DAILY DEVOTIONALS: 2.5.22

Finding Clear Guidance Psalms 25:12 How can you be sure you’re making the right decision? Sometimes it may seem as if God plays hide and seek when we’re trying to know His will, but that’s not the way He operates. He wants to give us clear direction. The real question is, What do you needto do to hear His voice? Clear the pathway. We have two main obstacles that hinder our discernment: sin in our life, and our own strong desires about the situation. To receive the Lord’s guidance, we must repent of all known sin and make our desires secondary toHis. Exercise patience. Sometimes it takes a great deal of strength to stand still when everything within you is shouting, “Hurry! Time is running out!” But if you rush ahead of God, you may miss His will. Persist in prayer. The Bible clearly instructs us to keep coming to the Lord with our concerns. As we continue to pray, He will gradually weed out anything confusing until we come to His conclusion about the matter. Search the Scriptures. The Word of God has an answer for every need, and the Holy Spirit knows just how to point us in the right direction. I remember times while I was reading the Bible that a verse jumped off the page and supplied the exact answer I needed to make an important decision. So often when we’re faced with a critical choice, all we want from the Lord is a quick answer. But He delights to meet with us in order to deepen our relationship with Him. Don’t let the urgency of your need keep you from enjoying the intimacy of His presenceas you seek His will. ------------------------------ We Soon Fly Away “For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.” (Psalm90:4) In this unique psalm, Moses is stressing the brevity of even the longest human life with the everlasting nature of God. In the pre-Flood world, men were able to live many hundreds of years, but no one ever lived as long as 1,000 years. By Moses’ time, the typicallifespan was 70 or 80 years (v. 10), much the same as today. Moses lived to age 120, but he was twice as old as most of his contemporaries when he finally died (note Numbers 14:29, 34; Deuteronomy 34:7). Moses, therefore, was profoundly impressed with the ephemeral nature of a person’s time on Earth. Even if someone had lived a thousand years, this was only a little while in God’s sight, and his life would soon “fly away” (Psalm90:10) and be forgotten. There is nothing in this passage, incidentally, or in 2 Peter 3:8 (“one day is with the Lord as a thousand years”) to justify the misinterpretation that attributes billions of years to God’s creation week. In context (and one must always be sensitive to the context if he wants to understand any passage ofScripture), neither Moses nor Peter was referring to the creation week at all. Moses was stressing the brevity of human life, even that of the antediluvians, while Peter was rebuking the latter-day uniformitarians who would come denying the catastrophic effectsof the great Flood. It is too bad that so many Christians are willing to distort Scripture like this in order to accommodate the imaginary ages of evolution. The message we should really get from this Mosaic observation is the application He Himself makes. “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalm90:12)! HMM --------------------- Two Gates, Two Ways Matthew 7:13-14 Have you ever been accused of being a narrow-minded Christian? Those who level such accusations against us certainly mean it as an insult. According to Jesus, however, that’s the only way to walk if we want to experience abundant life now and eternal life with Him in heaven. But it will require a deliberate choice on our part, because no one automatically drifts onto this pathway. The broad way is easy to find. In fact, unless you make a conscious choice to avoid it, you’ll find yourself on it. Most people like this wide path because it encompasses all philosophies and belief systems. Everything is acceptable, and everyone’s “truth” is valid. It even seems like the loving path because no one is left out. There are no restrictions, and freedom is unlimited. Or is it? What those who travel this road fail to realize is that it’s a downward descent into destruction. All the promises it gives of satisfaction and fulfillment end in disappointment because it’s a path without God. But those who enter by the narrow gate of faith in Christ find the peace and joy of a relationship with Him that satisfies the heart. The gate is small because truth guards the entrance. The way is narrow because the Lord protects us with wise boundaries. Which path are you traveling? You can’t have one foot on each, because they’re going in opposite directions. When you tolerate everything, you’re headed for destruction. But when you choose the narrow way, your life truly begins. You’ll walk with Christday by day until He walks you home to heaven. ---------------------------------- The Throne of Grace Hebrews 4:14-16 Almighty God is righteous and just. Romans 3:23 tells us that all people have sinned and are inadequate to be in His presence. As a result of His wrath against sin, we were doomed to eternal separation from Him. But thankfully, the story doesn’t end there. In His love and mercy, God sent His Son to walk among us. Jesus experienced the hardship and temptation common to all people, yet He never sinned. The Savior chose to die a gruesome death in our place, payingthe penalty for our wrongs. There is no deeper love, Scripture tells us, than a man who gives up his life for a friend (John 15:13). Jesus went even farther—dying forus while we were still His enemies (Rom. 5:10). In fact, He would have sacrificed Himself even if you were the only person ever to exist. Promising forgiveness and eternal life, Christ asks sinful man to believe and follow Him. When we trust in Jesus, we are adopted as God’s children and receive His indwelling Spirit, who blesses abundantly with joy, peace, and guidance. Always welcome beforethe Throne of Grace, believers have access to converse with the Father at any time. He promises to hear and respond to our seeking, repentant hearts. And Jesus intercedes for us, praying on our behalf. We don’t deserve the Lord’s invitation to have an intimate relationship with Him. Yet in His grace, He is loving and compassionate toward us. What a privilege to be able to approach the King’s throne, knowing He listens, understands, and cares. Rest in God’slove, and enjoy sweet fellowship with Him. ------------------- Unbreakable Love “And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, becauseshe was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” (Genesis 2:23-24) When the Pharisees asked for His view on divorce, Jesus replied by quoting our text, giving the Creator’s view on marriage and how men and women should approach it if they are to function as they were designed (Matthew19:4-5). He added, “Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (v. 6). In some special way, known fully only to Him, a man and woman in a marriage relationship can truly become one flesh, just as Adam and Eve were one flesh after Eve had been fashioned from Adam’s side. (Christ’s doctrine of marriage has no logical foundation,by the way, nor do we have any reason to marry if Adam and Eve were not real, specially created people.) Our text was also quoted by Paul as he more fully explained the marriage doctrine (Ephesians 5:31), prefacing it with a brief discussion of the relationshipbetween the Lord and His Church (v. 30). Just as we are inseparably “members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones,” He designed each of us to be inseparably “one flesh” with his or her spouse. Paul uses a forceful word for “leave,” meaning to completely leave one’s parents and “be joined” to the spouse. This word is equally forceful and leaves no room for a half-hearted commitment. Marriage partners, in the eyes of the Creator, should be inseparable, just as the bones and flesh of a body cannot be separated, and just as we cannot be separated from the love of God in Christ (Romans8:35-39). JDM ------------------------- ANew Song “O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm,hath gotten him the victory.” (Psalm 98:1) The theme of singing is frequently found in the Bible. Probably the first song ever sung was by God’s angels at the time of creation as God laid the cornerstone of the earth, “when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy” (Job38:7). There are nine occasions when a “new song” was to be sung by the people of God. The very first, appropriately, was to extol God’s Word and His creation. “Sing unto him a new song;...For the word of the LORD is right,” and then “By the word of the LORD werethe heavens made” (Psalm 33:3-6). Then the second new song is placed prophetically on the lips of Christ, representing His thoughts on the cross after Hissufferings were finished and He had paid the redemption price for all our sins. “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit,...And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God” (Psalm40:2-3). The next has to do with spreading the good news. “O sing unto the LORD a new song:...shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people” (Psalm96:1-3). The fourth is our text, focusing on Christ’s future coming as King. The next three new songs (Psalms 144:9; 149:1; Isaiah 42:10) continue that great theme. Finally, there are two new songs to be sung by the redeemed in heaven (Revelation 5:9; 14:3). We shall then all be singing to the Lord Jesus Christ: “Thouart worthy...for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth” (Revelation5:9-10). HMM ------------------------- Lovingkindnessand Tender Mercy “Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.” (Psalm25:6) These beautiful words, “tender mercies” and “lovingkindness,” may sound somewhat old-fashioned in today’s sophisticated jargon, but the divine attributes they represent have been “ever of old” and will continue to characterize our tender and merciful, kindand loving God of all grace forever. Dropping them from our conversation (even in most newer translations of the Bible) is a sad loss that, to some degree, has impoverished our speech and, perhaps, our souls. Note some of the rich scriptural testimonies associated with them: “[The LORD] redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies” (Psalm103:4). “Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me” (Psalm40:11). “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions” (Psalm51:1). “Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good; turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies” (Psalm69:16). Other than Proverbs 12:10 (“the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel”), all the occurrences of these two terms, either alone or together, are applied by the translators only to the Lord, never to men (the Hebrew words are rendered by other words in the KingJames when applied to people). This is beautifully appropriate, for our gracious God is uniquely the God of love and mercy. In spite of the fact that none of us deserve His lovingkindness or tender mercy, “the LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slowto anger, and of great mercy. The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works” (Psalm145:8-9). HMM ----------------------- TheFolly of Humanism “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, thereis none that doeth good.” (Psalm 14:1) Despite all their pretense of scientific intellectualism, those who deny the existence of a personal Creator God are, in God’s judgment, nothing but fools. The 14th Psalm, the 53rd Psalm, Romans 3, etc., all describe the inner character of all such people—whether they call themselves atheists or humanists or pantheists or whatever. This repeated emphasis indicates how strongly God feels about those who dare to question His reality. It isbad enough to disobey His commandments and to spurn His love; it is utter folly to deny that He even exists! The Bible describes the awful descent from true creationism into evolutionary pantheistic humanism. “When they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professingthemselves to be wise, they became fools...Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator” (Romans 1:21-22,25). Certain atheists/humanists claim to be moral people, though their criteria of morality are often quite different from those of the Bible. No matter how admirable their humane acts of “righteousness” may seem, however, they are guilty of the sin of unbelief,the greatest sin of all. “Without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is” (Hebrews 11:6). With all theinnumerable evidences of God’s reality as seen in the creation and throughout history, and then especially in the Person and work of Jesus Christ, it is utter foolishness to plunge blindly into eternity to meet the God whom they deny. HMM ------------------- Spiritual Priorities - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org But Jesus told him, �No! The Scriptures say, �People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God� �Matthew 4:4 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/spiritual-priorities/- Listen During His temptation in the wilderness, Jesus, being God, could have said, �Satan, be banished!� and Satan would have left. Jesus had that authority and power over theDevil. But He didn�t do this. Instead, when the Devil came to Him and said, �If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread� (Matthew 4:3 nlt), Jesus quoted Scripture. He said, �No! The Scriptures say, �People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God�� (verse 4 nlt). Here�s the essence of what Satanwas saying to Jesus: put the physical before the spiritual. We face this temptation all the time. The Devil will come to us and whisper, �Hey, you need to have a little fun. You know you can play now and pay later. Don�t worry aboutthe repercussions. God�s okay with this. You�ll be okay. You can trust me.� Yet the Bible tells us that the Devil is a liar and the father of lies (see John 8:44). Sometimes people get their lives out of whack by putting physical things before spiritual things. They become obsessed, and they let things become more important to themthan God. It�s great to have a relationship, but don�t put a relationship above God. And it�s fine to have a career, but don�t put your career above God. So by saying, �People donot live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God,� Jesus was simply pointing out that we should have our spiritual priorities in order. He was saying that we need to put God first. So put God in His rightful place in your life. And when the Devil comes to you with a temptation, quote the Word of God. ----------------------- Developing a Tender Heart Ezekiel 36:25-28 The Lord wants to give each of us a "heart of flesh" so that we will be pliable and responsive to Him. When touched by the finger of God, a tender heart yields to the pressure and assumes the form He desires, much like a lump of clay that allows the potterto determine the shape of the vessel. To aid in this process, God has sent the Holy Spirit to indwell each believer and awaken responsiveness in him or her. By yielding to the Spirit's promptings with ready obedience, the heart becomes increasingly tender and sensitive to His leading. The Lord is able to impart greater understandingof His Word to a soft heart because it has faithfully accepted and obeyed previous teachings. Any resistance to God will result in hardening. But those who are accustomed to intimacy with Christ�which is the result of submission to Him�will be quick to deal with sin and return to the place of obedience and blessing. People with tender hearts stay closely connected to the body of Christ, seeking to build up and encourage others in their walk of faith. Such individuals are not only receptive to what God wants to tell them; they are also teachable, in that they are willing to listen and be corrected by others. This week when you read your Bible and pray, let your heart be soft toward the words of God. As He pokes His finger into each hard area, listen to His instructions, and rely on the Spirit's power to help you yield and obey. Let Him shape you into a beautifuland useful vessel. --------------------- The Effectiveness of God's Way Exodus3 Yesterday we observed the ineffectiveness of Moses' attempt to liberate his people from Egyptian slavery, but today we see him given a second chance to do it God's way. If we could learn the lessons Moses learned about the dangers of self-reliance and theadvantages of depending on the Lord, we would save ourselves much hardship. When we choose to cooperate with God and submit to His way, He will do amazing things in and through us. Despite Moses' past failure, the Lord still used him to accomplish the divine plan, but only after he became usable�that is, humbled and broken of self-will.Just consider what God achieved when Moses did it His way. � He showed what great things He could do through one yielded, dependent person. � He got more done in less time, and with fewer resources. There was no insurrection or long, drawn-out war�just a dramatic display of His power. --------------------- JointHeirs with Christ �The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, thenheirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.� (Romans8:16-17) Modern-day humanists and unbelievers take great sport in belittling Christians, but despite their estimate, and even despite whatever humble view Christians may entertain of themselves, the fact remains that the Bible clearly declares believers to possess aposition of preeminent standing and blessing. Consider the wondrous fact that we as believers are �children of God.� �As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name� (John1:12). �For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus� (Galatians3:26). We are His offspring, for �according to his abundant mercy [he] hath begotten us again� (1Peter 1:3). As His children, we even look like Him, in a spiritual sense, �partakers of the divine nature� (2Peter 1:4), and His Fatherly love surrounds us. Furthermore, we are the inheritors of all good things, just as a human child can expect to inherit from his or her human father. Christ is the Son of God, but He is also �the firstborn among many brethren� (Romans8:29). Our inheritance is nothing less than God Himself: all that He is and has is ours, and we will share it all with Christ, our elder brother. �The glory which thou [the Father] gavest me [Christ] I have given them [all believers]� (John17:22). This standing and privilege is ours, but we must not forget it is ours as a result of His doing, not our own worth, lest we become prideful. Nevertheless, it is ours. So let us believe it, accept it, and present it in such a way that others will want to sharein it. JDM ---------------------------- God's Presence in Flood and Flame �When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflowthee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.� (Isaiah 43:2) Although this tremendous promise is primarily to be understood in a spiritual sense (deliverance through overflowing sorrows and fiery trials), God has demonstrated His ability to fulfill the spiritual aspects of the promise by its miraculous, literal fulfillmentin the physical realm on special occasions. The crossing of the Red Sea by the children of Israel is an obvious example of safe passage through deep waters. The amazing experience of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Nebuchadnezzar�s fiery furnace is the most spectacular example of deliverance from burning. As the three emerged unscathed from the �exceeding hot� flames, the king was astounded when he �saw thesemen, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them� (Daniel3:27). The entire world once was caused to pass through the Flood and one day must be destroyed by the fire (2 Peter 3:6, 10), but �eight souls were saved by water� (1 Peter 3:20) as the Flood carried them safely away in Noah�s Ark from the violent world of the antediluvians, and all those truly trusting in Christ willbe �saved; yet so as by fire� (1 Corinthians 3:15) when He comes again. These great experiences of the past and promises of the future assure us that God is able to deliver us through the deep waters and burning trials of this present life. �That the trial of your faith,...though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praiseand honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ� (1 Peter 1:7). HMM -------------------------- Marked by Love - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org Then Jesus said to them, �Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.� �Mark 1:17 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/marked-by-love/- Listen We use the word follower in a lot of ways today, especially in reference to social media. If you�re on Twitter, for instance, you have followers. Jesus didn�t tweet, but He did have followers. And His followers were pretty eclectic. This group included some fishermen, a tax collector, and a zealot. A tax collectorwas someone who colluded with Rome as the occupying power in Israel at that particular time. On the other hand, a zealot was dedicated to the violent overthrow of Rome. So among Jesus�s followers were a Jewish tax collector named Matthew, who was in collusion with Rome, and a man named Simon, who was a zealot dedicated to the violent overthrowof Rome. It would be like having members of your family voting for candidates from opposing political parties. The 12 men whom Jesus chose as His disciples were the most ordinary of men. They weren�t saints in the traditional use of the word. (Although anyone who has put their faithin Christ is technically a saint.) These men weren�t scholars or sages. Rather, they were hopelessly human and remarkably unremarkable. But they were available to the Master�s call. As Christians, we are members of a different Kingdom. Jesus said, �By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another� (John 13:35 NKJV). Christians should be marked by love and not by always trying to win the argument. If you find yourself shouting at people, if you find yourself always uptight and angry,and if you�re using your social media account to blast this group or that person, then something is wrong. We need to glorify God with whatever platform He has given to us. As followers of Jesus Christ, we need to be characterized and identified by our love for God and our lovefor others. ------------------------------------ Get Busy! - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, �Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!� �John 1:29 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/get-busy/- Listen Simon and Andrew had been disciples of John the Baptist, who came before Christ, preparing the way. But one day Jesus walked by, and John said to them, �Behold! The Lambof God who takes away the sin of the world!� (John 1:29 NKJV). As a result, Simon and Andrew transferred their allegiance from John to Jesus, but they still didn�t fully understand who Jesus was or what He had come to do. The Bible also mentions James and John, to whom Jesus gave a special title: �Sons of Thunder� (Mark 3:17 NKJV). I sort of envision James and John as outlaw biker types whoshowed up one day, and Jesus called them to be part of the team. Certainly, His disciples were an eclectic group of people. But it�s important to note that all of these men were doing something when Jesus called them. Andrew was throwinga net into the water along with Simon. And James and John were in a boat repairing their nets. We see the same elsewhere in Scripture. David, who later became the king of Israel, was watching over his flock when the prophet Samuel summoned him. Moses, too, was watchingover a flock when God spoke to him through a burning bush. Elisha was plowing in a field when Elijah called him to carry on the prophetic ministry. People were busy when God called them. In the same way, if you want God to use you in His kingdom, then get busy doing something for Him. Just start with what is in front of you. Mend and cast those nets, soto speak. Tend those sheep. Plow those fields. Teach that Sunday school class. Go on that mission trip. Share one on one. Give that tithe. Just get out and do something. Do what you can, where you can. ------------------------------- Grounded in Truth Psalms 25:4-10 If we'll let the truths of Scripture fill our minds, guard our emotions, and influence our conduct, God will richly reward us. I'm talking about spiritual blessings here (though He at times chooses to bless materially as well). By reading and meditatingon His Word, you'll learn to understand His ways. This isn't something we can figure out on our own, because His ways are unlike ours�they are higher, bigger, and eternal. Also, your relationship with the Lord will grow increasingly more intimate because He chooses to reveal Himself to those who seek Him and obey His instructions. When you see that God always keeps His promises, your confidence in His faithfulness will soar.No matter what the situation, you'll know you can trust Him. Then He'll transform your worries into joyful anticipation about what He's going to do next in your life. Even if hard times await, you'll be convinced that the Lord will work them out for good. A life grounded in truth is powerful. Those who live by the Word develop spiritual discernment, which guides their choices and guards against deception. Because they demonstrate wisdom and godliness, the Lord enables them to impact others greatly. SinceHe knows they can be trusted, He also gives them greater responsibilities and opportunities for service in His kingdom. With all this available to us, wouldn't it be wise to invest our time and energy in building the truth of God's Word into our lives? The other activities which clamor for our attention seem so important or pleasurable, but none of them can offer us the spiritualriches of a life grounded in truth. --------------------------------- The Pattern in the Mount �And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.� (Exodus25:40) Nothing that God does is capricious or accidental. A remarkable object lesson of His attention to every detail in the plan of salvation is the tabernacle in the wilderness. The divine blueprint for this structure and its attendants, followed by its constructionand dedication, occupy no less than 13 chapters of Exodus. Then the exposition of the symbolical meaning of �the pattern� shown to Moses �in the mount� occupies a major part of three chapters in the book of Hebrews. At least in terms of space allocated tothe tabernacle, it seems to constitute the major �type� of the Bible, speaking in many ways of the Lord Jesus Christ. Numerous authors have devoted entire volumes to its exposition. The brazen altar, the laver, the mercy seat, the high priest�all �serve untothe example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount� (Hebrews8:5). The God of the infinite cosmos is also the careful designer of every detail of His tabernacle and every moment of our days. �In thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them� (Psalm139:16). Just as it was vitally important for the builders of the tabernacle to follow God�s pattern precisely, so it is essential that we also follow His blueprint for our own lives, and that pattern is Christ Himself. �For even hereunto were ye called:because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps� (1 Peter 2:21). If our lives are to speak of Christ, as didthe tabernacle, we must �walk, even as he walked� (1 John 2:6). HMM ---------------------------------- Willing to Serve - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won�t be honest with greater responsibilities �Luke16:10 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/willing-to-serve/- Listen When I was a brand-new Christian, I went to Pastor Chuck Smith at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa and said, �I want to serve the Lord. I�ll do whatever you guys want me to do.� I was 17 years old at the time, and they gave me different tasks like sweeping leaves and cleaning toilets. I did it all. Then one day they gave me a special mission. Theysaid, �We need a new doorknob for the church office door.� Now, I�ve never been a mechanical guy. But I went to the local hardware store, looked at all kinds of doorknobs in different sizes, and literally prayed, �God, help me findthe right doorknob.� I chose one, and it turned out to be the wrong size. Later I thought, �Well, maybe God wants me to be on a worship team.� So I joined a worship group and did percussion. I played the conga drum and couldn�t really keep rhythmvery well. As a result, I discovered that wasn�t what I was called to do. In fact, one way to find out what God is calling you to do is by discovering what He has not called you to do. So when someone tells me they want God to use them, I suggest that they volunteer at their church. They might even say to their pastor, �I want to be used by God, and I�lldo whatever you need me to do.� They might end up doing some janitorial work or setting up chairs or doing some type of menial task. But that�s probably because the pastor wants to see if they�ll be faithfulin the little things. �Work willingly at whatever you do,� the Bible says, �as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people� (Colossians 3:23 NLT). Be faithful in the little things. HTTP://PROPHECY-WATCHER-WEEKLY-NEWS.BLOGSPOT.COM