CARING

CARING

GOD CARES

DOES GOD REALLY CARE?(2 Kings 4:8-37)

"Then Elisha summoned Gehazi. “Call the child’s mother!” he said. And when she came in, Elisha said, “Here, take your son!” (2 Kings 4:36)

GOD CARES FOR HURTING PEOPLE (John 11:17-44)

"Then Jesus wept". (John 11:35)

Elisha’s prayer and method of raising the dead boy show God’s personal care for hurting people. We must express genuine concern for others as we carry God’s message to them. Only then will we faithfully represent our compassionate Father in heaven.

JESUS DEMONSTRATED GOD’S CARE (Luke 14:7-14)

"Invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the godly, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you". (Luke 14:13-14)

John stresses that we have a God who cares. This portrait contrasts with the Greek concept of God that was popular in that day-a God with no emotions and no messy involvement with humans. Here we see many of Jesus’ emotions-compassion, indignation, sorrow, even frustration. When Jesus saw the weeping and wailing, he too wept openly. Perhaps he empathized with their grief, or perhaps he was troubled at their unbelief. In either case, Jesus showed that he cares enough for us to weep with us in our sorrow. He often expressed deep emotion, and we must never be afraid to reveal our true feelings to him. He understands them, for he experienced them. Be honest, and don’t try to hide anything from your Savior. He cares.

JESUS TAUGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF GENUINE CARING.

Jesus taught two lessons in this passage. First, he spoke to the guests, telling them not to seek places of honor. Service is more important in God’s kingdom than status. Second, he told the host not to be exclusive about whom he invites. Caring is demonstrated when we reach out to those who don’t expect our help. Caring focuses on the less fortunate. God opens his kingdom to everyone.

HUMAN CARING

WHAT KIND OF CARING DOES GOD EXPECT FROM HIS PEOPLE? (Romans 1:1-12)

"You are among those who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ, dear friends in Rome. God loves you dearly, and he has called you to be his very own people. May grace and peace be yours from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:6-7)

GOD EXPECTS CARING THAT ENCOURAGES (Galatians 4:8-14).

"But even though my sickness was revolting to you, you did not reject me and turn me away. No, you took me in and cared for me as though I were an angel from God or even Christ Jesus himself. (Galatians 4:14)

Paul showed his love for the Roman Christians by expressing God’s love for them and his own thanks and prayers for them. To have an effect on people’s lives, you first need to love them and believe in them. Paul’s passion to teach these people began with his love for them. Thank God for your Christian brothers and sisters, and let them know how deeply you care for them.

GOD EXPECTS US TO CARE FOR THOSE IN NEED (Acts 20:25-38)

"When he had finished speaking, he knelt and prayed with them". (Acts 20:36)

Paul’s illness was a sickness that he was enduring while he visited the Galatian churches. The world is often callous to people’s pain and misery. Paul commended the Galatians for not scorning him, even though his condition was a trial to them (he didn’t explain what was wrong with him). Such caring was what Jesus meant when he called us to serve the homeless, hungry, sick, and imprisoned as if they were Jesus himself (Matthew 25:34-40). Do you avoid those in pain or facing difficulty-or are you willing to care for them as if they were Jesus Christ himself?

REAL CARING IS OFTEN RETURNED.

Paul’s relationship with these believers is a beautiful example of Christian fellowship. He had cared for them and loved them, even cried over their needs. They responded with love and care for him and sorrow over his leaving. They prayed together and comforted one another. Like Paul, you can build strong relationships with other Christians by sharing, caring, sorrowing, rejoicing, and praying with them. You will gather others around you only by giving yourself away to them.

GOD’S WORD ON CARING

The seeds of compassion and concern are buried in the human heart, and when need appears or tragedy strikes, those seeds grow to fruition quickly. Anyone with a sense of humanity is ready and willing to help another in dire need. Call it love, concern, compassion, or care-it is our willingness to reach out, provide for others in a time of need, share with them, comfort them, and just be with them. But among Christians there is a heightened sense of caring. The very term “brothers and sisters in Christ” suggests a richer, deeper relationship that transcends blood relationships.

DOES GOD CARE WHAT HAPPENS TO ME?

Psalm 71:6 . . . Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you!

Psalm 31:7 . . . I am overcome with joy because of your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul.

God’s love for me began before I was born, continues throughout my life, and extends through eternity.

HOW DOES GOD SHOW HIS CARE FOR ME?

Psalm 78:72 . . . He cared for them with a true heart and led them with skillful hands.

Psalm 121:7-8 . . . The Lord keeps you from all evil and preserves your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

Psalm 145:18-20 . . . The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him sincerely. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. The Lord protects all those who love him, but he destroys the wicked.

Matthew 6:30 . . . If God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you? You have so little faith!

1 Peter 5:7 . . . Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you.

God protects, provides, and preserves us-now and forever.

HOW CAN I SHOW OTHERS I CARE?

 

1 Corinthians 12:25 . . . This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other equally.

Matthew 25:36 . . . I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.

Luke 10:34-35 . . . Kneeling beside him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with medicine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two pieces of silver and told him to take care of the man. ‘If his bill runs higher than that,’ he said, ‘I’ll pay the difference the next time I am here.

As God shows his care for us by protecting, providing, and preserving, so we can show his care to others by doing the same for them.

A CARING HEART WAS MADE IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN IN THE FIRST PERSON ON EARTH.

Genesis 2:15 . . . The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and care for it.

God instilled a sense of caring for his Creation in the first person on earth. Caring began in Eden and has been an essential part of humanity ever since. A caring spirit comes from the heart of God.

A SPIRIT OF CARING IS PART OF FAMILY RESPONSIBILITY.

Deuteronomy 1:31 . . . You saw how the Lord your God cared for you again and again here in the wilderness, just as a father cares for his child.

Father and mother love is caring love. As God models parental love, he at the same time models parental care. A loving spirit is at the same time a caring spirit.

A SPIRIT OF CARING CAN APPLY NOT ONLY TO PEOPLE BUT TO THE WORK WE DO FOR GOD AND THE THINGS WE USE IN THAT WORK.

1 Chronicles 9:28 . . . Some . . . were assigned to care for the various utensils used in worship. They checked them in and out to avoid any loss.

John 2:16 . . . Get these things out of here. Don’t turn my Father’s house into a marketplace!

God expects his people to care for his house, the church, and all that is in it. To neglect God’s house is to reveal an uncaring spirit for God himself.

Proverbs 16:3 . . . Commit your work to the Lord, and then your plans will succeed.

Caring about your work brings about excellence and sets an example to others of a job well done.

GOD’S CARE FOR US IS THE MODEL FOR OUR CARE FOR OTHERS.

Ezra 8:23 . . . We fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer.

1 Peter 5:7 . . . Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you.

A good exercise would be to make a list of all the ways God cares for you; then try to model this same kind of care toward others.

OUR LOVING CARE MUST REACH BEYOND OUR OWN FAMILY TO ORPHANS AND WIDOWS AND OTHER PEOPLE IN NEED.

James 1:27 . . . Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us.

Through God’s plan of salvation he lovingly helped us do what we could not do on our own. Through his plan for provision, he expects us to lovingly do for the needy what they cannot do on their own.

PROMISES FROM GOD:

1 Peter 5:7 . . . Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you.

Psalm 23:6 . . . Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life.

Isaiah 46:4 . . . I will be your God throughout your lifetime-until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you.

Psalm 55:22 . . . Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you.

Psalm 91:11 . . . He orders his angels to protect you wherever you go.

Psalm 145:18 . . . The Lord is close to all who call on him.

Romans 8:28 . . . God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

CARELESSNESS

CARELESSNESS

HOW CAN CARELESSNESS BE A DANGEROUS ATTITUDE? (Matthew 7:24-29)

But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. (Matthew 7:26)

CARELESSNESS CAN LEAD TO FATAL MISTAKES (2 Chronicles 24:1-16).

He summoned the priests and Levites and gave them these instructions: “Go at once to all the towns of Judah and collect the required annual offerings, so that we can repair the Temple of your God. Do not delay!” But the Levites did not act right away. (2 Chronicles 24:5)

Like a house of cards, the fool’s life crumbles. Most people do not deliberately seek to build on a false or inferior foundation; instead, they just don’t think about their life’s purpose. Many people are headed for destruction, not out of stubbornness but out of thoughtlessness. Part of our responsibility as believers is to help others stop and think about where their lives are headed and to point out the consequences of ignoring Christ’s message.

CARELESSNESS CAN BE A FORM OF DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD (Leviticus 10:1-7).

Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu put coals of fire in their incense burners and sprinkled incense over it. In this way, they disobeyed the LORD by burning before him a different kind of fire than he had commanded. (Leviticus 10:1)

The Levites took their time carrying out the king’s order, even though he told them not to delay. A tax for keeping the temple in order was not just the king’s order but God’s command (Exodus 30:11-16). The Levites, therefore, were not only disregarding the king but disregarding God. When it comes to following God’s commands, a slow response may be little better than disobedience. Obey God willingly and immediately.

CARELESSNESS CAN BE A FORM OF DISRESPECT TOWARDS GOD.

Aaron’s sons were careless about following the laws for sacrifices. In response, God destroyed them with a blast of fire. Performing the sacrifices was an act of obedience. Doing them correctly showed respect for God. It is easy for us to grow careless about obeying God, to live our way instead of God’s. But if one way were just as good as another, God would not have commanded us to live his way. He always has good reasons for his commands, and we always place ourselves in danger when we consciously or carelessly disobey them.

GOD’S WORD ON CARELESSNESS

IN WHAT AREAS ARE WE VULNERABLE TO CARELESSNESS?

Joshua 23:11 . . . Be very careful to love the Lord your God.

Psalm 111:4 . . . Who can forget the wonders he performs? How gracious and merciful is our Lord!

Psalm 78:11, 42-43 . . .They forgot what he had done-the wonderful miracles he had shown them, . . . They forgot about his power and how he rescued them from their enemies. They forgot his miraculous signs in Egypt, his wonders on the plain of Zoan.

Isaiah 46:9 . . . Do not forget the things I have done throughout history. For I am God-I alone! I am God, and there is no one else like me.

We can become careless in our love relationship with God.

Hebrews 2:3 . . . What makes us think that we can escape if we are indifferent to this great salvation that was announced by the Lord Jesus himself? It was passed on to us by those who heard him speak.

Zephaniah 1:12 . . . I will search with lanterns in Jerusalem’s darkest corners to find and punish those who sit contented in their sins, indifferent to the Lord, thinking he will do nothing at all to them.

James 4:17 . . .Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

We can become careless in taking a casual attitude toward sin.

Isaiah 47:8 . . . You are a pleasure-crazy kingdom, living at ease and feeling secure, bragging as if you were the greatest in the world! You say, “I’m self-sufficient and not accountable to anyone! I will never be a widow or lose my children.”

We can become careless in our lifestyle.

Isaiah 32:9 . . . Listen, you women who lie around in lazy ease. Listen to me, and I will tell you of your reward.

Ecclesiastes 10:18 . . . Laziness lets the roof leak, and soon the rafters begin to rot.

1 Timothy 4:14 . . . Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecies spoken to you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.

We can become careless in our responsibilities and in using our gifts and talents.

Leviticus 5:4 . . . Or if they make a rash vow of any kind, whether its purpose is for good or bad, they will be considered guilty even if they were not fully aware of what they were doing at the time.

Proverbs 20:25 . . . It is dangerous to make a rash promise to God before counting the cost.

Ecclesiastes 5:2, 6 . . . Don’t make rash promises to God, for he is in heaven, and you are only here on earth. So let your words be few. . .In such cases, your mouth is making you sin. And don’t defend yourself by telling the Temple messenger that the promise you made was a mistake. That would make God angry, and he might wipe out everything you have achieved.

Matthew 12:36 . . . I tell you this, that you must give an account on judgment day of every idle word you speak.

We can become careless in our speech.

Luke 7:46 . . . You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.

Hebrews 13:2-3, 16 . . . Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Don’t forget about those in prison. Suffer with them as though you were there yourself. Share the sorrow of those being mistreated, as though you feel their pain in your own bodies. . . . Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to God.

Hebrews 10:25 . . . Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.

We can become careless in our relationships with one another.

WHAT CAN RESULT FROM OUR BEING CARELESS?

Psalm 106:7, 13, 21 . . . Our ancestors in Egypt were not impressed by the Lord’s miracles. They soon forgot his many acts of kindness to them. Instead, they rebelled against him at the Red Sea. . . . Yet how quickly they forgot what he had done! They wouldn’t wait for his counsel! . . . They forgot God, their savior, who had done such great things in Egypt.

When we are careless in our relationship with the Lord, we can become rebellious toward him.

Luke 21:34 . . . “Watch out! Don’t let me find you living in careless ease and drunkenness, and filled with the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware.”

When we are careless with our lifestyle, we become focused on wrong priorities which erode our spirituality.

Matthew 25:24-30 . . . “I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth.” . . . But the master replied, “You wicked and lazy servant! . . . you should at least have put my money into the bank so I could have some interest. . . . Take the money from this servant and give it to the one with the ten bags of gold.” To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. . . . But from those who are unfaithful, even what little they have will be taken away.

Isaiah 32:10 . . . In a short time-in just a little more than a year-you careless ones will suddenly begin to care. For your fruit crop will fail, and the harvest will never take place.

Proverbs 10:26 . . . Lazy people are a pain to their employer. They are like smoke in the eyes or vinegar that sets the teeth on edge.

Proverbs 10:4 . . . Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich.

Proverbs 12:24 . . . Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.

Proverbs 13:4 . . . Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper and be satisfied.

Proverbs 18:9 . . . A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.

Proverbs 19:15 . . . A lazy person sleeps soundly-and goes hungry.

Proverbs 20:4 . . . If you are too lazy to plow in the right season, you will have no food at the harvest.

Proverbs 21:25 . . . The desires of lazy people will be their ruin, for their hands refuse to work.

Being careless with our responsibilities and talents jeopardizes our future.

Matthew 12:36 . . . I tell you this, that you must give an account on judgment day of every idle word you speak.

We will give an account to God for our careless words.

HOW CAN WE AVOID CARELESSNESS?

Deuteronomy 6:12 . . . Be careful not to forget the Lord, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 4:9 . . . Watch out! Be very careful never to forget what you have seen the Lord do for you. Do not let these things escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.

Deuteronomy 31:12 . . . Call them all together-men, women, children, and the foreigners living in your towns-so they may listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and carefully obey all the terms of this law.

We should make remembering what the Lord has done for us a priority which we reinforce by sharing what the Lord has done in our lives and in the lives of others.

Deuteronomy 12:32 . . . Carefully obey all the commands I give you. Do not add to them or subtract from them.

Deuteronomy 4:1 . . . Listen carefully to these laws and regulations that I am about to teach you. Obey them so that you may live, so you may enter and occupy the land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you.

2 Chronicles 27:6 . . . King Jotham became powerful because he was careful to live in obedience to the Lord his God.

Proverbs 3:1 . . . My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart.

Deuteronomy 5:1 . . . Moses called all the people of Israel together and said, “Listen carefully to all the laws and regulations I am giving you today. Learn them and be sure to obey them!”

Deuteronomy 11:22 . . . Be careful to obey all the commands I give you; show love to the Lord your God by walking in his ways and clinging to him.

We are to diligently pay attention to and obey the Lord.

Hebrews 6:10-12 . . . God is not unfair. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other Christians, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep right on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent.

Ephesians 5:15 . . . Be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise.

Our lifestyles are to reflect wise choices. We are to naturally and regularly show our love for others to avoid becoming spiritually dull and indifferent.

Colossians 3:23 . . . Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

Romans 12:11 . . . Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.

To avoid becoming careless in our responsibilities, we should do our work enthusiastically for the Lord.

1 Corinthians 10:12 . . . If you think you are standing strong, be careful, for you, too, may fall into the same sin.

Proverbs 31:27 . . . She carefully watches all that goes on in her household and does not have to bear the consequences of laziness.

Deuteronomy 8:11, 14 . . . Be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and laws. . . . that is the time to be careful. Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 . . . Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and no longer enjoy living.

We need to be aware of areas and times of vulnerability. Where we are vulnerable is where we are most careless and our weaknesses are exposed. Everyone should determine where they are most vulnerable, and carefully strengthen those areas of life.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF CARELESSNESS?

Matthew 7:26-27 . . . “Anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will fall with a mighty crash.”

Leviticus 18:4, 30; 19:37 . . . “You must obey all my regulations and be careful to keep my laws, for I, the Lord, am your God. . . . So be careful to obey my laws, and do not practice any of these detestable activities. Do not defile yourselves by doing any of them, for I, the Lord, am your God . . . You must be careful to obey all of my laws and regulations, for I am the Lord.”

Joshua 22:5 . . . Be very careful to obey all the commands and the law that Moses gave to you. Love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, be faithful to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul.

Psalm 85:8 . . . I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his people, his faithful ones. But let them not return to their foolish ways.

Disobedience is a sign of carelessness in our relationship with God. Disobedience is being careless with sin and in our personal lifestyle. Watch for the first sign of disobedience to God in your life.

Proverbs 22:13 . . . The lazy person is full of excuses, saying, “If I go outside, I might meet a lion in the street and be killed!”

Proverbs 26:13 . . . The lazy person is full of excuses, saying, “I can’t go outside because there might be a lion on the road! Yes, I’m sure there’s a lion out there!”

Making excuses is a sign we are being careless with our responsibilities. When we make excuses to get ourselves off the hook, we become careless about doing the right thing.

Judges 11:31, 35 . . . “I will give to the Lord the first thing coming out of my house to greet me when I return in triumph. I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.” . . . When he saw her, he tore his clothes in anguish. “My daughter!” he cried out. “My heart is breaking! What a tragedy that you came out to greet me. For I have made a vow to the Lord and cannot take it back.”

Genesis 25:32-34 . . . “Look, I’m dying of starvation!” said Esau. “What good is my birthright to me now?” So Jacob insisted, “Well then, swear to me right now that it is mine.” So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his younger brother. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate and drank and went on about his business, indifferent to the fact that he had given up his birthright.

Matthew 14:6-9 . . . At a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him, so he promised with an oath to give her anything she wanted. At her mother’s urging, the girl asked, “I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!” The king was sorry, but because of his oath and because he didn’t want to back down in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders.

Making rash vows is a sign that we are being careless with our speech. Think very carefully before making any vow. If you can’t keep it, don’t make it.

PROMISE FROM GOD:

Hebrews 2:1 . . . We must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.

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GOD’S CALL

GOD’S CALL

HOW DOES GOD CALL PEOPLE? (1 Chronicles 22:2-19)

"Now, my son, may the LORD be with you and give you success as you follow his instructions in building the Temple of the LORD your God". (1 Chronicles 22:11)

GOD COMMUNICATES THROUGH OUR PARENTS (Matthew 4:18-25).

"Jesus called out to them, “Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people!” (Matthew 4:19)

God told David he would not be the one to build the temple. Instead the task would be left to his son Solomon. David graciously accepted this “no” from God. He was not jealous of the fact that his son would have the honor of building God’s temple. Instead, he made preparations for Solomon to carry out his task. Similarly, we should take steps now to prepare the way for our children to find and fulfill God’s purpose. Sooner or later our children will have to make their own decisions, but we can help by supplying them with the proper tools: showing them how to pray and study God’s Word, teaching them the difference between right and wrong, and modeling the importance of church involvement.

BEING CHRIST’S DISCIPLE INVOLVES FIRM COMMITMENT.

These men already knew Jesus. He had talked to Peter and Andrew previously (John 1:35-42) and had been preaching in the area. When Jesus called them, they knew what kind of man he was and were willing to follow him. They were not in a hypnotic trance when they followed but had been thoroughly convinced that following him would change their lives forever.

James and his brother, John, along with Peter and Andrew, were the first disciples that Jesus called to work with him. Jesus’ call motivated these men to get up and leave their jobs-immediately. They didn’t make excuses about why it wasn’t a good time. They left at once and followed. Jesus calls each of us to follow him. When Jesus asks us to serve him, we must be like the disciples and do it at once.

GOD’S PURPOSE

WHAT DOES GOD CALL PEOPLE TO DO? (Jeremiah 1:1-10)

"I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world". (Jeremiah 1:5)

GOD CALLS PEOPLE TO SERVE HIM (Matthew 10:1-18)

"Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness". (Matthew 10:1)

Jeremiah was “appointed” by God “as my spokesman to the world.” God has a purpose for each Christian, but some people are appointed by God for specific kinds of work. Samson (Judges 13:3-5), David (1 Samuel 16:12, 13), John the Baptist (Luke 1:13-17), and Paul (Galatians 1:15-16) were also called to do particular jobs for God. Whatever work you do should be done for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). If God gives you a specific task, accept it cheerfully and do it with diligence. If God has not given you a specific call or assignment, then seek to fulfill the mission common to all believers-to love, obey, and serve God-until his guidance becomes more clear.

GOD CALLS PEOPLE TO REPRESENT HIM IN THE WORLD.

Jesus called his twelve disciples. He didn’t draft them, force them, or ask them to volunteer; he chose them to serve him in a special way. Christ calls us today. He doesn’t twist our arms and make us do something we don’t want to do. We can choose to join him or remain behind. When Christ calls you to follow him, how do you respond?

The list of Jesus’ twelve disciples doesn’t give us many details-probably because there weren’t many impressive details to tell. Jesus called people from all walks of life-fishermen, political activists, tax collectors. He called common people and uncommon leaders; rich and poor; educated and uneducated. Today, many people think only certain people are fit to follow Christ, but this was not the attitude of the Master himself. God can use anyone, no matter how insignificant he or she appears. When you feel small and useless, remember that God uses ordinary people to do his extraordinary work.

GOD’S WORD ON THE CALL OF GOD

HAS GOD CALLED ME TO DO SPECIFIC THINGS?

Ecclesiastes 11:9 . . . Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do.

God gives us the freedom to do what we think is best, but we will answer for everything we do.

Jeremiah 1:4-5 . . . The Lord gave me a message. . . . I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world.

Sometimes God may call us to fulfill a very specific ministry. When that happens, he will make sure that we know it.

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 . . . There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. . . . A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.

2 Timothy 4:5 . . . Complete the ministry God has given you.

God has given each of us a special ministry that he wants us to perform in the church to build up the body and bring glory to his name.

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT MY CALLING IS?

Psalm 119:105 . . . Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.

The first step in knowing our calling is to get to know God intimately through his word and let him guide us through it in everything.

Daniel 1:17 . . . God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for learning the literature and science of the time.

God has given each of us special aptitudes and abilities. These help us to see the kinds of things that we should be doing.

Acts 20:24 . . . My life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus.

When God gives us a specific calling, it fills our thoughts and energies, so that we pursue it wholeheartedly.

Romans 12:2 . . . Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do.

When we let God transform us by the power of his Holy Spirit, he will show us what he wants us to do.

PROMISE FROM GOD:

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 . . . May the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until that day when our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God, who calls you, is faithful; he will do this.

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