Holiness and Calling

Focus verses: Ezekiel 16:1-22

This picture of the unfaithful wife is a picture of Jerusalem in Ezekiel's day. But it is also a picture of the modern church.

We have built up our own holiness in our own minds until we forget that we have no holiness. We have only the Lord's grace and mercy.

We build buildings and outreach programs. All of them are doomed to failure unless they are breathed of God. We put our words on the airwaves and our books on store shelves, and we pat ourselves on the back saying "what a good person am I."

What we ought to be doing is hiding our heads in shame at our puny fame and fortune. These things are all for the kingdom of this world. They have little to do with the kingdom of God.

Oh, there are people who are writing God's words and being absolutely faithful to the calling of God on their lives. They are, however, a minority as far as I can see.

People are preaching what the public wants to hear, not the word of God as written in His holy book. The public is being confused by the diverse voices and the conflicting suggestions and directions.

One can only know what God wants of him when he, himself, takes the time to sit in the presence of God and listen without all the interruptions and noise of this world. Closet time with God is essential to being faithful to one's calling. And everyone has a calling from the Lord.

You may be called as a housewife or an executive. You may be called as a mechanic or a financier. You may be called to hospitality or to the gift of teaching. Whatever your gift, God has given it to you for the benefit of His church. Your faithfulness to that call is your key to a "well done, thou good and faithful servant."

Father, God,

Help us to set aside time for You in our lives. Keep us faithful to that which You have given each of us as our personal task. Let us hear you clearly amidst the noise of life.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.

A Call From God

Focus verses: Ezekiel 2:1-3:11

When God called Ezekiel, He did it in visions, elaborate and astounding visions. But there are some very important principles here.

First, be sure this is God's calling, not just man's ideas. Only God can make a call fruitful. And the Holy Spirit gives the strength to follow through.

Second, fill yourself with the Word of God. It is the source of your power and knowledge. God Himself sets it forth as a requirement before Ezekiel can go forth and speak to the people.

Third, your response to the call cannot be based on people's reactions to your message. You are responsible to God, not man, to be faithful to what you are told to say.

Ezekiel is not the only one called of God. Each of us has a call of God upon his life. God has a specific purpose for each of us. Our faithfulness to that call is the standard by which we should measure our success in life. It has nothing to do with what people think of us. It has everything to do with what God has called us to accomplish.

Father, God,

Help us to remain faithful to Your call upon our lives. Give us a clear vision of what You would have us do and imbue us with the power and perseverance to do it.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.

I Knew You

Focus verses: Jeremiah 1:4-8

The story of Jeremiah's call to be a prophet is a comfort to me because there are three truths in it.

First - God says to Jeremiah that He knew him before He formed him in his mother's womb. What was true of Jeremiah is true of every person ever born. God knew you before you were born. He knew what you would look like, how you would respond to challenges, whether you would be easily obedient or difficult to discipline. He knew all about you. (And He loved you. Still does.)

Second - He says to Jeremiah that He set him apart for a particular calling. This is also true of you. God has a particular calling in mind for each person. There is an appointed time and place for you in His universe. Your highest achievement is to be faithful to that calling.

Third - He promises Jeremiah that He will never leave him. As Jeremiah goes where God tells him and says what God commands him to say, the Lord will be with him and will rescue him from whatever comes against him. This promise is also true for you. When you are doing God's work, He will be your shield and protector.

Just consider.
God had you in mind when He spoke the words "Let there be light."
God has a purpose for your life - one designed just for you alone.
God will never leave you.

If we believe these three statements to be true, what can stop us from being the ambassadors God wants to send to His hurting world? Of what need we be afraid?

I love the saying "The will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you." Let us resolve to stay in the will of God.

Father, God,

Thank You for Your promises to us. We are grateful that You choose to be involved in our lives to the smallest details. Help us to be faithful to You, listening closely for Your will, obeying Your calling instantaneously.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.