Gifts and Calling
 

Romans 11:29
29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Sometime I think we need a shift in focus.

We desire to be used of God and want someone to elevate us and give us a platform for our gifts and callings.

God desires us to seek his face and to be led of the Spirit.

He wants us to wake up every morning and say "God what would you have me to do today?"

When he sends us and we submit to his direction, when we take His message, out of the church doors, to a lost and dying world, He will be there to meet the needs.

Paul was confronted by Jesus on the way to Damascus, we are told that he didn't immediately confer with flesh and blood but spent time in prayer and fasting, hearing and being taught by the Holy Spirit.

Afterwards, he began soul winning journeys under the direction of the Holy Ghost, and God used his gifts and callings mightily to add many to the body of Christ.

He didn't run to Peter and say "give me a platform"

Rather he hid himself away in Christ until he had a mission, a burden, and he spent himself in blood, sweat, and tears to further the gospel.

Instead of worrying about what others are doing, how they fall short, how they don't live up to your standards, or how you don't live up to theirs, fall on your face in prayer and fasting till you are imbued with power from on high. Then give yourself away freely to a lost a dying world, you won't need someone to lift you up and pat you on the back because your reward will come from Him who rewards those who diligently seek him.

Read the life of Oma Ellis, she was filled, healed and called. A woman whose husband had abandoned her with 3 children to raise during the depression. A woman of prayer and faith who sought God and was used to heal the sick, raise the dead, and speak words of life to those with desperate needs. She didn't seek position, but because of her amazing faith, people sought her out. She didn't seek ordination, after she had founded many church bodies, the organization sought her out.

We can sit back and complain, criticize, and condemn from now until eternity, or we can run the race that is set before us, we can spend the talents God has given us, We can look to the author and finisher of our faith, and seek the approval of God and not man.

Don't we know that the time is short, our lives are but a vapor, and the need is desperate?

Re: Gifts and Calling
 

Thank you for sharing this, Amanah. I enjoyed reading the truths you have posted here. Such a beautiful thing, "being shut in with God......until". It seems some times in our fast-paced lives we can tend to neglect something so necessary.

Re: Gifts and Calling
 

My first pastor would always tell young men who claimed they were called to preach, "Well the, go preach! There are countless corners in this city." lol

Technically... God never called a man to preach on a platform or behind a pulpit. God calls men to preach. Period.

I love the house church movement in this respect. There is no need for a platform. Everybody is expected to use their gifts and knowledge in meetings. Our "platform" can be established on street corners, parks, town squares, taverns, restaurants, living rooms, basements, etc. Church becomes wherever two or more are gathered in His name.

Re: Gifts and Calling
 

:thumbsup

Re: Gifts and Calling
 

Excellent Amanah! I would further add that this is the message the NT understood and practiced. The modern saying "Just Do It" would fit here. Don't wait on a platform, or a position.... just get busy doing what you can, and let God do the rest.

Re: Gifts and Calling
 

This guy fed the widows.

And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit

And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.

Re: Gifts and Calling
 

A great instruction for the beginning of this new year! Thanks, Amanah!!!

:yourock

Re: Gifts and Calling
 

Amen, Aquila, In the churches I've been in, if some speak in unknown tongues and someone interprets it, the church thinks they have the 'gifts of the Spirit.' What happens to the other 7 gifts? The people were not taught to desire them, nor to pray that they might receive them, or exercise them.

Re: Gifts and Calling
 

I believe that for many, the structure of a "church service" is the problem.

How would Bro. Joe in the pew exercise the gifts of "Word of Knowledge" or "Word of Wisdom" in a church service?

Re: Gifts and Calling
 

Agreed! Excellent reminders!

Amanah, permission to re-post please?