Tag: called
Called to belong to Jesus!
Scripture reading for June 13: Romans 1
“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the Gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, Who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by His resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through Whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of His Name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, to all those who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 1:1-7
The opening paragraph of Paul’s letter to the Roman church is one sentence in English! From this introductory sentence, we can gain insight into Paul’s world view and his calling and the Gospel message that he was given to preach. Paul received this calling in a personal encounter with the risen Christ while on the road to Damascus with warrants to arrest followers of Christ. He was included as an apostle through this special vision and the evident call and anointing to preach the Gospel among all nations.
Paul got to Rome through God’s providence and direction. His path was laid out for us in the last chapters of Acts. Paul received much grace as he endured several years in prison after false accusations by the Jews. He appealed to Caesar and was transported by ship during the stormy winter season. His ship wrecked, but God spared him and nearly three hundred others on the ship. Paul personally knew of God’s grace and calling and his love. He preached this grace through the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Jew and Gentile, seeking those called by God to become saints–set apart for God’s will.
What aspects of Paul’s opening sentence have you personally experienced in your life? How would you describe your calling to become a saint, belonging to Jesus Christ? How would you describe Jesus Christ and the Gospel message? How does vision from God affect Paul’s world view and calling?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for personally calling each of Your children to belong to Jesus Christ. Thank You for Your great love demonstrated in the life and death of Your Son. Continue to unfold vision to me and each follower of Jesus Christ that empowers us and directs us to fulfil Your will. Amen.
Set apart to preach!
Scripture reading for March 22nd: Galatians 1, Psalm 58, Proverbs 27
Galatians 1: 11-16 “For I would have you know, brothers, that the Gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when He Who had set me apart before I was born, and Who called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to me, in order that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, . . .”
Paul had a unique encounter with the risen Christ. He learned the Gospel, not from men, but from Christ Himself. He described it as a ‘revelation of Jesus Christ.’ Paul had persecuted the church, imprisoning those who followed Jesus and he even stood in agreement with their death in the case of Stephen. He felt that he was doing God a favor in his zeal for the traditions of Judaism. But Jesus appeared to him, and revealed His calling and the purpose of his life. Jesus set him apart–before birth! Jesus called him by His amazing grace, offering him forgiveness of sins and showing him eternal life. Jesus sent Paul to preach to the Gentiles and confirmed the Word with signs and power. Ask our Lord to confirm your calling and His plan for your life today. Jesus is our great reward!
Psalm 58:10-11 “The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked. Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God Who judges on earth.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your calling and setting me apart to preach Your Gospel. Thank You for those, like Paul, that spoke truth into my life and lived in the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank You for the trials and testing that have deepened my faith and trust in Your love and goodness. Empower me today to fulfill Your will and purposes for my life and in those to whom you send me.
Proverbs 27:21 “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise.”
Appointed with authority!
Scripture reading for February 12th: Mark 3, Psalm 31, Proverbs 31
Key Scriptures: Mark 3:13-16 “And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those whom He desired, and they came to Him. And He appointed twelve (whom He also named apostles) so that they might be with Him and He might send them out to preach and to have authority to cast out demons. He appointed the twelve: . . .”
Jesus had a plan to reach the lost sinners of this world. He chose and then called those that He wanted to be used to reach the lost. He appointed them as His special messengers. They were to be with Him and learn from Him. He would send them out to preach, heal, and cast out demons through the authority He would bestow on them. He chose twelve to be the first.
Faith’s confession: I believe that Jesus Christ has called me and appointed me to preach His word, heal the sick, and have authority over demonic powers. All authority has come from Jesus for the purpose of reaching lost sinners.
Proverbs 31:8-9 “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and the needy.”