 I have been struck lately by how many times I have used (or could have used) the following phrase while coasting through our MyChurch blogs: "obviously you have been called according to His purpose, because all things are working together for good." This phrase reverses the order of phrases in Romans 8:28. This reversal implies that you as a believer have been called, to a life of service, to a life that is dedicated to God, therefore, all things work together for good, For You! There is a hebrew word, "AVODAH" --a word which encompasses spiritual, communal and work-related "service and worship" to the Israelis. To them work-worship is their whole life. We are called to that same service! So, thank God when you are put through trials and tribulations as James reminds us! 1:2 Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations; 1:3 Knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience. 1:4 And let patience have `its' perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing. There is, of course, one prerequisite. That you love God, His Son, and Spirit. If you don't, consider that TODAY! 8:28 And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, `even' to them that are called according to `His' purpose. 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also foreordained `to be' conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren: Finally, on the subject of an "official holy pastorate or ministry" vs. the "mundane" life that we are all called to, Martin Luther said this: Therefore I advise no one to enter any religious order or the priesthood, indeed, I advise everyone against it - unless he is forearmed with this knowledge and understands that the works of monks and priests, however holy and arduous they may be, do not differ one whit in the sight of God from the works of the rustic laborer in the field or the woman going about her household tasks, but that all works are measured before God by faith alone. - Martin Luther, The Babylonian Captivity of the Church (1520) Some great stories of daily life, of both mundane and dramatic can be found in MyChurch blogs. Some are here: Please, there is room for more in this table! Please comment or message me if you have a testimony past or present! |
Todd's Wife
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