Boyd Bailey: Christ’s Calling…

“Come follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.” Matthew 4:19-20

Disciples of Jesus are called by the Lord to minister in their home and in the marketplace. However, Christ does call some of His followers to vocational ministry. It is a calling that many times comes to ordinary men and women who accomplish extraordinary results. Who does He call out? Christ’s call comes to those who have a hungry heart for God.

Like Paul you might have been suddenly smitten by a revelation of Jesus as Lord, or you were like David who gradually went from feeding sheep, what’s perishable, to feeding God’s people, the imperishable. Wherever Christ calls, His first command is to love God and people. A calling without love is like a car without gasoline. It may be attractive on the outside but it’s not going anywhere. Thus, love large where the Lord has called you.

Furthermore, He has called you to endure hardships, “You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary” (Revelation 2:3). Christians are not immune to conflict. In fact, your faith at times invites difficulty. So don’t seek to shelter your life from adversity. Rather, position yourself in obedience to Christ’s calling. It is out of your regular routine of serving Him that you will see what He has in store next.

Make sure you minister first to your spouse and children. Don’t be like the cobbler who has no shoes for his family. Your creditability for Christ is seeing your faith lived out with those who know you the best. What does it profit a man if he saves the whole world and loses his family? A calling to family first frees you to evangelize and disciple with God’s favor. His calling aligns with His commands, so service for Him is seamless.

Above all, the Lord is looking for those already engaged in His word, growing in their character and active in sharing their faith. His calling comes to Christians who desire the Holy Spirit to conform them into the image of Christ. Your humble imitation of Jesus comes out of your intimate walk with Him. He calls those with whom He can trust. So don’t look for your calling, look for Christ and He will reveal His calling to you.

“I, even I, have spoken; yes, I have called him. I will bring him, and he will succeed in his mission” (Isaiah 48:15).

Related Readings: Acts 9:10; 1 Corinthians 7:17; Hebrews 5:4; Revelation 7:14

Source: Wisdom Hunters by Boyd Bailey

Billy Graham: My job is to Love.

The Spirit's job is to Convict.
God's job is to Judge.
My Job is to Love.

- Billy Graham

Wisdom Hunters: Sacred Scripture…

“If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Matthew 4:6

The use of Scripture does not preclude the abuse of Scripture. Indeed, a strategy of Satan’s is to misquote and misapply God’s Holy Word. He takes the truth of God and perverts it into his purpose. So beware of those who use Holy Scripture to accomplish unholy outcomes. Investigate their accuracy and the motive of the one spouting Scripture. The Bible does not contradict itself, nor does it lead to acts contrary to Christ.

Moreover a man or woman’s head can be full of Scripture, while their heart is empty of grace. We see this in the pompous Pharisees of Jesus’s day and unfortunately we experience this today with self-appointed prophets. People who profess Christ and then twist the Bible to get their way are on a slippery slope paved with pretense, pride and destruction. So be like the early Christians and verify the Biblical teaching you receive.

“Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts 17:11). Serious students of Scripture hold accountable their teacher with their own study and research. Even Paul’s teaching was validated.

Above all, beware of those who use the Bible to justify their unholy behavior. It is wrong to live an immoral or unethical lifestyle, but it’s worse to claim the Bible supports this unseemly activity. The approach of distorting truth is as old as our enemy the devil. Churches who accept this low view of Scripture have a high tolerance for sin, and sadly a community of true believers ceases to exist if everyone is called a Christian.

Therefore, use sacred Scripture as a sacred trust. Learn it, memorize it, share it, but most of all quietly apply it as the Lord’s transforming power in your life. Quoting the Bible is your defense against the devil and his lies. It builds your faith when you are fearful and it leads you into wise decision-making. The Bible is your bridge to knowing God’s will.

Related Readings: Job 23:12; Psalm 91:10-12; Luke 24:8; John 2:22

Source: Wisdom Hunters by Boyd Bailey

The Daily Verse: Psalm 89:10

You crushed Rahab like a carcass; you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm. Psalm 89:10

We have to trust that God knows when things in our life aren't healthy for us. If He's caused things close to you to scatter, consider that He has a purpose, and enjoy the freedom of your enemies being cast from you. Breathe in the new season He has provided for you.

Source: The Daily Verse by Kat Davis

Prayers for Ray: Philippians 4:6

Ray is a son of a man that I work with here at the home office of Family Christian Stores. He is in the exact PICU unit at Devos Children's Hospital here in Grand Rapids that our son Levi was early this spring. He has been diagnosed with T Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (TCell ALL). On top of that he has been battling a skin infection that's getting worse and blistering and requiring dialysis to help support his liver. WOW!

The family has been sending out prayers for Ray and I'd like to send them out to you!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6

Family Prayer
We are trying hard not to be anxious. Please keep praying for Ray and petitioning God for total healing. And right now pray specifically that the cancer cells will go into remission, and that he will have healthy white blood cells. Also for his infection on his skin to get better. And for Elise, as she was up most all night.

My Prayer
Heavenly Father we really need you to intercede and lay your healing hand on this young man! We know that you can heal him completely! You have something amazing in plan for this family please help them to stay strong in you and give them peace.

YOU NEVER LET GO

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life,
I won't turn back I know You are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me.

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me.

- Matt Redman

The Daily Verse: Isaiah 48:17,18

Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea... Isaiah 48:17,18

As we venture into this new year, let us be reminded that it is God and the things of God that we follow and seek, and not man or the ways of man. Pay attention to His ways and follow them, and go after the things that are of Him.

Source: The Daily Verse by Kat Davis