To This You Have Been Called

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray , and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.> 2 Chronicles 7:14

We hear a lot that we have been called of God. I even say it a lot- so what have we been called to?

We have been summoned by God to walk in his blessings, power and love. We have also been called to endure pain, hardship, and temptations. We all would like to think that this is all just a walk in the park. That's just a simple decision that requires nothing more than just receiving our salvation. Now accepting and believing on Jesus is so very important in starting and having a relationship with God.

For Thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, & my feet from falling--I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living--I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted: Ps 116:8-10

What some may not realize is that we will have to go through a whole lot of things that are not fun, just because we have the spirit of the living God. Church visions lately include the warning that we the Body of Christ are going to be tempted of everything that we were once tempted with. That we are to not give into these ungodly desires and not allow ourselves to be pulled away from God. Let me also note that this attack isn't anything personal to us but it is the same thing our brothers and sisters are going through. This is for the goal to stop us from going forward with the gospel of Jesus Christ and to make us not ready when Jesus returns.

When Jesus returns he has already ask us a question pertaining to his return- "Will there be faith on earth?"

Will we be found trusting and waiting on God?

Can we just stay awake for one hour (this season) and watch in order for us to be ready and alert.

We all have our challenges and issues along with it. So are we going to let it cause us to get into fear, dread and worry?

I do get overwhelmed it seems every so often because of this pressure that seems constant to me. Really it comes in seasons and waves. The waves and rounds are coming quicker and seem to increased in strength. My God is still stronger than it all and is the only one that can keep us standing. I have come so close uncountable times in just running from God and his spirit leading me. So close really but God steps in just in time before I make an unwise choice. Without God and his power to keep us on the right track, we all are hopeless without any chance of endurance.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.Galatians 6:9

⁵They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

⁶He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalms 126:5-6

I do not claim to be any different the the rest of you. I go through the same stuff and I have my failures too. I just know that the only way I am going to be able to glorify God is if I take his word seriously. The word of God is so vital to me- it keeps me in remembrance of what God wants me to focus on and also all of his precious promises.

Now if there is anyone out there that is not being pressured, tempted, or harassed at all by the enemy- than I would even question if you have the spirit of God along with are you truly following God.The season that is approaching calls for our spiritual eyes, ears to be alert. God is not confusing. You are either with him or against. You can not be a friend to the world in such a manner that you act and do like them. We strive to follow God to bring him glory. So when we choose to say no to certain things because it goes against God and his word it means we are trying to do right before God and there's power and protection inside of this decision.

"Be always on the watch, & pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:36)

Our God is holy and has called us to be be holy. Not only have we been called to live holy but also separate from the ways of this world. We all have had our times in this world living according to it's ways- so we should know there is a clear difference in following God and this world.

We that are saved by God should and will have his spirit inside of us. God's spirit in us the Holy Spirit in us will also convict us of anything that is against God. Why do we need convicted of our wrong ways? Because our God is holy and has called us to holiness, which is the opposite of sin.

I see and hear people saying they believe in God yet they have no understanding of the ways of God. The path God has called us to isn't this lukewarm faith that bears no evidence of a relationship with God. Anyone that has truly met God has had to go through a cleansing process and has a desire to honor God. Anyone that knows God will not blend in and look like the world's mess and confusion.

The truth of God's word is what has helped me to want to strive and press into God. This following God thing is not blind but God is alive and speaks to us and leads us. If we do not know the God we claim or even know Jesus and the power that rests with him than how can we say we serve God?

Also following God and his word which never contradict each other should not be called crazy by those who supposedly claim God and Jesus as their savior. I have learned that the stuff God wants us to stay away from is for this reason to keeps our hearts clean and our minds unpolluted so we can serve God in the midst of evil.So we can do what he has called us to do- we can not be empowered fully by God's spirit if we are purposely walking in sinful ways.

And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30

Quench not the Spirit.1 Thess 5:19

When I started hearing people calling good bad and evil good it was shocking! Those that claim God are even calling the ones trying to live by God's word a joke! Seriously? A joke or that I must be on drugs or some other lie! Step back and realize this is the position of the opposing side of God. If you are among those who think that God's word and guidelines are not needed than you are in a very dangerous area.

You do not know God and you do not want God to say to you "I never knew you". We are to worship God in spirit and truth. God's truths are to be taken seriously so we can abide in his safety. The only way satan can have access to us and take advantage of us is if we have given him a way in through our known sin. God has probably already convicted us to warn us because God loves us and wants us to remain out of the reach of satan. If we were tuned into God's spirit and listening than we that are lukewarm would in turn be on fire for God. We would actually do as God said to do and be His people for real. Forget letting the haters of God stop you from declaring the truth in love.

We have been called to know the difference in between right and wrong. Serving God and spiritual adultery- idolatry. To know the difference from living like this world and according to God's leading and ways. Why can we not be like the world? So we won't be tainted, destroyed and taken out by satan. So we can finish our race and reach those that need Jesus. We can not be any help to anyone if we don't know God, hear God and love God! "If you love me than keep my commandments" This means obey God and follow him and it will lead to life and restore many others to this life that is only in Christ Jesus.

This is what we strive and aim to do- honor and obey God. This is our hearts desire even if we fall short- this is why God goes by the heart. He know our true intentions. Do you know the one true and living God? Knowing of God and knowing God are completely different. Just like Salvation in Jesus is free- but it will cost you everything. Do you know what this means? Surrender to God's will it will be the start of the greatest adventure of your life. Not easy but the only way to victory and truth.

I get it there are so many wish wash people out there that talk a lot and don't walk it out. These people will get no where with God unless they push through and get some revelation on God's sustaining power, love and forgiveness.

I do take God seriously and have went through a lot to become humble and trust that doing life God's way is the best way for me. I made a lot of mistakes at the beginning but I kept going back to God for instruction and help.I had to go through a lot while I was learning. And I still do have to stay open to God for a life of learning. This is how we go from faith to faith, glory to glory- God is gradually transforming us with each step we take in obedience.

Even still to this day I just can't do it %100 right and need God's mercy, grace, correction and guidance There is always some other area in our life that God is still working on- so staying humble and willing, pliable to God's will allows us to go through any necessary changes.

These days morals have been thrown out the window and people look at you strange because you choose to obey God. To do what is right- what is righteous. If we are going to claim God as our God and say that we are his people than we will do as God has instructed us. Our God is a good God, a good father. Show God respect and honor him with your lives and do what is holy in his sight.

So just as you have an inheritance in Christ you are called to be kings, you are a royal priesthood, righteous, you are an over comer, a new creature, predestined, above and not beneath, a child of God, blessed and not cursed, free from the law, and We can do all things through and in Christ.

Sounds good right?

Well here's where the tough stuff comes in.

We are also called to endure all things, trample under our feet the works of darkness, scorpions & serpents. To stand in the midst of pressure from all sides.To stand through the buffeting of satan. We are to be God's vessels for inflicting damage to satan's kingdom through walking in God's power, filled with his Holy Spirit in the name and authority of Jesus Christ.

We have to grip on to God with everything that is in us and walk through the valleys of death, we have to be one with Christ and move when he moves and speak what he tells us- even as far as praying how we are led by God to.

The bible has warned us of the deception, temptations and trials of the end days. We must understand it is only those that are actively seeking God, obeying God, trusting God that will stand in the midst of pre tribulation and tribulation times on earth.

^{For if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will get himself ready for war?-1 Cor 14:8}

Only God can keep us and protect us- Let us not forget our source and creator who has called us into a battle. We must stay on the side of our God- for our God is Holy and he is a good God- the one and only God.

My son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken ... May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles.Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked (1Tim 1:18-19)

You have been called to walk through the darkness and be a living sacrifice to God for the sake of the people that need Jesus and you- you are the one God has called to reach out and help lead them to Jesus Christ.

But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles(unbelievers) might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.2 Timothy 4:17

In the name of Jesus we walk through fire, waters, storms, warfare, demonic attack, we are strong in the Lord only because of God's doing and are obedience.

Without God we can not finish the call he has on us- it is because of God we can do all thing through Christ.

¹⁷ “‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
¹⁸ Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
¹⁹ I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
²⁰ The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
²¹ And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’Acts 2

Strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said. Acts 14:22

God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.1 Corinthians 1:9