Consider Your Calling
Paul, called to bean apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours. 1 Corinthians 1:1-2
What do you picture when you hear the word “saint”? A deceased person, a statue, candles and incense? Years ago, my definition would have been, “One who is worthy to be prayed to.” I also associated sainthood with death, as if it was an oxymoron to be a “living and breathing saint.” But in Paul’s opening to the Corinthian church, his definition is very different. First, he begins this letter by addressing himself and bringing attention to his calling as an apostle. An apostle means “a sent one.” Paul then goes on to say that he was “sent” to the Corinthian church to remind them of their calling—sainthood.The Corinthian church seemed far from sainthood. As a church they struggled with pride, immorality, idolatry, envy, jealousy—just to name a few. Paul knew what they were like, which is why he wrote them this letter. So why did he tell them they were called to be saints?
According to the Bible, a saint is one separated from the world and consecrated to God; a believer in Christ (Psalm 16:3; Romans 1:7; Romans 8:27; Philippians 1:1; Hebrews 6:10). Becoming a saint starts right here on earth, the minute you accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord. Mans’ ways of statues and candles and incense or even good works are not God’s ways of being set apart to do His will. Paul was reminding the Corinthians that they are now saints because of Jesus, but they were not acting according to their calling. Their lifestyle contradicted their declaration of knowing, loving and living for God.
This contradiction happens to us too. We become saints because of believing in Jesus’ work on the cross and then we have the ability to live for Him by the filling of the Holy Spirit. Our sainthood does not rest in our works but in our belief. Our beliefs should represent the way we live, not inconsistent like the Corinthians.
Today, ask the Lord if your calling in Christ (being called a saint) is consistent with your every day life. Are you living every day to please Him? Are your priorities consistent with a life of holiness? Do you really understand your calling? Consider the areas in your lifestyle that you know are not pleasing to the Lord. Then write a prayer specifically asking Him to help you be who He wants you to be.
~Daily Disciples Devotional~
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Are You a Part of the Second Creation?
BIBLE MEDITATION:
“And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.” Colossians1:18
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
There are two beginnings in creation. The first beginning occurred when God created the heavens and the earth. He spoke and—just like that—from His fingertips flew this vast, measureless universe. How simple it was for God to create this universe.
The second beginning is when His creature, man, becomes a new creation in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). When God reconciled us through His Son, it took every drop of His blood. There was no other way to be saved apart from the death of Jesus—the perfect sacrifice.
ACTION POINT:
None of us were here for the first Creation. But we can all be a part of the Second Creation! If you have received the salvation Jesus bought with His blood—thank Him that He’s made you a new creature…a second creation!
“And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.” Colossians1:18
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
There are two beginnings in creation. The first beginning occurred when God created the heavens and the earth. He spoke and—just like that—from His fingertips flew this vast, measureless universe. How simple it was for God to create this universe.
The second beginning is when His creature, man, becomes a new creation in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). When God reconciled us through His Son, it took every drop of His blood. There was no other way to be saved apart from the death of Jesus—the perfect sacrifice.
ACTION POINT:
None of us were here for the first Creation. But we can all be a part of the Second Creation! If you have received the salvation Jesus bought with His blood—thank Him that He’s made you a new creature…a second creation!
~Adrian Rogers~
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Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. (Phil 4:6)
No anxiety ought to be found in a believer. Great, many and varied may be our trials, our afflictions, our difficulties, and yet there should be no anxiety under any circumstances, because we have a Father in Heaven who is almighty, who loves His children as He loves His only-begotten Son, and whose very joy and delight it is to succor and help them at all times and under all circumstances. We should attend to the Word, “In nothing be anxious, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
“In everything,” that is not merely when the house is on fire, not merely when the beloved wife and children are on the brink of the grave, but in the smallest matters of life, bring everything before God, the little things, the very little things, what the world calls trifling things—everything—living in holy communion with our Heavenly Father, arid with our precious Lord Jesus all day long. And when we awake at night, by a kind of spiritual instinct again turning to Him, and speaking to Him, bringing our various little matters before Him in the sleepless night, the difficulties in connection with the family, our trade, our profession. Whatever tries us in any way, speak to the Lord about it.
“By prayer and supplication,” taking the place of beggars, with earnestness, with perseverance, going on and waiting, waiting, waiting on God.
“With thanksgiving.” We should at all times lay a good foundation with thanksgiving. If everything else were wanting, this is always present, that He has saved us from hell. Then, that He has given us His Holy Word—His Son, His choicest gift—and the Holy Spirit. Therefore we have abundant reason for thanksgiving. O let us aim at this!
“And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” And this is so great a blessing, so real a blessing, so precious a blessing, that it must be known experimentally to be entered into, for it passeth understanding. O let us lay these things to heart, and the result will be, if we habitually walk in this spirit, we shall far more abundantly glorify God, than as yet we have done.
—George Mueller, in Life of Trust
—George Mueller, in Life of Trust
Twice or thrice a day, look to see if your heart is not disquieted about something; and if you find that it is, take care forthwith to restore it to calm.
~L. B. Cowman~
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Rehoboam doesn't follow in his father Solomon's footsteps as a wise leader. The moment he steps into the role of king he lets his position, and the power that goes with it, go right to his head. And in this extremely prideful state, he refuses to listen to the wise counsel (given by the respected and seasoned advisors to Solomon) to conduct himself as a servant leader. Instead, Rehoboam's response is condescending, as well as unnecessarily severe and punitive, to the people who have willingly come to recognize and serve him as the new king. His decision to respond in this manner was a poor one that ended up costing him dearly.
How does pride influence, and ultimately impact, our thinking and actions? What's one thing you learned or saw (good or bad) about being a leader from this passage?
~Tami~
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God's Plentiful Rain
Psalm 68:6-10 says,
God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; but the rebellious dwell in a dry land. O God, when You went out before Your people, when You marched through the wilderness, the earth shook; the heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God; Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel. You, O God, sent a plentiful rain, whereby You confirmed Your inheritance, when it was weary. Your congregation dwelt in it; You, O God, provided from Your goodness for the poor.
When you read various Bible commentators, you will find they agree that this refers to a tremendous rain. The language the psalmist uses refers back to the manna God provided for His children as they wandered in the wilderness.
God sustained them supernaturally. He gave them supernatural provision. He brought them out of bondage into prosperity, and He sent a plentiful rain symbolizing His extravagant blessing on their life.
God, out of His goodness, met the needs of those who previously had been poor. And in the same way, He pours blessings into our life. He sustains us, He takes care of us, and He meets our needs.
Take time today to praise Him for His provision and blessing in your life.
Now, if there is a drought in your life in any of these areas, there is a reason for it. In the next few devotionals, I want to talk to you about some potential causes for that drought, and suggest some things you can do to cause the drought to break and bring the rain of God's blessing to fall in your life once again.
~Bayless Conley~
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