Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – November 29, 2016
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
When I was twenty-four and a fairly new Christian, I attended a retreat in Oregon with a young adult group from my church. On the bus ride home, I stumbled upon Isaiah 61:1-3. After a little research, I learned this beautiful passage is a prophecy about Christ (See Luke 4:21). As I read I sensed the Lord reveal to me that my future ministry would be to work with him to bind up the brokenhearted. At the time, I thought my vocation may involve ministering to kids because I had been volunteering at a camp for abused and neglected children for several summers.
Around my 30th birthday, I felt a stirring desire to write and began to put words on a page. I sensed this desire as a teen, but decided not to pursue it because I felt the field was too competitive. It was only after I had been composing words for adults for over nine years that I realized that the promise God had given me on that bus had come to pass. He had completed it because it was his work.
Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him (Psalm 115:3).
Since that bus ride, there have been a few people who have said I am not qualified to write or minister through words. No doubt, there are those who are more educated, intelligent, or gifted. Thankfully, in recent years, rather than take their sentiments to heart, when I have heard naysayers adamantly state I am not qualified because I don’t have this credential or that, or that God has not called me, my thoughts often turn to lessons from Paul, Peter, and John.
Romans 1:1-2 says Paul was called to be an apostle of Christ and he was sent to preach the good news of Christ. The great news is that Paul wasn’t called by a group of people, a committee, a college, or a special religious group. He wasn’t called because he had a special certificate or degree. He was called by God, and because he was called by God, he was qualified by God.
In Acts 3, Peter and John had been teaching people about Jesus. The priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees were not happy that Peter and John had been “proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead” (Acts 4:2). As a result, they were thrown in jail. The next day, the rulers, elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem to question Peter and John about how they healed a crippled beggar. They said, “It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but God raised from the dead. . .” (Acts 4:10). (Emphasis mine)
Then Scripture says something enlightening: “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). The apostles were ordinary. They were uneducated. And, they were called by God, so they were qualified by God.
I hope you are encouraged if you feel unqualified. When God calls you, He will qualify you. There is no person, organization, or adversary, who can determine that you can’t do what God has called you to. And, who calls you? God, and God alone. And, when He calls you, He will enable you to do that which he has called you to.
He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
Prayer
Lord, just like men and women in Scripture, I can do what you have called me to. You will empower me by your grace. Help me to agree with you and not fight against you when you call me. Amen.Application
Take a moment and praise the Lord that you are able to do all He calls you to.Related Reading
Psalm 135:6; Psalm 103:19; Psalm 33:11Post/Tweet today
When God calls you, He will qualify you. #WisdomHunters #GodQualifiesWorship Resource
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I want to comment that even without looking at who wrote the daily devotional, I know as soon as I start reading through it that I immediately connect with the writer and the message.
Each time u see Shana Schutte”S name appear I am reading something from the heart and of an intelligent understanding of applying scripture.
My understanding of when God calls you to do something, you will be able to do it without a formal man made document giving permission. Keep doing what you are doing as we always have the naysayers. They are there to challenge us to push harder for Gods calling.
I have no special degree but have had many careers in finance, accounting, real estate, travel and each one God gave me the wisdom and courage to do those things and inspire others that faith in Jesus and the lord God, anything is possible!!
Thanks for your writings!
Anita
I am always happy to open the daily message and see Shana’s name. Her words “reach” me. That is what is most important to me and, thus, makes her extremely qualified in my eyes.
So many of your articles minister to me and address a need I have at that moment! A word in due season. You are a blessing in ways you will never know! KEEP WRITING!
Thank you, Shana, for a great post. This is very encouraging and true! On a related note, I heard Pastor John Gray say one time, “God doesn’t anoint finished works, he anoints you so you can finish the work.”
Dear Anita,
Thank you so much for taking the time to contact us after reading “When God Calls You, He Will Qualify You”. Please know I am passing your comments along to Shana. We, too, are thankful for her. She is a great example of following God’s “nudging” and as a result, she is reaching so many and “shining His Light” with her words.
Anita, you, too, are an example of the same! Thank you for the example of trusting and obeying God in your life. You are a mighty witness that, yes, all things are possible through HIM!
Reading the devotional stories about Paul, Peter and John reminded me (and others in the Wisdom Hunter’s family) of how God walks before us and “qualifies us” to fulfill His work. I loved your statement about the naysayers: “They are there to challenge us to push harder for God’s calling”. Amen and Amen!
Thank you, Anita. I know Shana will be blessed by your kind and encouraging comments!
Merry Christmas to you and yours,
Gwynne
“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
Dear Brian,
Thank you so much for taking the time to reach out to us to thank Shana for her encouraging devotional. Please know that I passed along your kind words to her and I am sure she is thankful for them.
Thank you, too, for sharing Pastor Gray’s insightful comment. That is definitely one to remember and so true!
We hope that during this blessed season of celebrating our Savior’s birth, that you and yours will are well and enjoying this precious time.
We are thankful for you,
Gwynne
“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for him at the inn.” Luke 2: 6-7
Dear Kim,
Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words for Shana after reading her devotional, “When God Calls You, He Will Qualify You”.
Please know that I passed along your sweet words to Shana and I am sure she is blessed by them.
We agree with you when you said “You are a blessing in ways you will will never know!” We, too, are so grateful for her and look forward to her devotionals!
Thank you, Kim, for your enthusiasm. We are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter!
May you and yours enjoy this precious season when we celebrate our Savior’s birth.
Merry Christmas,
Gwynne
“Today in the city of David a savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2: 11