Are You Living the Life That the Lord Has Assigned You?
Good Morning Friends,
There is a test for every Christian whether they are a man or woman, a layperson or part of the clergy. It is the test of obedience to God’s call. And way too many people are beaten before they even begin because they think it an impossibility to know God’s will but if one has faith and believes that God has a plan for every person’s life then the seeking and the serving and the following is not in vain. Part of it is about the vocations we choose given the types of gifts God has bestowed on us. But it is more. When we have done the best we can to find God’s plan for our lives then we are to be whom we are and not try to fake some character, but still find a way to work in unity. Are You Living the Life That the Lord Has Assigned You?
Scripture: However that may be, let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you. This is my rule in all the churches.
1 Corinthians 7:17 (NRSV)
Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.
Psalms 86:11 (NRSV)
If there is among you anyone in need, a member of your community in any of your towns within the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted towards your needy neighbor. You should rather open your hand, willingly lending enough to meet the need, whatever it may be. Be careful that you do not entertain a mean thought, thinking, ‘The seventh year, the year of remission, is near’, and therefore view your needy neighbor with hostility and give nothing; your neighbor might cry to the Lord against you, and you would incur guilt. Give liberally and be ungrudging when you do so, for on this account the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, ‘Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land.’
Deuteronomy 15:7-11 (NRSV)
In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” ‘
Acts 20:35 (NRSV)
Message: In today’s scripture from Corinthians Paul is exhorting people to serve God right where they are, no matter what their situation and be radically real and authentic Christians in the process. And let’s be honest about this, Paul did not just talk the talk about this standard. He was committed to joy even when he was in prison…converting jailers. That is a focus and commitment that should inspire us.
And make no mistake about this, Jesus can use simple ordinary people to serve His purpose for the sake of the Kingdom. Thankfully God has all the details covered. As disciples of Jesus Christ, one of our main struggles in life is to stay focused on Jesus– living for Him, sharing his love with others, leading others to Him, and worshipping Him. Friends, God has a higher calling for us. We are called to be joyous not sad. We are called to give in love. We are called to more than just a conversion shared…we are called to serve.
The calling has never changed. It is one calling expressed in each individual’s life slightly different in terms of geography, society and conditions, but the same calling nevertheless. The calling is to be a reflection of God….blameless…perfect. We are to be like Him…unwavering righteousness…in holy service…obedient to the call. Like Him we are to value things from God’s perspective not from an economic perspective. So here how we give reveals much about our spiritual growth with the saints of sanctification. In today’s scripture from Deuteronomy we get a foundational insight into the Sermon on the Mount. Here we pause to consider the blessings we have been given in the Beatitudes. We pause to consider who is in charge and learn to give beyond ourselves. Here we discover that God knows the reason behind our giving. He knows our motives. Here we discover that if we give in love, He gives us back what we give to others multiplied like the loaves and fishes. Here we discover that giving is not a sacrifice if we really love. There is more than the price of a gift…it is the love of the giver that builds its value. Here we are saved by love we cannot grow. Saved by a love we cannot buy. Saved by a love we cannot earn. Here in the joy of the glow of peace right in the middle of the heart of the storms and trials of our lives we discover what is too often off the map…what is out of the box….love.
Pray we are worthy of the call. Pray that every one of us has a purpose in our heart. Pray we find worth in our work. Pray we help the stranger who is homeless but also have compassion for neighbors. Pray that we realize that our duty does not end with prayers for the needy but begins with them. Pray that we measure wealth not by what we have, but by the things we have for which we would not take money. Pray we do not go away sad. Pray we are cheerful givers….better not bitter… blessed to bless others. Pray that the Spirit of the LORD be upon us, calling us out and empowering us to serve. Pray Jesus will call us to be disciples. Pray we will want to be faithful to that vocation. Pray that He helps us to be faithful when it becomes difficult… that we go where we are called…that we speak to those we might prefer to avoid… that we reach out to those we would rather ignore. Pray that He makes us better than we are on our own… that together we become something that blesses the flock. Pray we are not distracted. Pray we remain passionate about living the life we should. Pray we have a sense of urgency and priority to do what God is calling us to do. Pray that the Spirit of the LORD be upon us, calling us out and empowering us to serve. Pray we hear the calling of Jesus to come his way into his truth and life. Pray that such a way gives us the spirit. Pray that such a truth ends the strife of our life. Pray that such a life ends our fear of death. Pray we hear the calling of Jesus to come into his light and feast and strength. Pray that such a light shows us the way to the feast and the feast mends and nurtures our spirit to strengthen our lives as guest of Jesus. Pray we come to know Jesus’ love and joy and heart. Pray the love is such that we can never part from it and the joy stands firm in all situations and our heart is one of the joy of love.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 