God's Calling!

[Roughsoul1991]

Greeting Everyone,

My soul is in great anguish over the calling to serve God with all of my life. The Holy Spirit has created a thirst within me especially the last two years. God has become so addicting to try and quench my thirst for his presence and word. The Bible has become my companion, my shield, my sword, my life, and my hope for the future. I have called myself a Christian since childhood and until the last couple of years, my relationship with our heavenly Father has grown so fast I can't seem to keep up. I pray earnestly for guidance and wanting to give God my whole life. That is the point of being on this planet to seek and serve God right? To bring God glory. I seek guidance through God's Word, prayer, Holy Spirit nudges, and wise counseling from my preacher/friends. I know obviously God is preparing me for my purpose in the Body of Christ. I look over my spiritual gifts and try to see where they can apply in my life. But satin desperately is trying to make me feel incapable.
I know right now I seek God's guidance more than ever. My current situation is making me fully trust God. My career in my mind is falling apart. To make this brief I deal with back problems that recently got really worse and the Docs do not recommend surgery but possibly could be my body's way of telling me my hard labor career is not in my best long-term interest. So as of now, I am trying to hang on to what's left of my job since my wife and kids depend on my income. Trust me I already failed the trusting on God too many times in this trial. I risk losing earthly material which only gives me the option to direct my next career toward God. Lol, it is easy to speak that last sentence but to live it out.... tests my faith like no other. When you are faced with losing your main income, insurance, house, car, and the things we Americans consider nice to have. Faith takes on a whole new meaning on relying on God. I would be lying to say I am not scared. But I am truly excited in a weird way to see God turn this test into a testimony. Everything we have is God's and we are only borrowing what He lends us. To test us with what He has given us.
I hope and pray whoever reads this helps me paint a picture of what it looks like to answer God's call. I read the bible and how God called people to do his will. Most had to give up everything or as it says in,
[h=1]Matthew 16:24Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)[/h][h=3]Take Up Your Cross[/h]24 [FONT=&quot]Then Jesus said to His disciples, [/FONT][FONT=&quot]“If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. http://biblegateway.com

[/FONT]I want to make clear I do not fear the choice to follow Christ as a disciple but fear the unknown outcomes as what if type questions. What if I fail? What if I make the wrong choice? What if I am tested beyond I can handle? This is Satin yelling this into my consciousness so loud I have a hard time hearing God. But this is why I fight satin with God's truth and scripture. So I know the answers to the questions. But as any battle, worldly or spirituality, we grow weak and tired. I grow weary because as long as I am awake the battle within burns. The battle to win my soul or to make me weak where I may be vulnerable to sin. May God protect me! I give God all the glory for all I have and all I ever will become. Amen.

Thank you for reading,
Roughsoul​

 

[friendinpeace]

He is a jealous being. If you stand here and say, "I want to follow but my house, my car, my insurance, or anything," he may be looking down and hearing your list as the things which have gotta go, because you want to follow, but you fear for your house, your car, when you should be not concerned with these things because of the presence He has given you. The enemy wants you to fear for these things, because you would do better with them, but if they can be made things to become opposed to your relationship with He who gave you them, they become a problem and they gotta go, in this way he can steal them from you, not to have them for himself, but to take them from you.


You may want to try to get into less physical labor, retail is the easiest to get into, explore opportunities. The enemy hates what you have, he hates you the house your given, the car your given, the armor you wear, the relationship you have, so he comes to cause any disruption he can to your life, fear, lies, mistrust. In the Bible also is the scripture "do not seek money, riches, power, or other earthly things, but instead seek the kingdom of He, after which these other things will be added to you," and others. It sounds like you sought the kingdom when you were a kid, and these things have been added to you, there is no reason within these things for them to be taken away after being added to you, it would make you think He wants you to have nothing. Unless you believe these things are contrary to your relationship with He who gave you these things. So the enemy comes to you and fills you full of thoughts and fears to make you think you are incapable and will not make it without these things, to distract you from not caring one way or the other as long as you and He have a relationship. Let go, do everything pleasing to him and in the extra time it becomes pleasing to take care of yourself. If there is no extra time for this, let things slide because He did not provide you with time to maintain it, if there is, keep up on your things. Consider these things lower than He, and lower than people also, if you are doing what is right in the eyes of He watching, it matters not if you keep things like house, car, if these things are important compared to how you see He who provided them, then they may be taken from you, because they are not fulfilling and actually causing you to go against the will He has for you.


So do not fear over these things, show unconditional trust in He who gives them to you, and you may be deemed worthy to keep these things, in the eyes of a jealous God.


And if at any point you fail, or the outcome the enemy is suggesting to you currently does come to pass, you have been forgiven through jesus, keep going to the right thing, if you fall, you will be caught and lifted back up if you have faith. Tell this to the enemy next time he comes screaming in your ear, that if he is right, and you do fail, fall, miserably fail at glory, defile yourself, choose the wrong thing, or anything else he has suggested to you to make you fear making the decision, tell him you have been forgiven, you will be forgiven, and it does not matter as long as you keep trying, be stern, and let him hear you know this truth on faith of jesus, and there's nothing he can say, so he is wasting his time.


friendinpeace

 

[friendinpeace]

Went through something similar to what you went through, actually heard the verse you referenced and made it a thing to strive for, to let everything fall away so I could be free to roam, didn't want a piece of money or property to my name, the outcome was, it is not a sin to have things, simply do not let them take precedence over what's important

 

[Roughsoul1991]

Thank you brother,

I believe the true issue within my heart is not the possessions but It is the loss of control. I try hard to take care of my wife and kids and was always trying to seek God's guidance in my life which through him my success was possible. But this career honestly made my back worse but I kept pushing because of my family and lack of education to do anything else that even came close to my income. I went to school and got an associates degree in paint and body auto repair. Which through an amazing testimony of God's power, I found myself in a career that has spoiled my way of life. I came from not having much to having all of life's essentials. I am content with what I have and did not see any need to gain more. I make sure to try and put God first in all I do especially with my time. I witnessed at work and spoke about God to any who would listen trying to be the light in the midst of a work environment where God was only welcomed once it benefited them. Not trying to say I am better just trying to explain how lonely it feels to live for God when many only want to live by their own agenda.

I just try to remain positive, trust God, and make sure I stay in his word to not only guide me but bring me hope. I know in the end everything will be okay. I am just not sure what all I will endure until I can look back and say, " Wow God was with me the whole time." My hope is somehow I will be able to go back to school and find a job better on my back that also does not discriminate against my faith.

 

[friendinpeace]

Well start now, the first thing to do would be to cut back on extra and live below your means. Just like when Jacob's son who was kidnapped and brought to egypt, learned of a coming famine after a time of plenty, and stored the nations resources during the time of plenty so much there was more in the time of famine. Every dollar put away today is a dollar you will have when income is not so good. Use your time to pursue the education so you can have a job which won't break your back and make it so you have NO job or income in the future, believe the afflictions in the Bible which were unanimously found to be the presence of spirits, can be driven out with the faith in the authority you have been given by jesus, authority which relies on no one else having faith, and you may be able to heal yourself. Also remember fearing losing everything is lack of faith in the ability He has to protect you and conquer the world for you, lack of faith you can be punished for by He deciding to withdraw his help, take what He gave you, and leave you alone.

You say you fear lack of control, but your perception of control based on doing worldly things is a fallacy. He has authority and dominion over all things, and He has an opinion, you have a way of influencing the way things go in your life, but it is not by your own means, it is by swaying the opinion of He with control, which means doing what pleases He with authority. Having a fear for your car makes your car detestable, because He did not give it to you for you to work for the car's sake. Your house, He did not give you so you would fear above all else losing it. The circumstance is you do not have control, and did not, if you did, you could command these things to not be issue, put pleasing He who does have control over those things, and favor will be won for you, but do not please him to keep your things, please him to return what you can to He who gave you all. The car means nothing, the house means nothing, you mean almost nothing, He means everything exists, put nothing before He who gave you everything, as to do this means you value the thing more than He who provided it. This is the same as worshiping an idol, it spurs the jealousy, He has for things, why do things get more concern and thought than He who made them, for He has the power to make them, these are only things, and the will to give them to you, things do not live. Show He means more, and you can be deemed worthy of infinite things, show the things are worth more, even people, and you will be deemed unable to have anything and still hold highest He who made everything, and you will be deemed worthy to lose nearly everything. Your best means of influence is to please He who gave you what you have on the credit you built by your actions, not by seeking out the methods of acquiring things you can do on your own.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

The objects are not the problem. Supporting my family is the problem. I speak of the stuff to make a point and paint a picture of what I am being tested with. Like I was saying I know where God stands on the objects of this world. But for anyone who stands against losing what me through God's help, provided for my family is no easy pill to swallow even if you know the scriptures. The definition of an idol is something man made being worshiped. So be careful using the word idol. I would say a lot of people really live and breathe football. Obsessed with it to a point it's unhealthy. But they do not worship it as a God. If they did then it would be an idol.

 

[eph610]

Greeting Everyone,

My soul is in great anguish over the calling to serve God with all of my life. The Holy Spirit has created a thirst within me especially the last two years. God has become so addicting to try and quench my thirst for his presence and word. The Bible has become my companion, my shield, my sword, my life, and my hope for the future. I have called myself a Christian since childhood and until the last couple of years, my relationship with our heavenly Father has grown so fast I can't seem to keep up. I pray earnestly for guidance and wanting to give God my whole life. That is the point of being on this planet to seek and serve God right? To bring God glory. I seek guidance through God's Word, prayer, Holy Spirit nudges, and wise counseling from my preacher/friends. I know obviously God is preparing me for my purpose in the Body of Christ. I look over my spiritual gifts and try to see where they can apply in my life. But satin desperately is trying to make me feel incapable.
I know right now I seek God's guidance more than ever. My current situation is making me fully trust God. My career in my mind is falling apart. To make this brief I deal with back problems that recently got really worse and the Docs do not recommend surgery but possibly could be my body's way of telling me my hard labor career is not in my best long-term interest. So as of now, I am trying to hang on to what's left of my job since my wife and kids depend on my income. Trust me I already failed the trusting on God too many times in this trial. I risk losing earthly material which only gives me the option to direct my next career toward God. Lol, it is easy to speak that last sentence but to live it out.... tests my faith like no other. When you are faced with losing your main income, insurance, house, car, and the things we Americans consider nice to have. Faith takes on a whole new meaning on relying on God. I would be lying to say I am not scared. But I am truly excited in a weird way to see God turn this test into a testimony. Everything we have is God's and we are only borrowing what He lends us. To test us with what He has given us.
I hope and pray whoever reads this helps me paint a picture of what it looks like to answer God's call. I read the bible and how God called people to do his will. Most had to give up everything or as it says in,
Matthew 16:24Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Take Up Your Cross

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. http://biblegateway.com

I want to make clear I do not fear the choice to follow Christ as a disciple but fear the unknown outcomes as what if type questions. What if I fail? What if I make the wrong choice? What if I am tested beyond I can handle? This is Satin yelling this into my consciousness so loud I have a hard time hearing God. But this is why I fight satin with God's truth and scripture. So I know the answers to the questions. But as any battle, worldly or spirituality, we grow weak and tired. I grow weary because as long as I am awake the battle within burns. The battle to win my soul or to make me weak where I may be vulnerable to sin. May God protect me! I give God all the glory for all I have and all I ever will become. Amen.

Thank you for reading,
Roughsoul​

If you have been called to serve in ministry have you answered that call? Have you talked to your wife about the call? I know many young men like yourself that have call, but fail from the start because they answer without thought for their wife.

The call must be answered together, not just you. The tug of war you feel is natural for those with call, but with the call comes the sending. The call is preparation for ministry. Many ministers today are bi-vocational, they work and have a ministry. Being a minister to your family and God is first and foremost. If you feel like a new job is in order talk to folks at church, etc.

Those that are called fight the good fight of faith....so fight it, the hindrances are real, Satan loves to distract those with call so they will never, ever answer the call, go through the refinement to be sent. I would sit down and talk with your Pastor or other elders at your church.

What spiritual gifts do you think you have?

 

[Roughsoul1991]

Greetings eph610,

Thank you for your comment and as of right now I am answering God's calling the only way I know how. God has placed a fire within me I can't just ignore. So I read His Word, study, pray, meet with my preacher once a week, I have had outward confirmation. My wife actually is all for me no matter the path I take. She is so confident and loves my relationship with God and my will to help others but my current situation is unsure so I am trying to see how it plays out. I want to get into ministry just not sure where I would fit in the (Body of Christ). I was trying to sacrifice for my wife so that she may go to school. Since I only could afford for her to go. But amazingly through her job, she will be able to get scholarships to fully pay for her schooling. This makes me feel better since my back problems are starting to affect my work life. My closest ministry school is 2 hours away so I have recently looked into getting all my core classes out of the way at my local college and then transfer online. My church had me take a spiritual gift assessment test to help me understand my gifts. I took the test at The Rock Church - San Diego, CA
My results,
15 Discernment
15 Exhortation
15 Pastor/Shepherd
15 Teaching
14 Mercy
14 Prophecy
13 Faith
13 Helps
13 Leadership
13 Service
12 Craftsmanship
12 Miracles
12 Word of Wisdom
11 Giving
11 Healing
11 Hospitality
10 Evangelism
10 Word of Knowledge
9 Administration
9 Apostleship
8 Intercession
7 Tongues (and Interpretation)
http://www.sdrock.com/files/docs/spiritual-gifts-test/spiritual-gifts-explanations.pdf

I understand this is only a test but my highest numbered gifts line up with my life. My preacher and I went over the top 4 and meaning of them. As of right now, I do not know where God is calling me to go but I feel his tug on my heart to move closer to him and live for him.

 

[eph610]

Greetings eph610,

Thank you for your comment and as of right now I am answering God's calling the only way I know how. God has placed a fire within me I can't just ignore. So I read His Word, study, pray, meet with my preacher once a week, I have had outward confirmation. My wife actually is all for me no matter the path I take. She is so confident and loves my relationship with God and my will to help others but my current situation is unsure so I am trying to see how it plays out. I want to get into ministry just not sure where I would fit in the (Body of Christ). I was trying to sacrifice for my wife so that she may go to school. Since I only could afford for her to go. But amazingly through her job, she will be able to get scholarships to fully pay for her schooling. This makes me feel better since my back problems are starting to affect my work life. My closest ministry school is 2 hours away so I have recently looked into getting all my core classes out of the way at my local college and then transfer online. My church had me take a spiritual gift assessment test to help me understand my gifts. I took the test at The Rock Church - San Diego, CA
My results,
15 Discernment
15 Exhortation
15 Pastor/Shepherd
15 Teaching
14 Mercy
14 Prophecy
13 Faith
13 Helps
13 Leadership
13 Service
12 Craftsmanship
12 Miracles
12 Word of Wisdom
11 Giving
11 Healing
11 Hospitality
10 Evangelism
10 Word of Knowledge
9 Administration
9 Apostleship
8 Intercession
7 Tongues (and Interpretation)
http://www.sdrock.com/files/docs/spiritual-gifts-test/spiritual-gifts-explanations.pdf

I understand this is only a test but my highest numbered gifts line up with my life. My preacher and I went over the top 4 and meaning of them. As of right now, I do not know where God is calling me to go but I feel his tug on my heart to move closer to him and live for him.

Theses tests are pretty good indicators and if the test confirmed what you already know in your spirit then you are on your way.

Stay planted in your local church and volunteer in areas you can. I would ask your Pastor if you are able to work on the altar team, your gifting indicates that might be a good place for you. I would also ask your Pastor who the others that have the same gifting you do are volunteering in the church. If they are older than you then stick on them like glue....the Pastor should have mentors available to you, if he does not ask him why.

The back trouble, is simply the enemy attempting to kill, steal and destroy a call before the send....

Once the Holy Ghost tells you what your call is, it will be equally important for your wife to know. Some calls have a greater attack profile from the enemy than others..... I knew a young man in our ministry who was a called Evangelist. His wife was all for it, until the refinements for the sending starting coming up. My wife counseled her through them and he still was sent into his ministry and had a wife that was able to support him and their ministry completely.

Once he answered the call he lost a $75K a year job[he was a professional electrical engineer] and they lost everything, his wife correctly and rightly folded like a dinner napkin,...Once she was properly educated that God has to refine those he calls by trusting in him to be the provider it got better for her....

Many are called but few are "chosen" or "invited"....You do not get called on Sunday morning and sent the next Sunday...a call to ministry is the hardest most difficult thing you will ever do....

 

[Roughsoul1991]

Thank you,

This so far has been the hardest thing I have ever had to face. I will talk to my preacher this Sunday And see if possibly we could also set up an appointment to have him explain to me and my wife the hardship a calling may bring and how to prepare for these trials. I also take note that many chosen people in the bible did not start their chosen path until very late in life as if God was preparing them in their youth. So I also remain patient but feet ready to move.