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Archive for the ‘Calling’ Category

When Jesus Doesn’t Care (Not Fair)

Posted in Bible Characters, Calling, Fairness, tagged on April 29, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Martha was upset over all the work she had to do, so she came and said, Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself, tell her to come and help me! — Luke 10:40

Three (3) times in the New Testament Jesus was accused of not caring. One was when Jesus visited in the home of friends.

One of the hosts, Mary, just sat there listening to Jesus while her sister, Martha, was doing all the work. Where was Jesus’ sense of fairness? Maybe Jesus liked Mary more than Martha! That just wasn’t right — if everyone did what Mary was doing nothing would get done!

Sometimes we feel burdened with responsibility while others seem to go scot-free.

This story points to the real reason why we do things for Jesus. Is it because someone has to do them and everyone should have to share the burden or is because we feel called to a particular area of service, even if no one else is, and we offer our service as a sacrifice trusting God knows, cares, and will meet my needs at the right time?

Related Post: “What’s My Calling” – June 27, 2010
— fritz

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A Lesson From Hair

Posted in Belief, Calling, Samson, tagged , on June 24, 2011| 1 Comment »

“Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again …” – Judges 16

The Bible has a story about a man who lost his strength when his hair was cut.

Most are familiar with the story from Judges 16 – a man dedicated to the Lord before birth and called to God’s service, loses his strength through foolish choices, culminating in his hair being cut, him being blinded, abandoned in a foreign prison.  

Most know the ending, his hair grows back and he gains his strength again to topple an entire building, striking vengeance on God’s enemies. 

Such a sad story of loss, regret, death!

Was he a role model of what NOT to do, an example of what happens to those who aren’t careful to maintain their morals?  

And what’s the deal about his hair?  Cutting my hair has no effect on my strength!

A little background may help.

Sampson was a Nazarite.  Nazarites had a few rules, the two most noticeable being: No wine, not even eating grapes, and no razors.  Their abstinence and hair were symbols of dedication to God.  Letting his hair be cut was the final abandonment of his lifelong commitment. 

Here’s the lesson from hair, God was sending a message to us about his call on our lives!

Just as hair grows back with time, God’s purposes and calls endure and return — even after severe loss.

The apostle Paul put it this way:

“Looked at from the long-range perspective of God’s overall purpose … God’s gifts and God’s call are under full warranty—never canceled, never rescinded

Romans 11:29 (Message Bible)

Soundbite: The sacrifice of Christ still pays for all sin, God holds no grudges, and when call to service is given, it endures if we let it.

— fritz@langgang.com

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Jesus Passing By

Posted in Belief, Bible Characters, Calling, Hymns, Jesus, tagged , on May 21, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Two quick stories about Jesus with the same lesson:

The first, after feeding the multitude, Jesus sent his disciples ahead of him by boat but they ran into trouble. A terrible storm was sinking their boat when, to their shock, Jesus was walking past them on the water. Mark records that detail the others missed.

“…about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But they saw him” – Mark 6:48

The second story involved two lesser known disciples who encounter the risen Lord without recognizing him. They walked and talked but then

“[as] they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: … he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us” – Luke 24:28-29a

Without some sort of personal response it seems Jesus is quite content to pass right on by.

Don’t let him do that!

Blind Fanny Crosby put it this way in her famous hymn:

Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

Refrain:
Savior, Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

Let me at Thy throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief,
Kneeling there in deep contrition;
Help my unbelief.

Refrain

Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.

Refrain

Thou the Spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee?
Whom in Heav’n but Thee?

Refrain.

– fritz@langgang.com

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