How important is your calling to you?

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But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. --1 Corinthians 9:27 Did you know that the apostle Paul lived with a deep concern? You could even call it a fear. It’s true. As a devoted soldier of the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul feared that he might do something that would keep him out of the great spiritual battle he had been called to fight. Well, you and I might look at Paul and think that sounds crazy coming from this great man of God. But that’s how seriously Paul took being a servant of Jesus, and it’s how seriously he took fighting the good fight of faith. In fact, Paul chose to discipline his own body and keep it under control rather than allow it to dictate his life and jeopardize his place in the battle. And with fierce determination, Paul threw himself into the heat of battle without reservation. He let nothing stand in his way when it came to pleasing the Lord and sharing the Gospel. So let me ask you something. How important is your calling to you? Is it everything? You might not be called to preach the Gospel like Paul, but you are called to share Christ Jesus with your world. If you belong to him, then make your calling count. Let nothing stand in your way of doing what he has called you to do. HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUR CALLING TO YOU?

Finding Courage in God’s Presence

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
Hebrews 13:5–6

The evangelist D. L. Moody loved to tell the story of a preacher he knew in Scotland who went once a week to a children’s hospital to try to comfort sick little ones. On one trip, he met a boy of six who was facing having his leg removed. The preacher asked if the boy had anyone to stay with him as he waited for the surgery. The boy explained that his father was dead, and his mother was too ill to leave their home. Feeling sorry for him, the preacher talked about how caring and loving the hospital staff were, trying to find some way to offer him comfort. Then the little boy said, “Jesus will be with me.”
There will never be a day as a Christian when you must face the trials and burdens of life alone. God is always with us, and nothing can separate us from Him or His love. There may be days when we do not feel His presence as we would like, but there will never be days when He is not there.
The delight of experiencing God’s presence in a real way should motivate us to living in such a way that we would not be ashamed if we could physically see Him with us. The reality of His presence should give us a sense of confidence and boldness that equips us to take on whatever threats or challenges would keep us from walking with Him. We should not expect the devil to leave us alone if we are trying to do right, but we should expect victory through God’s power.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Even when we cannot feel His presence close to us, God never abandons or forsakes one of His children.