God will use our body, soul and spirit by His Spirit to work in the lives of people we encounter each day. He will give us words to speak to them that we cannot possibly know in our human capacity. This opens doors for us to witness to people and to bring Christ into their life, so that He can change their circumstances for their good. 

Sinful mankind, lost in pride, arrogance and the exploitation of others, consider their own needs more frequently than anyone else’s (Romans 12:3). However, God brings everyone down to the same level through the grave (Isaiah 14:15). Our eternal destination is determined by our earthly beliefs. If we live for self, we reap corruption; if we live for Christ, we reap eternal life (John 3:16-18). As we allow the nature of Christ in us to infiltrate every area of our life, we decrease so that He may increase (John 3:30).

It is not difficult to sustain a constant relationship with our living Lord. Every moment of our day is worship to Him. We serve God by the Spirit moving within us and through us. We put no confidence in our fleshly abilities; and we do not boast in our own accomplishments, because we accomplish all things through Christ in us (Philippians 3:3; 2:12-13). Living with honor and respect for the Lord gives us a secure life with protection from lasting harm (Proverbs 19:23). Even negative circumstances turn around for our good (Romans 8:28). He gives us everything we need to live in contentment through a Godly life (1 Timothy 6:6).

Christ in us gives us joy in tribulation (Romans 5:3), hope in devastating trials and loss (Romans 15:13) and a bright vision for the future (Jeremiah 29:11). He is our strength and shield. We can trust in Him with all of our heart. He fills our heart so full of joy that we spontaneously burst forth into songs of praise and thanksgiving (Psalm 28:7). Our faith in His faithfulness is never disappointed. He will not give us the lusts of our flesh, but He always abundantly provides for more than our needs (Ephesians 3:20). If we pray anything according to His will, he hears us and supplies (1 John 5:14).

We cannot fully live without Christ living within us. Paul realized this truth in his life (1 Corinthians 4:7). Jesus’ disciples knew the truth of this statement (John 15:5). Joseph exemplified this when he interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams (Genesis 41:16). Rebellious Jonah learned to trust the Lord, as the God of heaven who made the sea and earth (Jonah 1:9). God is always ready to listen to those who devotedly worship Him and are willing to live in His will for their life (John 9:31). Blessed and happy is everyone who worships the Lord and walks in His ways (Psalm 128:1)

Prayer:
Father God, King David put it best, "O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen You in the sanctuary and beheld Your power and Your glory. Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You. I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name I will lift up my hands" (Psalm 63:1-4).

Thought for the Day:

True disciples long for God more than life itself and seek His love and grace as we glorify Him in all that we say and do.

 

Thank you, Southern Sweet Tea, for the use of your photo.