Greetings again my Brethren. Did you know in God you cannot say what you want to say and do what you want to do and come to the end and purpose God has for you? In God (if we desire to walk with Him and do the things He wants us to do) we must say and do only those things God wants us to say and do. We must restrict and limit our words and deeds to only those things God expects of us. For it is limitations and restrictions not liberty and freedom that lead us to completion and fulfilment. Narrow is the way and straight is the path we must walk to come to the life of God (not heaven) for wide is the way and broad is the way that leads to destruction (not hell) and the Bible says, “and many there be which go in thereat:” Make no mistake my friend even our life is not our own. I wonder why we think we own things? We come into this world without any earthly possessions and I promise you my friend you will leave the same. Everything we get along the way has been given to us by God not by our smarts, good looks, or our boss, but from God. Oh no my friend our life is not our own? Our body is not ours, our soul is not ours, our spirit is not ours they are owned by God. “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:4) God is God and we are not, thus He can boldly make this statement. Today we defile our bodies with tattoos, and pins, color our hair at will, as we stain our soul with the smut and filth of this world. We blunt and sear our spirit with religion, self-seeking, and selfishness all the while expecting God to look the other way, well He will not. Here in Ezekiel He provides the standard for all times, “all souls are mine” and “the soul that sinneth, it will die,” This same standard applies to ministry. When we are led by the Spirit of God in ministry (any walk of our lives) we must surrender our will. Our success in God will only go as far as our surrender. Now there are three things moving here: surrender by us, subject to God’s authority, and His abiding assurance. These three are the bed rock of ministry and the call of God on our lives. Again our surrender will determine the success or failure in God not God’s power. God intends for us to surrender our will and desires to Him, this is the cross we must daily die on our will and desires laid over God’s will and desires. No surrender of our personal choices no power and authority. God will not invest His authority and power in the lives of people He cannot depend on. The Father invested His power and authority in Jesus because Jesus was so dependent on the Father. Jesus only did and said those things the Father told Him to say and do. Today it seems we often act independent of what the Father wants while going around saying we have the power, but in reality ours lives and ministry do not reflect the resurrection life of Christ. Next we must be subject to God authority. This my friend is a huge deal in our lives. Spiritual authority is God’s one focus in our lives. As a matter of fact God measures man (woman too) not by his abilities and talents (after all they were given by God), their looks (also given by God), wealth (also given by God), or influence (also given by God), but by the revelation he possesses of God. And we get revelation when we willfully come under God’ throne of authority in our lives. Did you know Psalm 91 is not written to Christians? Oh no the word “Christian” was not used till the New Testament, but Psalm 91 was written to the one who, ” abides under the shadow of the Almighty.” The one who comes “under the shadow” or is subject to God’s rules in His kingdom. Only that person can dwell “in the secret place of the most High” all others will be outside His place of protection and safety. All others will not be able to say, ” . . . He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” (Psalm 91:2) The place of safety and protection today is still found in the same place “under the shadow” of the almighty.” With our surrender and submission to God comes the reward for our obedience an eternal covenant with God. Yes with our submission and surrender comes God’s assurance of He will never leave us or forsake us. How valuable is that assurance during tough times in our lives? What a promise from God that He will keep us in times of danger, confusion, strife, indecision, good times, bad times, all times. Jesus told the disciples as He commissioned the call of evangelism on the disciples, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:20) What an assurance “I am with you always.” 24/7 Jesus promised He would be with us and He is a gentleman who does not go back on His word. Even when Jesus was on the cross the Father never forsook Him (as He promised) As Jesus was becoming one with the Father where His total dependence (as in the past) was not required He said, ” . . . My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46) Now many say sin caused the Father to turn His back on Jesus (the Son), but this makes little sense because God looks at sin all day long, oh no God never turn is back on Jesus. I believe God has His focus and attention on His son as He fulfilled His mission on earth to die for the sin of all mankind. If God forsook Jesus then He may forsake us, but He did not. I believe God was on His feet saying, “this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. That’s it my boy, die well!”
Next month we will begin to look at the Call of Moses and why God called Moses into service. Guess what God’s call to Moses is no different than ours. Can you hear Him now?
The Call of God – The Principles of Service
