Scripture: Isaiah 42 v 5 - 9: "Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them."
This Old Testament prophecy can be applicable to anyone who God calls into the ministry. His Word is never void, it accomplishes what He sent it to do. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts so we need to take Him seriously.
He announces Himself as God the LORD who created Heaven and Earth, and gave His breath to us.
In Colossians 1 v 14 - 16: "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."
Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God. Jesus created all things, and by Him all things consist. Therefore He is God the LORD in Isaiah - the Pre-Incarnate Son of God. He was in Eden when God said, Let us make man in Our image! The Hebrew word Elohim in Genesis 1 is translated as more than one God. Like Seraph is one Angel and Seraphim more than one.
We know that God is Triune God. God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity. The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. It is like the Sun. It is made of gas, light and radiation, which can exist separately as well, but together they make the Sun.
God gave us the Holy Spirit so that every one of us has direct access to our Heavenly Father and to Jesus. If we are called to serve Him in a particular way He is our inspiration and Teacher. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to enhance our abilities to serve Him beyond the "only human" limitations.
We want the Father to say He is well pleased as He said to Israel about Jesus, This is My Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear Him. The Holy Spirit gives us the same abilities that Jesus had when He was on Earth.
We are a spirit being that the resurrection of Jesus turned into a New Creation. We are different and our first steps must be to find out what that difference may be. When God calls us He has already equipped us with talents that will help us to what He needs us to do. We just have to do some digging in the Bible and within ourselves to get started.
Most people who feel they are called to serve God assume they must become preachers after going to Bible College or getting a Theology Degree. However, that may not be what God wants at all.
1 John 2 v 27: "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him."
When God calls He anoints. To anoint is to set someone apart for specific service. We should know this anointing and wait for the Holy Spirit to lead us, teach us, open doors for us and reveal the gifts needed to do the ministry the Lord wants for us.
When people feel called and rush off to join the Bible School they could find themselves to be square pegs in round holes. Wait upon the Lord for His wisdom, instruction anointing and timing. He knows what He is doing but needs us to be totally submitted to His will.
He provides the necessary finance plus whatever else will help us accomplish His will. If we need confirmation ask Him and wait. He will find ways to confirm His calling that are unique and unmistakable. Don't spoil it by sending texts to all your groups for someone to guide you.
In my case I joined a new church, The Apostolic Faith Mission, after feeling led out of the Presbytarian Church. A former Presbytarian had joined that church and visited me the day I had an ingrown toenail removed. He said his prayer group would pray for me. The surgeon said it would take months for a new toenail to grow but within two weeks it grew back.
So I went with him to church and was so amazed with the worship and praise that the pastor called me to share my testimony. I stood in the pulpit not knowing I should just stand near it and was surprised at the presence of the Lord. The next time I was there the pastor said to me that when I stood in the pulpit he saw an anointing on me! A what???
We all went to a large tent meeting and an unknown woman called me aside and prophesied over me, New experience. She said God had called me to be an Intercessor. A what??? I asked my Christian friends, what's an Intercessor? They laughed and said, you will find out. And I did, slowly but surely, God moulded me into one of those.
It started in 1979 and has never stopped. The Lord threw me into situations, deep end stuff, and getting those sorted was my school of truth. He still does it today and I am still learning. I never did make it to Bible School, but I only needed the Holy Spirit. He is more than enough.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the life I have had with You. Every day over all the years has been an extraordinary adventure and I am so blessed to be Your handmaid. I pray for all those You call to allow You to do what You do best. Anoint and appoint. Train and equip. Thank You for the wonderful team of prayer warriors that are scattered over the planet. They have done great things. In Jesus' name. Amen.