What Can You Do When You Doubt Your Calling?

We may feel called by God to do something, but after a while, it looks like it is unraveling; we get discouraged and wonder if it is worth it. The Bible gives an example of someone who went through all that and made it to the hall of God's faithful.

"By faith Abraham when called to go to a place, he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going." Hebrews. 11:8.

FAITH

God Calls Abraham 

Abraham's faith was not a sit-in the church on Sunday type of thing, but it was a go and doing kind of thing. He was called, and he went. The word faith and the word obey are both used in this verse because there is no faith where there is no obedience.

CALLED
We may hear a call from God to leave our lives behind and follow where he leads. Faith like Abraham's will go without needing to know where the end will lead to. Such faith looks not to its own wits and resources but to God's promises.

The test of Abraham's faith was the test of obedience. He did not look at the situation. He looked at God.

NOT KNOWING
Abraham may not have known where he was going, but God did. When God called Abraham, He did not tell him where he would end up, only that he was going to a land that God was going to show him. Though Abraham did not know the destination, he knew the one leading there, and that was enough.

The scriptures do not indicate that Abraham put God to the test like Gideon did or took time to think it over in fact, the indication is that Abraham obeyed swiftly.

LATER RECEIVE
Abraham's faith was not exhausted in the first efforts of going out; he dwelt in tents the rest of his life. Though he never received a palace as the owner of the estate, he kept on having faith. He has received far more than promised in heaven.

YOU 

You may feel that you have started out on something you can't finish or you won't make it to the end, but you must refresh your faith by looking anew at the Almighty who is able to do abundantly more than you need. 

(c) Adron 12/31/15

WOULD YOUR KIDS LIKE PRINTABLES EACH WEEK?

When you make your monthly pledge of only $3:50, you will receive BIBLE TIME FUN WEEKLY, a children's activity printable bulletin every week. You will receive additional material available only to patrons, as well as an editable Word Doc. It has pages of puzzles, coloring pictures, and games for the kids.  You can share it with the kids in your church, Awana Bible club, class, camp, VBS, Backyard Bible club, school, and home. Use the button below.

Become a Patron!

Thank You!

Does Following The Bible Do Any Good? Luke 6:47

We know what the Bible says a lot of good things but does it really make any difference in our lives? Jesus thought so and explained it in Luke 6:47.

"I will show what he is like who hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock.  When the flood came the torrent struck the house but could not shake it because it was well built." Luke 6:47, NIV.

Jesus gives us a picture in words that teaches more than is on the surface.

HEAR

The Bible

We must be like the person in the illustration who hears and puts the word into practice. Whether hearing or reading, the effect is the same.  Much nose in the world around us drowns out the Word of God; we must filter out the background racket and hear God's Word. An easy way is to spend time daily quietly reading the Bible attentively and reflectively or to participate in a Bible teaching community. We need to hear God's Word; we must listen to it, which requires effort.

HIS WORDS
There are many philosophies, creeds, and religions, but Jesus did not encourage any of them. He did not even direct his audience, and subsequently, us, to find some way or higher teaching of his Hebrew heritage. He did not say all paths lead to salvation or that one teaching was no better or worse. He did say his teaching was the ultimate word that would shelter us in the storm of judgment.

OBEY
Hearing God's word is not enough; we need to put it into our lives via daily practice. We must hear God's word with intent. A concert pianist must practice many hours a day to achieve the level of ability he needs just so we must daily practice obeying God's word. Practice is not a casual fumbling about with God but diligent, dedicated, repetitive, concentration on the discipline being practiced in this case, God's truth in our lives.

FLOOD?
Why did Jesus use the metaphor of the Flood and not earthquake, storm, or hurricane? In the minds of the first-century Hebrews who lived in a desert region, a reference to the Flood of Noah and the judgment of God upon mankind connects the two. So Jesus puts the picture of keeping and practicing his teaching in the context of surviving God's judgment.

For us today keeping God's Word is no less critical to our lives and eternal blessing than Noah's obedience meant for the salvation of mankind, we each must hear God's word and obey it.

(c)Adron Dozat 9/2/12

Is It Any Good To Serve God. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Does it do any good to serve God? Is it worth my time? What if, after all this work, no one comes or is blessed by it?

"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm, let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know your labor in the lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15: 58, NIV*.

STAND FIRM

God does not ask us to be full of busyness but to stand firm as in the "Be still and know I am the Lord.*" statements that are repeated in scripture.  Sometimes it is the misdirected busyness that wears us out.  God does not want us to be busy for the sake of doing something; He wants us to serve and give ourselves as an act of worship.

ALWAYS

We should not let an opportunity to serve God pass us by.  We should always be willing to serve and always be ready to do the work of the Lord.

GIVE

To give yourself to the work of the Lord is a choice you must make for yourself.  We must do this as an offering of worship.  We must not give halfheartedly or just sometimes, like on the days the church meets.  We must be fully turned on for every opportunity to serve God willingly and cheerfully. Being sour-faced and complaining indicates that one is not giving themselves fully to the Lord.

WORK

So much of what we do is not the work of the Lord because our attitude is vain or selfish.  If we are doing something to be seen and receive praise or because of guilt or because we are pressured to do it, this is not the work of the Lord, no matter the mission or project.  If we do something, even an everyday household chore, with an attitude that it is given to God as an act of worship, then that becomes the work of the Lord.

LABOR

Serving the Lord is labor, and sometimes it is hard.  Sometimes you come early and leave late and serve meals without having time to eat.  Sometimes, you are up late at night preparing to serve, then getting up early to give service.  The willing, joyful heart that gladly makes these sacrifices in his name turns labor into the work of the Lord.

NOT IN VAIN

This is a promise that our labor would not be in vain.  We may not see the fruit of our efforts, but it is not in vain, nor is the effort wasted.  The results may be hidden from our eyes or may take a long time to come, but they will come.

*Psalm 46:10

To read this verse in other translations, then follow this link: Online Parallel Bible.

To learn more about coming to God, follow this link: Salvation.

Adron 8/27/12

Why Christians Fail When Tested Daniel 3: 16-18.

Sometimes when we are going through testing of faith it helps to look at those who have gone through the fires of testing ahead of us and have come out victorious.

"Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king. "O Nebuchadnezzar we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it. And he will rescue us from your hand, O King, but even if he does not, we want you to know, O King that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:16-18 NIV..

THE IDOL
The king had set up an idolatrous image and required all to bow down to it.  Any refusal was punished by being thrown into the blazing furnace, but the three faithful Hebrews refused to violate the first commandment.  What they responded to the king has been instruction to all generations since.

THEIR FAITH

"We will not worship the image..."

They had unwavering faith in the power of God.  They said, "The God we serve is able to save us."  No matter what we face God is able to save us from disaster.  To them, God is bigger than any problem, bigger than the furnace the idol, and the king.  We often think our problem is bigger than our God.

They were confident that God would save them; they said, "He will rescue us."  The three had no doubts about God's love and purpose for them.  We fail in trials because we feel we are not loved by God or that we have forfeited His love somehow but that is an error.  God loved us so much he gave His son, everything else is a minor footnote compared to that.

THEIR OBEDIENCE
They were willing to accept whatever God did.  Bowing to the sovereign will of God they said, "But even if he does not..." We today want God our way and we want victory our way.  We want to define the victory- often in terms of pride and physical gratification.  To be over-comers in trials we need to accept God's terms and not make the mistake of dictating to God.

THEIR RESOLVE
They were not willing to compromise. "We will not serve your Gods..." The king did not ask them to do much- only to bow, the king could have asked for a lot more like some elaborate ceremony.  These three, (like Christians centuries later who chose death rather than to offer a pinch of incense to the idol of the emperor), refused to make even the slightest compromise in their obedience to God.  Today we live in a generation of compromise.  We must learn the uncompromising faith of the three Faithful Hebrews.  To them, death was preferable to even the slightest concession.  To compromise does not get us victory in the trial, but a greater defeat.

To find out how you can personally know the God of Victory follow this link: click here.

(c) Adron 4/17/12

The Simplest Source Of Happiness. Proverbs 16:20

Who doesn't want to be happy? King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived had much to say about happiness. His wise advice was simple to understand but hard to do.

"Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord." Proverbs 16:20 NIV.

WHOEVER
This verse is addressed to "Whoever," in other words- anyone. Prosperity and happiness is available to everyone; not just the wise, smart, educated, rich, a certain class or race but whoever does what this verse teaches.

HEED
What does it mean to heed? To heed something is to listen to instruction or advice and to yield to what you listened to, it is more than hearing but doing. There is much in God's word that we find difficult and contrary to our modern thinking. We read it and say that is outdated, and that our modern ideas are more open and progressive. Then why are we not happy? Why do we spend our lives searching for something more and better and satisfying?

The Bible is the Creator's instruction manual for the created-us, it makes sense to heed it.  Children do not heed their parents because of immaturity; our spiritual immaturity keeps us from heeding the Bible. As adults we heed the instructions of someone we have a relationship with like a teacher or boss, perhaps we have not come to a relationship with God through Jesus that explains why we do not heed God's word. We heed the civil authorities because we recognize their authority over us as citizens; maybe we have not recognized the authority of the our Creator and lover of our souls; if we did it would cause us to heed His Word. Whatever the reason the fact is if we do heed we will be happy.

BLESSED
The word "blessed" often equates with the word happy; the popular paraphrase of the verse says, "Whoever listens to what God Teaches and believes in him will be happy." Trusting The Lord makes us happy for many reasons,
     *We are made to trust God by design.
     * His power on our behalf gives comfort.
     *  He delights to bless those who trust in him.
     * Trusting in God takes away our worry, fear, and stress.
     * When we trust in God our plans are governed by his grace.
     * When we trust in God we start to see his hand working in our behalf.

It is not blind trust it is happy trust, let us heed God and trust him.

To learn more about how to have a relationship with God follow this link: Salvation.

(c)Adron Dozat 6/3/11

What Is The Bible's Key to Happiness? Psalm 115:13

God Loves You

We look at those that are well off and think they are blessed.  Where do blessings come from, and how do we get them?

“The Lord remembers us and will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron, he will bless those who fear the Lord- small and great alike.” Psalm 115:12-13, NIV.

BLESSED
The Bible uses the word bless, blessed, or blessing many times; it is to have favor with God, gift or virtue that only God can give.

FROM GOD
This verse says "He will bless" four times. Blessing comes from God. You can look anywhere you want for blessings such as a relationship, job, wealth, marriage; success in something or in some way but blessing comes from Him. It seems Our Heavenly Father wants to bless without regard to status for the verse says "small and great."

FEAR THE LORD
Many are confused by the idea of fearing the Lord, and ask if He is a God of Love why he demands we fear him? But it is because He is a God of love...

• It is wise for us to fear his power. 
• It is good for us to live within the boundaries of his commandments. 
• It is safe and healthy to do right and not to do evil. 
• He is awesome and mighty and if he chooses he can execute unpardonable judgment. 

Whatever other reasons for fearing God the fact remains he does require us to fear him.

The paraphrased version helps a little here, it uses the word "Obey," giving the sense that fear of God is close to obeying Him. "The Lord will bless those who love and obey him from the smallest to the greatest." Psalm 115:13 Paraphrased.

ANYONE
Blessing is not just for a special people but anyone who fears the Lord will be blessed. "He will bless those who fear the Lord- small and great alike."

The Bible tells us that blessing is available to any who fulfill God's requirement. This requirement is not out of reach of any person, God asks us to “Fear the Lord.”

Besides who would not want to have the blessing of The Almighty? Though He asks for obedience, service, respect, and an appreciation of His awesome power, He is worthy of all these things and we should be glad to give it.  That He is going to bless us for it is incredible!   He does not need to but He has promised to.

To learn about how to have a relationship with God follow this link to my other blog.

____________________________

Thank you for visiting and reading my blog. I sincerely hope this post is helpful and an encouragement.  For more like this see the most popular post in the sidebar, or use the search box above.  

Adron

Use the share buttons below to save and share this to your social networks. 

(c)Adron Dozat

Why is the Bible so dull to me? Jeremiah 15:16

The Bible should be a Christian's joy and heart's delight. Why isn't it?

"When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God almighty." Jeremiah 15:16, NIV.

JEREMIAH
The prophet Jeremiah had a hard time.  The prophecies God gave him were dire and complex, and many times the Word that came to him was bad news for the nation.  Yet he says, "When your words came, I ate them," though the "word" was difficult, hard, and condemning, he treasured it.

THE WORD
The Word of God does not come to us like it did for him, but we have the Bible as God's complete Word.

EAT
Who can say that when God speaks to them through the Bible that they eat it?  The prophet says, "I ate them," he consumed it; it was nourishment for him.  The Bible is spiritual, so it nourishes your soul.  You need to absorb as much of it as possible to stay fit spiritually.

To eat the Word is to give it time and effort. When something is a "joy and a heart's delight," it is something you like thinking about all the time.

We should

• Give God's Word a selected time every day.
• Take ample time to spend in the Word.
• Value the scriptures.
• Repent of sins that deafen you to the Word.
• Resolve to obey the instructions of the Bible.
• Allow the Bible to to get into you- have an effect.
• Meditate on the Word of the Lord.

A DELIGHT
The reason was that the Word was his joy and heart's delight is that he bears the Lord's name.  He carried the name of the Lord before the people and stood up for God's interest.  When the Word came to him, no matter its content, it was a blessing to him since he was serving God.  He loves the Lord. Therefore, he loves the words that come from the Almighty.  Without the Word of God, he could not bear the name.

BEAR THE NAME
The Word stops being a blessing when you fail to bear the name of the Lord before your community and friends.  When you stand for the Lord, His Word becomes effective in your life and becomes sweeter.  Service to the Father and the Word go hand in hand. You cannot be blessed in one without the other.

Think of it as obedience.  If you are not obeying His Word, you will not be blessed by His Word.

May you be blessed as you resolve to obey God's Word and to bear the name of the Lord before men.

If you have not received salvation and are ready to come to Jesus, see my other blog; follow this link: click here.

© Adron 10/3/09