“Christ’s Answers Lovingly
Lead, Imparting Nurturing Grace! (C.A.L.L.I.N.G)”
By Ramesh
C.Reddy
Pittsburgh Standard
May
10
2008
Editors Note: The devotional has a background song which can be heard if you use Internet
Explorer.
SCRIPTURE:
"When
the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard
him were amazed."
"Where did this man get
these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him,
that he even does miracles! Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's
son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his
sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.” (Mark 6:2-3, NIV)
Observations:
I asked
myself what were the questions those that heard Jesus asked?
-
Where did this man get these things?
-
What's this wisdom that has been-given him,
that He even does miracles.
-
Isn’t this the
carpenter?
-
Isn’t this
Mary’s son?
-
Isn’t this the
brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon?
-
Aren’t his
sisters here with us?
I asked
myself what was their reaction after the questions?
And they took offense at him.
I decided to focus on point
3
today since I focused on
W.I.S.D.O.M yesterday!
Interpretations:
I asked
myself what is the significance of their question, “Isn’t this the
carpenter?”
As a carpenter, they would have
expected Jesus to make crosses, tables, chairs or anything made of wood.
They did not expect Jesus to teach in the Synagogue, amazing the crowds
with His wisdom and miracles. And yet that’s what Jesus did! Many of
them must have known Jesus to be in the carpentry business to think
‘isn’t this the carpenter?’. Now Jesus was amazing them with His Words
and miracles, so they wondered how that could be. What they do not
realize is Jesus had a calling and it was in God’s timing.
Implications:
I saw important implications for
my own life here. Jesus was in the business of carpentry but He also had
a higher calling while He was on earth. Whatever my job is if the Lord
wants to use me, he can. My job may have nothing to do with ministry but
the Lord can open doors to ministry if that is His calling for me. He
will give me the words and power to do ministry for Him and His Kingdom.
This means even though my credentials might be in academia, He can still
use me in other areas.
I am reminded of my own life
when I felt called into the ministry after getting my degree in
psychology. Originally my mission had been to counsel broken hearts with
the love of Christ.
Later, I felt my mission was the University of
Pittsburgh campus where I saw myself as a missionary from India and the
campus being a country. The dormitories were small cities for me that I
wanted to reach with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The class rooms became
small towns. My student ID became my VISA to get entrance into the
country of Pitt. I realized to reach the population of Pitt, I needed to
adapt to Pitt culture. So, I would go to games and become an avid fan in
hopes of making people see that a follower of Christ can have fun too. I
would take classes as a means to reach students with the Gospel. More
than anything, I decided tent-making where I would work within the
University to make a living and have opportunities to present the
Gospel.
People would wonder and still
wonder what I am doing at Pitt when I have different degrees with
multiple minors and can do as high as U.S. Secret Service. Yet, I have
felt so strong about ministry. The answer for me is God’s calling.
I have been honored to do campus
ministry with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship for couple of years at
Pitt and meet students from other chapters too. Now I work full-time
with Sodexho Dining Services as a manager at Pitt but it is a blessing because of the opportunities to still
do ministry. I love my job as a means to do ministry when opportunities
arise.
I share this with you because
people can think something about you but when you sense God’s calling
and act out in faith, it could baffle them and confuse them but just as
Jesus continued to teach in the synagogue and do miracles because it was
God’s calling for Him, I want to continue doing ministry. As I go out in faith, if I make a wrong
choice, I know the Lord will make it right before it is too late.
Even though I have not be
ordained as a pastor because I do not have a seminary degree, I felt I
should do ministry online and did it for almost 40 hrs a week aside from
my job few years ago. People online asked me if I was a pastor. That
was very touching but more than anything it confirmed to me that I did
not need a seminary degree to preach the Gospel and be used by the Lord
as I allow His Holy Spirit to work in me and through me. This however in
no way means when the opportunity arises, I should not take it to go
into seminary if the Lord Jesus wants that for me.
Those I was ministering to online also sent
me money so I could continue to do the ministry and cut down my job
hours. I knew the Lord was using me to save souls on the internet,
disciple people, and make an impact on campus too. It is because of His
will and choosing as I make myself available to Him.
Just as many thought what Jesus
was doing did not match His profession, it is possible people could
think the same way about you. But the bottom line is whatever we are
called to do, the Lord will provide the means and the way.
He is the One
that helps to present the Gospel to others and share what I have been
learning in my devotional times with others. I do not worry that I do
not have a seminary degree because I know the Holy Spirit can speak
through me as His vessel when He chooses and most of all through His
Word.
He can use you too but you have to follow God's calling. I do not
have a seminary degree not because I do not want it. If the Lord calls
me into seminary, I need to go but that is not my calling right now.
I ask you now dear friend, what do you do with
your C.A.L.L.I.N.G in life?
Dear friend, each of us has a calling and we can only take our calling seriously only when we
realize what Jesus Christ did for us and follow His example in
principle. At first, Jesus worked as a carpenter building things. It is
very well possible that Jesus could have built the cross too that He was
crucified on before starting His ministry. We do not know but there is that
possibility. Jesus was called into the ministry to proclaim the Kingdom
of God and for people to turn from their sins but Jesus knew His
ultimate calling was to give His life for humanity, for a world in
bondage to sin. Jesus obeyed His calling no matter how painful, hard, or
troubling the circumstances looked.
To accomplish the mission of His calling, Jesus went to the cross and
died for you and me so that we could be cleansed by His precious
cleansing blood. Yes, friend, Jesus did that for you and me. His blood
was shed for you and His body was broken for you so you can be delivered
from the bondage of sin as you turn to Jesus. Jesus was in agony knowing
the death He would face on the cross and yet Jesus' words were, 'Not my
will, but your will be done'.
Jesus obeyed His calling and because of that we can enjoy Eternal
Life and Salvation by grace no matter what we have done or where we have
been when we acknowledge our sin, confess and repent of our sin,
believing in our heart that Jesus paid the price to set us free, that He
came back to life on the 3rd day to save us, and sits at the right Hand
of the Father now. This is awesome to know that Jesus started as a
carpenter and later became more than a carpenter but using the
profession He was in to give us Eternal life.
Because Jesus took His calling seriously we need to do the same in
principle. This means each of us may be in a position right now where
people identify us based on our academic major or occupation title:
isn’t this the carpenter?, isn’t this the engineer?, isn’t this the
doctor?, etc but our first calling should be to the Lord.
Jesus is calling us to be His very own. We are precious and special
in His sight! This is exciting to know! Yes, friend no matter what you
are faced with, you are special, Oh yes you are. You are precious, oh
yes you are! The Lord Jesus loves you so much. You can be His. That is
His ultimate calling for you and me. Hardships, trials, and tribulations
should not stop that.
Now the secondary calling comes in our profession or professions. We can remain in our
profession and still do ministry for the Lord if that is how He has
called us. At other times, we will be asked to leave the profession we
are in and take up the new calling. Hardships should not stop us here to
if we know this is what the Lord Jesus is calling us to do as our
secondary calling.
The Lord who calls you to
anything will always provide the means and support to get you through.
He will never call you to something without properly equipping,
enabling, and empowering you. So whatever your calling is, trust in the
Lord and in the power of His might. It is not by might, nor by power,
but by my Spirit says the Lord. It is possible to have multiple callings
and the Lord will bless them if it be His will for you.
You can be called to be a doctor
and do missionary work as a doctor; you can be called to be a lawyer and
work for a Christian law firm such as American Center for Law and
Justice (ACLJ); you can be called to be an Engineer and also a Sunday
school teacher; you could be called to be a pastor and also be called to
be married, etc.
The important thing is seeking
the Lord to know your calling. If it is a career, academics,
relationships, etc seek the Lord and His will, then He will make it
known to you and give you the peace. If the Lord speaks to you through
His peace being instilled in you, you know He will instill that peace
for you, for the decisions you have to make. I have also seen the Lord
use other people to give others peace about a decision to know if that
is God’s calling. The Lord can also directly speak to you through His
Word about His calling for you and give you the peace regarding that
calling. Whatever the way the Lord chooses to speak to you, act in faith
and leave the results in the Lord’s Hands.
If the Lord has called you to
something and you are sure about it, He will make sure it happens. If it
does not happen then many times we misread the calling and need to seek
the Lord to make it clear to us. He will make it clear in the ways He
speaks to us! Most of all we have His Word to direct us and lead us, as
we depend on Him through prayer and also the help He wants to give us
through His Church. It is important to remember that every calling of
God also has His perfect timing whether it be a career change,
academics, or relationships. His will could be that something is His
calling for your life but He has to match it with His perfect timing.
My calling right now is to continue to reach out to students with the
love of Christ using my job as a means to ministry, classes as a means
to ministry when I take them, facebook as a means to ministry, and
http://www.pittsburghstandard.com as a means to ministry.
May you know your calling and be
assured of it, for Jesus will not take you on any path of calling
without equipping, enabling, and empowering you! Amen! Turn to the Lord
in prayer and expect His loving answer for Christ's answers lovingly
lead, imparting nurturing grace! Amen!
“Christ’s
Answers Lovingly Lead, Imparting Nurturing Grace!” (C.A.L.L.I.N.G)/”What
do you do with your C.A.L.L.I.N.G in life?”
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for letting me learn about calling. You Oh Lord
you were a carpenter and yet you had a higher calling that amazed the crowds
and made them think how it could be. Lord, you know the jobs we have and
what we are called to. Sometimes, we go our own way and miss the calling
you have for our lives. Sometimes we even let love or our own
insecurities blind us from the calling you have for us. Forgive us when
we do that and take us on the right path please. Jesus, your children
are seeking you for different reasons and want to know your will. Some
need to know the job you want them to have, others need to know the one
you want them to seek as their partner in marriage. Even those who date
need to know if the one they are dating is the right one, if they
should be engaged, and then married. You alone Oh Lord have the answers
to our calling. You Oh Lord have a calling for our lives and we need and
want to know your will. Thank you so much more than anything you
called us to be your very own! We desire for your will and your way in our
lives so no matter what the outcome is we can have the peace that it is
the wisdom that came from you. Please help us Lord. And Lord, there are
times we need to believe and go out in faith when we feel called
to something, so help us to do that as we depend on you. If we have made
the wrong choice, we thank you that you will point it out before it is
too late. We know you will because you go with us, are mighty to save,
delight in us, and quiet us with your love. We need that so much in our
lives as we seek you for the calling of our lives in all areas. Thank
you so much Jesus. Jesus, if what we believed to be your calling does
not seem to happen, please let our pain be covered by your peace if I
may ask Lord. Thank you so much Jesus. Thank you that you hear us
and have answered us! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!
You can give your life to Jesus and gather around Him right now if
you have not already done so by praying the prayer below and meaning it
in your heart.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I love you. Thank
you for loving me so much and thank you for choosing the cross to die
for me. You became the Son of Man and lived here on earth. Then you
humbled yourself and became obedient to death-even death on the cross.
Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. You died on the cross so
that I can be covered in your blood and cleansed by your blood as I
acknowledge that I need you and cannot enter Heaven without you being my
pathway. You became my PASSOVER LAMB! So, Jesus I confess all my sins to
you and all the ways I have tried to get into Heaven when you already
provided the means and the Way. I repent of my sin. Thank you for all
that you have done for me especially forgiving me of my sin so judgment
can PASSOVER. The cross is the place, a wonderful place where accused
and condemned find mercy and grace. Thank you Jesus, it is at the cross
where the wrongs we have done and the wrongs done to us were nailed at
the cross. Thank you Jesus, at the cross you died for our sins and at
the cross you gave your life for us. I thank you for that and thank you
for coming back to life to save us. Thank you Jesus for being there for
me! Thank you for loving me. I love you Jesus! Please take me as I am
and make my life into something that you will be proud of. I surrender
my life to you and need your help to live for you. I am forever grateful
for the cross and what you have done for me and I can never repay you. I
want to live for you and need your help. Thank you that your blood is
for me. Help me Jesus please to live in the power of your Holy Spirit. I
thank you Jesus for saving us! Thank you for hearing my prayer and
answering me. Whatever your will give me the willingness and strength to
bear it. Come into my heart and please make my heart your home. Live in
me Jesus and I will live for you and serve you all the days of my life
as you help me knowing you are my Lord and Personal Savior. You are my
God! Thank you Jesus! I acknowledge you as my Lord and Personal Savior!
In Your Name I Pray precious Jesus! Amen!
Friend, if you have prayed this
prayer and meant it in your heart, you are a new creation in Christ and
all old things are passed away and everything has become new! You may
feel something or may not but don’t base it on feelings but base your
new life in Christ on the promises of our Savior who will never leave
you nor forsake you! Amen!
Spend time in His word and let the Lord
speak to you! Start out in the Gospel of John! You can also check out
the Gospel of Mark which are the devotionals I have been going through.
Learn from Jesus through study and prayer. Also find yourself a church
fellowship and a college fellowship you can be part of where you can be
part of a community of believers to supplement your own walk with the
Lord. Let it be a Bible-believing and Bible-breathing church! Believe in
Bible Live Eternally!
Feel free to email me at
reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible,
pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My
number is 412-720-4579
"This is my
work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work
within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)
Love in Christ,
Ramesh
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' I AM ' Series
Archives:
What kind of L.I.G.H.T do you follow? (Dec 13,
07, 10:09 a.m.)
"What kind of B.R.E.A.D do you eat?" (Dec 08,
07, 10:10 a.m.)
"Who is your S.H.E.P.H.E.R.D?"
(June 30,
06)
Gospel of Mark Archives:
Mark 1:1:
"What does the G.O.S.P.E.L mean to you?" (Jan
15, 08, 1:15 p.m.)
Mark 1:1-4: "How
seriously do you T.E.S.T.I.F.Y about prophesy?" (Jan
12, 08, 11:18 p.m.)
Mark 1:5-8:
"Who do you P.O.I.N.T to?" (Jan 16, 08,
8:48 a.m.)
Mark 1:9:
How will you take a S.T.A.N.D? (Jan 17, 08,
11:21 a.m.)
Mark 1:9-11:
"How is your loving P.R.A.I.S.E?" (Jan 18, 08,
8:53 a.m.)
Mark 1:12-13: "How
do you handle T.E.M.P.T.A.T.I.O.N?" (Jan 19,
08, 12:27 p.m.)
Mark 1:14-15:
How do you handle T.I.M.E given to you? (Jan
21, 08, 1:31 p.m.)
Mark 1:16-18:
"What kind of P.R.O.F.E.S.S.I.O.N are you in?" (Jan
26, 08, 10:22 a.m.)
Mark
1:19-20:
"Without having to P.R.O.C.R.A.S.T.I.N.A.T.E, what should you do?"
(Jan 29, 08,
10:44 a.m.)
Mark
1:20-22:
"How do you rate in the B.U.S.I.N.E.S.S of Jesus?" (Jan
30, 08, 11:29 a.m.)
Mark
1:20-22:
"Whose T.E.A.C.H.I.N.G.S do you follow?" (Jan
31, 08, 11:52 a.m.)
Mark
1:23-28:
"What C.A.P.T.I.V.I.T.Y are you facing today?" (Feb
01, 08, 10:35 a.m.)
Mark 4:3-20:
"What if Jesus talked F.O.O.T.B.A.L.L?" (Feb
02, 08, 10:35 a.m.)
Mark 1:29-31:
"Where do you need H.E.A.L.I.N.G?" (Feb 05,
08, 11:44 a.m.)
Mark 1:32-34:
"Where do you need an A.N.S.W.E.R?" (Feb 06,
08, 11:16 a.m.)
Mark 1:35-39:
"Where do you give your S.O.L.I.T.A.R.Y time to the Lord?" (Feb
07, 08, 11:41 a.m.)
Mark 1:40-42:
"Where do you need to be C.L.E.A.N?" (Feb 09,
08, 11:00 a.m.)
Mark 1:43-45:
"What do your actions C.A.U.S.E?" (Feb 11, 08,
9:23 a.m.)
MARK CHAPTER 2:
Mark 2:1-2:
"What do you do with your P.O.P.U.L.A.R.I.T.Y?" (Feb
12, 08, 9:52 a.m.)
Mark 2:2-5:
"What kind of F.R.I.E.N.D are you?" (Feb
13, 08, 11:49 a.m.)
Mark 2:5-12:
"Where does P.A.R.A.L.Y.S.I.S take hold of you?" (Feb
15, 08, 7:42 a.m.)
Mark 2:5-12:
"What are you thinking in your M.I.N.D?" (Feb
16, 08, 11:08 a.m.)
Mark 2:5-12:
"What do you represent by your A.C.T.I.O.N.S?" (Feb
18, 08, 8:23 a.m.)
Mark 2:13-15:
"Where are you looking for A.C.C.E.P.T.A.N.C.E?" (Feb
19, 08, 11:22 a.m.)
Mark
2:15-17:
"Who do you I.N.V.I.T.E to Jesus?" (Feb 20,
08, 9:57 a.m.)
Mark
2:18-20:
"When do you F.A.S.T?" (Feb 21, 08,
9:32 a.m.)
Mark 2:21-22:
"How do you see your L.I.F.E?" (Feb 22, 08,
9:56 a.m.)
Mark 2:23-28:
"What kind of L.E.A.D.E.R will you be? (Feb
23, 08, 10:46 a.m.)
Mark 2:23-28:
"What does the S.A.B.B.A.T.H mean to you?" (Feb
25, 08, 10:46 a.m.)
CHAPTER 3:
Mark 3:1-6:"Whose
N.E.E.D.S do you meet?" (Feb 26, 08,
9:54 a.m.)
Mark 3:7-8:
"What is your I.M.P.A.C.T?" (Feb 27, 08,
8:17 a.m.)
Mark 3:9-11:
"What S.P.A.C.E do you give yourself?" (Feb
28, 08, 9:38 a.m.)
Mark 3:11-12:
"How do you fight E.V.I.L?" (Feb 29, 08,
9:11 a.m.)
Mark 3:13-16:
"What emphasis do you put on your R.E.L.A.T.I.O.N.S.H.I.P with Jesus?"
(March 01, 08, 9:29
a.m.)
Mark 3:17-19:
"Where do you have your A.P.P.O.I.N.T.M.E.N.T in?" (March
03, 08, 9:49 a.m.)
Mark 3:20:
"Where do you G.A.T.H.E.R?" (March 04, 08,
12:07 p.m.)
Mark 3:21:
"How are your actions seen by your F.A.M.I.L.Y?" (March
05, 08, 10:24 a.m.)
Mark 3:22-27:
"How do you handle S.L.A.N.D.E.R?" (March 06,
08, 7:57 a.m.)
Mark 3:28-30:
"What is your V.I.E.W of Jesus?" (March 07, 08,
8:18 a.m.)
Mark 3:31-34:
"What do you do with God's Will?" (March 08,
08, 8:45 a.m.)
CHAPTER 4:
Mark 4:1-20:
"What do P.A.R.A.B.L.E.S mean to you?" (March
10, 08, 7:15 a.m.)
Mark 4:1-20:
"What if Jesus talked F.O.O.T.B.A.L.L?" (Feb
02, 08, 10:35 a.m.)
Mark 4:1-20:
"Where are you in your W.A.L.K with the Lord?" (March
11, 08, 9:32 a.m.)
Audio:
"Where are you in your W.A.L.K with the Lord?" (March
11, 08, 11:05 a.m.)
Mark 4:21-23:
"What kind of L.A.M.P will you be?" (March 12,
08, 9:40 a.m.)
Audio:
"What do you C.O.N.C.E.A.L?" (March 14, 08,
10:11 a.m.)
"What do you C.O.N.C.E.A.L?" (March 14, 08,
8:52 a.m.)
John 12:12-15:
"How can you B.L.E.S.S the Lord?" (March 17,
08, 1:25 a.m.)
Philippians 2:8:
"What does the C.R.O.S.S mean to you?" (March
20, 08, 1:16 p.m.)
"How do you handle D.O.U.B.T.S?" (March
25, 08, 12:36 p.m.)
Mark 4:24-25:
"What do you do with what you H.E.A.R?" (March
31, 08, 8:39 a.m.)
Mark 4:26-29:
"What do you do with the W.O.R.D of God?" (April
05, 08, 10:18 a.m.)
Mark 4:30-34:
"What do you do with the S.E.E.D?" (April 07, 08,
11:48 a.m.)
Mark 4:35-41:
"What are the S.T.O.R.M.S in your life?" (April 08, 08,
11:52 a.m.)
CHAPTER 5:
Mark 5:1-13:
"Where is your T.O.R.M.E.N.T coming from?" (April 09, 08,
11:50 a.m.)
Mark 5:14-17:
"Where do you need H.E.A.L.I.N.G?" (April 11, 08,
11:46 a.m.)
Mark 5:14-17:
"What do people R.E.P.O.R.T about you?" (April 12, 08,
11:00 a.m.)
Mark 5:18-19:
"What makes you A.F.R.A.I.D of Jesus?" (April 14, 08,
10:40 a.m.)
Mark 5:18-19:
"Will you T.E.L.L others about Jesus?" (April 15, 08,
11:32 a.m.)
Mark 5:20:
"What do you do with your T.E.S.T.I.M.O.N.Y?" (April
16, 08,
12:03 p.m.)
Proverbs 17:4:
"What does G.O.S.S.I.P do to you?" (April 17, 08,
6:52 p.m.)
Exodus 12:5,7,11,13-14:
"How do you know judgment will P.A.S.S.O.V.E.R you?" (April
24, 08,
9:26 a.m.)
Mark 5:21:
"Why will you G.A.T.H.E.R before Jesus?" (April
28, 08,
9:36 a.m.)
Mark 5:22-24:
"What place do you give P.R.A.Y.E.R in your life?" (April
29, 08,
7:51 a.m.)
Mark 5:24b-29:
“Unclean
Now? Christ’s Leading Everyday Always Nurtures! (U.N.C.L.E.A.N)"
(May 05, 08,
10:24 a.m.)
Mark 5:30-34:
“Forever,
Redeemer Everyday Excitingly Delivers Omnipotent Message!(F.R.E.E.D.O.M)”
(May
05, 08,
10:24 a.m.)
Mark 5:35-37:
“Timing Is Messiah’s Involvement Nurturing Graciously!
(T.I.M.I.N.G)”
(May 07, 08, 10:07 a.m.)
Mark 5:35-42:
"What place do you give G.O.D.S W.I.L.L in your life?"
(May 08, 08, 9:33 a.m.)
CHAPTER 6:
Mark 6:1-2:"Where
do you seek W.I.S.D.O.M for your life?"
(May 09, 08, 10:31 a.m.)
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