Why God Calls Us
During leadership training, the Holy Spirit stressed the idea that we cannot become whom God has ordained for us to be without answering His (God’s) call on our life. With that thought in mind, how has answering the call of God informed your understanding of your purpose, developed your character, shaped your identity, and given you more significant appreciation of God’s love for you?
Considering spiritual and practical aspects of ministry, what are you interested in exploring together as we grow together in our understanding of the call of God on our lives.
Answering the call of God has informed my understanding of my purpose by helping me to focus on things relating to ministry and the call and not wasting my time on dreams and goals that God never intended for me. With that being said, I’ve been able to take some of those dreams and goals that God did intend and recognize how they are used for the kingdom and not necessarily a secular entity. In relation to my character I have been able to see myself through the eyes of other people based on their correction and encouragement to change destructive behaviors. I had a tendency to think “Oh no! I don’t act that way”. However, when answering the call it put me in a different circle of individuals who would say “Hey your attitude is nasty”. This ultimately forced me to examine myself. It helped me to not engage just the one group of people that I “assumed” I fit in with but be open to have relationship with every believer in the body of Christ regardless of any assumption I had about them. This brought about a change in my identity. My identity became more authentic and is now based off of who God said I should be verses me changing who i was based on who I was with (assuming I fit in group of people). What’s funny is; even with the effort to change who I was to fit in, I still never fit in because I wasn’t answering the call of God at the time.
All of these things and more helped me to have a greater appreciation for the God love has for me. One because He called me even when I portrayed someone I was not and rejected his children because they didn’t appear to be what I thought they should be as if I was God. Just to know that God saw pass my filthy heart and could see that I really did have a love for people but I myself was hurt because I had been reject for being who I was at one point. He took time out of his day to shape and mold me so that I could be where I am today and is still doing so even now. He sees me based on my end and not what I did or didn’t do. That’s love!
When considering practical aspects of ministry, I am interested in exploring the business side of ministry (not the business side of LFCC) but if starting a church how do you know where to start? Developing church budget, how you know which ministries are conducive to your ministry. How the development of the leaders handbook came about? How did you know what needed to go in the handbook?
When considering the spiritual aspects of ministry, I am interested in learning about overcoming things such as fear. I know it seems mediocre but fear affects me in a lot of ways and I see how it hinders me in ministry.
Min. Krystal,
Consider for a moments one the times you feel fear. If you can try to put your finger on what you were/are actually afraid of. Once you identify what you fear you can counter it with truth and faith.
As you touched on, for most people the primary thing we fear is rejection and/or not being accepted fully for our true selves.
Having taken a moment to think about it what are you afraid of?
No I haven’t. That’s something to think about.
When reading your text you sent this morning it reminds me of my personal devotional and study. The question asked of me was “What kind of life have I been given knowing that I have been “born of imperishable seed” (1 Peter 1:23)? Your message about knowing that he continuously draws me and no matter how deep in something I’ve become I’ve also been born as an imperishable seed. Something that wont perish while pursing the call of God. This further confirms His love for me as well as other who answer the call.
Answering the call of God on my life has helped me to better understand my purpose by helping to aim my studies and better focus on different aspects of my life and ministry. While I was in school for my Masters, it was really on my heart to be able to help revitalize other ministries, specifically praise and worship ministries. I know that in order to be able to do I would need to be able to lead a praise and worship ministry. I know that I do not need to be a minister or preacher to do that, but accepting my call has encouraged me to dive deeper into my word. This is helping me to develop my character as I am reading Proverbs and it continually reinforces that correction is necessary and wisdom can be found in correction. I am better in character when I can learn to take correction and apply it without an attitude. This in turn is shaping my identity. As I realize how little push back I get from certain friends, I see how detrimental that is and I stop trying to fit in by not saying or doing what I know needs to be said or done. I can begin to see myself through God’s eyes and through others eyes. I am beginning to see the sinful parts of my heart and attitude. This has helped me to even notice some parts of my heart that need work and it helps me to ask questions of those around me to reveal those hard places.
As I reflect of the pieces of my purpose that I can see and imagine now, I realize the depth of God’s love me! Why me? There are soooooo many other people that God could have given this dream to, but He gave it to me! His love is so amazing that He would use me to accomplish this tiny piece of His master plan!
Hello Allie,
I love how you said “the pieces of my purpose,” because we only see as much as we need to see for the moment we are in. The beautiful thing is that the more we know God the more those pieces are revealed and come together, and the more we come to know who we are and our purpose.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Pastor Tisha, the part Allie said about “pieces of his master plan” remind me of when you said there are things that God has us to do now such as helping with USDA that could seem to have no long term purpose but God can use it 30 yrs from now for something totally different. Ultimately to add on to the piece of his master plan.
I am super excited to start this study of the Bible! I look forward to learning the intricacies of ministry and the work that comes behind it. I am excited to continue to explore my call from God in relation to those around me and how they intertwine. I know God called me back to LFCC for a reason and I am excited to see where He takes us! I also LOVE to learn new things so I am looking forward to learning alongside people I love!
I am also looking forward to making personal Bible study a routine part of my life. I think that in reading these books and going through the Bible in this way it will help to revive my curiosity.
Answering the call has changed my life dramatically. I have been playing music all of my life. I thought my future was going to entail playing in front of thousands in arenas for an artist (christian or not). My thought process was that if I’m using my gift that God has given me, that I was following the call on my life. I struggled with that for a long time because it had seemed that through my gift God was opening doors. It wasn’t until I was challenged with the thought of “what are you willing to let go of for God’s purpose to be done in your life”, did I really question if His will was being done or my will. So, God took me away from that life and isolated me so he could reveal the call, purpose, and most importantly what it will require of me. I must say I fought hard because I was trying to justify a lot of things so that I could answer my call and continue living the life I was living all at the same time. But as I continued to read and study, I realized that I had to let go of some things to really pursue the call on my life. God had to prune a lot and continues to prune things in my life. In addition to that, I have become to understand that God’s love for me is continually shown to me through correction so I can truly be what God wants me to be. I am truly grateful to God for that, because I know God will honor me for my decision to heed the call that He has placed on my life.
I am very excited to continue training with you all. One thing I’d like to talk about practically is how to serve your family well while living out the call on your life. Spiritually I’d like to learn about the preparation involved to adequately live out God’s call on your life.
Clay that is so true. We can be using a gift that God gave us and still ultimately be disobedient because it’s still not what God actually how God told us to use the gift. Which ultimately hinders is from fully obtaining all God intended for us.
Answering the call God on my life has help me to understand more of his words and study more of God and in the hostility Leadership I praise the Lord for the Good things God has done for me Godly OBEDIENCE call us to DO CALL TO SERVE HIS PEOPLE AND HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR LIVES
Answering the Call of God on my life has been the best decision Ive made in my life. I’ve changed in so many ways and God has delivered me from sins that had a tight grip on me. God has removed people, places and things from my life, He also has surrounded me with the people I need in my life. It didn’t come easy, their was a lot of sacrifice, commitment and integrity that had to bear fruit. I know without a doubt that God has Called me to serve at LFCC. I thank God for calling me not only for now, but for eternity.
Hi Danny,
I feel and understand the same way. Answering my call made a big difference in my life. I changed because we are Kings and Queens of the Most High God. I depended on people to solve my problems but now I take my problems to God in prayer. God ordained Ann to be in my life since 1996. There was a couple of other people but long gone. It was hurtful but God knew who would sacrifice things and endure the race. I used to cry about everything but being too sensitive was not allowing me to grow.
Thank you Reverend Donzella. Your words are very helpful and well received
Answering God’s call on my life has has given me my true purpose in life. It sounds very cliche but the call that God has on my life has changed the way that I am able to view things, talk about things, and approach things that are not directed in my purpose. At times I can be apprehensive about my purpose and make excuses much like Moses did. Thank God, because he does not see me for the excuses I make up, or the mistakes I have committed in the past. He has still called me higher and to greater things in which I can not even imagine or see myself. My purpose has given me courage to talk about my story and even helped me to find my identity. In Sunday’s message Pastor Sal gave an interesting point of how we are unable to take what God has for us now because we still want our DREAM to come true. Once answering the call and TRULY accepting my purpose I was able to let go of the shoulda, woulda, coulda’s, and move towards the Minister God purpose needs me to be.
I wish I would have gone before Krystal, because I too have the same practical interest. I want to learn more about the business side of church structure. Not so much as the direction of a start up, but more in direction of where things need to go in order for us to handle the growth. In order for us to go from the 14901 to the coliseum ALOT has to happen business wise. The amount of people in our church now can barely handle the parking lot ministry. It is better to always be preparing than to not be prepared when the time is right.
Spiritually I am looking forward to guidance on being becoming more confidant in sharing what God has given me. Speaking the word of God and not second guessing myself, or having to feel like I need to be a specialist in topics to share my thoughts.
Hello Marvin,
Considering your lawn care business, what should be the steps you would take to take it to the next level? And how would or could that apply to your ministry in the Body of Christ and what’s “Next” for LFCC?
Hey Marvin!
I love what you said about the amount of growth it would take to be able to effectively operate in the coliseum! That is so true! Even at the church Clay and I used to go to, the parking lot ministry was about 20 people strong each Sunday and that doesn’t even include the other ministries necessary for a Sunday service to go off smoothly. There is a mindset that comes with growth and I think a lot of us lack that. How do we cultivate that mindset?
In learning about the business of church, it is definitely an interesting concept. When I was getting my Masters, I found it difficult sometimes to join what I knew about church and what I was learning about business. In retrospect, I see how many of the same concepts I learned about business and managing an artist in today’s social media focused world can apply to church and help to stimulate that growth we want to see. I think that in cultivating that mindset we will begin to see the fruit of our changed behaviors and see the growth we are asking God for.
Hello everyone and thank you all for your comments and insight. I have enjoyed reading all that each of you has shared.
It appears that accepting the call of God on our lives has shaped us, as Danny shared and given each of us a greater understanding of our identity, our purpose, as well as causing us to focus. That is the purpose of, or at least one of the purposes of God calling us. It is to accomplish His eternal plan, one of the beautiful things is that as Allie eluded to, we are important components in His plan.
Everything we need can be found in the Bible. I say that because we can find practical instruction for ministry throughout. Moses is an excellent example of running from and accepting the call, He is also a good resource for understanding, leadership and setting up leadership structures (Jethro was a big help). Additionally, Moses is a great example of setting up the temple and the acceptable worship of God. Everything Moses did both spiritually and practically came from God. That is why our study of the Bible including is structure, content, and intent is so important. Even more important is remembering that the true object of our study is the God of the book. So, as we train (no pun intended) lets engage our minds and keep our ear tuned to the heart of God.
Pastor Matisha
Hello Saints of God,
In answering the call of God, let me first start by sharing and laying a foundation for me. I acknowledged the call of God at the age of 15, but I did not accept the call of God. I felt the love of God call me to Him to be change, but it was just too overwhelming for me. Therefore, I spent the next decade and some time running from God until I could not run any more. I felt His love in a new way that was telling me to surrender, surrender it all to Him. Surrender to be with Him, but to become transformed from the world (see Romans 12:2).
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1. How has answering the call of God informed your understanding of your purpose?
• To simply say answering the call of God has informed me to be active in His kingdom, to not seat on the sideline but to get into the game. God has pressed upon my heart a purpose to help and teach Christians and non-Christians – The Helps Ministry. God has pressed upon my heart the appreciation of formal education to rightly divide His word (see 2 Timothy 2:15). Although, formal education is not required but some form of God’s teaching to pupil (servant of God) has to occur. In addition, God has given me a press of systematic theology, and to not be confrontation incorrectness of theology but to ensure clarity of God’s word is defined for simplest of those, suggest as me. Because I know the way that I process the word of God, it can be different from others dispensation. Thus, when God communicates through His disciple that we need to be slow to speak (see James1:19), I grasp this. If I speak to fast, I will allow my flesh to operate and not the spirit of God within me. But I need His spirit to operate within me daily that’s why I have to continue to surrender myself. I have to surrender all daily.
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2. How has answering the call of God developed your character?
• In answering the call of God, I have made a choice to surrender it all – not just to surrender it one time but to realize I have to do this daily. In my daily surrender, I have to deny myself (see Luke 9:23), allow God to use me, and then I am able to get to know God better. BUT what I find even more important God shows me how to know me and to love me. Know that I need help, help to deliver me from my selfish, prideful, stubborn, quick tempered ways, to mention a few. And as recognize in my acceptance of my calling that my God will continually to help me through the process as man of God, as a servant of God, as a husband, as a father, as a son, and as a friend. Through the process I am becoming more loving, calmer, more understanding, more forgiving, and most of more willing to surrender.
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3. How has answering the call of God shaped your identity?
• Since the call, I make an intentional effort to ensure my identity/character is godly (Genesis 1:27). Because I have become intentional of my identity being shaped as God desires, I acknowledge He is the potter (Isaiah 45:9, 64:3), and I am willing and accepting to be the clay. As the potter working with this clay reminds me that God is at work in me for His perfect works and good pleasure (see Philippians 2:13). And I pray God continues to mold my character, allow the words that I say and the meditation of my heart to be acceptable unto you (Psalm 19:4).
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4. How has answering the call of God given you more significant appreciation of God’s love for you?
• God’s love for me can be an awe-inspiring and overwhelming to me. I know how unpleasant I have been and can be, as well as how much work there is still need in me. But in spite of my ungodlike actions and my misleading thoughts God still loves me (see Romans 5:8). He has always loved me and reminds me in everything, I mean everything! He loves me for who I am not who I am going to be; He loves me!
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5. What are you interested in exploring together as we grow together in our understanding of the call of God on our lives?
• Preparing ourselves to help others and be more effective in synergy. We can continue to prepare for various leading roles in the church such as teaching, worship, administration, youth, and family ministry. In addition, I seek the next level training for freedom. The freedom to be delivered, healed, and totally set free (Psalm 34:17-18; 107:6).
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In final thought, I look forward to reading each servants post. I pray we continue to strive to grow together.
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Because of His Love,
Richard
Answering the call on my life has been such a wonderful blessing. For a very long time people were telling me that I have a “calling”.
However, being spiritually inept, I passed it off as if it was nothing. I had tried to fit in and tried to be someone that I was not. When Pastor Sal spoke on how God will move heaven and earth to get you to go in a different direction that struck a chord with me because He has done just that. In one of my early struggles I remember praying to God for people who were seeking Him , and couples like us ….seeking God as they should be. I prayed that prayer with my wife, and God answered. I completely agree with DIT Danny’s statement that God takes people places and things out of our lives that do not bear good fruit.
As I continue to read, study , and apply his His word to my life , I find that God had been calling on me for a considerable amount of time,and I was not paying attention. His call on my life has is one of the greatest blessings I am truly honored to have and even more honored to share.
Answering the call of God on my life answered so many questions about the type of life I was living before I said “Yes” to God. I was the only young adult person who attended noon day prayer and noon day Bible Study. It was as if I was looking for something and could not stop until I got the answer. One might say it was like being in a maze seeing myself walking around bumping into mirrors looking for the door to be set free. I had no understanding of my activities until after I finally accepted God’s call on my life. I was so happy because I was able to go back down memory lane and put the pieces together. I understood that I had a purpose and that God ordained everything that had happened up to that point in my life. My past activities molded and shaped me at least to start understanding my calling and purpose in life. I did know I wasn’t weird. As I continued to go to noon day prayer and noon day Bible Study, I witnessed my character, identity and my appreciation of God’s love for me blossomed. I was homey looking and did not have much to say. My answering God’s call changed me inside and outside which was okay because I was not empty anymore I had substance,
When considering spiritual and practical aspects of ministry I am interested in exploring more aspects of a five-fold ministry. I am excited to learn and grow as we develop and learn more about God’s call on our lives.
Answering GOD’s call on my life is lonely with a purpose, which makes it great. Throughout my life I have always been somewhat lonely. Now I truly know why. Although I tried to fit in with the world it always seemed forced and never worked out. I found myself alone most times and intolerable of the same scene I was trying to fit in with. There were many times GOD allowed me to see and or hear things that I did not feel I was ready for. Instead of going to GOD with my issues I became fearful. The fear that grew in me was not of people. It was more a fear of rejection, fear of failure fear of not being loved , and a fear of standing my ground against ungodly spirits. I spent so much of my life being told what I wasn’t that I lost site of who I am. I am thankful that GOD has always loved me. I know that being alone is not necessarily being lonely. When I’m alone, I know that it is truly a quiet peaceful time that my Father has blessed me with. A time to concentrate, relax, reflect, release, and grow with GOD. I’ve learned that I can’t be everything for everybody. What I can do is walk out my GOD given purpose with GOD’s help. I look forward to what GOD has in store for me and how he plans to use me. It is my intention to keep my mind, body, spirit, and heart open for whatever changes and growth he has prepared for me.
I’ve always been a somewhat quiet person (even when I had to handle things). However, I do feel that GOD is moving and teaching me that he wants me to by faith speak out more and continue to walk in my trust in him. I don’t often share my opinions or views. This is really pushing me to open up. I am going to enjoy this!
I am interested in exploring more about spiritual warfare.
Answering The Call of God has been the Best decision I ever finally accepted. I ran from the call for many years. Accepting The Call is Living a life that The Lord had required me to live. The main purpose of the calling is to live a life that Honors and Give God The Glory. The Callings is not for my glory or to boast, it’s to show the world Our Savior. Living The Call is being the church showing the world that with God life is better. The decisions I make now are Christ driven and better for my life. Whatever problems that I face I do not have to face them alone because God and The Word of God is always by my side. This life is more than life here on earth it’s the eternal life I live for. God does not want any o perish but have everlasting life. So I live a life so souls will come to The Lord and Be Saved.
It has transformed my understanding of my purpose, that it was not my purpose but it is God’s purpose for my life. God is the leader in this relationship and that I have to follow his lead as I travel through life, willing to be obedient and embracing his desired purpose for my life.
In the past I have tried to shape and dictate my purpose and even my calling based on what I liked, what I felt gifted in and what others told me my strengths or seemed to appreciate and applaud. I have come to realize that God uses us best when we are uncomfortable and that when we let him lead us in the dance of life, being obedient – it becomes a whirlwind experience that sometimes cannot be explained. Understanding this has help to shape my character and my identity in Christ. Bringing my intergrity and humility up front always doing the mirror check and willing to receive correction. No longer am I worried if someone thinks I’m praising too loud or if they frown upon me because of my passion for God. No longer am I consumed with who I am but more about what God wants me to do. This call on my life has dictated to me my every waking moment, 24/7 impacting and dictating my lifestyle to please God all the way to even the decisions I make.
I have come to understand that God dictates and shapes my purpose and that the call was there even as a young man but I had no one to help cultivate it because I ran from God and didn’t seek to connect with God through His church and His people. I used to blame others for not answering the call early on, but I have come to realize that it was me – just running from my calling. Yes, In hindsight all that I have done, gotten caught up, the mayhem I have caused, the carrying of the heartache and luggage of growing up without a dad, looking at the streets as way of redemption, then looking at the military as way of survival and redemption – that in essence I believed it would save my soul and allow me to be a good son, brother, husband and father. God’s guidance, chastisement and love for me shifted that belief system. That if I didn’t end up in Jail, addicted or an abusive husband or father and defeating the absentia father syndrome – then I have met the call of God on my life. Yet I learned this was not enough. The call to do more was there and I thought my purpose was clear and sure as a Deacon to serve God’s people and teach the youth, but as this pulling and stretching of my heart, mind and spirit as the call on my life to become a minister became more prevalent, my purpose shifted to Serving and teaching all people. And this was not about just preaching His Word but it was more about loving His people. The Holy Spirit has revealed to me that being a deacon was a requirement for my individual roadmap. It contributed to the building of my character, my prayer life, commitment to serving people, my obedience and the studying of God’s word.
Good evening LFCC leadership family! I also can admit I spent a large portion of my life avoiding the call God had for me. He has been guiding me, sometimes gently and sometimes more sharply, in the direction He knew I needed to go. Accepting the call was both a response to His lovingly choosing an imperfect me, and a relief, as I knew I was finally making the right choice and didn’t have to run from Him anymore. I didn’t know what all it would mean to say yes to God, but I knew putting my faith in Him would be so much better than the way I had been living. I am both excited to be starting this study, and a bit apprehensive as I know it will deepen and grow my relationship with God beyond where I currently am. I know there is so much to learn! One realization that hit me hard while attending the Summer of Learning Bible Studies, was that I struggle to talk about God to people in a way that doesn’t use terms that presume they already have a similar basis of belief and knowledge. So I am looking for to learning how to communicate the best news in the world to people I care about, in a way that they can understand and relate to.
Saying yes to the call is the best decision I have made and also the hardest. Coming to the understanding that it calls for a daily Yes. Yes to His will and no to my own, yes to His control and no to mine, with the purpose of helping those with the same struggles and issues. In answering the call my character is continually being developed,always learning, kindness, patience, long suffering, gentleness, and being loving. I find my indenitity in Christ Jesus, truly old things have passed away and all things have become new. It’s my appreciation for God ‘s great love that keeps me answering yes.
Praise God!
As i have pondered the question of the calling over my life, i remembered when i was little girl. I used to did not like to go to sleep. I would Have dreams every night. The dreams would scare me. During the day, i would have visions. I would see things that i could not understand. I would get so scared, knowing what i saw was going to happen. Whether it was good or bad, i would get so scared.
Growing up was challenging. I could not understand why i came to the United States. What was the purpose for my family fleeing Cambodia to Thailand, from Thailand to the Philippines, from the Philippines to Wisconsin. I knew i was different from all of my siblings. Still I questioned my purpose here in the US.
Going into adulthood. Feeling lost but always had the question in the back of my head, what is my purpose? Why i am here? What am I supposed to be doing? I felt the hunger and thirst and emptiness but could not understand why? Or what? Experienced hurt, pain, disappointments, unforgiveness, anger, chained, broken, etc in life. There has to be something better than this? The feeling of emptiness was so great. More visions and dreams with no understanding. Spoke things and it came to pass. Lost and so broken.
2001, My husband and I moved to Oak Harbor WA. There then, that my hunger and thirst for whatever was so strong. I knew i needed a change for my life. What i was going through trying to do it on my own was not helping. Visited Living Faith Christian Center and have my life to Jesus!
Moving forward, i accepted the call. I was fighting at first. I couldn’t see myself doing anything for the kingdom. I was no leader or in the state of mind to be a leader. My heart was still searching for something. I didn’t know my purpose. I didn’t have an identity. My characters was out of wack. My heart was so broken into pieces. I was full of pride, unforgiveness, resentment, etc. The fear of the unknown.
Since accepting the call with the teaching of Apostle David and Pastor Linda at that time, has given me such a purpose that i knew my calling was to change the world. I knew i have a heart to help people. Hospitality, serving others, feeding, loving without boundaries, giving, sharing, having compassion, just being in the community was where my heart wanted to be. God had to change the ugliness in my heart in order to do these things. Once i felt the change of heart, i knew my purpose was serve God’s people in the capacity He needs me to serve.
The teaching here at LFCCNN has increased my purpose and understanding of the calling over my life. It magnifies what God was continuing to show me of how my purpose for the call is supposed to be. I am confident of the purpose now. Even though i am confident, i am still needing His continuous corrections, rebuking, chastising to be where He needs to be. I need Him to help me stay in meekness and humility.
For my character, it’s a continuous process. I praise God i am not where i used to be. I am purposed and intentional to imitate His likeness. Bearing witness to who God is. It’s a daily struggle due to certain situations and circumstances. Dealing with people can get me out of character but having God in the forefront of my mind, i have to quick to listen and slow to speak. I have a tendency to quickly defend myself. Sometimes i don’t need to. I just need to listen and observe. Through the teaching has increased my character that glorifies God. I praise Him for His forgiveness when i fail in that area.
I am so grateful! I know who i am in Him. I M His daughter. I am His princess. I have His DNA. I know i can call on Him at anytime. Just knowing who He is identifies who I am. I used to didn’t know who Je is so I couldn’t understand who I am. By having a deeper relationship with the Father, I know He is always there. I am confident that i can come to Him just as I am, not feeling ashamed. He already knows.
Knowing who God is, as the Great I am, the Almighty God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, the Lord and Savior of my life, I am so appreciated for His love. His word is a reminder to me of how much He loves me. No matter where i have been or what i have done, He continues to love me in spite of. I know Hw keeps no record of my wrongs. He forgives me and erased all of my sins into the sea of forgetfulness. For where i have came from, from what i have done, for what He has done for me over and over and over, i don’t have a choice but to serve Him to the utmost. I can not afford to turn back. I have tasted the goodness of the Lord. I have seen the miracles and wonders of His mighty works. I have seen Him making ways out of no ways. I have seen Him deliver me from evil. I have experienced the GREAT love and continuing to feel the love He has for me. I have experienced favor upon favor in my life and my family’s life. I am humbled and so grateful for His love for me. There are not enough words to write of how grateful I am but to give Him my heart, my life, and all of me for Him to do as He pleases. Every time i think of the “new day” as I open my eyes in the morning, I AM GRATEFUL FOR HIS LOVE!
I am so grateful He placed me in the trustee ministry. I have learned so much on how to church operates. I am in “awe” every time God meets our needs without having bake sales, fish fry, garage sales, fundraiser, etc. The church has demonstrated in trusting God to provide everything that we need to operate in any ministries. Just knowing the budget for certain ministries is so helpful. Encouraging us to use the budget wisely because it’s God’s money. That everything is with prayer and supplication before the Lord.
He is so faithful! It has increased my faith for The Heart of Giving. Walking by faith and not by sight is what God wants us to do. It’s by faith that pleases Him. He says, without faith it’s impossible to please Him. Our church has always walk by faith and not by sight. In everything He provides according to His riches in glory.
As in spiritually, I am yearning to learn with guidance to walk out my calling to the fullest extent of the calling. More teaching of dividing the word. How to use my gift even the more so.
Question: How has answering the call of God informed your understanding of your purpose, developed your character, shaped your identity, and given you more significant appreciation of God’s love for you?
Wow, what a great question! Since joining the leadership team God has revealed himself to me in each of these areas. Prior to coming to LFCC I was placed in rolls of leadership but did not have a full or even a partial grasp of what leading and serving the people of God really meant. I often felt like I was too young and didn’t take the call of God on my life seriously. Even though I didn’t take the call of God seriously, I still wanted things to happened quickly and had no idea what the call required.
Over the years I’ve realized that the call of God is a call to God first which requires a life of sacrifice, perseverance, and faith. It’s a life of loving God above all else and allowing him to live in and through us. It hasn’t happened as fast as I thought it would, but I have learned to be content and that going through the process of waiting on the Lord is imperative!
My desire for a deeper and sincere relationship with God has required me to confront my inward issues and allowed God into those places where I had erected walls to keep everyone out, even God. It has compelled me to become more honest, transparent, and accountable for my actions which not only affect me but the body of believers that I serve and worship with. I believe I am steadily growing in my understanding of my purpose. God has my full attention; he is shaping my identity and character even the more. Most importantly, God has validated his love for me and has given me a significant appreciation for his love for me and for others.
Good evening, answering the call to ministry was a strong awakening in my life. I’m thankful for the call and glad that I’ve answered it because everyday I am being challenge and stretched for a greater purpose which is bigger than me. God is constantly showing me how to take an inventory in my life identifying what I need and what will hinder my walk with him. In answering the call to ministry, I continue to pray and ask God to lead me and guide me in serving his people.
At first when I answered my call, I knew that God wanted to use me, but I didn’t know exactly what my purpose was. I thought that I was supposed to be a minister, as my husband was called to do, because that would be keeping us both on the same spiritual track, but I was wrong. It took me over a little over 6 months to realize that God’s calling for me was that of a deacon… and that my gifting was to care for others.
This calling has defined my character and shaped my identity by humbling me. I have had to learn how to listen more, talk less, and control my emotions where I should be praying first and acting later. Before I accepted my calling, I would act first and pray later. Now I know why many times what I thought was discernment was arrogance.
I have a much larger appreciation of God’s love for me by knowing that he’s not going to continue to allow me to be stuck where I am. He has shown me my shortcomings through my children and through others. It has broken me and made me extremely saddened by the way that I have treated those closest to me… but I would run after helping those I didn’t even know.
He has shown me that I have to love and care for those closest to me, including myself, before I can fulfill the purpose that he has for me. That I must get my home in order and set an example before I can lead others.
I would like to explore the topics of healing and ministering to those who are sick.
I am truly becoming more and more about the call of God on my life and what it really means.I am influenced in the 321 century how I want to serve and live for God and Only for God . I accept the call of God on my life to be the kind of God ordaine minister and appreciate His call in true,holiness,trustworthiness and to stand in righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. I expect to equip and use me more in the future at my church and community to impact All people with the word of God. I accepted the call in 2oo6 in Wmsbg Va and I intend to fulfill that call with all that He has called me to do,go, say. to the best of my ability Now and G
Forever in Jesus Name.