Today in my Bible reading I was reminded of the repeated refrain of Psalms 42-43… The Psalmist engages in “self-talk” as he struggles with discouragement, despondency and a season of depression… He asks himself, “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? – [And then as someone who trusts the Lord he answers himself from his own faith and confidence in God…] Hope in God! For I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God!” (Psalm 42:5, 11 and 43:5 ESV)
During my “prayer run” today as I reflected on those words A 4-FOLD STRATEGY came to mind… I offer it to anyone today who is experiencing the feelings and situation of the Psalmist…
HEAR O God!
HEED my cry!
HELP me!
…And HALLELUJAH!!!!
Hey, I’m confident He’ll do it – HE’LL HEAR, HEED AND HELP… OH, HALLELUJAH!!!
When I had the privilege of visiting Israel several years ago I remember traveling around the Sea of Galilee and thinking, Jesus walked all over this area with His disciples, teaching the marvelous mysteries of the Kingdom of God to multitudes, healing the sick, and delivering people of demonic control! This morning as I read Mark 1.21-45 during “coffee with the Lord” I was again reminded of the power of God to do the miraculous!!
While Jesus was teaching in the synagogue the service was interrupted by a man possessed by a demon – Jesus commands the demon to be quiet and delivers the man from his control.
Peter’s mother –in-law is sick in bed with a high fever and Jesus comes to her bedside and heals her.
A man with a disease that was considered incurable and terminal – a disease that was socially ostracizing – is healed by the power of God and the compassion of Christ. The man told Jesus, “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” Moved with compassions, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing.” He said. “Be healed!”
The Bible says, “So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases and he cast out many demons… He traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.” (Mark 1.34 & 39).
I believe in the power of God to work miracles! Nothing has changed! God’s power is the same today as it has always been. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever!” the Bible proclaims (Hebrews 13.8. And one more declaration: “He is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us!” (Ephesians 3:20) I’M GOING TO CONTINUE TO TRUST GOD TO PERFORM THE MIRACULOUS… ARE YOU?
When Jesus confronts you and calls you – and you respond to Him your life changes dramatically… HIS CALL IS “FOLLOW ME!” – cease your own pursuits, desires and wishes and become a devoted, obedient Christ-follower… BUT DOES YOUR VOCATION HAVE TO CHANGE?
I was reminded of that this morning during my Bible reading… Here’s Mark’s record of what happened to Simon (Peter), Andrew, James and John… “As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed Him. When he had gone a little farther, he saw James, son of Zebedee, and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Him.” (Mark 1.16-20 NIV)
NOW IT’S ENTIRELY POSSIBLE THAT THE CALL OF JESUS MAY INCLUDE A VOCATIONAL CHANGE … for many it has. But it doesn’t necessarily have to. In fact this is what Paul, the apostle said in 1 Corinthians 7.17-24: “Each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them… Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you – although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave… Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.”
So your vocation may NOT change… but for sure, it will change AVOCATIONALLY! In other words, some may continue to “support their habit” by fishing (or some other legitimate vocation) but their life pursuit – their mission, purpose and calling in life will become “fishing for people” (casting the net to bring lost people to Christ).
