What is it to be "called" into something? We often think of it in terms of ministerial positions, but do we feel as though we are "called" to do the things we are passionate about? Why do we choose to be accountants, salesmen, lawyers, doctors or carpenters? Is it just a convenient way of providing for one's self or family, or is there a sense of purpose behind the career paths we choose? Is it proper that a higher scrutiny is placed on the "calling" of one going into ministry?
There are times when I think that it would be easier to know the right way if God would just appear to me in a burning bush and tell me where it is He wants me to go. However, it is very quickly that I realize that even in cases such as these, it wasn't very easy. Abram doubted, Sarai laughed, Moses told God that His choice was wrong, and Jonah ran away (maybe he was the smartest one). A divine calling, though, is crucial to the success and enduring longevity of a minister's effort. When times are difficult and the strain on person and family seems to be too great to bear, it is often a sense of obligation to God that gives the foresight to press on and move forward with the path we are on.
I know that God has blessed me in ways that are unique. I know that I am passionate about working in His Kingdom. I know that so many friends and family agree that the path I am on is the correct one, but there are so many forks in the road. I also know that God will work through me and my family regardless of the choice we make and what precise path we decide to take.
I pray for the wisdom to recognize the voice of God whatever form it may come in. I pray for a soft heart that is willing to be molded by His Spirit. I pray that my eyes be wide open and focused clearly in his direction when He shows the way. I pray that I am awake and alert when opportunity knocks on my door so that I may not miss one chance to consider. I pray for His peace to fill my life and those close to me.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Little Things
A penny. One cent. If one is lying on the street, we rarely take the time to notice or stop to pick it up, But if every car that passed by the Memorial Road church building during a work day dropped that one penny into the "Pennies for Hope" bucket, more than $100.00 could be raised each day. I praise God for the little opportunities to witness His majesty and praise Him each day. I pray for the foresight to see His Glory in the small, menial, everyday things and tasks of life.
A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. I pray for the boldness to worship and praise the Almighty in a way that is pleasing and acceptable to God. I pray for the courage to stand tall and contend for the gospel even when I may be required to stand alone high on a hill in gale-force winds. We are the salt of the Earth, that is not to be questioned and isn't up for debate. What we do with that position of responsibility is entirely up to us. Will we try to hide it away? Or will we allow ourselves to be used as a tool for His Kingdom?
I pray also that God will protect and guard our hearts. A lens cap is such a small tool, but it plays a large roll in lens care. This little plastic cap protects the lens from scratches and damage. If it is not used, the lens may become scratched distorting the view of the lens and causing an impure quality in every photo shot with that lens. I praise Him for watching over and protecting us as His children - for guarding our hearts and granting us the ability to see things clearly when we allow Him to work in our lives. I praise him for protecting us from the severe damage of sin and being a shield around us. My God is my Rock - He is my Fortress.
To be in the presence of God is a fearful experience to those who experience it in the Bible. It brings thought of death as a sinner standing in the presence of a Holy God. I am thankful for a Savior who was willing to humble Himself as the Son of God and clothe himself in human flesh. I am thankful for a Savior who gave himself up and bore the punishment for our sin so that we may stand before God with boldness and confidence because we have been redeemed. I praise Him for all that He is and for all the He has done for us. I am thankful for the equipment that He provides that allows us to have a direct relationship with the Father and stand in the presence of His blazing glory. I praise Him - one to one. I am so thankful that the only advocate standing between me and the Creator is the One who gave himself up, my Savior and my Redeemer, Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God - the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the One who is Faithful and True.
I praise Him for His Spirit which He has placed within us that magnifies the Glory of God. It is so easy to amble through life and fail to recognize the wealth of opportunities to witness His glory and majesty. The Spirit, if we will allow it, makes those opportunities stand out and gives us insight to recognize the presence of God and the guidance of God in our every day life. Praise God with your actions today. I pray that we may live in such a way that the radiance of God explodes out of us, that the love of God flows out of us like a mighty rushing river. I pray that people may see how radically different we are as children of God and give Him the glory and praise and honor that he is due.
A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. I pray for the boldness to worship and praise the Almighty in a way that is pleasing and acceptable to God. I pray for the courage to stand tall and contend for the gospel even when I may be required to stand alone high on a hill in gale-force winds. We are the salt of the Earth, that is not to be questioned and isn't up for debate. What we do with that position of responsibility is entirely up to us. Will we try to hide it away? Or will we allow ourselves to be used as a tool for His Kingdom?
I pray also that God will protect and guard our hearts. A lens cap is such a small tool, but it plays a large roll in lens care. This little plastic cap protects the lens from scratches and damage. If it is not used, the lens may become scratched distorting the view of the lens and causing an impure quality in every photo shot with that lens. I praise Him for watching over and protecting us as His children - for guarding our hearts and granting us the ability to see things clearly when we allow Him to work in our lives. I praise him for protecting us from the severe damage of sin and being a shield around us. My God is my Rock - He is my Fortress.
To be in the presence of God is a fearful experience to those who experience it in the Bible. It brings thought of death as a sinner standing in the presence of a Holy God. I am thankful for a Savior who was willing to humble Himself as the Son of God and clothe himself in human flesh. I am thankful for a Savior who gave himself up and bore the punishment for our sin so that we may stand before God with boldness and confidence because we have been redeemed. I praise Him for all that He is and for all the He has done for us. I am thankful for the equipment that He provides that allows us to have a direct relationship with the Father and stand in the presence of His blazing glory. I praise Him - one to one. I am so thankful that the only advocate standing between me and the Creator is the One who gave himself up, my Savior and my Redeemer, Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God - the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the One who is Faithful and True.
I praise Him for His Spirit which He has placed within us that magnifies the Glory of God. It is so easy to amble through life and fail to recognize the wealth of opportunities to witness His glory and majesty. The Spirit, if we will allow it, makes those opportunities stand out and gives us insight to recognize the presence of God and the guidance of God in our every day life. Praise God with your actions today. I pray that we may live in such a way that the radiance of God explodes out of us, that the love of God flows out of us like a mighty rushing river. I pray that people may see how radically different we are as children of God and give Him the glory and praise and honor that he is due.
Monday, January 3, 2011
A Journey Begins
As a resolution for 2011, Heather and I decided that purposeful prayer and Bible study together was going to be a greater focus. I had been thinking of going back through Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster and working to instill the 12 Spiritual Disciplines deeper into my daily routine. On Sunday, the same idea was presented to the congregation at Memorial Road church of Christ as a part of our Acts 29 initiation.
The focus this month is on the Discipline of Worship or Praise.
Praise is the practice of reordering my view of God and myself. I enthrone God to the highest place, where indeed he dwells. I dethrone myself to the lowest place, where indeed I dwell.
Isaiah 6:1-5
In the year of King Uzziah's death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
And one called out to another and said,
"Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts,
The (E)whole earth is full of His glory."
And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke.
Then I said,
"Woe is me, for I am ruined!
Because I am a man of unclean lips,
And I live among a people of unclean lips;
For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts."
May I see the simple and overlooked things around me that scream the majesty of God. May my focus be directed to Praise the Almighty Creator of the Universe. May I not lose sight of the awe and reverence and fear that I should have for the God that allows me to stay so close to him.
Peace
<><
R Joshua Fowler
The focus this month is on the Discipline of Worship or Praise.
Praise is the practice of reordering my view of God and myself. I enthrone God to the highest place, where indeed he dwells. I dethrone myself to the lowest place, where indeed I dwell.
Isaiah 6:1-5
In the year of King Uzziah's death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
And one called out to another and said,
"Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts,
The (E)whole earth is full of His glory."
And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke.
Then I said,
"Woe is me, for I am ruined!
Because I am a man of unclean lips,
And I live among a people of unclean lips;
For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts."
May I see the simple and overlooked things around me that scream the majesty of God. May my focus be directed to Praise the Almighty Creator of the Universe. May I not lose sight of the awe and reverence and fear that I should have for the God that allows me to stay so close to him.
Peace
<><
R Joshua Fowler
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