THE CALL of GOD
Author unknown

The first call God makes upon a life is the invitation to receive His Son that one might be saved. Everyone has that call and all those who respond are called to a ministry of reconciliation. Romans 11:29 tells us the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable or without repentance. In other words, once God has placed a call upon an individual, he will not remove it or take it away. We are given the wonderful privilege of participating in those works prepared for us by Him, even before the foundation of the world was laid.

However, God places different calls on men and women in His kingdom. He defines and clarifies His call as we come under His lordship. An illustration of walking in obedience, for example, is the prophetic call seen in the life of Jeremiah, Chapter 20:9. Jeremiah cries out, “If I say I will not mention or speak anymore in His name, there is in my mind and heart a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with enduring and holding it in; I cannot contain it longer.”

When God called Abram out of Babylon, there was an eternal plan and purpose in His heart. That purpose was to reveal Himself to Abram as God Almighty, bring him into a relationship with his Creator and to appoint him to establish the nation of Israel. God continued revealing Himself; the final revelation was disclosed through His Son, Jesus Christ. Abram’s call brought not only salvation but a place of service as well. This call to Abram was personal, clear and direct. As God continues to call forth, He appoints and anoints for service, but hesitating hearts delay a response.

A woman named Esther heard a call to speak forth on behalf of her people, the nation of Israel. She was told that if she kept silent at that time, relief and deliverance for the Jews would come from another place; and she and her family would perish. Consequently, Esther’s desire to reveal an evil plot to destroy all the Jews was exposed, and she became God’s instrument for saving the Jewish nation.

Rahab, the harlot, heard a call to protect Joshua’s two spies, and her whole family was saved when Jericho fell. Her name went down in the “hall of faith.” (Heb.11:31) Rahab is almost certainly to be identified as the mother of Boaz, ancestor of David, who is included in our Lord’s genealogy (Mt.1:5).

While persecuting Christians, Saul of Tarsus had an encounter with the risen Christ and was called to be an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom.1:1)

The shepherd boy, David, who was on the backside of the field tending sheep, heard the call of God through the prophet Samuel. Upon answering, he eventually became King over Israel. David was one of those “hidden ones” least considered for such an awesome task!

God has spoken through the prophet Joel, and we know that in these last days women are prophesying as that great company of women publishing the Word is being raised up, fulfilling Ps. 68:11. Young’s literal translation of Psalm 68:11 reads: “The Lord does give the saying, the female proclaim are a numerous host.” King James uses the word company, which is feminine! Other translations such as Amplified, Authorized, New American Standard and The Living Bible correctly present the feminine usage. Women of God, are you listening?

Dear Ones, to what has He called you? Is the call unheeded? What is it that burns within your bones and beats within your heart? What is it you cannot contain any longer? His call for service is not a “general” call, but specific, a calling forth!

The suppression of God’s truth has resulted in many women being bound and held in subjection to misinterpretation. To a great extent, this suppression falls upon the accountability of compromising translators and deliberate, perverted interpretation rather than the clear Word of God. When we know God has spoken, there is no other voice to follow. The Lord of the Harvest calls, and His sheep know His voice. A new day is dawning. Women are moving into the liberty of the Spirit and obeying God because they understand their callings. The Holy Spirit is still speaking, “Separate unto Me” and is about the business of setting apart women for specific ministries.

The downcast ones, disturbed within because of hindered spirits, cry, even as the Psalmist, “Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.” (Ps.42: 7) Unwilling to fall into hopelessness and sink into despair, this soul dares to hope in God! The anchor of faith clings to the Lord and the new day that is dawning. Hope in God stirs the faltering heart to answer His call.

II Timothy 2:20-21 tells us: “But in every great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and earthenware, and some of honorable and noble use and some for menial and ignoble use. So whoever cleanses himself, will be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated to the Master, fit and ready for any good work.” Our Lord would remind us “we have been re-created in Christ Jesus that we may do those good works, which He planned beforehand for us, that we should walk in them…” (Amplified Bible, Eph. 2:10). The rewards of obedience are wonderful, so let’s be about our Father’s business.

Additional NOTES by R. M. Lambert-manager

God "calls" us to a purpose and a plan laid out specifically for each of us. Sometimes He makes it known to us way ahead of the time of fulfilling it...this we call a "vision from the LORD".

God will call us to a specific work.. He will allow us to "see" the "vision" but He never tells us what is in between the "call" and the "fulfillment" of what He has shown us. Hab.2:3 says the 'vision is for the end'.

God is so marvelous to us...He shows us the great ending that will be fulfilled thru us if we say "Yes Lord send me", but His wisdom and mercy keeps the steps in between hidden because He knows, if we know what we will have to endure to see the "vision" come to pass, we would surely run and tell Him "no, not me Lord".

He will "brand" your heart with His will and desire to be fulfilled in such a way that we can not run from it or turn from it and be happy. We simply end up like Jonah, running and no where to hide! We sometimes spend long periods in the "belly of the whale" until we say "yes Lord" and go off to do what He has instructed us to do.

Like Jonah we come to realize there is no "turning" or "change of mind" of God's call on us. We can run and be miserable or we can "listen and obey" with great joy and delight in Him, Thankful He has chosen us to serve for the Kingdom.

And like Jonah, when we finally answer Him and are "willing" we see much success for the Kingdom! Praise God!

If "you" are running from the 'calling' of the Lord God and hiding out in some far off land or even on a ship heading there, I employ you Sister, to stop before others throw you over board because of your disobedience. If you have compromised your "vision" for the end work He showed you He desires to do thru you....and you have stopped off in a place where it is more comfortable, it's time to dust off that vision, repent and allow God to put life back in it and get back to the road that leads to fulfillment. It's the only way you will hear in the end,

"Well done My good and faithful Servant, I AM WELL PLEASED"