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Dr. Ronald Powell
"The Calling"
By: Ronald K. Powell, PhD, Th.D.
(John 15:16 KJV) Ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you and ordained you that ye should go and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name he may give it you.
- You have been called with a supernatural calling.
You have been chosen out of the billions and billions of people upon this earth for such a time as this. Today I want to show you just a couple of the reasons why God may have chosen you, and in discovering that, we will all be better equipped to do and be all that we have been chosen for.
- You have been called in your weakness not your strength
(1 Cor 1:25-31 KJV)
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling brethren how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble [are called]: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty, and base things of the world and things which are despised hath God chosen [yea] and things which are not to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption: That according as it is written "He that glorieth let him glory in the Lord."
- You have been called to allow Christ to be your strength
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(2 Cor 12:10) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
- God will change what men call you!
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(Neh 9:7) Thou art the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees,
and gavest him the name of Abraham;
You may not be exactly where you have hoped to be by now, but God has still got great plans for you. Plans that you would be of good health and prosper and have a great hope for the future.
- God will change your purpose
(Jer 29:11 KJV) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
- Qualifiers: (God had you in His plan before time began)
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(1 Pet 5: 5) You younger men, likewise,
be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for
GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.6 Therefore
humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,
7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you....
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Matthew 23:12
For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
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- Humility preserves peace and order in all Christian churches and societies; pride disturbs them.
Where God gives grace to be humble, he will give wisdom, faith, and holiness. To be humble, and subject to our reconciled God, will bring greater comfort to the soul than the gratification of pride and ambition.
"You are not who others say you are.(Groeshcel)
God's truth is bigger than other people's opinions about you.
An altar ego is who God says you are.
Two helpful thoughts to establish a God-centered view:
- 1. God can give you a new name. "You will be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow" (Isaiah 62: 2). You will grow into your new name.
- 2. God will give you a new purpose. Simon means unpredictable unstable unfaithful. Jesus gave Simon the new name Peter which means rock. God often takes our greatest weakness and makes it our greatest strength. It's time for you to become who God says you are."
God wants you to know that it is He who is, working all things together for your good.
If you have been putting your money in a bag with a hole in it, if you have been working and working and working and still getting nowhere, maybe you should stop and think about who you are really working for.
- Who do you want to get the glory for this victory?
- Take the spot light off yourself and turn it upon the LORD!
It is not all about you! I know that might come to as a shock to many of you, but God is the one who deserves all the praise and honor and glory! And when you are sincerely able to give Him the glory for all your efforts then he not only shares his glory with you but he lifts you up and gives you your heart's desires.
Romans 11:29 (KJV) For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
Foot Notes:
(Groeshcel) (Zondervan (2013-04-03). Altar Ego Study Guide: Becoming Who God Says You Are (Kindle Locations 66-72). Zondervan. Kindle
Edition.)
May the Lord bless all who seek the Lord's Truth and do not forsake the assembling together this Weekend.
With Christ Love,
Ron & Sheila Powell
NEXT SERVICE: 1:00 Pm - This Sunday @ Crosswinds International 109 Westfaul Dr Macon, Ga. 31216 478-254-3143 |
