Blessed Sunday to you all!

Prayer:  Lord, you called prophets and priests and kings into your service. And Lord, You call each one of us to use the gifts You gave to us for Your service. Sometimes Lord, it is hard to know what our calling is and what we are supposed to do with it. So Lord, keep leading and we will trustingly follow You, believing that the path You take us down is the plan You have for us. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

“We are assured and know that all things work together and are for good for those who love God and are called according to His design and purpose.”

Romans 8: 28

I believe with all of my being that I have been called to the ordained pastoral ministry. While a pastor is a leader, more than anything else a pastor is a servant. When an ordained pastor puts on that robe, stole or clerical collar they claim a priestly mantle that sets them apart for God’s purpose using the gifts given by God for a special purpose.  I also believe that everyone who enters into a relationship with God through belief in Jesus is called into service to use the gifts given by God for a specific purpose.

We all share in the same call process to be servants of God as those we read about in scripture. 

We are all called into servanthood.  All those prophets, priests and kings had this in common. They all had an encounter with God. They all resisted the call. They all received reassurance from God that they heard correctly. And the hardest one of all…God called all them to respond obediently.  Moses, Samuel, Mary the mother of Jesus, Isaiah, Jonah and the apostle Paul experienced all of these things.  Mary acted in obedience. Moses was given a voice, Jonah was given another chance, Peter was forgiven and Paul had his sight restored.  God made a way for all of these servants to act on the calling they had received without any extraordinary abilities on their own.

Here is the most wonderful news. When God has placed a calling on your life there is most likely a need that is to be addressed. God has decided you can help. At that point you are standing on holy ground because you are where God needs you to be, doing what God has called you to do according to His purpose.

When God calls you do not give excuses as to why you cannot respond to the call. Say “Lord, let it be as You would have it and I will obediently follow.” Fear not! There may be things in the journey that seem wrong, but if we are following the path God has set out for us then we can trust that we are being led along a straight path. 

Take joy in this journey of faith remembering that hope does not disappoint. Wear comfortable shoes, pray with a heart of gratitude and get some sleep. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni, Travis and Sarah.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com   

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.