Misgivings Regarding Jesus

St John 4:11

Have you ever thought, "I am amazed by the profound truths in God's Word, but it seems unrealistic to incorporate them all into my life!" When we evaluate Jesus Christ based on His traits and skills, our attitudes show religious supremacy. We admire His high ideas, but we doubt their practicality and question the feasibility of His proposals. Each individual contemplates this idea regarding Jesus in some aspect of their life. Questions that shift our attention from God can lead to doubts or uncertainties about Jesus. As we discuss our interactions with Him, people inquire, "How will you acquire sufficient funds to sustain yourself?" How will you sustain yourself and who will provide for your needs? Our doubts arise when we believe that our situations are too challenging for Jesus to handle. It is often said that trusting in the Lord is simple in theory, but in practice, individuals must navigate life's challenges. Additionally, Jesus lacks the resources to provide for our needs. Avoid displaying religious deception by claiming, "I have no doubts about Jesus, only doubts about myself." Being truthful, we acknowledge that we never have uncertainties or hesitations about ourselves, since we are fully aware of our abilities and limitations. However, we do have reservations regarding Jesus. We feel a sense of wounded pride when considering that He is capable of things beyond our abilities.

I have doubts because I am trying to understand how He would fulfill His promises by looking within myself. I have misgivings that arise from my own feelings of inferiority. If I notice doubts within myself, I should acknowledge them honestly and confess them, saying, "Lord, I have had doubts about You." I have doubted Your capabilities, relying solely on my own. I have not believed in Your omnipotence save via my limited comprehension of it.

Commitment to Serve

Matthew 20:28

Jesus also stated, "Yet I am among you as the One who serves" (Luke 22:27). Paul believed in serving others much like our Lord did, as stated in 2 Corinthians 4:5, "...ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake." We somehow have the idea that a person called to the ministry is called to be different and above other people. Jesus Christ teaches that one should act as a "doormat" for others, serving as their spiritual guide without asserting superiority over them. Paul stated that he knows how to endure humiliation. Philippians 4:12 Paul's concept of service involved dedicating his life completely to helping others. Whether he was praised or criticized had no impact. Paul felt a sense of obligation to serve any individual who had not yet been introduced to Jesus until they did come to know Him. Paul's primary reason for serving was not love for people, but love for his Lord. Devotion to the cause of humanity may lead to swift failure and disappointment due to encountering significant ingratitude from others. If our actions are driven by our devotion to God, no level of ungratefulness will prevent us from helping each other.

Paul's comprehension of Christ's actions towards him motivates his resolve to assist others. "I used to be a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man..." (1 Timothy 1:13). Simply put, no matter how poorly others treated Paul, their treatment could never match the level of malice and animosity he had shown towards Jesus Christ. When we understand that Jesus has served us despite our shortcomings, self-centeredness, and wrongdoing, we will be unwavering in our commitment to serving others for His sake, regardless of any challenges we face.

Spiritual Perseverance and Discipline

Psalm 46:10

Perseverance surpasses mere endurance. Endurance, along with unwavering confidence and certainty, that what we seek will come to pass. Perseverance is more than simply holding on, as it could also reveal our reluctance to release and face failure. Perseverance is the utmost determination to reject the idea that our hero will be defeated. We fear not damnation, but the defeat of Jesus Christ. Our concern is that the values of love, justice, forgiveness, and kindness that our Lord advocated for may not prevail in the end and could be seen as an unreachable objective for us. Next is the call for spiritual endurance. This is a call to take purposeful action with the assurance that God is invincible.

If our hopes are currently facing disappointment, it indicates that they are undergoing purification. If a wish or dream is noble and aligned with God, it will be fulfilled. One of the most significant sources of stress in life is waiting for God. He delivers fulfillment by persevering and keeping My command. Reference: Revelation 3:10

Persist in your spiritual endeavors.

Do You Genuinely Adore Him?

St Mark 14:6

Love that does not transcend our own self is not genuine love. If we believe that love is defined by being careful, prudent, rational, shrewd, and never taken to extremes, then we have misunderstood its actual essence. While it may evoke feelings of affection and warmth, this definition does not accurately capture the essence of love.

Have you ever been motivated to act for God out of pure love for Him, without considering its usefulness, duty, or personal gain? Have you ever considered that you can offer God things that hold significance to Him? Are you simply idling away, fantasizing about the magnificence of His salvation, while disregarding all the tasks you could be accomplishing for Him? I'm not talking about extraordinary activities that could be seen as divine and magical, but rather about plain, regular human actions that would demonstrate to God your complete submission to Him. Have you ever produced what Mary of Bethany generated in the heart of the Lord Jesus? "She has performed admirably for me."

At times, it appears that God observes to determine if we are willing to offer Him even modest acts of submission, as a demonstration of our authentic love for Him. Surrendering to God holds greater worth than our individual righteousness. Worrying about our own holiness makes us unduly focused on ourselves, leading to excessive care about our behavior and appearance in order to avoid displeasing God. When we are devoted to God, complete love eliminates fear (1 John 4:18). We should stop questioning our utility and acknowledge that we are not very useful to Him. The concern is not about being useful, but about being valuable to God directly. When we completely surrender to God, He will continuously work through us.

Initiating Action against Daydreaming

St John 14:31

Contemplating something to execute it well is appropriate, but pondering it while action is required is inappropriate. After praising His disciples, one may have anticipated our Lord instructing them to reflect on his words. Jesus never tolerated idle daydreaming. Daydreaming is appropriate and permissible when our goal is to pursue God and uncover His intentions for us.

Daydreaming about tasks we've been assigned is inappropriate and does not receive God's blessing. God will prompt us to take action against this type of daydreaming. He will tell us as follows: "Do not remain seated or standing, simply proceed!"

Quietly waiting before God after He has instructed us to "Come aside by yourselves" is considered meditation before Him to seek His will (Mark6:31). Be cautious of indulging in idle daydreaming after receiving a message from God. Let Him be the origin of all your aspirations, happiness, and pleasures, and make sure to follow and adhere to His instructions. When you love someone, do action to show it instead than just daydreaming about them. That is the expectation of Jesus Christ for us.

Daydreaming after receiving divine guidance indicates a lack of trust in God.

Initiating Action Against Monotony

Isaiah 60:1

To combat monotony, we must do the initial action as if there were no divine intervention. There is no benefit in anticipating divine intervention as it will not occur. Upon awakening, we quickly realize that He is present. When God inspires us, acting promptly becomes a moral problem, a question of obedience. We must take action to be obedient and not be inactive. By rising and shining, drudgery will be transformed in a miraculous manner.

Engaging in monotonous and tedious work is a valuable way to assess the authenticity of our character. Drudgery refers to labor that is much distant from what is typically considered as fulfilling or desirable work. It is extremely difficult, tedious, and nasty labor. Experiencing it will test our spirituality and reveal our true spiritual authenticity. Refer to John 13 for reading. This chapter depicts the Incarnate God engaging in an act of extreme drudgery by washing fishermen's feet. He tells them that if he, their Lord and Teacher, has bathed their feet, they should also wash each other's feet (John 13:14). Divine inspiration is necessary for mundane tasks to radiate with divine brilliance. Occasionally, the manner in which an individual performs a duty can render it sanctified and holy indefinitely. Although it is a routine activity, witnessing it being performed can alter our perception of it. When the Lord acts through us, He always changes it. Our Lord transfigures our human flesh, making every believer's body "the temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Inspiration from Spiritual Initiatives

Ephesians 5:14

Not all initiatives, or the inclination to take action, originate from a divine source. You may receive advice to rise and progress. Simply carry out the necessary tasks; seize your hesitancy and set it away! When referring to typical human initiative, we are specifically referring to that concept. Yet, when the divine Spirit communicates with us and instructs us to "arise and take action," we discover that our motivation is promptly ignited.

During our youth, individuals often possess several aspirations and ambitions. However, as time progresses, we gradually acknowledge our lack of ability to actualize them. It is common for us to perceive our aims and objectives as unattainable when we are unable to pursue the things we genuinely desire. However, God manifests to us and issues a directive for us to "resurrect." When we are divinely inspired, we receive an extraordinary force that empowers us to do seemingly impossible tasks, akin to being resurrected from the dead. The phenomenon of spiritual initiative is quite remarkable as it bestows upon us vitality and strength exclusively when we take action and commence our endeavors. God grants us existence as we triumph, rather than existence that is conquered. When we receive divine inspiration and are commanded to "awaken from death," it is our responsibility to rise independently, as divine assistance will not be provided. "Extend your hand," Our Lord instructed the man whose hand had become withered (Matthew 12:13). The man's hand rapidly recovered upon completing the action. However, the responsibility of initiating the action rested solely on him. Currently, we are bestowed with the vitality of being by a divine entity. By proactively surmounting challenges, we shall come to realize that this divine entity serves as our source of motivation.

"Do I have a responsibility to take care of my brother?"

Romans 14:7

Have you ever realized that you have a spiritual responsibility to God for other individuals? For example, if I permit any deviation from God in my personal life, it adversely affects everyone in my vicinity. We are united in a divine realm, occupying a shared space of celestial significance (Ephesians 2:6). The biblical verse from 1 Corinthians 12:26 states that if one member of a group experiences suffering, the other members of the group also experience the same suffering. If you permit the indulgence of self-centeredness, negligence in mental well-being, lack of sensitivity to moral values, or weakness in spiritual matters, all individuals who come into contact with you will experience negative consequences. However, you inquire, "Who possesses the necessary capability to meet such a high standard?" The sole source of our adequacy is in God alone (2 Corinthians 3:5).

"You will serve as witnesses to my presence..." The reference is Acts 1:8. How many individuals among us are prepared to devote all of our psychological, emotional, ethical, and metaphysical resources to Jesus Christ? This is the intended meaning of the term "witness" as used by God. However, the process requires a significant amount of time, hence it is important to exercise patience with oneself. What is the reason behind God's decision to abandon us on the planet? Is it merely a matter of being preserved and made holy? No, the purpose is to engage in labor that serves Him. Am I prepared to be fragmented bread and poured-out wine for Him? Am I prepared to have no significance in this era or existence, save for a singular objective— to be utilized for the purpose of guiding individuals to become devoted followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. My devotion to God is my expression of gratitude for His immensely remarkable salvation. It is important to remember that God has the ability to reject any of us if we choose not to serve Him. As stated in 1 Corinthians 9:27, we should be cautious of becoming disqualified after preaching to others.

A Study on Auditory Perception

Matthew 10:27

Occasionally, God subjects us to the ordeal and training of darkness in order to instruct us in the art of perceiving and following His commands. Songbirds are trained to sing in the absence of light, and God places us in the protective embrace of His guidance until we develop the ability to perceive His voice (Isaiah 49:2). "Pay heed to the words I speak to you in the absence of light..." - Be attentive when God places you in a state of darkness and refrain from speaking while you are in that state. Are you now experiencing a lack of understanding or clarity in your current situation or in your spiritual relationship with God? If such is the case, then please refrain from speaking. Speaking when in the incorrect mood may occur if you open your mouth in the dark. It is more appropriate to listen at this time of darkness. Avoid discussing the matter with others, refrain from seeking answers in literature to understand the cause of the darkness, only listen attentively and comply. Engaging in conversations with others hinders your ability to perceive the divine messages from God. During times of darkness, attentively listen, and God will impart a profoundly valuable lesson to relay to another individual once you have emerged into the light.

Following each period of darkness, it is imperative that we undergo a combination of pleasure and embarrassment. If our experience is solely characterized by delight, I doubt if we have genuinely perceived the presence of God. We should feel elation for having received divine communication, but mostly shame for the prolonged delay in perceiving it! Subsequently, we will say, "I have been remarkably sluggish in my receptiveness and comprehension of the divine messages." However, God has been expressing this message consistently for several days and even weeks. Upon hearing Him, one is bestowed with the gift of humiliation, resulting in a tender-heartedness - a perpetual inclination to heed God's words.

Auditory Dedication

1st Samuel 3:10

Merely because I have attentively and earnestly heeded one aspect of divine communication does not imply that I will heed every utterance from Him. I demonstrate my deficiency in affection and reverence towards God through the callousness of my emotions and thoughts towards His teachings. If I have a deep affection for my friend, I will naturally comprehend his desires without conscious effort. Jesus proclaimed, "You are My companions..." The reference is from John 15:14. Have I violated any of my Lord's commands this week? Had I been aware that it was a directive from Jesus, I would not have intentionally defied it. However, the majority of us demonstrate a remarkable lack of reverence for God due to our failure to perceive His presence. His words were essentially meaningless and had no impact on us whatsoever.

The objective of my spiritual existence is to attain a state of profound connection with Jesus Christ, wherein I am always attuned to God's voice and assured of His attentive response to my prayers (see to John 11:41). Through my unification with Jesus Christ, I am always attuned to God's voice through the practice of devout listening. A flower, a tree, or a devotee of God can serve as a medium for delivering God's word to me. The obstacle preventing me from hearing is my focus on other matters. I am not lacking the desire to perceive God's voice, rather, I am not wholeheartedly committed to the appropriate aspects of my life. I am deeply committed to various pursuits, including service and my own beliefs. Although God may express His thoughts freely, I am unable to perceive His messages. A child of God should consistently adopt the attitude of receptiveness and obedience, saying, "Speak, for Your servant hears." If I have not cultivated and fostered this dedication to listening, I can only perceive God's voice intermittently. Occasionally, I become oblivious to His presence because my focus is directed towards other matters—matters that I believe are necessary for me to accomplish. This does not align with the principles and values of leading a life in accordance with the teachings of God. Have you perceived the auditory manifestation of God's communication today?

Are You Actively Attuning To Perceive and Comprehend Divine Communication?

Exodus 20:19

We do not intentionally and purposefully defy God— we merely fail to heed His guidance. We disregard God's commands not out of deliberate defiance, but due to a lack of genuine love and reverence towards Him. "If you have affection for Me, adhere to My instructions" (John 14:15). Upon recognizing our perpetual display of contempt towards God, we will experience a profound sense of shame and humiliation for our disregard of Him.

"You communicate with us, but do not allow God to communicate with us." Our lack of love for God is evident when we choose to prioritize the words of His servants over His own. We have a preference for hearing human testimonies, but we do not desire direct communication from God Himself. What is the reason for our intense fear when it comes to receiving communication from God? We understand that when God communicates, we are obligated to either comply with His requests or explicitly refuse to follow. However, when we perceive the speaker as merely a subordinate of God, we tend to view obedience as a choice rather than a necessity. We acknowledge your statement, but it is important to note that it is merely your subjective perspective. However, I do not refute the possibility that your statement aligns with an absolute reality.

Do I consistently demean God by disregarding Him, while He affectionately persists in regarding me as His offspring? Upon finally perceiving His voice, the shame that I have inflicted upon Him rebounds back to me. My subsequent reply is, "Lord, why was I displaying such insensitivity and stubbornness?" Upon hearing God, this outcome is invariably manifested. However, our genuine pleasure in eventually listening to Him is dampened by the embarrassment we experience for having taken such a considerable amount of time to do so.

Is Your Perception of God Impaired?

Isaiah 40:26

During Isaiah's day, the individuals who belonged to God had impaired their cognitive capacity to perceive God due to their fixation on worshipping idols. Isaiah directed their attention towards the sky, prompting them to engage their cognitive abilities and imagine accurately. As offspring of the divine, we possess an immense wealth inside the natural world and will come to recognize its inherent sanctity. If we open our minds and utilize our perception to envision, we shall perceive God's presence in the gentle breeze, the dawning and setting of the sun, the clouds above, the blossoming flowers, and the withering leaves.

The true measure of spiritual concentration is in one's ability to exert control over the mind and thoughts. Is your attention fixated on the visage of an idol? Are you the idol? Is this your occupation? Is it your conception of the ideal characteristics of a servant, or perhaps your personal encounter with redemption and spiritual purification? If that is the case, then your capacity to perceive God is obstructed. You will experience a state of powerlessness when confronted with challenges and will be compelled to persevere in a state of darkness. If your ability to perceive has been obstructed, refrain from reflecting on your own encounters, but instead direct your attention towards God. You require the presence of God.

Transcend your limitations and distance yourself from the influence of your idols and any other factors that have been obstructing your critical thinking. Rise and acknowledge the scorn that Isaiah directed at his people, and consciously redirect your thoughts and gaze towards God.

Our diminished ability to imagine is one of the factors contributing to our feeling of futility in praying.

We are unable to conceive of intentionally placing ourselves in front of God any longer. Being broken bread and poured-out wine in the realm of intercession holds greater significance than in our individual interactions with others.

The ability to visualize is a divine gift bestowed to a saint, enabling them to transcend their own limitations and establish meaningful connections that were before unknown to them.

The Price of Sanctification

1st Thessalonians 5:23

When we engage in prayer, beseeching God to sanctify us, do we possess the readiness to meet the true requirements of such a request? We underestimate the significance of the term sanctification. Are we ready to bear the expense of achieving sanctification? The cost will include a profound limitation on all our worldly preoccupations, and a comprehensive cultivation of all our spiritual preoccupations. Sanctification refers to the state of being deeply committed to perceiving the world from God's perspective. To consecrate oneself entails dedicating and preserving all the physical, emotional, and spiritual energy exclusively for the divine purpose of God. Are we truly ready for God to manifest within us all that He has set us apart for? Once He has completed His task, are we then ready to devote ourselves to God in the same manner as Jesus did? "I consecrate myself for their benefit..." The reference is to John 17:19. The lack of understanding of sanctification from God's perspective is the reason why some of us have not yet experienced it. Sanctification refers to the process of becoming united with Jesus, allowing His nature to govern and influence our own. Do we possess adequate readiness to handle the expenses associated with that? It will require the complete sacrifice of everything within us that is not aligned with God.

Are we adequately equipped to comprehend the complete significance of Paul's prayer in this verse? Are we ready to humbly request, "Lord, transform me into the highest degree of holiness possible, recognizing that I am a sinner who has been redeemed through your grace?" Jesus beseeched that we may achieve unity with Him, in the same manner that He is unified with the Father (see to John 17:21-23). The definitive manifestation of the Holy Spirit in an individual's existence is the undeniable resemblance to Jesus Christ, and the liberation from anything that does not resemble Him. Are we ready to distinguish ourselves for the divine influence of the Holy Spirit's actions within us?

Spiritual Despondency

Luke 24:21

The facts all mentioned by the disciples were true, but the conclusions they made were not. Anything that even remotely suggests spiritual despair is always incorrect. It is not God or anybody else's fault if I am melancholy or troubled. One of two things can cause dejection: either my lust has been satiated or it hasn't been. Dejection is the outcome in both situations. Lust signifies "I have to have it now." I demand a response from God out of spiritual lust rather than going to God directly for the solution. What have I been expecting God to accomplish? Is it "the third day" and He hasn't fulfilled my expectations as of yet? Is it then acceptable for me to be depressed and to hold God responsible? We are going astray whenever we demand that God answer our prayers. Reaching out to God, not the solution, is the aim of prayer. Being depressed is incompatible with physical well-being, as depression is an indicator of illness. Spiritually, this is also true. Spiritual dejection is wrong, and we are always to blame.

To witness God's power, we wait for heavenly sights and earth-shattering incidents. We are proof that we do this even in our dejection. However, we are constantly unaware of God's hand at work in the people and situations in our lives. We will see Him if we will simply obey and complete the duty that He has assigned to us. Finding out that we recognize the great Godhead of Jesus Christ in the ordinary things of life is one of the most astounding revelations from God.

Are You Prepared To Be Completely Devoted and Sacrificed As An Offering? (2)

2nd Timothy 4:6

Are you prepared to be completely expended as a sacrificial offering? It is a deliberate choice based on your volition, not influenced by your emotions. Declare your willingness to be consecrated as an offering to God. Embrace the repercussions that arise, without expressing discontent, regardless of the circumstances that God may bestow upon you. God subjects you to a personal situation, in which no other individual can offer assistance. Externally, your life may seem unchanged, yet the transformation is occurring within your volition. After undergoing a personal crisis, you will no longer be concerned about the financial implications when it starts to impact you outside. Failure to address God at the level of your volition initially will only elicit self-pity as a consequence.

Fasten the offering securely to the protruding parts of the altar using ropes. To undergo the process symbolized by the altar, you must be prepared to endure the fire and willingly embrace the burning, purification, and separation it signifies. This process serves the only aim of eliminating any desires or affections that are not rooted in or focused on God. However, it is not you who eliminates it, but rather God.

Ensure that you firmly attach the offering to the protruding parts of the altar and make a conscious effort to avoid indulging in feelings of self-pity once the combustion process commences. Once you have endured the ordeal of the fire, no external force will have the power to disturb or sadden you. Upon encountering another crisis, you will come to the realization that you are no longer affected by things in the same manner as before. What future challenges or obstacles do you anticipate encountering in your life?

Express your willingness to be completely devoted to God, and He will demonstrate that He possesses all the qualities and fulfills all the expectations you have ever had of Him.

Are You Prepared To Be Completely Devoted and Sacrificed As An Offering?

Philippians 2:17

If I am being offered as a libation in conjunction with the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am pleased and find joy in the company of all of you. Philippians 2:17

Are you prepared to selflessly devote your life to the service and advancement of another believer's work, to wholeheartedly dedicate yourself to the ministry and faith of others? Alternatively, do you express reluctance, stating, "I am currently unwilling to fully devote myself, and I am resistant to receiving divine guidance on how to fulfill my duty to God." I desire to personally select the location for my self-sacrifice. I desire to be observed by specific individuals who will acknowledge my accomplishments with praise.

Adhering to God's path of service may be easier if one is esteemed as a hero, but it becomes significantly more challenging when God's plan necessitates assuming a submissive role, akin to becoming a "doormat" beneath the feet of others. Perhaps God's intention is to instruct you in the art of humbling oneself... The reference is Philippians 4:12. Are you prepared to undergo a sacrifice similar to that? Are you prepared to become insignificantly minuscule, to the extent that no one recollects your existence, even while contemplating people whom you have assisted? Are you prepared to offer yourself selflessly and completely, without seeking personal gain or assistance, but rather to serve others? Certain saints are unable to perform humble tasks while keeping a saintly demeanor, as they perceive such service to be beneath their sense of worth.

The Call’s Powerful Attraction

1st Corinthians 9:16

Take care not to ignore God's summons. It is required of every redeemed person to bear witness to their own salvation. That is only an example that can be utilized when preaching; it is not the same as the call to preach. Paul was speaking of the searing pains that the call to proclaim the gospel had caused him to experience in this passage. Never attempt to apply what Paul spoke regarding the obligation to preach to people who are calling people to salvation from God. Since salvation is all God's sovereign act, there is nothing simpler than it: "Look to Me, and be saved." (Isaiah 45:22). Never does our Lord set the same requirements for salvation as he does for discipleship. We are destined for redemption via Christ's Cross. However, discipleship comes with a choice: "If someone... (Luke 14:26).

Paul talks about how we are made into servants of Jesus Christ and that no one ever asks for our permission to do or go where we do. To please Himself, God makes us into shattered bread and poured-out wine. Hearing God's call is what it means to be "separated to the gospel" (Romans 1:1). A suffering that is worthy of the name of Christ is produced once someone starts to heed that summons. All aspirations, all lifelong desires, and all perspectives are abruptly erased and destroyed. There is only one item left: "...separated to the gospel." When that call comes to a soul, woe be to anyone who attempts to follow any other path. The mission of the Bible Training College is to help each of you determine whether God has a man or woman here who genuinely cares about sharing the gospel and to discover if God has called you for this work. Once you feel the call of God, be wary of other calls.

The Divine Summons

1st Corinthians 1:17

Paul asserts that the divine summons is to proclaim the gospel. However, it is important to bear in mind the specific definition that Paul assigns to "the gospel," which refers to the actual process of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. Our preaching is focused on emphasizing sanctification as the ultimate objective. Paul use personal experiences solely as illustrative examples, rather than as conclusive evidence. Our duty is not to speak about salvation or sanctification, but rather to exalt Jesus Christ (see to John 12:32). It is unjust to claim that Jesus Christ worked to redeem me and make me a saint. Jesus Christ worked diligently to achieve redemption for the entire world and to present it in a state of complete restoration and perfection before God's throne. The manifestation of redemption by our ability to undergo it demonstrates the potency of its existence, however this experience is an incidental outcome rather than the primary objective of redemption. Were God to possess human form, He would undoubtedly get weary of the incessant pleas we make for our deliverance and spiritual purification. We constantly impose demands on His efforts throughout the day, seeking personal favors or seeking liberation from undesirable circumstances. Once we grasp the fundamental essence of the message of God, we will cease to trouble Him with little personal grievances.

Paul's sole fervor in life was to disseminate the word of God. He embraced heartache, disillusionment, and adversity just because they reinforced his unwavering commitment to the message of God.

Are You Able to Perceive Your True Calling?

Romans 1:1

Our primary vocation is not to be individuals who are morally pure, but rather to be messengers who proclaim the good news of God. The crucial aspect is the acknowledgment of the gospel of God as the enduring truth. Reality does not consist on human virtue, holiness, paradise, or hell. Rather, it is characterized by redemption. The imperative to comprehend this is the utmost essential requirement of the Christian laborer in the present era. As employees, we must become accustomed to the realization that redemption is the sole truth. Personal sanctity is a consequence of salvation, rather than its origin. If we place our reliance in human goodness we shall go under when trial arrives.

Paul did not claim personal agency in his separation, but rather attributed everything to God, stating "when it pleased God, who separated me..." The reference is to Galatians 1:15. Paul had a limited fascination with his own character. Only by directing our attention on our individual sanctity can we remain distant from the complete actualization of redemption. Christian workers fail when they prioritize their personal pursuit of purity over their pursuit of knowing God. "I refuse to face the harsh truth of redemption for the repulsive aspects of human existence that I am currently surrounded by. Instead, I desire any action that God can take to enhance my self-worth." Speaking in such a manner indicates that I have yet to experience the profound impact of the gospel of God on my life. There is no audacious disregard for God in it. Divine intervention is unattainable as long as my focus remains solely on my personal attributes. Paul lacked self-awareness. He was completely and fearlessly devoted, fully committed, and chosen by God for a specific mission— to spread the message of God's gospel (see to Romans 9:3).

The Predicament of Obedience

1 Samuel 3:15

Divine communication seldom occurs in grandiose forms, but rather in subtle ways that are prone to misinterpretation. Subsequently, we inquire, "Could that be the voice of God?" Isaiah stated that the Lord communicated with him by the forceful influence of his circumstances, referred to as "a strong hand" (Isaiah 8:11). Our lives are only affected by God Himself, and nothing else. Are we able to perceive His influence, or do we view events as mere happenstances?

Develop the practice of uttering the words, "Communicate, Almighty," and existence will transform into a tale of love and adventure (1 Samuel 3:9). Whenever you feel overwhelmed by your surroundings, utter the words, "Speak, Lord," and allocate a period of time to attentively listen. Chastening serves a purpose beyond discipline; its aim is to get me to utter the words, "Speak, Lord." Recall a moment in your past when you experienced direct communication from God. Can you recall the exact words spoken by Him? Was it Luke 11:13, or was it 1 Thessalonians 5:23? As we engage in active listening, our auditory perception becomes heightened, akin to Jesus, enabling us to perceive God's presence consistently.

Should I disclose to my acquaintance "Eli" the divine revelations that have been shown to me? This is the point at which the predicament of obedience confronts us. We defy God by assuming the role of inexperienced deities and believing that we must protect 'Eli,' who symbolizes the most virtuous individuals we are acquainted with. Samuel was not instructed by God to convey the message to Eli; he had to make that decision independently. Receiving God's word may cause emotional pain for your loved one, but attempting to shield them from suffering will create a barrier between your spiritual self and God. By taking action to save someone's right hand from being severed or their right eye from being forcibly removed, you assume the responsibility and the consequences associated with such intervention. This concept is derived from the biblical passage in Matthew 5:29-30.

Do not seek guidance from others over matters that God has entrusted to your own judgment. When seeking guidance, you will consistently align yourself with Satan. "...I did not immediately consult with other individuals..." The reference is to Galatians 1:16.