hold on

Here Am I: Called To Peace
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Here Am I: Called To Peace

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 11 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-one with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called by God to a life of peace.

Called To Peace

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.“
Colossians 3:15 (NIV)

How much peace do you feel in your life at the moment?  What do you feel are the causes for that level of peace?  Why?  Does living with peace require the successful resolution of all conflict?  Explain.  What role does being thankful have in experiencing peace in all circumstances?  Are there specific things that seem to repeatedly rob you of peace?  Why?  How can identifying those things, and how God was with you the last time those things happened, help you to have greater peace when they reoccur?

The cares of this world seem to do a pretty good job at disrupting the peace God wants us to live with.  Since there is no magic wand to get rid of those cares, God calls us to a peace that surpasses all understanding.  In the midst of conflict and discouraging circumstances, we can find peace in knowing God has been present before, during, and after all of the things that try to steal our peace.  His presence will carry us through the conflicts of life with the peace of knowing the troubles are only temporary.  When we live out this sacred calling of peace, we find that our relationship with God, and with others, is transformed.

As you pray about being called to peace, ask God to remind you of His presence during the times He seems most distant.  Pray that you would trust in God’s promises when the cares of this world try to destroy the peace He has called you to.  Pray that you would have courage in facing conflicts which are beyond your control with a peace that can only come from God.  Pray about how your faith will allow you to see God at work in the midst of difficult and trying times.

In prayer,

Tom  

Here Am I: Called To Love
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Here Am I: Called To Love

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 12 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 with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called by God to love.

Called To Love

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.“
John 15:12 (NIV)

Who do you love?  Do they know it?  How?  How does being loved change the way you love?  What does it mean to love someone?  Does that look different based on who it is?  Explain.  Does the love God wants you to have for others always look like what the other person wants it to?  Why?  Are there people you don’t want to love?  Why?  How does experiencing God’s love for you help you to love people that may be difficult to love?  What would God want you to do differently today that would be a response to His call to love others?

While this may seem at first to be the same topic as the previous devotion, God’s calling to love is the giving aspect compared to the receiving that is done in being loved.  Loving people God’s way will always look out for their best even when doing so is not appreciated or desired.  Godly love is a giving of our self in order to lift someone else up.  Not only has God given us this sacred calling to love, but He demonstrated just how to do that through the sending of His Son to express His love for us.  Loving the hard to love is possible only when you realize just how much God has loved you.

As you pray about being called to love, ask God to help you notice the things that people actually need.  Pray that you would look to God for the strength and courage to love people you don’t like.  Pray that you would do the hard work of loving those who are difficult to love.  Pray that God would remind you of His great love for you even when you were living as His enemy.  Pray that your love for people would help others to know a God who loves them fully.

In prayer,

Tom  

Here Am I: Called To Be Loved
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Here Am I: Called To Be Loved

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 13 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 nineteen with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called by God to be loved.

Called To Be Loved

“Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.“
Jude 1:1-2 (NIV)

How loved do you feel?  Why?  Do you ever think you are unlovable?  Why?  What does it take to make you feel loved?  Does that change based on who the love is coming from?  Why?  Is unconditional love the same as unconditional approval?  Explain.  How does the love you have experienced from people influence your view of God’s love?  Should it?  How does knowing that God Himself has called you to be loved by Him change the way you experience His love?  Will living as one loved by God change you?  Why?

Sometimes the person we think most undeserving of being loved is our self.  While there may be a lot of factors which lead us to believe that, the truth is that God has called each of us to be loved by Him!  Our actions do matter to God but not in the sense that they increase or decrease His love for us.  Even the best love that we experience from people pales in comparison to the purity of the love that only God can give.  When God says that He so loved the world that He gave, He means that He loves you and I now and He loved us when we were dead in our sins.  Living as one loved by God is indeed a sacred calling.

As you pray about being loved, ask God to bring healing to whatever is in your life that tries to convince you that you are unlovable.  Pray that you would seek to please God because of His love rather than seeking God’s love by pleasing Him.  Pray that any doubts you may have about God’s love for you would be dispelled as you respond to His call to be loved.  Pray for the courage to live as one loved by God as you represent Him to people who need to experience that same love.

In prayer,

Tom  

Here Am I: Called To Live In Hope
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Here Am I: Called To Live In Hope

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 14 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 eighteen with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called by God into His glorious light.

Called To Live In Hope

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called.“
Ephesians 4:3-4 (NIV)

What does hope mean to you?  How do you usually use the word?  Do you think that is what God means when He calls you to live in hope?  Explain.  When is hope most needed?  Have you ever been discouraged — perhaps even now?  How does hope help you to see that your current circumstances are not permanent?  Has anyone ever tried to encourage you with a hope that you knew was iffy at best?  Did it help?  Why?  How does living with one hope differ from what the world offers when it comes to hope?

In a world filled with self-help books and podcasts covering just about any situation imaginable, true hope seems to be a rather elusive thing for many who desperately need it.  In our efforts to make sense of a messed-up world, there is only one source that offers real hope in the midst of troubling times.  When God calls us to live in hope, it is in the context of being united with Him in a way that ought to unite us with one another.  The one hope that can carry us through anything is the assured hope that is available through Jesus Christ.  When we live in this hope, we live with something the world both wants and needs.

As you pray about being called to live in hope, ask God to help you to see the various things you have tried to put your hope in.  Pray that you would set aside the world’s view of hope so that you could live in the one hope that God calls you to.  Pray for the courage to share true hope with others even when they think they can find a better hope elsewhere.  Pray that your hope in Jesus would help you live in greater unity with others.

In prayer,

Tom  

Here Am I: Called Into Light
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Here Am I: Called Into Light

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 15 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 seventeen with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called by God into His glorious light.

Called Into Light

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.“
1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

Have you ever used darkness to get by with things that you should not have done?  Why?  How does light influence your choices?  Are there things that you allow to exist in the shadows of your life that you would rather not be brought to light?  What are they?  What would God want you to do with them?  Will you?  How does living in the light make you feel?  Why?  Should being called into the light change the way the people around you see you?  The way they see God?  In what ways?

Whether you prefer living in the spotlight or are more comfortable in the background of life, God calls you to step out of the darkness of this world and into His glorious light.  This calling isn’t about you being more visible, but about Him being more visible through you as you proclaim His praises each day.  As we journey further into God’s light, it is not just the deeds of darkness we leave behind — we also find the things we’ve kept in the shadows are exposed for what they are.  Responding to God’s call to walk in His light isn’t about guilt or shame over what is exposed, rather it is about finding freedom to live in that light in a way that glorifies God.

As you pray about being called into the light, ask God to help you see any areas of darkness that keep you from embracing His light fully.  Pray that you would allow Him to transform your mind so that even the hints of darkness would have no appeal to you.  Pray that you would constantly praise God as you recall both what He has called you out of and what He has called you into.  Pray for God’s help in not only walking in His light, but in helping others to see His light.

In prayer,

Tom  

Here Am I: Called To Be Holy
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Here Am I: Called To Be Holy

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 16 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 sixteen with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called by God to be holy.

Called To Be Holy

“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’“
1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV)

How is being holy related to living a life of holiness?  What comes to mind when you think of someone being holy?  Is holiness something that you consider attainable in your own life?  Why?  What specific things need to take place in your life for you to be holy?  Who can do those things in your life?  Is there a part of holiness that is up to you in addition to the work God does in your life?  How does a daily reminder that you’ve been set free from sin help you to pursue holiness?  Why is holiness such a necessary and noble pursuit?

Holiness has to do with belonging to God or being set apart for God’s exclusive use.  It is such a big part of the identity we ought to have in Christ that this journal spends two days focused on this sacred calling of holiness.  Our holiness is only possible as we are purified through the blood of Jesus, but that holiness is maintained as we daily surrender to living a life exclusive to God.  It is through, and because of, that cleansing by Jesus that He is able to call us to be holy, just as He is holy.  When we live as one set apart for God’s use, we seek to live in such a way that our life brings honor and glory to Him.

As you pray about God’s call for you to be holy, ask Him to give you the wisdom to live a life that reflects His holiness.  Pray that you would always choose the things of life that would lead to purity in your thoughts and actions.  Pray that God would purify you from all unrighteousness.  Pray for a heart that seeks to honor God in all you do.  Pray that you would be free to live exclusively for God.  Pray that you would learn to be holy, just as Christ is holy.

In prayer,

Tom  

Here Am I: Called To Holiness
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Here Am I: Called To Holiness

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 17 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 fifteen with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called by God to a life of holiness.

Called To Holiness

“To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ — their Lord and ours.“
1 Corinthians 1:2 (NIV)

Do you have things that are only used for special purposes?  Why?  Do those things ever become unsuitable for their intended purposes?  Explain.  What comes to your mind when someone talks about living a life of holiness?  Do you think it is possible?  Why?  Where does holiness begin?  When something, or someone, is holy, what does it take to keep it that way?  Explain.  How important is holiness to God?  What will it take for holiness to be just as important to you as it is to God?

Whether it is the good china, special attire, or holiday decorations, most of us have things that we treat as special — things set apart for a specific use or purpose.  Being called to holiness means that we are that special thing to God.  Not that we’ve been put on a shelf for some future time, but that we’ve been called by God for His special use and purpose.  A life of holiness requires that we take every thought captive as we make choices that lead us to honor God’s will and purpose in our life.  Responding to God’s call to holiness sets us on a path that leads us toward greater obedience to God as we learn to be holy.

As you pray about being called to holiness, ask God to fill you with the desire to be used by Him.  Pray that you would open your mind and spirit to understanding how special you are to God.  Pray for the courage to evaluate all of your thoughts and actions to see how well aligned they are with the things of God.  Pray for the humility to lead a life set apart for God’s exclusive use in such a way that He is seen by those around you.  Pray that a desire for holiness would lead you to be holy.

In prayer,

Tom  

Here Am I: Called To Hear
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Here Am I: Called To Hear

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 18 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 fourteen with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called by God to a glorious inheritance.

Called To Hear

“Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Luke 8:8 (NIV)

Is it possible to listen to someone without hearing what they are really saying?  What does it take for you to hear what people are actually saying?  Does listening beyond the surface of a conversation come easy to you?  How good are you at listening to God?  Do you think He would say that you are one who “has ears to hear”?  Why?  Should hearing what God has said in His Word change the way you do life?  In what way?  Does it?  How does a practice of listening to God change the way that you hear what others are saying?

It has been said that the average person listens more for the purpose of responding rather than understanding.  It seems that even in the days of Jesus, the crowds would gather and listen to His words with little attempt to understand what He was saying, let alone put His words into practice.  As Christians, God calls us to use what He has given us in order to actually hear what He has to say.  Those who “have ears to hear” should make it a practice to not only hear what God has said, but to incorporate His words into how we live life.  As God calls each of us to hear what He says, His desire is that we would do what He says.

As you pray about how you listen to God, ask Him to open your ears to the truth of His Word.  Pray that you would be one who desires to hear from God as you spend time with Him in prayer and His Word.  Pray that you would grow in the way that you listen so that you would also hear beyond the surface in what others say to you.  Pray that you would learn to seek understanding of what you hear before responding.  Pray that your life would reflect an active hearing of God’s Word.

In prayer,

Tom