Ministry

Here Am I: Called to Fellowship
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Here Am I: Called to Fellowship

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 26 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 seven with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called by God to be faithful through a life of patient endurance.

Called to Fellowship

“God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.”
1 Corinthians 1:9 (NIV)

Who are the people you like being with the most?  Why?  Do you consider yourself a “people person” or not?  How does that influence your desire to be with people?  How much time do you spend with God?  What does that time look like?  How do you feel about God calling you into fellowship with Jesus?  Does knowing He desires fellowship with you determine how much time you spend with Him?  Why?  Does that fellowship make a difference in the fellowship you have with others?  In what way?

While it can be somewhat confusing to figure out if we belong in the fellowship of a group of people, God leaves no doubt about His desire when He calls us into fellowship with His Son.  It is in the context of this fellowship that He also calls us into fellowship with one another.  Through our fellowship with God we ought to find commonality to have fellowship with others.  When I think of fellowship with God, I consider one of my favorite Bible characters — Enoch, a man who walked with God in such a way that one day his daily walk continued uninterrupted from this earth to God’s presence.

As you pray, ask God to help you fully believe His invitation to a greater fellowship with Jesus.  Pray that being called into fellowship would increase your desire and commitment to spend time with God.  Pray that you would be known as one who walks with God.  Pray that your fellowship with other believers would grow as you deepen your fellowship with God.  Pray that you would be actively involved in making others aware of God’s desire to have fellowship with them.

In prayer,

Tom  

Here Am I: Called to Be Faithful
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Here Am I: Called to Be Faithful

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 26 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 seven with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called by God to be faithful through a life of patient endurance.

Called to Be Faithful

“This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.”
Revelation 14:12 (NIV)

How often do you feel like giving up?  Why?  Do you?  Are there things you ought to give up on?  What things should you never give up on?  How do you know the difference?  When you think of being faithful, is there a specific person that comes to mind?  Who?  Why?  Do you think of yourself as a faithful person?  Why?  Would the people who know you best agree?  Why?  How should being called by God to be faithful influence the way you view your ability to be faithful and the patience you approach life with?

When I think about being faithful, I think more about a steadfast pursuit of something than I think about having actually arrived.  The destination is great, but many times our impatience causes us to change course before we accomplish what God desires to do in and through us.  God’s desire is that weariness or distraction would not cause us to give up before we reap the harvest of righteousness He has in store for us.  When we respond to God’s call to be faithful with a steadfast “Here am I”, we commit to a life that doesn’t give up in our pursuit of Him.  In a world filled with broken promises, be one who is faithful.

As you pray about being faithful, ask God to help you see your decisions and actions from an eternal perspective.  Pray that you would not become weary in doing good.  Pray that the evil in the world would not distract you nor entice you into a life that is unfaithful.  Pray for the wisdom to understand the direction God has set forth in His Word, and for the courage to be steadfast in following His direction no matter what.  Pray that your life would be an example to others.

In prayer,

Tom  

Here Am I: Called to Eternal Glory
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Here Am I: Called to Eternal Glory

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 27 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 six with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called by God to be counted worthy.

Called to Eternal Glory

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)

What is the most glorious thing you have ever seen?  How long did that glory last?  Why?  What is it that gives something its glory?  What things cause that glory to fade?  How does a focus on the difficulties of life affect your view of the future?  Why?  What would a continual focus on a future of eternal glory do to your view of the suffering you experience?  Why?  Which is easier to focus on, the present or the future?  Which has the greater reward?  What will you do to live as one who has been called to an eternal glory?

Many people try to overcome discouragement by seeking out something new and shiny to lift their mood.  Whatever we purchase to get us through our struggles here on earth will eventually wear out and lose its glory and our encouragement is short-lived.  When God calls us to an eternal glory, He gives us glimpses of it throughout life. In this way, the glory which carries us through our suffering doesn’t fade; rather it is ever-increasing until we experience it in its fullness with Christ.  While our enemy wants us to focus on the troubles of life so that we would give up, God calls us to focus on an eternal glory for all who are faithful.

As you pray about being called to an eternal glory, ask God to help you keep your eyes fixed on the glory that is found in Him.  Pray that you would not lose heart in the midst of life’s hardships.  Pray that your life and words would be reminders to others of the glory that is yet to come.  Pray that you would know the greatness of God’s glory as you allow it to give perspective to your current sufferings.  Pray for the courage to allow God to strengthen you as you rest in Him.

In prayer,

Tom  

Here Am I: Called to Be Counted Worthy
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Here Am I: Called to Be Counted 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”!  Over the next 28 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 five with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called by God to be counted worthy.

Called to Be Counted Worthy

“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.  We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (NIV)

Are there people in your life who see you as being worth more than you see yourself?  What do you think they see that you can’t?  Why?  Do you have a tendency to over value yourself or under value yourself?  What would those closest to you say?  Why?  What influence does being valued by others have on your feelings of worthiness?  Does being considered worthy increase your desire to live up to the worthiness others see in you?  How will being counted worthy by God help you to live and work more fully in His power?

When we compare ourselves to the holiness of Jesus, it should quickly become apparent that we will never be worthy on our own.  The good news is that Jesus sees beyond our choices, both good and bad, and sees the individual that has been created in His image.  He chooses to count us worthy because of His great love for us.  Even in the midst of our sin, God counted us worthy of His love displayed in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.  Being counted worthy by God, even when we know we’re not, ought to compel us to see others from the same perspective with which God views us.

As you pray about being counted worthy by God, ask God to encourage you through His desire for you to be His.  Pray that you would look beyond your limitations and faults to see all that God can do in and through you because He counts you worthy.  Pray for a heart of compassion for those who have been knocked down by this world and need to know that God has called them to be counted worthy.  Pray for the humility needed to see others as God sees them.

In prayer,

Tom  

Here Am I: Called to Be Chosen
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Here Am I: Called to Be Chosen

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 29 days I 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 four with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called by God to be His chosen people.

Called to Be Chosen

“They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings — and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
Revelation 17:14 (NIV)

Have you ever been a part of the choosing of teams?  How did you feel while waiting to be chosen?  Why?  Were you ever the one to do the choosing?  How did that feel?  Why?  How does the perceived importance of the one doing the choosing influence your feelings about being chosen?  What if the one choosing is God?  Have you ever been chosen for something that you really wanted but knew you weren’t fully qualified for?  What did being chosen do for your confidence?  How comfortable are you with the idea of being chosen by God?  Why?

It seems I have more experience of wanting something and not being chosen than of being chosen, but I suppose that makes being chosen by God even more spectacular for me.  To know I will be with Jesus in the midst of His victory is an incredible thing.  To be called by the creator of the universe as His chosen one lifts me to a level that is far beyond what being chosen for anything else could do.  The good news that Jesus wants us to share is that He has called everyone who will respond to be His chosen and faithful followers.  We are chosen not because of us, but because of Him.

As you pray about being called by God, ask Him to make you more aware of how valuable you are to Him.  Pray that you would live life with the knowledge that God has chosen you to be His.  Pray for a life of faithfulness that not only accepts being chosen by God, but shares that relationship with others.  Pray that you would see value in each person you meet, knowing that God chooses all who would come to Him.  Pray for the courage to live as one chosen by God.

In prayer,

Tom  

Here Am I: Called to Be a Child of God
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Here Am I: Called to Be a Child of God

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 30 days I will be 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 three with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called to be a child of God.

Called to Be a Child of God

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.“
1 John 3:1 (NIV)

Who are your parents?  What influence have they had on the way you live?  Why?  What were some expectations of you as a child in your family?  Were there responsibilities and privileges as well?  In what way?  If you have children, what do you expect from them?  What benefits do they have as your child?  What do you think of when you hear the word child?  Does that answer influence how you feel about being called a child?  In what way?  How does God’s love influence your desire to be called His child?

There is little that makes me more proud than to have my parents refer to me as their son when they are talking to others.  It is meaningful because I know the love and pride they convey with that word.  When John describes the depth of God’s love, he does so by indicating a Father who lavishes His love upon me to the extent of calling me His child.  While the honor of being called a child of God is great, so are the responsibilities and privileges that come with that position.  As a child of God I not only inherit that which belongs to the Father, but I also reflect Him to the people that know me as His child.

As you pray about being called a child of God, ask God to help you know the love He pours out upon you.  Pray that you would make the most of the honor and privilege that comes from being a child of God.  Pray that you would live up to the expectations that God has for you.  Pray for God’s help in living a life that honors your Father well and reflects Him to the people around you.  Pray that you would always find joy in being known as a child of God.

In prayer,

Tom  

Here Am I: Called to Be a Blessing
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Here Am I: Called to Be a Blessing

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 31 days I will be 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 two with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called to be a blessing to others.

Called to Be a Blessing

“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.“
1 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

Who has been the greatest blessing to you recently?  Why?  Would your name be someone else’s answer to that question?  Why?  What does a blessing look like to you?  Is that answer different depending on if you are giving or receiving the blessing?  Why?  Have you ever been intentional about being a blessing to someone?  Did it work?  How did that effort affect you?  Why?  Is there someone that comes to mind right now that you could be a blessing to?  What will you do about it?

As a Christian, it shouldn’t take long to think of someone that has been a blessing to you — even if (and that’s a big if) the only one on that list is Jesus himself.  I think the bigger question for us to wrestle with, is who am I being a blessing to.  The way we live life, the way we speak, the way we listen, the way we give, even the way we receive are all ways that our life can be a blessing to someone else.  While blessing those who bless us should be an easy thing to do, God calls us to also be a blessing to those who do not treat us, or Him, as they should.  In blessing others, we find God’s blessing grows in our life.

As you pray about the blessings you receive, ask God to help you be a blessing to the people around you.  Pray for the wisdom to know how to be a blessing to people regardless of how they treat you.  Pray that you would know the greater blessing which comes from giving of yourself to help others.  Pray that your response to God would assure you of an inherited blessing as you treat others as He would have you do.  Pray that you would be mindful of the opportunities God gives you to bless others.

In prayer,

Tom  

Here Am I: Called to Belong
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Here Am I: Called to Belong

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 32 days I will be 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 one with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called to belong to Jesus.

Called to Belong

“And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.“
Romans 1:6 (NIV)

Where do you belong?  Who do you belong to?  Which of those questions are you most comfortable with?  Why?  Have others ever made you believe you didn’t belong in a particular group or situation that you wanted to be a part of?  In what way?  How did you feel?  What does it take to make you feel you fit in or belong in a place or situation?  Is an invitation enough?  Why?  How involved are you in helping others feel they belong in groups you are a part of?  How has God backed up His invitation of belonging with substance that makes you know you belong?

Most of us have a desire to feel useful and needed — to know we belong wherever we are.  We’ve also accepted invitations to places where we’ve felt out of place as the invitation alone was not enough to give us a sense of belonging.  When God calls us to belong, it is not an invitation to join a group or club; rather it is calling us to belong to Jesus.  It is Christ who gives us a place to belong when He is the One we belong to.  Belonging to Christ means we belong wherever He is and wherever He sends us.  It also means others who belong to Christ deserve our acceptance as well.

As you pray about where you belong, begin with a recognition of who you belong to.  Pray that you would grow in your understanding of what it means each day to belong to Christ.  Pray that you would have the courage to accept God’s calling in your life — both in belonging to Him and in belonging wherever He has work for you to do.  Pray about how you make others feel when they are around you.  Pray for a sense of community and belonging with all who are in Christ.

In prayer,

Tom