THE OBSESSION, CALLING AND ORIENTATION

10/28/2023

"Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God" (Romans 1:1).

It is ever-important to understand who Christians are and the role they hold in this world. Otherwise, one would easily fall for the seduction that often masquerades with a form of godliness or the lie that real power emanates from acting on self-interest. 2 Timothy 3:5 describes the first group as "...having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" These people say things that seem godly because they lack the understanding of who Christians are or are outright mischievous. In any case, their job is to cause pernicious damage to believers by their theology. 

The other group are not masquerading with religion. Their camouflage is with pleasure and self-actualization. These are the ones whom the Bible describes as people "...whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things" (Philippians 3:19).

In these last days, your job is to know the scriptures for yourself, habituate them, and use them to judge every word, action, or person. Jesus taught us how to distinguish people by their fruit. This was what he meant in Matthew 7:20 when He said, "Therefore by their fruits you will know them."

Fruits are words (Proverbs 12:14), deeds (Psalm 128:2), results (Malachi 3:11), lifestyles (Phillippians 1:11), and offspring (Deuteronomy 28:4). Something else the Master said was that "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit" (Matthew 7:18). This means that we must use the fruits to understand the nature of beings whether they be human or otherwise. 

Now, in judging today's theme scripture and the manner in which Paul self-identified, the Spirit invites you to the bond service of Jesus Christ. You serve at the pleasure of His Majesty. Whatever is pleasing to the King is what obsesses you. Two, His calling on your life should not be left unanswered. What are you called to be in the Church and this world? Do you know and if you don't, are you obsessed enough to find out? And if you do know, are you still obsessed about His call? Does it go to bed with you and get up with you in the morning? 

Lastly, there is the separation unto the gospel of God. And being separated unto the gospel of God is having an orientation that you were born a gospeller and that your preferences are confined to the gospel of God. 

Now, if you are not talking or thinking like Paul in today's theme scripture, there is a call to meditate on these thoughts and make a change. 

Have an excellent day!

Faith-Filled Confession:

My obsession, calling, and orientation revolve around serving Jesus and His Church. My Lord is coming back again and I am aligned to be in His good graces, now and for all eternity. Hallelujah!

Prayer Points:

Psalm 122:6, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you."

• Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. 

• Pray against plans to use the crises in Israel to launch other attacks in the United States.

• Pray for Washington and all who are in positions of authority in the United States.

ONE YEAR READING PLAN: Jeremiah 20-22; 2 Timothy 1