Lord Help Me Fulfill My Calling

I like to hear the Word of God being preached by various spiritual leaders because I always find something relevant for my life, for a current situation I am dealing with, or to say it plainly, find scales removed from my blind eyes. Reading or hearing the Word of God allows my mind to be open to new ways of thinking and behaving. Remember that we should be doers of the word and not hearers only!

Recently my pastor opened my eyes in seeing the story of Samuel 2:1 – in a different way. I don't remember ever paying attention while reading the bible that the Word of the Lord wasn't made known to Samuel, despite his ministering to the Lord at his young age, until later in his life. However, what I learned from bible study and listening to various other teachings that can be related to Samuel's story in some way is found in reading 1 Corinthians 2 and 3. These two chapters deal with the reality and characteristics of being a natural, carnal and spiritual man.

What do we find in reading 1 Corinthians 2 and 3 that can help us in our daily life? In 1 Corinthians 2:14 we found that Paul exhorted the Christians to never argue the Word of God with a natural person. The Word says that the natural man can't accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. They are foolishness to the person because they can only be spiritually discerned. These people usually reflect the carnal fruit of the spirit found in Galatians 5:19–22.

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 shows us the characteristics of the carnal person, which can be considered a babe in Christ, by the types of fruit produced in the person. These types of people, although saved and part of the body of Christ, are considered wordly at times. Thanks to God that through regeneration being accomplished in the person's life, there will be growth. With the Holy Spirit of God in them, they are being convicted of all unrighteousness and are becoming mature Christians. Many new believers are in that category because they don't know God's Word yet. They may be in church and participating in all activities, but if not growing with the Lord, they are as carnal as they can be. How do I know that? I am simply a pure example of a carnal person at times. I could probably be worse than Jezebel if it weren't for the loving conviction of the Father. I know, and I know, and I know when I mess up and grieve the loving Father. Hope it is the same with you in your walk with the Lord.

Now where should we as mature children of God be all the time? We should be the spiritual person, being transformed from glory to glory and who knows all things. It is all explained clearly in 1 Corinthians 2 and 1 John 3:3. It is good to know that we are God's Temple and that His Holy Spirit living in us all the time makes us one in Him (1 Corinthians 6:17). Some of the things that the Word of God says about us are that, (1) great things are prepared for those who love God and that they are revealed by His Spirit in us; (2) we will understand what God has freely given to us because we have His Spirit in us; (3) we can express spiritual truths in spiritual words; (4) we have the mind of Christ because His Spirit reside in us; and (5) we are taught directly by His Spirit living in us. Do we believe it? Only you reading this article can answer this question. Look at the fruit in your life as outlined in Galatians 5:22-26.

The way I deal with issues in my life is by analyzing my motives. I try to see if they conflict with the Word of God. I search myself and live all judgement to the Lord when I don't know what to do. 1 Corinthians 2:10 mentions that each one should be careful how he builds. As mature Christians, we should know what it means to be in the Lord. 1 John 3:6, 9-10 tells us how to know that we are in Him. We will know that we are in Christ when we do what He says.

It is important to know or at least be aware of the types of people we are dealing with. Someone's mindset will dictate the person's character. This is one reason we are exhorted to have the mind of Christ. Reading His word will make us more like Him. I have decided that I will accept what the Word of God say about me having the mind of Christ. If it sounds pretentious to you, take it to the Lord! I must believe and I chose to believe the Word of God.

Now do you want to know what I do with this knowledge? I ask the Lord to help me, teach me to love, and love through me. I am aware that only those who abide in love and do His will are in Him. When I meet people I wait to see what thoughts and feelings come into my mind and soul. When I sense despair, suffering, loneliness, dissatisfaction, fear, inadequacy, unbelief, anger, addiction, confusion, insecurity and any other negative vibes, if I feel confirmation in my spirit, I bring a word of encouragement and pray for them. It may sound ridiculous to some, but I have sometimes found myself, after seeing someone in the street, talking to the Father and telling Him that I want this soul in the Kingdom.

Do you want to know what is your responsibility with the information you've just been given? When you can encourage and strengthen a broken spirit by quoting the Word of the living God, do it. When you look at people and you feel that there is something wrong with them, pray. When you see teenagers looking for attention by the way they dress and behave, pray. When something is wrong at work, school, church, pray. When listening to politicians and leaders of the world and you find their choices and discourse disagreeing with the Word of God, pray. When you are around unsaved souls in your family and acquaintances, pray. When you are overwhelmed when looking around with what you see and you can't do anything about, pray. In dealing with nakedness, poverty, hunger, pray. When you have a torn in the flesh, that may be your addiction, lack of money, a sickness, or an unsaved spouse etc. pray. Don't ever forget that the prayers of a righteous person avails much. The Lord is looking for someone to stand in the gap and you have been chosen as a royal priest to assist Him in carrying this burden. The priests in the Old Testament were chosen to bring the sins and requests of the people to the mercy seat so they can receive forgiveness, healing and victory.

Ask the Great Intercessor, who ever lives to pray for us, to teach you to pray in order to help others and fulfill His will on earth.

Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it! (Luke 11:28)

Marie Monaus