My Calling-Their Decision - Disciples Path Ministry

Disciples Path Ministry
Go to content
Articles

My Calling — Their Decision
What is God’s Kingdom
I am committed to advance God’s Kingdom for His glory. According to my understanding of our Bible, God’s Kingdom is called different things but the meaning remains the same. God’s Kingdom, in line with my understanding, consists of the following:
     1)    A King - who is Christ Jesus
     2)    A rule – meaning a King who redeems or saves, atones for, vindicates and governs and by governs I mean Lords over the redeemed
     3)    A people – redeemed people (for example the people of Israel in the Old Testament and the Church in the New Testament)
     4)    A will – law
     5)    A land – land

Rocking the Boat
Armed with my understanding of what God’s Kingdom is, I was drawn to John the Baptizer (John the Baptist) as my model. Note: I use the word Baptizer and not Baptist because, at the time, there were no religious denominations but he did baptize people. I, like he, are called to help prepare people’s hearts through God’s word so they might then receive Christ Jesus in them. To be successful in my calling I find, just as John the Baptizer did, that we often are required to push boundaries. From our Bible, we read where Christ Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this, all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35, NKJV). Christ Jesus definitely pushed boundaries!

Silence the Ego
In 2019, regardless of religious denomination, I see religions of comfortableness. We constantly put convenience ahead of Holiness. This all too common philosophy is simply the Satan at work in us. The self-aggrandizing, self-centeredness is a failure to yield to Christ Jesus, which prevents Him from having control of our lives. Interestingly, we usually forget that the majority of our life is run by our own habits. Our mind will always seek to find first the most comfortable path of least resistance in every decision. Rather than think, we allow this to become a habit so we tend to, for the most part, simply run on “autopilot” throughout the day. Our mind is driven by the “me”, a “self” which always searches for the safest and most comfortable paths. We tend to forget that much of what happens to us is because of this running on “autopilot.” We must constantly silence the “me”, the ego, and listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. That is where my calling lies — though many times pushing the boundaries.

It’s Not About Me
The prophet Isaiah warns me of the following: “Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight” (Isaiah 5:21, NKJV). In addition to that warning, I keep in mind that, “We all speak from within some pattern or another. This means that we can never be entirely objective, either about our own beliefs or in evaluating other peoples” (Nicholls, B., 1996). With that knowledge, I do all in my power to speak the word of God provided to us in our Bible when I minister. I am convinced that I must share humbly with others what my LORD has done for me all the time remembering that my calling is not about me, it is about God, my Creator. I know to help prepare people’s hearts to receive Christ Jesus, it can only be done by the Word of God. Being a true Believer is not easy, but it is simple.

Will the Suffering Go Away
After years of study, I have yet to find anyone in our Bible who, at some time, did not experience suffering. I have not found anyone who always had a comfortable, convenient, easy time of it following God. I never have and never will allude to the notion that by receiving Christ Jesus into your heart your life suddenly becomes a life filled with pretty rainbows and glittery unicorns. There is a reason we must suffer in this life, but that is a topic for another time. Therefore, pain, suffering, physical death, various disabilities, and disappointment are a seemingly unpleasant fact – it is our reality none-the-less. Given this reality, we gravitate toward excessive thinking about what might be or what we want things to be. In other words, Satan takes advantage of our human weak spot and starts us on a path of considering all the “what ifs.” Without the strength and subsequent peace of Christ Jesus in one’s heart, excessive thinking will always lead to sin. Sin, based on my experience, is usually in some form of idol worship. Note: An idol is anything that makes God take second place. Some people do not know they are doing wrong in the eyes of God. However, many know it but consider themselves wiser than their Creator.

My Brief Testimony
This is where my calling comes into play. True respect for God requires an understanding of one’s relationship to his Creator as well as recognition of God’s supreme authority over all of humanity. Peter, an apostle of Christ Jesus shares with us in his First Epistle, (15) “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; (16) having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. (17) For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil” (1 Peter 3:15-17, NKJV). Here is a very brief overview of my defense to everyone who asks me a reason for the hope I have in me.

I believe the biggest reason is the biggest motivation. That motivation is driven by the filthy, disgusting, self-serving, and dishonorable sins of my past. When I finally hit bottom – I knew I deserved to be there. I was prepared to die and actually saw death as my only relief from the disgust I felt for myself. I cried out for God to please kill me or save me. I am here today by and through the mercy and grace of God. Do I still have uncomfortable and dark moments, days, or even seasons in my life now? Yes, I do, and will until I have my physical death. However, I have a new and wonderful life (existence) now! I willingly gave up the idols I cherished and deemed so necessary. Instead of “stuff” in my life, I now have God in my heart. I am at peace in my heart and so — my mind. God is my refuge. He wants to be your refuge also. All you have to do is ask him to be. He requires your invitation though.

Becoming a Disciple
Prepare your heart to receive Christ Jesus. Pray, or simply just earnestly and honestly talk to God. When you do, and I do this regularly, I say to God something very close to the following each time:

LORD Jesus, Son of God, please have mercy on me…I am a sinner. I repent of all my known sins. Please bring to light my unknown sins so I will become consciously aware of them and be able to work on them. I no longer want to serve the flesh and sin. I invite you to search my heart for the truth of my repentance. I pray for your forgiveness. By the power and strength of the Holy Spirit and through your name Christ Jesus I pray this—thank you. Amen and Amen.

Being a true Believer is not easy, but it is simple. Repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Spirit. Then and only then will you be able to walk, talk, and truly learn from our LORD and our God. Then and only then will God permit you to gain greater and greater degrees of understanding of His word — Scripture.

Jesus Sent Them Out in Twos
I believe I had to go through all I went through in order to get to where I am now. I praise God for not giving up on me. I praise God for His amazing love. From my heart to you, I want to share - one’s Spiritual maturity is a slow process so start now! Start your journey with a friend or friends if possible. Start and share your journey with your husband or wife if at all possible.

I am committed to advance God’s Kingdom for His glory. My calling is to help prepare people’s hearts to receive Christ Jesus in their hearts. It is my calling — but ultimately their decision. Amen.
Disciples Path Ministry - St. Augustine, Florida
U.S.A.
Back to content