Ministry

Here Am I: Living a Sacred Calling
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Here Am I: Living a Sacred Calling

While we continue to deal with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe we have a great opportunity to represent Jesus well as we respond to God’s calling with a hearty, “Here Am I”!  This wraps up the thirty-two devotions from my “Here Am I” book to help each of us pray about our response to God as He calls us to Himself.  Through time in prayer, this devotional journal was written to help you see and respond to God’s calling as you see Him working in your “everyday” life.

Here is day thirty-two with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called by God to live a sacred calling in the midst of everything you do.

Living a Sacred Calling

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.“
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

What makes something sacred?  How do you feel about your life being sacred?  How does your consideration and practice of the things outlined in this devotional change the way you view a sacred calling?  Why?  Does the sacredness of your life’s work come from what that work is or from who it is being done for?  Explain.  What things change, or should change, when you begin to view the everyday tasks of your life as part of your sacred calling from God?  How will your view of others change when you acknowledge their work as a response to God’s sacred calling in them?

When we live life set apart for God’s use, everything is on the table.  Responding to a sacred calling may involve preaching by some, but it is just as likely to involve welding by others.  While we tend to define people by what they do occupationally, God is much more interested in who we are really doing it for.  The previous thirty-one devotions in this book have all been written with the prayer that you will see your life, and your life’s work, as a sacred calling from God regardless of how He has gifted you.  As God calls, it is my prayer that each of us would respond, “Here am I”.

As you pray about living a sacred calling, thank God for giving you purpose in life.  Pray that you would know the value of living a life set apart for God’s exclusive use.  Pray that you would make all of your gifts and abilities available for God to use as He sees fit.  Pray for the humility needed to appropriately, and equally, value the sacred calling God has made to the people around you who have tasks which are different from yours.  Pray that you would learn to help others pursue a sacred calling in the midst of everyday life.

In prayer,

Tom  

Here Am I: Called To Be Worthy
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Here Am I: Called To Be Worthy

While we continue to deal with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe we have a great opportunity to represent Jesus well as we respond to God’s calling with a hearty, “Here Am I”!  After today, I will be sharing one more devotion from my “Here Am I” book to help each of us pray about our response to God as He calls us to Himself.  Through time in prayer, this devotional journal was written to help you see and respond to God’s calling as you see Him working in your “everyday” life.

Here is day thirty-one with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called by God to live a life worthy of His calling.

Called To Be Worthy

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.“
Ephesians 4:1 (NIV)

Are you worthy?  How difficult is it for you to answer that question?  Why?  How is being worthy different from being counted worthy that was a devotion earlier in this book?  Why?  What/who determines if you are worthy?  Explain.  What makes people worthy to you — is it the way they feel or the way you feel about them?  Explain.  Since God has called you to be worthy, what does that say about how He feels about you?  How can you help others know God calls them to be worthy?  Will you?

While it is comforting to be counted worthy by God, it is perhaps more sobering to have God call me to be worthy.  When I look deep within my life and know I am not worthy, there is hope in knowing that God looks even deeper and still calls me to be worthy.  As one created in the image of God, He knows full well the potential that lies beneath the layers of crud I have accumulated in my life.  When God calls me to live a life worthy of His calling, he makes it possible by transforming my heart and mind with the presence of His Spirit.  When I live by the Spirit rather than by the flesh, I find I can be worthy of His calling.

As you pray about being called to be worthy, ask God to help you see His great love for you and the worth you have to Him.  Pray that you would seek to live a life worthy of His calling as you allow His Spirit to make that possible.  Pray for the courage to reject life choices that would not be worthy of God’s presence.  Pray that God’s love would help you to see yourself as He sees you.  Pray that your view of others would take place through the eyes of God as He deems them worthy of His love.

In prayer,

Tom  

Here Am I: Called To Win the Prize
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Here Am I: Called To Win the Prize

While we continue to deal with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe we have a great opportunity to represent Jesus well as we respond to God’s calling with a hearty, “Here Am I”!  Over the next 2 days I will continue sharing the devotions from my “Here Am I” book to help each of us pray about our response to God as He calls us to Himself.  Through time in prayer, this devotional journal was written to help you see and respond to God’s calling as you see Him working in your “everyday” life.

Here is day thirty with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called by God to win the prize that only He can give.

Called To Win the Prize

“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.“
Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)

Have you ever won anything that you knew would never have been possible to obtain on your own?  How does winning even small things make you feel?  Why?  How much does the encouragement of others help you to continue seeking something they believe you can obtain?  Would you be more likely to enter a contest if the person in charge indicated you would win if you didn’t give up?  Why?  In that light, how does being called by God to win the prize influence your desire to press on through whatever comes in life?

I used to get letters in the mail that were very clearly marked on the outside, “You may have already won!”.  While those were intriguing, the little word “may” often kept me from doing anything to win the potential prize.  When God calls us to win the prize, there is no maybe involved — at least not in His willingness to give.  It is our faithfulness in pursuing Him, not our perfection in doing so, that results in our receiving the prize for which we are called heavenward.  Knowing that the prize of eternity with God awaits us, our goal each day ought to be to walk with Jesus in such a way that others see Him in us.

As you pray about being called to win the prize, ask God to fill you with the desire to be faithful.  Pray that you would live with a confidence in God’s ability to deliver the prize for which He has called you to receive.  Pray that your relationship with God would help you to keep your eyes fixed on the eternal prize He offers.  Pray that you would walk faithfully with God each day as you not only anticipate the prize that is to come, but as you share that prize with others.

In prayer,

Tom  

Here Am I: Called To Be Wanted
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Here Am I: Called To Be Wanted

While we continue to deal with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe we have a great opportunity to represent Jesus well as we respond to God’s calling with a hearty, “Here Am I”!  Over the next 3 days I will continue sharing the devotions from my “Here Am I” book to help each of us pray about our response to God as He calls us to Himself.  Through time in prayer, this devotional journal was written to help you see and respond to God’s calling as you see Him working in your “everyday” life.

Here is day twenty-nine with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called by God because you are wanted by Him.

Called To Be Wanted

“Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him.“
Mark 3:13 (NIV)

Have you ever been left out of something that you really wanted to belong to?  How did you feel?  Why?  What does knowing you are wanted do for your attitude and sense of well-being?  How about when you don’t feel wanted?  Which feeling do you have most often?  Why?  What things make you believe you are wanted?  How can you help others to know they are wanted?  Do you often think about Jesus calling you to Himself because you are wanted by Him?  How does that make you feel?  How do you share that with others?

When Jesus began His ministry on earth, He called to himself those He wanted.  While some, such as the twelve disciples, are named, it becomes apparent throughout the gospels that He called many to Himself.  In fact, He called, and continues to call, all who are thirsty to come and drink from the well that never runs dry.  In the midst of your life, whether alone or in a crowd, Jesus calls you because He wants you to be with Him.  Living as one called to be wanted by God ought to help you know your true value.  As you join with all who are wanted by God, He equips you to help others know they too are wanted.

As you pray about being wanted by God, ask Him to fill you with confidence regarding His desire for you to be with Him.  Pray about how God would have you encourage those who feel unwanted.  Pray that being wanted by God would change not only the way you view yourself, but also the way you view others.  Pray for a heart that is changed by an awareness of being wanted by God.  Pray that your changed heart would help others to know they are wanted by God, and by you.

In prayer,

Tom  

Here Am I: Called Through the Gospel
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Here Am I: Called Through the Gospel

While we continue to deal with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe we have a great opportunity to represent Jesus well as we respond to God’s calling with a hearty, “Here Am I”!  Over the next 4 days I will continue sharing the devotions from my “Here Am I” book to help each of us pray about our response to God as He calls us to Himself.  Through time in prayer, this devotional journal was written to help you see and respond to God’s calling as you see Him working in your “everyday” life.

Here is day twenty-eight with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called by God through the gospel message to Himself.

Called Through the Gospel

“He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.  So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.“
2 Thessalonians 2:14-15 (NIV)

How often do you read the Bible?  Do you view it as just a book, or as words written to you?  Why?  How good is the news that the world publishes each day?  Why?  What would happen if you looked for, and shared, good news instead of the usual fare that gets talked about in most social circles?  How does the good news of the Bible call you, and others, to a changed life?  How does being called by God through the gospel influence the way you relate to God and the way you share that gospel with others?

In a world in which everything has been brought into existence by the word of God, the power of the gospel ought to be obvious.  While some view the Bible as just a book, or a collection of old words, God says it is “the power of God which leads to salvation.”  Just as God called the elements of creation into existence by His Word, He calls each one of us to salvation through the good news of the gospel.  Words are very powerful things and can be used to lift up or tear down.  When we are confident of our calling through the gospel of Jesus, our words to others ought to be good news that shares that same gospel with them.

As you pray about being called through the gospel, ask God to help you trust Him as the true source of good news.  Pray that you would hold fast to God’s Word as the powerful force that it is.  Pray that your time spent reading the Bible would encourage you as you allow its Author to speak His words to you.  Pray that God’s calling through His gospel would fill you with light in the midst of darkness.  Pray that you would share the good news of Jesus with everyone you can.

In prayer,

Tom  

Here Am I: Called To Be Sure
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Here Am I: Called To Be Sure

While we continue to deal with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe we have a great opportunity to represent Jesus well as we respond to God’s calling with a hearty, “Here Am I”!  Over the next 5 days I will continue sharing the devotions from my “Here Am I” book to help each of us pray about our response to God as He calls us to Himself.  Through time in prayer, this devotional journal was written to help you see and respond to God’s calling as you see Him working in your “everyday” life.

Here is day twenty-seven with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called by God to be an example in the way you suffer.

Called To Be Sure

“Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.“
2 Peter 1:10-11 (NIV)

Are there things you are certain about?  What?  Have you ever been sure about something only to find out later you were wrong?  Why?  How much power does doubt have in your life?  Why?  What things tend to feed your doubt?  Have you ever been sure of something only to have it not come to pass?  Why?  What does that do to your sense of certainty about other things?  How reliable do you believe God to be?  Does His faithfulness give you greater confidence in the things He has called you to?  Should it?

Living with certainty in a very uncertain world can be a rather elusive thing.  Fortunately, the certainty that you and I are called to in Christ is not based on our ability but rather on His faithfulness.  While our calling by God is sure because of His faithfulness, it is our daily walk by faith that helps to erase whatever doubts the enemy may attempt to plant in our mind.  The doubts will come and go because we have a tendency to stumble throughout our walk.  When we hold fast to God’s calling to be sure, we find that nothing can make us fall.  Living with certainty in our calling from God ought to equip us to walk by faith no matter what.

As you pray about being called to be sure, ask God to help you be fully aware of His faithfulness throughout all generations.  Pray that you would look to Him for a certainty that overcomes your doubts.  Pray for an increased faith that gives you a confidence in God’s ability to pick you up when you stumble.  Pray that the people around you would see your unfailing confidence in God even when you have doubts in yourself.  Pray that your faith would grow beyond the doubts of the world.

In prayer,

Tom  

Here Am I: Called To Suffer
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Here Am I: Called To Suffer

While we continue to deal with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe we have a great opportunity to represent Jesus well as we respond to God’s calling with a hearty, “Here Am I”!  Over the next 6 days I will continue sharing the devotions from my “Here Am I” book to help each of us pray about our response to God as He calls us to Himself.  Through time in prayer, this devotional journal was written to help you see and respond to God’s calling as you see Him working in your “everyday” life.

Here is day twenty-six with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called by God to be an example in the way you suffer.

Called To Suffer

“But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “
1 Peter 2:20-21 (NIV)

How often do you experience difficult times and think that it just shouldn’t be this way?  Why?  Have you ever learned valuable lessons in the midst of suffering?  What?  Could they have been learned without the suffering?  Why?  What does suffering as a result of poor choices teach you?  Is that different from what you learn as a result of suffering for doing right?  Explain.  How is Christ represented in your attitude when you suffer because of what someone else has said or done?  Who does your response change the most, you or them?

Suffering seems to be an unavoidable part of life and how we handle it can say a lot to a suffering world that needs to know the peace that only Jesus can bring in the midst of their hurt.  When we live with the hope that only Jesus can offer, we find the pain of suffering can be a powerful reminder of how valuable we are to Him.  It is in suffering for doing right that the world can see proof of what we believe.  Whether the pain is physical, emotional, spiritual, or some combination of all three, learning to endure with patience in the midst of suffering is only possible when our eyes are fixed on the hope that lies ahead.

As you pray about being called to suffer, ask God to fill you with a greater hope in the things yet to come.  Pray that you would make wise choices that would keep you from suffering for doing wrong.  Pray that your suffering would make you more aware of the price Jesus paid for the hope that now dwells within you.  Pray that others would know more of your love, and of God’s love, as you patiently endure suffering that comes from doing life God’s way.

In prayer,

Tom  

Here Am I: Called To Serve
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Here Am I: Called To Serve

While we continue to deal with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe we have a great opportunity to represent Jesus well as we respond to God’s calling with a hearty, “Here Am I”!  Over the next 7 days I will continue sharing the devotions from my “Here Am I” book to help each of us pray about our response to God as He calls us to Himself.  Through time in prayer, this devotional journal was written to help you see and respond to God’s calling as you see Him working in your “everyday” life.

Here is day twenty-five with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called by God to be a saint.

Called To Serve

“Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.“
Mark 10:42-44 (NIV)

What does it mean to serve someone?  In what ways do others serve you?  In what ways do you serve others?  Which do you prefer?  Why?  How does attitude influence the quality of serving you, or someone else, might do?  Are there times, or people, you are more willing to serve than others?  Why?  What makes the difference?  What limits did God put on who you should serve?  What about on how you should serve?  Explain.  Does knowing God has called you to serve change your attitude about serving?  Why?

Most Christians can quote the words of Jesus when He says, “whoever wants to become great must become servant to all.”  The problem, however, is that quoting it and living it are two very different things.  How we treat others from any walk of life says a lot about how much we’ve allowed Jesus to have control of our life.  Serving others isn’t just about doing things for them; it begins with our attitude about them.  When we allow Jesus to transform our heart, we learn to willingly serve others because we genuinely care about them.  In fact, God says that it is in our serving of others that we actually serve Him.

As you pray about being called to serve, ask God to help you grow in your desire to serve all people.  Pray that you would learn to love people just as God loves them so you would want the very best for them.  Pray that you would serve with a transformed heart that helps those you serve to see Jesus.  Pray that you would look for opportunities to serve even those whose job it is to serve you.  Pray that you would find pleasure in serving God through your service to others.

In prayer,

Tom