Amanda BethSharing the Truths Behind the TRUTH

Nov 26th Monday’s Blog: New Series “Preparing For Your Calling”

I am starting a new series today on preparing for your calling. I’m going to use a similar format that I used in my recently published devotional “The LOVE Walk.” I am including a prayer and verses to look up and meditate on to encourage you to study with the Lord as He prepares you for your calling.

The Bible says, “In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work” (2 Timothy 2:20).

When I started following Christ twelve years ago, I didn’t know God had more planned for me than everlasting life. I remembering hearing messages about heaven and thinking “Heaven is great, but what about now? Surely, there has to be a purpose for me here.” I didn’t know God had a specific plan for my life. I thought it was my choice to choose my path in life. I thought that was His plan, to give me control.

By the time I came to know Christ, I didn’t want to be in control. I had tried every path imaginable, and each one led me to a dead end. I wanted to know there was something more in life. I wanted God to be in control. I wanted to know He had a plan. God eventually revealed to me that He did have a plan for me. However, I didn’t see that plan start to manifest until about four years ago. I didn’t know it at the time, but the eight years in between were the most significant. God was preparing me and Jesus was teaching me.

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:25-30

When we accept Jesus’ atonement for our sins, we are then called to be His disciples. A disciple is a pupil. A pupil is to be taught by his teacher. Why would we need Jesus to be our teacher if there wasn’t a job God wanted us to do?  When you go to college, you are there to learn and prepare for the job you are going to do when you graduate. Our discipleship with Christ is similar. We are being taught by Him to prepare us for the job God has planned for us in life.

When Jesus was on earth, He taught His disciples and then sent them out to do what He had been doing. Matthew 10:1-2 says, “He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles …” (Matthew 10:1-2).

Notice they were called “disciples” (original Greek: pupils), but when Jesus sent them out they were called “apostles” (original Greek: a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders).

Christ is our teacher and commanding officer. There will come a time when He will say, “Now go and teach others what I have taught you.”

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19-20

You, my friend, have a calling on your life! Ephesians 2:10 says “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” As I share the lessons God’s taught me, and continues to teach me, in preparation for my calling, my prayer is to encourage you to follow the Lord with all your heart and seek His perfect calling for your life. I guarantee you will not be sorry when you exchange your plans for His. His thoughts are not our thoughts. And His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8). His plan is much greater than anything this world has to offer. Choose His calling over your own!

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

2 Timothy 2:1-7

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Prayer For The Week:

Heavenly Father,

I praise You for not leaving me to control my own life. Help me through this series to surrender my life to You.  I am hopeless without You. Teach me to understand the hope of my calling. Prepare me for the ministry You have ordained for me. And lead me into Your perfect plan for my life.  

In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Verses To Meditate On:

Ephesians 1:18-23; Ephesians 4:1-16; Psalm 139:1-24

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*Come back next Monday as the series continues.

*All Bible verses are taken from the NIV, unless otherwise noted.