A Life Worthy Of Our Call

The Bible encourages us to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which we have been called." This has been brought home to me over the past few days and I do have some thoughts on the subject. First, I think we understand that we're not just talking about a walk we take. He is talking about our lifestyle and our personal conduct from day to day. The apostle Paul reminds us to live in such a way that our actions and attitudes will bring honor to Jesus, for Whom we live. We don't want to be guilty of giving occasion for people to think or speak wrongly of Christ because of our poor example of what it is to be a christian.
Rather than allowing this command to become a burden in our thinking, let's be reminded that such a life is possible because we have a companion Who is constantly present to help us in this lifestyle. It is the Holy Spirit Who Jesus said will be within us and also among us as we meet together as worshipers.  He is sent to dwell within us and because He is present, He gives us the strength to do what we never could or would do on our own. He empowers us to follow Christ with our entire mind, soul, and strength. Because of His presence there are now certain things we just don't want to do, and there are other things we do want to do, and if you are like me, we do what we want to do. It's easy to do the things we want to do, and Christ gives us His empowering Spirit that creates in us new desires that honor Him and we do those things that we now want to do. So our walk, or lifestyle, becomes a life that is a bit different from the rest of the culture we are a part of. It is a life that truly does demonstrate that Christ has done something radical within us, and as a result, we are not the same as others. We are the called, the redeemed, the elect people of God Almighty, and our lives reflect that new reality. I hope that as you read, you can take a quick inventory of what life looks like through you. What message is your life sending to people around you?  Are you living up to your God given, Spirit empowered potential? Let today be the day when you say Lord I submit to Your Lordship in all of my life. Do what You will through me and in me! That is the beginning of a life set apart, worthy of the calling to which we are called as followers of Jesus.

Take A Short Walk

Reading Psalm 48 to day and I found these words, "Walk about Zion and go around her; count her towers; consider her ramparts; go through her palaces, that you may tell it to the next generation."  I was greatly encouraged by the thoughts that these words brought to my mind because it reminded me of the great protection and safety that we as believers in Jesus Christ are granted. Now obviously, we can't literally walk about Zion, but we can think and reflect on the characteristics described here so that we may find courage to stay strong in our faith and hope.
The Psalmist says to consider her ramparts. A rampart is something that is raised as a protective barrier, made into a fortified bulwark or stronghold. It reminds us of the security we have as our heavenly Father is constantly watching over us. Enemies come and go in our christian experience, but we have the strong presence of God as our defense.  We count her towers as well, because from the towers of a heavenly perspective we can approach life in a wisdom that is from above, that is, born of the Holy Spirit's abiding presence with us. We are learning to view life from a biblical perspective, one that elevates our attitude, faith, confidence and courage. The tower of faith allows us to see that no matter what may happen in our life situations, Jesus is Lord. He is the One Who is in control of everything that takes place not only in our lives, but in the entire cosmos, seen and unseen.
This is great news and a great way to live our lives.  We need to be vibrant believers in this time, and the people coming behind us need to know that life is so very deep and profound. There are things to realize. People need to look to God as He is revealed to us in the Bible.  When we take the time to "walk about Zion," we may understand that in spite of all the hurts and confusion in this world, we have nothing to fear, not even fear itself, because we can bring our fears to Zion, where our mighty Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ dwells in great glory and authority. He knows our anxious thoughts and concerns. He will remove them and speak peace to or souls.
Take the time to reflect for a moment about the power and glory that God exerts in mercy, truth and great patience. Be aware and assured, that God will indeed guide us to our very last day, and then receive us into His heavenly Presence forever.

The Sustaining Side Of Joy

Perhaps you've heard the phrase that is taken from the Bible, the joy of the Lord is our strength. It is a true saying and communicates a true benefit that we gain in our walk with our Lord Jesus Christ. But lately I have had some differing experiences with that joy.
Sometimes the joy of the Lord is a joy that is empty of the emotional hilarity that is often associated with joy. The emotions of  happiness, excitement, high energy, perhaps a giddiness are absent. Rather it is a joy that flows from the sure confidence and certainty that God Almighty is in control of all things. Although people all around us live and move in the haze and murkiness of a life without Christ, outside the fellowship with the God Who formed them, the Christian lives with the awareness that his Lord and Savior is fully aware and attentive to all that concerns us.  The Holy Spirit of God is acting in our world today, yet barely noticeable, hardly perceived. The gravity of so many disregarding His Presence and activity is something that can cause a gracious soul to become burdened with deep concern or even despair in our situation.
Yet our joy is real and present.  It is not depleted by the flow of heightened emotional expressions. Rather it is a source of strength and a quiet foundation that allows us to grasp victory in the midst of falleness.  We have joy and its subsequent strength, because we are confident that God is not moved by the sin and dysfunction in society. His will is  not diminished or hindered by the rebellion of His creation. The murkiness of culture only gives opportunity for light to dispel the haze.
Therefore, when we realize that God has called us to be part of His work in all of this brokenness, and that He has secured our place in the glorious hereafter, we have great joy that doesn't dissipate when we experience it. Instead we have the strength of joy, the certainty of victory, and the impetus to continue forward against any obstacle.
That's one aspect of the joy of the Lord being our strength. May it increase in all of us.