April 21, 2023
Published by,
Deborah Negron inspired by a message preached as I pondered on the message. The Lord poured this in.
Worried about being rejected? Concerned with what others think?
Reconsidering a position because of personal fears and anxieties and shortcomings? These are natural responses to life’s conundrums. Life’s questions and the perpetual, “Should I or shouldn’t I,” are part of our make up.
But when we stand before the Almighty and he says to us, we must understand, He designed it all. He is Sovereign over all. He is the one who took the time and the patience to draw us, take the scales off of our eyes and invite us in.
Our doubts and shortcomings are no match for the one who is powerful and able to carry our very lives in the hollow of his hand. He does not think as we do. He does not have a limited perspective. Scripture tells us that he says,
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9
The words I want to hear when ai when I step out of this life and into eternity are clear in my mind.
No matter what the opinions of others has been… No matter what I have thought myself, nor what my own opinions have been in this life, I just want to hear that he is pleased with me.
“His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
Mathew 25:23
I just long to hear these words, “Good and faithful servant you have been faithful over a few things,…enter in to the joy of your Master.”
The Lord knows your heart. Time is short. It is time to do what you have been called to do.
It is not about feelings or preferences. Nor is it about what we desore or do not desire.
God called Moses, he had a speech impediment.
(Exodus 4:10-14)
God called a Joseph through a dream and gave him a dream. He went through trial after trial but in the end, God’s purpose was revealed as he even forgave those brothers that had betrayed him.
(Genesis 50:20)
God chose a little orphan girl who was raised by her cousin. He caused her to be noticed and desired by the king, more than all the maidens of the kimgdom. Yes, this little orphan became a queen. Esther became the deliverer for her people for simply obeying her cousin and following God’s plan. Her people were allowed to fight and not be dsetroyed at the kimgs decree. “She was born for such a time as this.”
(Esther 4:14)
Then here come and look at the most unlikely person. His reputation was frightful. A learned man, an important man in his own right. This man spoke and was given letters to put to death all the followers of Christ.
Then the Lord Jesus knocked him off his ‘high horse’ as it were. The Lord brought him to his knees. The Lord himself called him. And he reply was exactly what ours must be.
And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
Acts 9:5-6
Today, the Lord is calling us to come, to obey, to act, to take a leap of faith. He did not choose these people for their own merits. He did not pick them out by chance.
The Lord had a purpose and plan for their lives since before they were born.
“Salvation is the first call of every believer. Then there comes the call to become a disciple.” These words were the words spoken by one of our beloved pastors. (Ptr. Rafael Inoa).
The first role for the disciple is to walk with the Lord. Following him to and fro. In every stage of life he leads and guides and then he calls us to service.
This means we listen, obey and then, act on his command.
Paul’s response was what our response should be.
He said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
The last individual, I want to point out is the very one who created the universe. The very one whom we know is the Light of the World.
This same Son of God, this Jesus, when faced with the certain death and the cross, in his humanity and sorrow in prayer, said these words…
“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. – Yet not My will, but Yours be done.” – Luke 22:42.
If you obey the word of the Lord and keep his commandment you shall be blessed.
And all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you will obey the voice of the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 28:2
It goes on to declare all the blessings that come when the Lord is, obeyed.
So, today, it is time to prayerfully act and move in what the Lord has called us to do.
Hear his voice. Seek his will, He will speak as you listen and obey.
He says we ought not lean on our own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5). We ought not consider our weaknesses as an impediment for his power. We are instruments in His hands.
Imagine the guitar saying to the guitarist,
“Hey, this is how I must be played.”
Imagine the car telling the driver, “I choose this route today.”
“Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’?
Isaiah 45:9
The truth is, no one’s opinions matter more than God’s opinion of you and what He designed You for.
Your abilities and talents and skill set were all designed for a specific plan.
The issue is we walk around wanting everyone’s approval. We crave their support. We desire to be applauded and noticed and considered worthy. Or we think too little of ourselves and assume there is no value, forgetting that God is the one who chooses us. He is the one whom we matter to. Our value is found in Christ.
Our foolish minds continue to look to those on our same level. But the Lord is above all others.
His plan for us is perfect. It will yield the best outcomes.
He knows what we are made of and still chooses to use us, DUST. He still chooses to allow us to be part of his wonderful plan.
Salvation is for the whosoever. It is for all who listen and come and obey the call to repentance.( John3:16-17).
Then the call to follow comes and after following amd listening and gleaning from him, then the call to service comes.
He will not leave us helpless. He will not leave us unprepared. He goves us his Holy Spirit to be our co.forter and to guide us and lead us and empower us for every task.
However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. John 16:13
We are the light of the world. We are the very ones He chooses to be the reflection of Christ. He makes the Lord’s love and mercy and grace known to others through those whom he calls.
He calls us out of the flock to a higher purpose. We too were like sheep gone astray. But grace and mercy reached us.
Our eyes were opened, our ears were able to hear His call. And now we are called to be i timate and not just be adopted children but to actually become his friends.
The Lord entrusts to those he calls friends, his treasures, so they too, can share his heart.
His desire is that none should perish. Thus he calls us to be that voice crying out, “Come, Come though your sins be as scarlet… He will make you white as snow.”
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
I John 1:9-10
He does not lie. He promises to be with you and lead you and protect you and keep you until he returns for you.
He is coming back.
In the mean time I want to be found doing his will. I want to be fulfilling the call.
I want to be a good servant and a good friend.
The benefits of obedience far outweigh the regret that will come if we do not hear those words….
“Good and Faithful Servant” you have been faithful,… “Come in to the joy of your Master.”
Be encouraged today. Come as you are. He has a plan for you.
If you failed to obey in the past, today is a new day. The door is still open. Just come.
Life and Faith By Deb 
Leave a Reply