What is a calling? A calling in life can be some occupation, pursuit, business or some work like a trade or some craft, art or handicraft. In this study we will be thinking about the work God calls us to do in this life that He wants us to pursue and to occupy our time. Once we accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord, each of us is called to be a servant. We are here to spread the gospel to all who will receive Jesus as their Savior. We are able to do this work with whatever gifts and talents the Lord has provided to each of us in varied amounts and kinds. It may be our own, as a teacher, preacher, church officer, visitor, living the Christian life on our job, or being a prayer warrior among many other things. The order is that God calls us, tells us what He wants us to do and gives His promise that, if we do what He is asking, He will do what He has promised through us, in us, for us and what the results for everyone will be. (Note that he will defend you on every side when you are in His will doing what He has asked of you.) Then we answer Him. We will either obey Him and say yes I will do it, or we will disobey and refuse. If we obey, then He always follows through on His promises, and we can be secure in the fact that He will provide all we need to do the work. If you can teach, then teach for the Lord. If you can preach, then preach every opportunity you have and if a pastor of a church also, minister to your flock in their trials and illnesses. If you are a church officer, follow through all your duties to the fullest of your abilities. If you have opportunities at work to win and influence people for the Lord, then commit to it; study and pray for the insight to do your best every day, so you will be prepared to answer questions and encourage those about you. If you bake the best cake in town, then bake cakes for the Lord and take them to those, whom God impresses on your heart, as a door opener to their hearts that they might welcome the Lord and His caring for them. If you have the gift of listening and praying with someone through hard times, then watch for those who may quietly be hanging around needing just a little of your time that can mean a great deal in their lives. Let us listen for our calls intently now.

The Calling of Abraham Genesis 12:1-4 1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee; 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee and curse him that curseth thee and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 4 So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken unto him,and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed our of Haran. Verses 1 through 3: God called Abraham and gave his promises. Verse 4: Abraham obeyed. His answer of course was, "Yes, LORD, I will do exactly what you have asked me to do." There is no recorded questioning of what the LORD meant, whether Abraham was able to do it, or anything - just the simple statement that Abram left just as the LORD asked him to do. His actions are a blessing till this day. In Hebrews 10:35 it says. "For ye have need of patience that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." Again in Hebrews 11:8 the greatness of faith is illustrated by Abraham's obedience to the LORD's call, Hebrews 11:8-1 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing where he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead 'as many' as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the seashore innumerable. 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed, that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they see a country 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from which they came out, they might have had opportunity to return. (Please note that this is a very important point. They were not looking back, but had their hearts and minds set on their obedience to God's calling and set in their faith in His promises. They were never thinking of turning back, for their faith was complete in God's words to them. Marjorie's note.) 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly; wherefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city. 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac; and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which also he received him in a figure. (This is a faith that outlasts death! Marjorie.) So, we see here many of the attitudes and mindsets that are inherent in obeying a call. First there is being in close touch with our Heavenly Father in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. There is the definite call of God, not something manufactured in our own zeal to do right and be good, but a true call from God. Then there is the listening to ALL God has to say about the matter - exactly what He wants us to accomplish, who will benefit from our actions and His promises of what the blessings and results will be for our obedience. He tells us why! The God of all the universe tenderly explains what He wants done and why! This is remarkable love and caring towards us. Then there is the answer by word or action that we have said yes to a call. Obedience is what the LORD so wants to see in our lives all entwined with His promises of what will happen if we do obey. How wonderful and marvelous that He not only allows us to make the choices, but explains to us clearly what will happen. Thus, when God our Father makes a promise, He is bound by His own goodness to always keep the promises. This is just the first calling that we will examine that we can still see being answered in this day that we live as God continues to undergird Abraham's nation. And here is the reference so early in our Biblical accounts of looking for a city - the New Jerusalem. Even today we see how strongly the Holy City plays in world affairs and yet there will come a time when a New Jersusalem will come down and God is the builder and maker of it. Shall we then not rejoice in the inheritance given to Abraham by God and that God gave every person on this earth a chance to inherit the Kingdom? Our various callings then, are given that those persons might be reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ. So, let us be in prayer, listening for God's call, hearing His plan and His promises and then may we answer in obedience, not of our own strength and resolve, but by faith in the gifts and talents He has given us, because He gave them. We can make a great difference in our world. May God add His blessings to the study and reading of his Word. God bless you, Marjorie copyright Marjorie 2002