John 3:22-36 ~ Living God's Call - Doing God-work

For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God^[i] gives the Spirit without limit.

John 3:34

Today’s reading is a reiteration of John the Baptist’s assertion that Jesus is the One. “He’s it. He’s the real deal.” John tells his followers and anyone happening to pass by.

What I love about this passage is the consistency and the pure passion you feel as you read John’s words,

“The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.” (John 3:29)

John understands his role. He also understands that his role in the beautiful story is an important piece – that because he accepted his role from God, God was able to use him.

Each of us has an important role to play in the Body of Christ – in the story of the salvation of the world. Each of us is being called not only to serve God with the skills and gifts He has blessed us with, but also to serve those He has placed in our lives. We are called to show and to share love on behalf of Him. This calling may seem overwhelming, as I am sure John the Baptist’s call felt to him at times, but we are assured that God will give us everything we need when we act as an intercessor for Him.

God gives the Spirit without limit.When we are going out, into the world to do God’s will there are no limits to what God can and will do through us. The Holy Spirit gives us power in everything we do and we have the opportunity to step out in that power.

When we follow God’s will and fulfill our role in the Body of Christ; when we work for God, we will feel what John felt, “That joy is mine, and it is now complete.”

Doing God-work is good work. There aren’t many other jobs on this planet that do not have limits.

Enjoy the role God has created for you – because when you fulfill that role you will find your joy.

Scripture of the Day

 John 3:22-36

Quote of the Day

“God places the heaviest burden on those who can carry its weight.”

Reggie White

Question of the Day

What do you think God is calling you to do in the Body of Christ on His behalf?

Please comment below (on the blog). I would love to read your comments!

John 1:19-28 - Being John the Baptist - Following God's Path

John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.'"

John 1:23

When John the Baptist came on the scene, many people thought he had to be the Messiah they had been praying for. He was a learned man – preaching in a new a different way and speaking of the grace God offered. Everything John said – even the tough stuff – sounded good to the spiritually hungry people of Israel.

Even though John could have easily usurped (fancy word for taken) the role of Messiah - crowds were following him everywhere and he had his own posse of disciples - he knew who he was and what God called him to do. John understood that stepping outside of God's plan for his life would lead to trouble. John had the equally easy and difficult task of staying on the path God provided for him.

To John, he saw his journey as clearly as the runway lights on an air field lighting the way home for an airplane. He knew exactly what God’s will was for his life and the sacrifices he needed to make to fulfill his calling. But, as with any calling, the blessings often require sacrifice. John sacrificed a comfortable home, plentiful food and eventually his life, all for the great blessing of being the “one who goes before” – the “voice in the wilderness”.

Often, we do not have the gift of a clear vision of our individual missions in life like John did. Even with thoughtful prayer and focused attention on God and His will, we can be confused or unsure of what the next step is in the journey God has in store for us. This sense of ambiguity can leave us afraid – nearly paralyzed in indecision over what next step to take in life.

But this confusion – this uncertainty – does not mean that God’s call on your life or on my life is any less important or meaningful than God’s call to John. Each of us, in our own uniqueness, has an important and integral part to play in God’s design for this world.

However, the only way we will know what God’s desire for us to do, is to be in constant contact with Him, just like John the Baptist. Through prayer, the study of His Word, and seeking guidance from spiritually mature Christians, we will begin to see God’s plan for our lives unfold before us.

Trust God. He knows what He is doing.

Scripture

John 1:19-28

Quote of the Day

“We're not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”

C.S. Lewis

Question of the Day

What can you do today to better understand what God is calling you to do?

I am My Beloved's and He is Mine

Beloved.

It is an old fashioned word of endearment. To be one's beloved is to be cherished beyond measure, to be loved unconditionally, and to be sought after with persistence. To be beloved is to receive unconditional love from another; you don't earn the title of beloved it is given freely, with no strings attached.

When you are beloved you are pure beauty in the eyes of the one who loves you. If you are beloved, the message you hear will always be grounded in the words of positive joy, even if they are words of accountability. Being truly cherished means being loved for who you are; from the inside out.

This is how God sees you.

You are God's beloved.

My beloved spoke and said to me, “Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me...Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.”

(Song of Solomon 2:10, 13)

Each day, God reaches out His hand and speaks these words to you. "Arise, by beautiful one...come with me..." He sees you as the beautiful creation you are. He knows you have faults, but they do not diminish or tarnish the love He has for you. You are beautiful and cherished; Loved and adored by the Beloved who created you.

Do you hear Him calling to you?

"Arise, my darling...my beautiful one...come with me..."

How will you respond?

My beloved is mine and I am his...

(Song of Solomon 2:16)

Everything else in life will fall into place when we answer the call of our Beloved.

Scripture

Song of Solomon 2

Quote of the Day

Looking back, I have this to regret, that too often when I loved, I did not say so.

David Grayson

Question of the Day

What does it mean to know that God is calling you to be His beloved?

Finding Fullness in Life

Be generous with me and I'll live a full life...

Psalm 119:117 (MSG)

How generous is God in your life?

He has given you a family, a home, a church, a mind, a heart and a spirit. He has placed in you the ability to do great things in the eyes of man but more importantly in the eyes of God.

Within you is the ability to paint a masterpiece or to hit a homerun; to write a novel or to care for the sick; to be a great mother or a great father; to be a disciple of Christ. A full life does not come from the number of cars you have or how big your wardrobe is. Fullness does not come because you achieve a ton of success or because you earn more money than you could ever spend. Fullness in life comes through your relationship with Jesus.

Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of your miracle-wonders.

Psalm 119:118

Fullness in this life comes through recognizing all that God does. Fullness comes through recognizing who God wants you to be and living that life. God may call you to be an actor or an actress. He may call you to be a doctor or a lawyer or a teacher. He may call you to be a garbage collector or the President of the United States. Regardless of the call God has on your life, living in that call will give you fullness beyond your wildest expectations. Living in God's call on your life will open you to all of the miracles surrounding you and give you the great gift of seeing how God works - even in the mundane and everyday.

God has been mightily generous with you. His blessings are too great to count...and what you have experienced so far is the tip of the iceberg; the best is yet to come - - if you will listen to God's call and follow where He leads.

Scripture

Psalm 119 (MSG)

Quote of the Day

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

Maya Angelou

Question of the Day

What is your dream job?