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Post by John on Apr 13, 2018 18:54:34 GMT -5
It is my belief that God has called everyone to some area of service. Not everyone is called to do one of the five-fold ministries: Apostle, Prophet, Pastor, Evangelist or Teacher, but we are all called to serve. I have told this story before, but I never know who has read what, and it has been sometime ago.
Not too long after I was saved, most likely within a year, I was working at a radio station, and I was reading my Bible as the music was playing. I had read through the New Testament once, and then started in Genesis and was reading straight through. At the time, I was somewhere in the gospels, when I heard a voice speak to me out of the blue and said three words, "Preach the Word." Now, those three words are in the Bible, but not where I was reading. I knew right then I was called to preach. I had only read through the New Testament once, so I didn't even remember it was scripture I was hearing, but eventually I saw it. From 2 Timothy 4:2 it says the following...
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Paul was talking to Timothy about his ministry as a Pastor. I did serve as a Pastor for 1 year at an independent church and 2 plus years at a Pentecostal Holiness Church. The Lord has used me as a teacher as well, and I also believe as a Prophet in the sense of giving me divinely inspired messages for a specific time and place. Normally, I would pick a message to share of my own choosing, but for a period of time, every message I believe was for a specific day and time for who would be there. Messages were just given to me each week. I served for a period of time as the Adult Sunday School teacher at the church. Still, the divine calling was three words: "Preach the Word."
There are times where we all wind up stepping in and doing jobs we really aren't suited for. I remember early on, being asked to help out with a boy's club at the church called Royal Rangers. I wasn't qualified for that position, but I still did it to fill a need. I feel like most have done that. Still, we are at our best when we are doing what the Lord called us to do. As such, I am interested to know what those of you here at Narrow Way feel is your divine calling? It can be anything. The Lord has some people that are prayer warriors. He has others who are able to jump in and do almost anything. Everyone is gifted in different areas, so I am asking what you feel is your calling from God? You may not have heard a voice tell you, but I would imagine something has been impressed on your heart.
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Post by frienduff on Apr 13, 2018 20:01:06 GMT -5
Butero I want to see if you can discern what gift the Lord gave me .
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Post by John on Apr 13, 2018 20:22:57 GMT -5
Butero I want to see if you can discern what gift the Lord gave me . There is no question the Lord uses you as an exhorter.
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Post by 2fw8212a on Apr 13, 2018 21:10:45 GMT -5
...Everyone is gifted in different areas, so I am asking what you feel is your calling from God? You may not have heard a voice tell you, but I would imagine something has been impressed on your heart. I like to exhort and to see people seeking to walk on the right track, honoring God and putting His Word in practice.
I like to tell people what they have to hear, positive or negative.
I like to spread the Gospel message and to see people repenting.
I like to see people happy and loving one another in truth.
I like to help people and prefer to give than to receive, be it material or spiritual.
"...And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’" - Acts 20:35
And this is what I feel.
"But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. " - Ephesians 4:7
God bless you all in Jesus' name!
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Melissa7
New Member
FAITH--HOPE--LOVE
Posts: 5
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Post by Melissa7 on Apr 13, 2018 22:35:15 GMT -5
I'm struggling in my walk right now, but I've always felt that my gifts were encouragement and hospitality. I love to encourage others, even if I don't always use scriptures. Making someone feel good about themselves is showing love (or empathy). And it's actually not about me...I just feel drawn to lifting people up.
These are small gifts, I know, but I feel confident in them.
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Post by justinadams on Apr 14, 2018 8:07:38 GMT -5
To answer the OP: I used to think I knew. But over the past few years have suffered such a lot of set-backs that now I am unsure. All my life I was a troubleshooter and fixer of just about anything. I spent many years at the top of my field travelling and fixing customers' systems.
Long story short, I feel that I have failed quite spectacularly as husband, father etc. After Chapter 7, I am now on my own, living off my portion of my retirement in a different country. Rather unimpressive.
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Post by John on Apr 14, 2018 10:20:55 GMT -5
I'm struggling in my walk right now, but I've always felt that my gifts were encouragement and hospitality. I love to encourage others, even if I don't always use scriptures. Making someone feel good about themselves is showing love (or empathy). And it's actually not about me...I just feel drawn to lifting people up. These are small gifts, I know, but I feel confident in them. Don't ever feel like these are small gifts. Every gift of God is important to the church. It is far more important to do what God has called you to and gifted you in than to try to do other things that seem more important in the sight of men. And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.If you get a chance, I would encourage you to read 1 Corinthians chapter 12. Encouragement and hospitality are not small gifts. It is about everybody doing their part, and one member of the body not being lifted up above another in pride.
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Post by John on Apr 14, 2018 10:24:49 GMT -5
To answer the OP: I used to think I knew. But over the past few years have suffered such a lot of set-backs that now I am unsure. All my life I was a troubleshooter and fixer of just about anything. I spent many years at the top of my field travelling and fixing customers' systems. Long story short, I feel that I have failed quite spectacularly as husband, father etc. After Chapter 7, I am now on my own, living off my portion of my retirement in a different country. Rather unimpressive. God gifts some people to be able to step in and fill a need. To use a sports analogy, in baseball, you have players that only play one position all the time, and that is all they are good at, but you also have utility players, who are called upon to step in and play multiple positions when someone is injured or needs a rest. You may be gifted to do a little of many things. Just because you have failed in the past, that doesn't mean God can't use you now. Be encouraged brother. The book is still being written, and you are still here. There is no telling how the Lord may choose to use you going forward.
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Post by ladypeartree on Apr 14, 2018 10:30:48 GMT -5
Melissa a few years ago the doctors in this country went on strike ... few noticed as emergency services covered what had to be done ( life and death situations ) and all others managed .... A few months after the men who collect the rubbish went on strike and the country was in uproar with the army being brought in to do their jobs as people took to the streets to protest and everyone was affected Yet we as silly humans praise doctors and don't often think of the rubbish collectors as anything but people doing a smaller/less important /menial job. You may feel people with " glamorous gifts " are more important but without the " little gifts " that you mention ( and no I don't think they are little as so few people have the grace or calling to do them ) we would be a far sadder people
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Cletus
Senior Member
Posts: 2,517
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Post by Cletus on May 18, 2018 21:33:20 GMT -5
I do not like to talk about what God called me to do because no one believes me, or they say God don't use people like that anymore. and yet God confirmed this to me in the mouth of three witnesses. they did not know each other. and one didn't even speak English and had to show me in the bible and it was in the OT. as soon as i read it my chest was glowing inside and i just knew. but its ok. I know what God does thru me and I know how it impacts the lives of others because when i thought my labors were in vain... i happened to run across someone who i told them about Jesus. They are doing much better now. I dont need to toot my own horn. all glory to God.
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Post by 2fw8212a on May 19, 2018 13:21:49 GMT -5
I do not like to talk about what God called me to do because no one believes me... OK, this is not going to happen here. Please, just tell us.
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PG4Him
Senior Member
Essay Moderator
Posts: 3,570
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Post by PG4Him on May 19, 2018 14:28:28 GMT -5
Some things are too marvelous to talk about in public. We all must use discernment to share what we have liberty to share.
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Post by 2fw8212a on May 19, 2018 14:55:29 GMT -5
Some things are too marvelous to talk about in public. We all must use discernment to share what we have liberty to share. What?!
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PG4Him
Senior Member
Essay Moderator
Posts: 3,570
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Post by PG4Him on May 19, 2018 15:29:25 GMT -5
And I know such a man — whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows — how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. -- 2 Corinthians 12:3-6
Some experiences stay between you and Jesus. If Cletus doesn't feel at liberty to speak in public, we shouldn't push him.
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Post by John on May 19, 2018 16:23:05 GMT -5
I do not like to talk about what God called me to do because no one believes me, or they say God don't use people like that anymore. and yet God confirmed this to me in the mouth of three witnesses. they did not know each other. and one didn't even speak English and had to show me in the bible and it was in the OT. as soon as i read it my chest was glowing inside and i just knew. but its ok. I know what God does thru me and I know how it impacts the lives of others because when i thought my labors were in vain... i happened to run across someone who i told them about Jesus. They are doing much better now. I dont need to toot my own horn. all glory to God. I know how it can be at some places. You will put yourself out there, and share something you are excited about, only to have people jump on you and say it isn't true and accuse you of being false. I try to keep an open mind about things. This isn't WCF. I would love to hear what you believe the Lord has called you to do. Even if I have reservations about it, I promise I won't attack you or put you down. You never know. It just might be you will find people who do believe you.
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