Called by God, 34of34

 ~ Some Lessons Learned ~

 

Introduction ~ Posts 1 – 21 (beginning on April 16, 2022) of this series looked at aspects of the Christian calling.  Specifically, we viewed the calling of God from three aspects.  First there is the Universal Call to all mankind for salvation.  Second there is the call that all Christians receive—the Obedience Call.  Finally, there is a call which all Christians receive, but sadly few accept, the Career Call. 

 

Beginning in post 22 we started looking at Biblical examples of God calling an individual. 

 

Scripture ~ “And He [Jesus] went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted.  And they came to Him.  Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons: Simon, to whom He gave the name Peter; James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, ‘Sons of Thunder’; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.  And they went into a house” (Mark 3:13-19).

 

Lessons (from this short passage) ~ Consider four obvious lessons. 

(1) “Called to Him those He Himself wanted.”  God in His sovereignty calls those who He elects. 

(2) “He appointed” – those He calls He appoints to specific tasks.

(3) “To have power” – those He calls He empowers.

(4) “Betrayed Him” – not all who are called follow through and finish strong.   

 

Comment ~ When God calls it is a serious and wonderful thing.  It often comes unexpectedly.  When God calls a decision must be made whether to accept and be obedient to His call on your life. 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Called by God, 33

 ~ The Call of Ezekiel ~

 

Introduction ~ Posts 1 – 21 (beginning on April 16, 2022) of this series looked at aspects of the Christian calling.  Specifically, we viewed the calling of God from three aspects.  First there is the Universal Call to all mankind for salvation.  Second there is the call that all Christians receive—the Obedience Call.  Finally, there is a call which all Christians receive, but sadly few accept, the Career Call. 

 

Beginning in post 22 we started looking at Biblical examples of God calling an individual. 

 

Scripture ~ “Moreover He said to me, ‘Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.’  So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll.  And He said to me, ‘Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.’  So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness.

 

“Then He said to me: ‘Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with My words to them.  For you are not sent to a people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, but to the house of Israel, not to many people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, whose words you cannot understand.  Surely, had I sent you to them, they would have listened to you.  But the house of Israel will not listen to you, because they will not listen to Me; for all the house of Israel are impudent and hard-hearted.  Behold, I have made your face strong against their faces, and your forehead strong against their foreheads.  Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house.’  

 

“Moreover He said to me: ‘Son of man, receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you, and hear with your ears.  And go, get to the captives, to the children of your people, and speak to them and tell them, “Thus says the Lord God,” whether they hear, or whether they refuse.’  

 

“Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a great thunderous voice: ‘Blessed is the glory of the Lord from His place!’  I also heard the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels beside them, and a great thunderous noise.  So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the Lord was strong upon me.  Then I came to the captives at Tel Abib, who dwelt by the River Chebar; and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days” (Ezekiel 3:1-15).

 

Comment ~ The call of God is often a hard call.  It is not easy to be obedient to the call of God on your life. 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Called by God, 32

 ~ The Call of Peter ~

 

Introduction ~ Posts 1 – 21 (beginning on April 16, 2022) of this series looked at aspects of the Christian calling.  Specifically, we viewed the calling of God from three aspects.  First there is the Universal Call to all mankind for salvation.  Second there is the call that all Christians receive—the Obedience Call.  Finally, there is a call which all Christians receive, but sadly few accept, the Career Call. 

 

Beginning in post 22 we started looking at Biblical examples of God calling an individual. 

 

Scripture ~ “And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.  Then He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’  They immediately left their nets and followed Him” (Matthew 4:18-20). 

 

Comment ~ As we have seen in these examples, God’s call can be very different for different individuals and circumstances.  This call was to call Peter to move from being a commercial fisherman to a fisher of men on behalf of God.

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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