Victory Of Jesus A Reality By The Help Of The Holy Spirit

Do you desire help in your endeavour? I recommend the help of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ enjoyed His help tremendously and was able to fulfill His mission on earth successfully and without stress. The Holy Spirit is the administrator of God's will on earth and so is the best authority to consult in all issues concerning your life. This article tells the impact of His work in Christ's mission on earth.
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him - Acts 10:38 (NKJV)
And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." - Acts 1:4, 8 (NKJV)
Jesus started and ended on earth with the help of the Holy Spirit. Redemption was purely master-minded by the Godhead: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit (the Trinity). God the Father planned it (Genesis 3:15), God the Son (Jesus) executed it (Matthew 1:21) and God the Holy Spirit will bring it to completion (Ephesians 4:30).
Long before the birth of Christ, the Holy Spirit through the prophets prophesied (2 Peter 1:21) all about Jesus: His birth, mission, crucifixion, death and resurrection - Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Zechariah 12:10, Psalm 16:8-11 and Psalm 22. He started with Christ on earth from the very beginning, continued with Him till He departed the earth and remained on earth to perfect the redemption agenda. He continued with the disciples of Jesus and is still helping Christian believers today.
Jesus and the Holy Spirit

• Conception

Jesus was born of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God came upon Mary, and the power of God overshadowed her so that the child born was called Son of God - Luke 1:35. The child was born and He grew and became strong in the Spirit - Luke 2:40.

• Baptism

At the baptism of Jesus Christ, the Godhead manifested themselves significantly: after His baptism and Jesus came up from the water, the Spirit of God descended like a dove and remained on Him, then God's voice came from heaven declaring Jesus His Son, in whom He was well pleased - Matthew 3:16-17.
Jesus was ushered fully into His ministry with these baptisms: baptism by immersion and baptism of the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist, in John 3:34 testified that God gave Christ the Spirit without measure, empowering Him to fulfill His mission on earth.
Jesus confirming the importance of the baptism of the Holy Spirit for success in life and ministry, commanded His disciples to remain in Jerusalem till they were baptized also, so they can fulfill their ministry too - Acts 1:4, 8

• Temptation

Christ, being filled with the Spirit of God after the baptism, was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to prepare for His ministry, and there He was tempted for forty days by the devil - Luke 4:1-15. Jesus resisted every type of temptation the enemy tempted Him with: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (1 John 2:15-17).
At the end of the temptation, the Lord returned full of the power of the Holy Spirit into Galilee. News of Him spread round and people glorified Him as He taught in their synagogues.

• His Ministry

The Spirit of God greatly helped Jesus in His ministry. When He entered a synagogue in Nazareth, His home place, He was giving the scriptures to read. He read from the book of Isaiah, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." After which He declared to them that this scripture was fulfilled in their hearing - Luke 4:18-19 (NKJV)
Peter confirmed the fulfillment of this prophesy when he testified in Acts 10:38, that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.
When the Pharisees accused Christ of casting out demons by Beelzebub, in answering them, He inferred that He cast out demons by the Spirit of God and then warned that anyone who speaks against the Holy spirit will never be forgiven, in this age or the age to come (Matthew 12:24-32)
In one of His teachings, Jesus said that it is the Spirit that gives life and that the very words He spoke were Spirit and are life - John 6:63. So through the words of Jesus, the Holy Spirit gives life into us as we receive these words of Christ.

• Crucifixion

Crucifixion was the most shameful death during the time of Jesus (Philippians 2:8). It was disgraceful and the most dreaded method of execution. It is a slow, prolonged and painful execution in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden cross and left to hang until dead.
Jesus, before being crucified, was scourged to the point that He was so weak that Simon had to carry His cross for Him (Matthew 27:32), and all these for no crime whatsoever of His! This brings to bearing the scripture in Zechariah 4:6, which says that it is not by might nor by power but by the Spirit of God.
The Holy Spirit having shared the love of God for humanity in Christ's heart (Romans 5:5) enabled Him to go through this type of death for the sins of mankind. On the cross, Jesus took your place as a sinner and paid the price that you could not pay with His blood by the help of the Spirit of the Lord.

• Resurrection

In Romans 8:11 and Galatians 1:1, the word of God clearly states that God the Father by His Spirit raised Jesus from the dead. The Holy Spirit, the power of God and administrator of His will, was there on the third day to raise Jesus from the dead as the prophets and Jesus said - Luke 24:6-7.
The resurrection of Jesus completed your salvation process. If Christ has not risen, your faith is useless and you are still in your sins - 1 Corinthians 15:17

• Ascension

The ascension of Jesus marked a new wave of the Holy Spirit. Before Christ's crucifixion in John 16:7 (NKJV), Jesus said to His disciples, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you"
The Holy Spirit only came upon the Kings, priests, prophets and some people for specific assignments in the Old Testament. He was around people but not within them. But on the day of Pentecost, the Spirit came upon the disciples and filled them all (Acts 2:1-4) and has dwelt within anyone baptized with the Spirit of God since then. Now like Jesus said in John 14:12, you can now do the works that He did and even do greater works than He did because He has gone to the Father.
Jesus didn't operate independently of the Holy Spirit. His success in ministry is fully attributed to the work of the Spirit of God that was in Him. If Christ couldn't do without Him, so also you can't do without Him. No one can have a successful life or ministry without the Holy Spirit working in him or her.

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5 Reasons to Turn Your Eyes to Jesus

• Jesus loves you more than anyone on earth He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.1pet2:24

The Bible tells us that God is Love and because of this sent His only son Jesus to us on earth with the sole purpose of dying for us so his blood can save us from destruction, death and bondage. It is because of this love that He left His throne in heaven and came to earth to live among us, to teach us the principles of eternal joy, peace, hope and forgiveness. It is because of His love that He came to take away our pain, He said 'give me all your worries, your sadness' and take my joy and peace. My friend He said, don't look at you situation, its temporal, you just fix your eyes on me Jesus. His love is not conditional like you and me, its not based on feelings like you and I, Jesus loves the unlovable, why? because it is His nature, he can't help it. He died for us on the cross because of this Love.

• He prepares and empowers you to expect and to withstand bad times ahead Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.

Through Jesus teachings, we learn that the world will always be full of sorrows, pain, disappointment's, tragedies, things so horrible we cannot even imagine why it happened. Due to this warning we learn through the bible how to prepare our hearts, feed our minds, guard our eyes, watch our mouth uttering's, learn to adapt to situations, to circumstances, so that when the storm of life does come, like winter and snow after a hot summer, we will not be carried away.
There will be no need to seek solace in drugs, in alcohol, in sex etc, which only temporarily comforts till it becomes an addiction which like a diesease eats up the body till there is nothing left. We already have the formula for storm, Jesus is the sustaining power in time of desperation. Jesus says I am a present help for you in time of trouble

• He helps you to cope with burdens, depression, loneliness, sorrows of the heart Come to me, all you who are troubled and weighted down with care, and I will give you rest Matt:11:28

Jesus says to you my friend are you troubled, lonely, perhaps going through a bad divorce, your loved one died or your child is hooked on drugs etc. He said, why dont you come to me, you have to go to Him, tell Him your troubles, this is what we call prayer theraphy, He is God who makes the impossible possible. How is this possible, because as man we think and reason in a time zoned limited perception. However, Jesus domain is timeless, He is the creator of ALL things, like a car if He is the manufacturer, he will sure know what to do when the car breaks down. So is Jesus, He made you and I and can do what man cannot do.

• He strengthens your mind with the assurance that you are not alone or abandoned Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty Matt:28:20

With Jesus we have the assurance that He will take care of all our needs, materially, spiritually. The bible tells us that he knows what you need even before you ask it, if He can cloth the roses with beauty can you imagine what He has in stock for His own children. Jesus is God over all things visible and invisible. That is why you see people who are poor yet have joy, the secret is Jesus!, they understand the mystery, that Jesus will provide for them. He says to you today, I will never leave you or abandon you. With Him you have nothing to fear anymore. Whether it is your job, business He will take care of it.

• You are born for a reason.He energies you to believe in miracles to live your passion,fulfill your goals and achieve your dreams For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:6

Jesus teaches us that everyone is born for a certain purpose, to add value to the earth, to be fruitful and to multiply. Everyone has gifts, talents, dreams that they want to fulfill, this is His plan for us on earth. Through His word in the bible you become enlightened in wisdom, in direction, you live a life of purpose, you become aware that you are the child of the Sovereign King and have the authority and inheritance as His children, you acquire boldness through the Holy Spirit, direction through the holy spirit, the confidence through your connection with Jesus to rule and to reign, to build, to dream and to be a blesser and being remembered for your good works.
Timidity, fear, rejection, loneliness, depression becomes things of the past cause you have learnt the secret way to paralyse them and put them all under your feet!. That's why you can then say: I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me Phil4:13

Living the Loving Kindness of Encouragement

It was Ravi Zacharias who said there will always be the need of encouragement to meet suffering in the world, because suffering is ever present.
When we finally recognise that suffering is something we carry about in our being, we understand the need of empathy; of understanding the impact of stressors on people, and their aggressive responses. We understand their implicit need of encouragement. And that's how we love people - through anticipating some could appreciate the kindness of our encouragement.
Encouragement is given as a gift of our presence through a kind word, gesture, body language or deed, or combination of these. Kindness is never a normal, human default action. Kindness is always creative, an act of giving up part of ourselves for the other person.
The blessings unfold in encouragement because we experience God's life and power when we choose to give such kindnesses. It's living like we're loved so much that that love overflows into the lives of others as love at least some, at the time, will need.
Few need encouragement all the time, yet many need it regularly, and there are always some who need hope to survive.
Experiences of suffering can never be good, unless we regard God's use of them as instruments that forge compassion.
Suffering generates weakness, which becomes brokenness, which breeds compassion, because if we experience brokenness our hearts are opened to the brokenness probable in others' lives. That upswell of empathy becomes compassion the moment we agree to do something God's Spirit leads us to do.
One sure way to love others all the time is to imagine the struggle in their lives is real.
Living the loving kindness of encouragement is love on target, loving people especially when they're needy. Such love misses no mark.
Sometimes the kindness we give is needed, and it's okay - great, even! - when it's not needed. There should never be a moment, however, where kindness is needed and we refuse to deliver when we could.
There will always be a need of encouragement, and such kindness will never return to the giver void.
If you need encouragement today, and there are some who'll read this who do, God appreciates your faith in Him, the fact that you're choosing harder responses through the strength His Spirit provides. Well done, good and faithful servant. God is teaching you an empathic love in your struggle that is worthy of the compassion of His Son.

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Believe That God Loves You

You don't have to go looking for love when it's where you come from. ~ Werner Erhard
We hear a lot about love. We know we are supposed to love God and one another. The Apostle Paul told the Ephesians to stay rooted and grounded in love. Heck, there's a whole chapter that explains what it means to love - and some of it is not easy. In fact, it's often downright difficult.
• take no account of a suffered wrong
• suffer long and stay kind
• don't be envious or proud
• don't be rude or impatient
• don't be touchy, fretful or resentful
• believe the best of every person (don't gossip or tell tales!)
How does God expect you to do all that? "It's not fair," you might think.
Yet He set the standard and the example. You see, that chapter actually explains how God loves you - unconditionally, eternally and without reservation. He started it - the Love thing!
Before creation, He knew He wanted a family to love and fellowship with, someone to spend time with and talk with, someone to share with and give to. He walked with Adam in the cool of the day. He talked with Abraham and Moses. And He wants to fellowship with you as a child of His heart. And hopefully, like a child, you love Him because He first loved you (I John 4:19).
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us (1 John 4:16). What does His love mean for you?
His mercy is new every morning. He is infinitely patient and kind. He gives grace and favor. He delights in your prosperity. He gives you every good and perfect gift. He loves you.
In the heavenly Throne Room, the angels asked God, "What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor" (Ps. 8:4-5). The word 'angels' is actually the Hebrew word Elohim, God Himself. You are a little lower than God, as a child is to a parent. You are an astonishing being, created by God's own hand, created in His image.
God is not proud, (His Word cautions about pride) but He is pleased with you. Remember what He said of His Only Son? "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." That was when He had only one Son, Jesus. Since the Resurrection, God has 'many sons'. Jesus is now the firstborn among many brethren (Rom. 8:29). It pleases God to have you in His family (I Cor. 12:18).
People often tell me I look 'just like' my mom. Well, (in the spirit) you look just like your Abba, Father.
The older I get, the more I even sound like my mom - saying things to my daughter that Mom said to me. Why? Because there was wisdom in her words that I didn't recognize at the time. Now I understand that her wisdom works.
It's the same with God's Word. There is wisdom and power in His every word. If you will speak 'just like your Daddy', saying what He said with faith in His wisdom, His Word will change your circumstances. Why did He give you His Word? Because He loves you and wants you to have His wisdom and understanding.
Have you ever asked a child, "Who did this?" You already know the answer, but you want them to confess so it's out in the open and can be dealt with. God is no different.
He knows what you did, long before you admit it. But, no matter what you do, if you ask, God forgives immediately (no guilt or condemnation, just correction, as a parent corrects his child). For whom the LORD loves He corrects, just as a son in whom He delights (Prov. 3:12). He delights in you! He forgets your mistakes and wrong-doing. He remembers your transgressions no more. They're gone, erased from the ledger.
God always believes the best of you and wants the best for you! We all know the verse: God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) God gave you Jesus - His best, most precious gift, because He loves you just as much as He loves Jesus.
God has you on His mind. He prepared a place for you before you were born, both here and in heaven. He has a good plan for your life and is constantly working out that plan for your benefit and growth. He wants what's best for you, like any loving parent does. He wants you to become your best, and He's pleased when you do. And He wants to give His best to you.
Jesus understood His Father's mission and His heart. In Matthew, He explained that the King will say to those at His right hand, Come, you blessed of my Father [you favored of God and appointed to eternal salvation], inherit (receive as your own) the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (v. 25:34 AMP)
You are an heir of the most powerful being ever, Almighty God. He has always wanted to give you everything - to bless you exceeding abundantly above all your can ask or think! Jesus is now your Brother, and you have been made to sit together in heavenly places with Him (Eph. 2:6). Spiritually, you are already seated in God's presence, surrounded and infused with His Love.
His blessing in your life flows from His great love for you. Consider these verses:
• I have loved you, says the LORD. (Mal. 1:2)
• ... for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me [Jesus], and have believed that I came forth from God (John 16:27)
• ... the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you (Deut. 23:5)
• Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Rom. 5:5)
• But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8)
• Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work (2 Thess. 2:16-17).
• Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of God! (1 John 3:1)
Those are just a few of the Scriptures that proclaim God's intense love for you. If you study the Bible with intent, it's easy to see that His Love is proclaimed from Genesis to Revelation. As far back as Abraham, He planned for you to be blessed (Gen. 22:18). Even before that, 'in the beginning', the very first book of the Bible, God blessed them saying... He spoke blessing words over His creation, man. He included you when He said it, and those words are still as powerful today as they were when God first spoke them.
When God, at the end of the passage in I Corinthians 13 (the love chapter) proclaims love never fails (v. 8) it's because, according to I John 4:8 "God is love" and God never fails. Whatever He says has to happen because He spoke it. His Words have creative power. There has not failed one word of all His good promise (I Kings 8:56).
Who are those promises for? You! Why has he made so many promises? Because He loves you and wants you to have the very best in life.
• ... the goodness of God endures continually (Ps. 52:1)
• His mercy is everlasting (Ps. 100:5)
• He will not leave you nor forsake you (Deut. 31:6)
• ... no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly (Ps. 84:11)
• If God is for [you], who can be against [you]? (Rom. 8:31)
• Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers (3 John 1:2)
There are dozens of verses like those that show His love, mercy, compassion, favor and blessing. He loves you! Beyond comprehension or reason. He loves you no matter what you may have done. Regardless of the mistakes you've made or the things you've neglected to do.
More than anything, He wants you to understand how special you are to Him. He values you as one of the treasures of His heart. The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. (Zeph. 3:17) God loves you.

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Jesus Loves Homosexuals & Lesbians

I lived with four guys in Bible College, three of which were former homosexuals.
Every human being must first realize that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ (Romans 8:38-39). Jesus purchased for us with His blood newness of life, which we must walk in daily (Romans 6:4). If you remain in willful sin and choose not to do so (Hebrews 12:1; 2:1), your liberty in Christ will be forfeited.
"If we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins but a fearful judgment and fiery indignation from the Lord, which shall devour us" (Hebrews 10:26-27). We who think the shed blood of Christ to be a common thing and take it for granted shall be worthy of a greater punishment (v. 29). Likewise the blessed Holy Spirit that liberates mankind from self and sin, if we after having been sanctified go back like a dog to its vomit, counting the Spirit an unholy thing, we become unworthy of God's grace.
Any child could look at two guys making out and know intuitively something isn't right with that picture. Nature itself teaches us about spiritual things. Gays naturally can't physically procreate (1Corinthians 11:14). Neither can they impart life.
Love is something God gives to all humanity unconditionally. His blessings however are conditional according to our obedience (Isaiah 1:19).
Homosexuals and lesbians version of love is a bit perverted as it doesn't rejoice in the truth (1Corinthians 13:6). To rejoice and yield to iniquity opens the door for demonic activity.
When we forget the counsel of God's Word and lust exceedingly, eventually God Himself will turn us over to our own lusts and send leanness to our souls (Psalm 106:13-15). Many times people so crave and idolize their habitual sin, it becomes an idol and god unto them. Not retaining the holy most high God in their knowledge, their Creator gives them over to a reprobate mind to worship the creation and be defiled thereby (Romans 1:28).
The Bible mentions several demon spirits throughout the sacred text. Here are just a few demon spirits that work heavily to influence and enslave homosexuals and lesbians:
- a lying spirit (1 Kings 22:21-22)
- a spirit of perversion (Isaiah 19:14)
- a spirit of lust (James 4:5)
- a spirit of whoredom (Hosea 4:12; 5:4)
- a spirit of bondage (Romans 8:15)
Not willing to glorify God, preferring to make a vain show in the flesh, sexual perverts dishonor their own bodies and become increasingly vile. Since their foolish hearts are darkened and resistant to the truth, it is very difficult to set them free (Romans 1:20-24). Having changed the truth of God into a lie, they worship the creation rather than the Creator (v. 25).
The Bible mentions "gross darkness" (Isaiah 60:2) that can be "felt" (Exodus 10:21). No human spirit can lie to the Father of spirits above. The sinful, alienated, and isolated soul knows gross darkness that weighs down the heart within. Spiritual heaviness is a gruesome burden that only God above can lift and remove.
God repeatedly and graciously calls out to humanity, stretching out His hand. The loving heavenly Father is continually disregarded, His counsel rejected, and His rebukes not heeded by wayward souls. The end of these self-righteous souls is calamity, fear, desolation, and destruction (Proverbs 1:24-26).
It seems many people who dive head first into perversion eventually become bi-sexual and even resort to bestiality. This is how demons work. Sin opens to door to destruction taking you further than you want to go, keeping you longer than you want to stay, and costing you more than you want to pay.
I have compassion for those bound by all things - addictions, substance abuse, perversion, lust, homosexuality, nicotine, etc. I myself was a slave to sin, pornography, and lust until God opened the prison doors for me. Having been forgiven much, I love much! I now therefore as an anointed servant of Christ mightily arise and endeavor to set the captives free (Luke 4:18; Isaiah 61:1-3).
Basically in simplicity human beings have one of two choices. They can either live in the flesh or in the Spirit (Romans 8). What you think about all day long will reveal what governs you and in which direction you are headed (Romans 8:5). To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace (v. 6).
All sexual sin and perversion can only be overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit within an individual (Romans 8:13). Nobody therefore should be judgmental about any sexual sin - lust, adultery, perversion, homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, etc. Were it not for the beloved Spirit of God, we would all be bound in some type of perversion and selfish distraction. The Holy Spirit liberates the soul and flesh making mankind whole (2 Corinthians 3:17). "It is not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord of hosts" that men are made free to fulfill their divine destiny (Zechariah 4:6).
Let us who think ourselves to be godly and spiritual be merciful. Jesus encouraged us all to show mercy, realizing that we will also at some point in time need mercy (Matthew 5:7). Don't be a judgmental Pharisee. Such an attitude will neither love humanity, nor set them free.
Like Jesus love everyone unconditionally. If in doubt error on the side of mercy and faith, hoping somehow sexual deviants would repent before breathing their last breath and come to Christ. Meanwhile love and live an exemplary life before them so as to attract them to their loving heavenly Father above. Abundant life is for whosoever will (John 10:10). Transformation can come to them in the twinkling of an eye when they are ready to embrace Christ, the cross, and welcome the blessed Holy Spirit.
Jesus said, "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Pray that you not enter into temptation" (Matthew 26:41). You can win this battle against the flesh as you live and daily develop your spirit to be strong within (Ephesians 3:16).
God is most gracious and forgiving to those who humbly acknowledge the error of their ways and repent. Today is the day of salvation for whosoever will. Humbly bow before God in heaven, ask for forgiveness, plead the blood of Jesus to cover your sins, and invite the Holy Spirit that raised Christ from the dead in your heart. When you do, you too can experience a brand new start!
Call me when you do, as I would like to rejoice with and help you on your spiritual journey.

Paul Davis is a worldwide minister with a supernatural touch of God upon his life to set the captives free.
Paul is the author of several books including Breakthrough for a Broken Heart; Are You Ready for True Love; and Adultery 101. Paul is a popular keynote speaker, creative consultant, adventurer, mediator conquering conflict, liberator, and dream-maker.
Paul's compassion for people & passion to travel has taken him to over 50 countries of the world where he has had a tremendous impact. Paul has served in many war-torn, impoverished and tsunami stricken regions of the earth. His organization Dream-Maker Ministries is building dreams, breaking limitations and reviving nations.

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How to Spread the Good News of the Gospel

When we spread the good news of the Gospel, we can expect to face opposition. The apostle Paul was no exception. He boldly preached the Gospel to the Thessalonians in spite of suffering and mistreatment. First Thessalonians 2:1-8 is a model for all Christians to follow, especially when they are called to spread the Good News of the Gospel. In particular, we are to pay attention to the example Paul set for us. His bold preaching was direct and to the point. He did not use words that would please his audience. He did not resort to manipulation. He did not try to "tickle the ears" of his listeners. He did not try to use his ministry for financial gain. Unlike some preachers. Paul was honest, and honesty is refreshingly simple. No ulterior motives or hidden meanings. No need to manipulate people. No matter how much opposition he encountered, he never took his eyes off of his calling to bring people to Jesus.
If we want to build the Christian community, we must proclaim the Gospel boldly. In the words of Dr. Michael Youssef, who is the president of Leading the Way Ministries, we must "passionately proclaim uncompromising truth." We must be fearless when we speak out against things such as social injustice, lax morals or the abuse of power within the Christian community.
Paul was entrusted by God to speak not to please man, but to please God. Paul was entrusted with the Gospel, just like God entrusts all of his people with the Gospel. The Gospel has been safeguarded throughout the nations. It is the responsibility of each generation to safeguard the Gospel for generations to come.
Paul and his fellow missionaries could have made demands as apostles. In particular, they could have asked to be paid for their preaching, but they didn't. Paul made his living as a tentmaker everywhere he went to preach. This supported the claim that the motives of Paul and his colleagues were pure. Lay ministers such as me do not get paid for leading worship services unless they take services in a parish other than their home parish. In my case, I was paid for leading worship services at the United Churches in Liverpool and Bridgewater this past summer. The love of God speaks to the insecurity and the need that is at the centre of greed and as we focus on God's gift of grace, and we remember that in Jesus we have been given abundant, eternal life, there becomes less and less we have to have, less and less we want.
The Christian church does have some ministers with large egos who have to put their pictures on all their books, parade their degrees after their names, or have the best parking places and the nicest offices. They are no better than the Pharisees in Jesus' day. True preachers can't separate their preaching from their daily lives. They must literally "practice what they preach." If only all preachers-indeed-if only all Christians-served one another as Paul served his fellow Christians. He served his fellow Christians in the following ways:
1. He served with boldness, truth and honesty, seeking to please God and not men.
2. He served without flattery, covetousness, or seeking glory from men.
3. He served with labour night and day, seeking to be devout, just, and blameless.
4. He served with the gentleness and affection of a nursing mother and the guidance and encouragement of a caring father.
Paul was an effective witness because of what he did. He lived out his faith in his relationship with God. The only way we can be effective witnesses is to live our faith in our relationship with God and with each other.
Those of us who provide spiritual leadership have to provide tender loving care to our flocks. We have to provide the spiritual nourishment that people need just like a mother cherishes and nurses her children.
Those of us who preach the Gospel must have courage. Courage is often associated with bravery, but courage can take many different forms. Courage is related to confidence, but in this case confidence is less about being right than it is about being comfortable. It means remaining non-defensive when we are challenged, to listen respectfully to others recognizing that God may be speaking to us through them. While we must have the courage to share the Gospel, we must also be vulnerable. We must share what we know and how we strive to live what we know and how we have failed and doubted along our Christian journey.
Evangelism must always be focused on leading people to Christ because it is a matter of their spiritual life and death. Evangelism must be done with a sense of urgency. We must not allow our daily routines to distract us from our Christian duty. We must preach the truth boldly without using tricks or manipulation. We must please God regardless of whether or not there is any growth in the number of Christian followers.
Paul was successful because he, like most good ministers, took the time to cultivate relationships with people. He cared for them by getting involved in their lives. As the old saying goes, people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. He shared himself with them by getting involved in their lives.
Paul was bold and direct in his preaching, but he was also a warm and gentle man. That is why he used the image of a nursing mother in 1 Thessalonians 2:7. Paul and his colleagues were eager to give themselves to others just like a mother gives herself to her family-and just like Christ gave himself for us. Paul also got involved emotionally in their lives. He loved the people he met, and he treated them as people of value. When we love others, we must also treat them as people of value instead of a means to an end. When we talk to others, we must talk about our affections, and that includes the gestures of love and kindness such as hugs, handshakes (like those we use when we pass the peace.
We must lead lives that are stirring enough to start a movement for God. We must have a burning desire to change the world. That must be our passion in life. We must serve others with the tender loving care that Jesus showed. We must encourage each other in our spiritual journey. Even when things look dark and dismal in our broken, human world, God will prevail. God will triumph over evil. God is at work in the world, and he will work through people of faith. God can't be limited. Even God's enemies are used by God to do his work in the world.
God also works through the church. We are his agents of change. We are entrusted with the Good News of unconditional love, never-ending grace and ultimate peace. This means that there is something for each and every one of us to do. There are lots of things we can do in the church such as teaching Sunday school, volunteering with the ACW or the Altar Guild or serving on a committee, church council or parish council, or even serving as a lay minister. There are things we can do in our everyday lives such as being godly parents or children or community members.
We are to be focused on the mission. The only way we can accomplish this mission is to live our lives with integrity. Living a life of integrity means genuinely caring for the people and churches we serve. We must have a passion to make God look good each and every day.
Dr. Haddon Robinson, who is regarded as one of the leading teachers of the art of preaching, once told the story of a writer for a newspaper in Toronto who undertook an investigation into the ethical practices of auto repair shops in his city. He took a spark plug wire off of his engine, making the car run unevenly. He took the car in to different shops and asked them to fix it. Time after time people sold him unnecessary repairs or charged him for repairs that were not done.
Finally, he went to a small garage. A fellow named Fred came out, popped open the hood, and said, "Let me listen to that thing." After a few seconds, he told the reporter, "I think I know what's wrong." He reached down and grabbed the wire, announcing, "Your spark plug wire came off." And he put it back on.
The reporter asked, "What do I owe you?"
"I'm not going to charge you anything," Fred replied. "I didn't have to fix anything; I just reattached the wire."
The writer then told Fred what he was doing and that he had been charged all kinds of money by mechanics looking at that same wire. He asked Fred, "Why didn't you charge me anything?" Fred said, "Are you sure you want to know? I happen to be a Christian and believe that everything we do should be done to glorify God. I'm not a preacher and I'm not a missionary, but I am a mechanic and so I do it honestly. I do it skillfully and I do it to the glory of God."
The next day in the newspaper was a headline that read, "Christian Mechanic, Honest to the Glory of God."
Regardless of what we do for God, we must not tone down his message. Even when our message is challenged, we must not back down. We are to be good shepherds, servant leaders whose job description includes leading others to God. God empowers us as leaders and as followers to build up, to influence and to persuade others. We build and strengthen our community of believers so that we may reach out to serve.

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Recovering The Gospel Of God's Grace

This is close to my central passion - recovering what has either been lost or simply missed in the gospel and then making it clearly and widely known. Oftentimes the gospel gets cluttered with a lot of baggage and dismissed by preconceived ideas. In this article I aim to share a summary of the central message, the climax of the ages; the good news of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
· What this is NOT
First let me clear the ground and tell you what I am not doing - I have not just unearthed a fantastic golden key for unlocking all mysteries, nor am I going to tell you to your open-mouthed amazement that I have just dug up in the Gobi desert, near fossil dinosaur eggs, a scroll that gives a whole new slant on Christianity! Neither am I sharing how to meditate your way into the centre of divine consciousness. With those ideas cleared out of the way, we must ask, "Just what is the gospel - the central biblical message?"
· Christianity is Christ
This is where I am positively sharing the Lord Jesus Christ - he is the centre. In his humanity, Jesus was descended from David, a king of Israel. He who made all things, the eternally pre-existing second Person of the triune living God, was born in Bethlehem. At around 30 years of age, Jesus began his public ministry. He taught with astonishing authority as he announced the imminent royal reign of God, freely shared God's compassion, gave sight to the blind, cleansed lepers, welcomed moral outcasts and raised the dead. These mighty acts accredited and confirmed both Jesus' message and his Person, as Israel's long-awaited royal deliverer - their Messiah and Son of God (see Luke 5:13, Luke 18:41-43, John 11:44, Acts 2:22-24).
· God in action on behalf of others
In his crowning work as both God and man, Jesus gave himself into death as the final, divinely appointed sacrifice for sin (see John 1:29 & Hebrews 10:12), when he was publicly crucified by command of the Roman Governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate. But on the third day Jesus was raised, bodily resurrected by God, with many compelling evidences, as Lord over all for ever. All of this fulfilled what the Old Testament prophets had foretold. All was 'in accordance with the Scriptures' (1 Corinthians 15:3 & 4).
Jesus' setting in history shows that Christianity is rooted in a real person who fulfilled many Old Testament prophecies. We are not merely talking about wonderful ideas, but carefully recorded teaching and events that can be checked out as to their time and place.
· Jesus is Lord and Saviour
Following Jesus' resurrection and ascension to his rightful place of universal Lordship, he began to pour out the Holy Spirit empowering his disciples to spread the news of salvation to all the nations. God has spoken! He has made himself known in Scripture and supremely in the Lord Jesus. Now we may know that as well as creating all things and being himself the moral foundation of the universe, the eternal Son of God has gone to the limits of love, paying the awful price of sin, so that all who turn to him in repentance and faith may be freely forgiven (see Acts 13:38 & Romans 3:23, Ephesians 1:7, 2:8-9). Now they live for him who gave his all for them!
· How much we need to be saved!
The New Testament Scriptures explain how the terrible revolt against God's authority means we all share in the consequences - we are all law-breakers, sinners who continually miss God's perfect standard. We stand condemned, guilty and under sentence of eternal banishment from God. This was the sentence that Jesus willingly endured when he died on the cross. That is boundless grace and love - the self-sacrificing love of God that we see focused - at the cross.
· Grace is always more than you think!
God's grace is at the heart of the good news: Jesus' death is God's grace in action. Now he calls people to receive peace with God and to be justified by faith. And all freely on account of the perfect sacrifice for sins made by the Lord Jesus, God's sinless Son, when he shed his blood, dying upon the cross. Nowhere else will you ever hear of such love as this! This is the extraordinary good news of the grace of God. This is why when God's Spirit moves your heart and mind; you must call upon the Lord, trusting HIM to save you - rescuing you from sin's condemnation.
· You are never too bad!
None are too bad for such a great Saviour! Many indeed, would have written themselves off in their awful excess and hardness of heart unless the Good Shepherd had not lovingly pursued them. Many have felt a great weight of sin and guilt, before they simply trusted that the Lord Jesus has taken their place and died for their sins - Oh, he did it for me, and it can never be undone! They grasp that by faith they may be freely justified - declared 'not guilty'! Oh, the joy that follows - their utter sense of amazed wonder that God would welcome and freely forgive, even THEM! Here in salvation, we see the overflowing riches of God's grace in action! (See Ephesians 1:6 'glorious grace' and 2:7 'the immeasurable riches of his grace'). The Bible is very clear that 'salvation belongs to the Lord!' (Jonah 2:9).
· No-one has reached God's standard
Perhaps you feel you are not that bad and hardly need a Saviour at all, compared with many. This is where you must turn away from such pride, comparing your own performance with others! For, 'All have sinned'! (Romans 3:23).
This is the wonder and astonishment of the ages that God would forgive even those who have little idea how seriously he views their rebellion against himself! Are you amazed that God would freely forgive all who turn to him in repentance and faith? Then seek the Lord while he may be found and get right with him today. Prove that he also is the God of grace for you - overflowing in undeserved favour, as you trust his promise in 'the gospel of the grace of God' (Acts 20:24)!

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Love One Another - The Supreme Commandment

If you were going on a long trip, what would you say to your family and friends before you left? If you knew that you were going to see someone for the last time, what would you say to them? When your children moved away from home, what did you say to them? In each case you probably gave them some instructions of words of advice. Well, in the Gospel passage from John 15:9-17, Jesus gave us and his disciples some final instructions or words of advice. This passage is part of the final instructions that Jesus gave to the disciples the night before he was crucified. It follows the passage about the vine and the branches, but it goes even further. Instead of talking about abiding in each other or loving each other, it talks about serving each other, which goes hand in hand with loving each other.
Jesus knew that the disciples would not find love in the world. He knew that the world would largely hate them and his message. In fact, the world still hates his message today. You only have to remember the recent controversy involving the student who went to school wearing a T-shirt with the message 'Life is empty without Jesus' printed on it to see that this is true. Nevertheless, we, like the disciples, are called to love each other and our fellow man in spite of opposition. When we love each other, we will experience the joy of obeying God.
When we love one another, we also allow the Holy Spirit to dwell in us and grow in us. How it grows will depend on our connection to each other, to God and to his church. The stronger our faith, the more we will do, and it is the things that we do for God and for others that bring glory to God and strengthen the Holy Spirit within us.
Love for others means being willing to die for others. Jesus showed his love for us by dying on the cross for our sins. The men and women who serve in our armed forces also show this same type of love. They and countless other armed forces personnel who served in WWI, WWII and the Korean War as well as in more recent conflicts and peacekeeping missions, were willing to sacrifice their lives for the freedom of others. They were willing to go out of their way for others by dying to save others or coming to the aid of those who were in need-even at their own personal expense, and they are still willing and ready to do so today. Jesus showed how far that type of love can take someone when he died for us. If Jesus could lay down his own life for us, what part of our lives can we give up for others-prejudice, unwillingness to help, envy, material goods, hatred, unwillingness to forgive, or even something else?
God wants us to have relationships that are more than mediocre. Relationship-building takes time and requires compassion, wisdom, empathy, kindness, courtesy and forgiveness. We can't overlook what taking concrete action can mean. We can be active in love for one another. It is a lot of work, and that's fine because God knows that we can do this work, and he knows that what we do will enrich both our lives and the lives of those whom we serve. When we love one another, we act as God's hands and feet to those that he puts in our lives. It does take time, effort and money to be an active friend, but the blessings outweigh the costs.
Loving others as God loved us is the heart of Christian discipleship. Christian life can only exist through human relationships, especially when they are based on mutual respect and humane values-including love. The apostle Peter showed the same type of love in Acts 10:44-48. His love for others, combined with the visions he and the Roman centurion Cornelius had led Peter to minister to Cornelius and his family. When Peter proclaimed the Good News, the Holy Spirit moved within his audience, and it marked both a second Pentecost and the spreading of the Good News to all people (not just the Jews). If the Holy Spirit could move in the hearts of Peter's audience, it can move in the hearts of people in our world today.
I actually prepared this sermon on Mother's Day 2012, so the Gospel reading that this sermon is based on was very appropriate for that day. After all, a mother's love for her children is a prime example of the love Jesus calls on us to have for one another. Mothers make sacrifices for their children, and in some extreme cases (such as domestic violence), they have literally sacrificed their own lives for their children.
People who do not love God will be his enemy until they allow God to be the centre of their lives. When they do, they will be in their appropriate places as obedient friends of God, and God will be in his appropriate place at the centre of their lives. This will happen in our lives at a time when we will surrender our personal desires and obey the will of God. If we are to be fruitful for Christ, we must seek his will for our lives and let him lead us to what he wants us to do for others and for him.
When we love one another, we fulfill the second of Jesus' two Great Commandments. When we love Jesus, he becomes our true best friend. Friends have our best interests in mind, just like Jesus does. Friends will be with us in good times and bad times just like Jesus is. They help us to expand our world, expose us to new and creative possibilities, and sustain us when we are in need.
God has chosen all of us for the purpose of bearing much eternal fruit in such personal characteristics as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These characteristics will grow within us and help us when we tell others about Jesus and lead them into a fruitful relationship with him.
We can say that Jesus is our friend, but can we say that we are his friends? Do we listen to him when he speaks to us, or do we only want him to listen to us? Do we want to know what's on his heart and mind, or do we only want to tell him what's on ours? Being a true friend of Jesus means listening to what he wants to tell us and then using that information to do his work in our world and in our lives.

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Love Others Like Jesus Loves Us

A little boy wanted to meet God. Not knowing where God lived, the boy packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer and started out on his journey. When he had gone a few blocks, he met an old woman who was sitting in the park staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered her a Twinkie. Shed accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer. Once again she smiled at him. The boy was delighted! Together they sat all afternoon eating and smiling.
As it grew dark, the boy realized it was time to go home, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around and ran back to the old woman and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever. When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!".
Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, "Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?" She replied, "I had Twinkies and root beer with God, and you know, he's much younger than I expected."
John 13:31-35 is part of Jesus' farewell speech to his disciples. It takes place on the night before his crucifixion, and he is giving his disciples final instructions for continuing his work, just like many of you might have given final instructions to your families before you moved here to Queens Manor. Many of you have also provided instructions for loved ones at other points in your lives. For example, if you went away on trips you likely gave instructions to other people for picking up your mail, checking on your homes or mowing your lawns. Hopefully most of you have also prepared wills in which you give instructions about how your property is to be dealt with after you die.
In John 13:31-35, Jesus is teaching his disciples about humility, acceptance and love. This particular passage occurs just after Jesus has washed the disciples' feet, and after Judas has left to betray Jesus. Judas' departure began the process by which Jesus was glorified by God. Jesus knew that Judas' actions would result in victory over sin and death, but the disciples didn't realize it even though Jesus told them several times that he would die and rise again. Jesus was their source of comfort and strength, but he knew that they would have to learn to support each other after he returned to heaven. That's one reason why he issued the commandment to love one another. It is also the new commandment that we as his modern disciples are to follow.
Jesus told the disciples that he will be glorified through his death and resurrection. His death and resurrection opened the door of salvation for us. Before we can walk through that door, we have to obey God's commandments, including the new one Jesus introduces in his farewell speech-love each other just like I have loved you. This commandment is not entirely new. The Israelites were told in Leviticus 19:18 to love their neighbours, and Leviticus 19:34 told the Israelites to love both foreigners and fellow Israelites.
This commandment is new for four reasons. First, Jesus was a clear model of the love he requires, and he proved that by washing the disciples' feet. Second, the commandment focuses on the Christian community. We care called on to love everyone-friends, enemies and total strangers. Third, it creates a new covenant based on love and not obedience to all of the Jewish laws. Fourth, this new commandment is open ended. There is no end to the requirement, so we can never say that we have obeyed it entirely. Even if we can't feel affection for someone, we can still help them, and when we do, we show Christ's love.
In his book "Miracle on the River Kwai", Ernest Gordon described an incident in which British prisoners of war tended the wounds of injured Japanese soldiers and fed them. The Japanese soldiers were covered with mud and blood. Their wounds were infected and they were left uncared for by their own people. The British prisoners saw them, took pity on them, bathed their wounds and gave them a little food to eat. They cared for the enemies who starved and beat them and killed their comrades. God broke down the hatred and conquered it with love.
The life Jesus calls us to live is a life lived as a servant of others. The staff here at Queens Manor is a good example. They serve all of you by looking after your needs. They display a true servant's heart. Those who serve others are true disciples of Christ.
We love our neighbours when we seek them out. We love our neighbours when we make ourselves available to serve them, just like the staff here at Queens Manor make themselves available to serve you. We love our neighbours when we shepherd them in their walk with the Lord and teach them in God's Word.
Jesus' humility and service to others, especially when he washed the disciples' feet, is a good example for us to follow. Here was the Master serving others, and not the other way around. If Jesus could serve others, so can we. He showed his love for others by serving them. If he can love others by serving them, we can also love others by serving them.
We don't have the option of ignoring this new commandment. Obeying it is a sign of our love for Jesus. It requires us to throw ourselves on God's mercy. It's hard for us to love others as Jesus commanded because it goes against our human nature. It goes against human reasoning and logic. It's not logical for us to love our enemies or those who hate us. It's not logical to love people who are different from us, or at least that's what the Jews thought. They did not want to love the Gentiles. In fact, the Jews often referred to the Gentiles by names that were rather uncomplimentary, such as "dogs". God showed Peter in the reading from Acts 11:18 that he loves the Gentiles as much as he loves the Jews, and to refuse to accept the Gentiles would be hindering God and opposing his will. When we find it hard to love our enemies or those who are different from us, all we have to do is remember what Jesus did for us. All we have to do to respond to what he did for us to is love our neighbours just like Jesus loves us.

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7 Thoughts From Scripture for Struggling Christian Business Owners

I have seen a lot of articles that list scriptures for Christian business owners, but rarely do they have practical wisdom that goes with them. Yes, scripture can speak for itself, but when we are struggling Bible verses seem to get glossed over by our stressed out mind.
I want to share with you seven Bible verses with seven thoughts and seven insights. I know when I am going through a tough time, it helps me to 'hear' from someone who understands what I am going through. It makes the Bible come to life when someone shares it from a perspective of a Christian entrepreneur.
Worries are like butterflies, they need to be released.
It is easy to worry. There are so many things to think about it can be overwhelming. Take heart... and mind. When we look at the way we try to handle our problems, we often leave God out of the solution. He cares about all the things you go through and is there to help when we ask Him. We must learn to release our worries to God so that He can work wondrous things for us.
Philippians 4:6-7 "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Humility lets us bring others into our struggles.
Sometimes when we get caught up in tough times we try to take on everything ourselves. We must learn to delegate and let others help us. We must bring others in to pray for us and with us. We are leaders in our business, but more than that, we are part of a faith community. God wants us to help us with our anxieties and He may have placed people in your life to do just that. We must remember that God cares for us.
1 Peter 5:6-7 "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
Our reaction to our struggles defines our success.
We don't like to go through hard times, but when we do our reaction to those tough times can make or break us. When we redefine our struggles in light of what God is doing and has done in our lives, we find God's power working even in the tough times.
James 1: 2-4 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Perspectives help us define our problems.
When we go through tough times, we get caught up thinking about all the bad things that could happen. I have an elderly lady at my church tell me, "Quit sowing worries." If you look at your troubles in light of all the things that others are going through, your problems may seem a lot less. Across the world people are starving, being beheaded for their faith and their homes are being destroyed by bombs. How does your problem look compared to those?
Psalm 46: 1-3 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and mountains quake and with their surging."
We can praise God even when times are tough.
David went through some horrible trials. His boss tried to kill him. His best friends betrayed him. His kids killed each other. Yet, through all of these things, he always took time to worship. He looked to God in the good and the bad. There are so many Psalms that start out talking about how bad thing are only to end by focusing his attention back to praising God for all he has.
Psalm 37: 3-6 "Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this; He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun."
Action trumps worry almost every time.
Worrying is what happens when we are not taking action. Christian business owners are people of action. Instead of worrying about the things you cannot change, take action on the things you can. Action will lead to better results than thinking and worrying about your struggles. Take time to write out your problems, get them out of your head and plan a strategy to take care of business.
Matthew 6:25-27 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
You have a purpose
If there is one thing you will see over and over again on this webpage, it is the fact that you have a purpose. You are a Christian. You were created to be an entrepreneur. God placed a desire in your life to help other and you are a Christian business owner who can make a difference in the world. Go and do what God has called you to do.
Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

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