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“God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called.”

The words above have stuck in my mind for many years. At first, I interpreted the statement in light of a call to a ministry role. Today, it holds a much broader and deeper meaning for me. It’s a truth that should guide our daily lives.

God places many calls upon our lives. He calls us to love others as we love ourselves, to hope in troubled times, to give thanks in all circumstances. God calls us to many things, but not one of them comes because He expects us to be equipped in our own resources and strength. God calls us so He can equip us. For all we need, Jesus said,

“Come to Me.”  Matthew 11:28

Jesus will be all you need, but first, you must believe:

“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”

Hebrews 11:6

The full and abundant life God offers only comes as we allow Jesus to meet our needs. As we come to Him believing He can and will provide, we will receive everything we need.

God sees your struggle. He will be your strength.

God sees your disappointment. He will give you hope.

God sees your exhaustion. He will increase your power when you are weak.

God sees the battle raging in your mind. He will fight for you. He will uphold you.

God said we could do all things if we allow Christ to be our strength (Philippians 4:13). Will you seek God for everything you need today? Whatever God calls you to, whatever He allows into your life, He will strengthen you to walk through it. In fact, your weaknesses are a platform on which He can display His glory and strength.

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the whole earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.”

2 Chronicles 16:9

The glory of a full moon is resplendent in the night sky. Casting a radiant light, it is able to illuminate the darkest path in the blackest of nights. Moonbeams shining on the sea create a narrow channel of light, revealing a sliver of brightly lit water that is bounded by vast expanses of darkness. The moon possesses no natural light source. It functions like a mirror, reflecting sunlight that bounces off its surface. At its brightest time, the moon reflects only twelve percent of the sunlight that hits its surface.

Man was created to reveal the holy character and pure light of his Maker. Like the moon, we possess no light or life apart from faith in God through Jesus Christ. We have no inherent goodness, strength or wisdom to live a life that is pleasing to a holy God. His Word tells us that:

“the mind of the flesh (which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit) is death (death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter) But the mind of the (Holy) Spirit is life and (soul) peace (both now and forever)” (Romans 8:6).

At salvation, Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit to permanently reside in us. He is our power source, enabling us to live a holy life as we believe and act upon the words of Christ. This is the grace of God that is available to every one of His children. As objects of His love, we choose to surrender ourselves to the Lordship of Christ. We yield to His Spirit of love and power. We seek Him in utter dependence.

Is your life brightly reflecting the image of the Lord Jesus Christ? As you come to Him, He will be your light in the midst of darkness. Like the moon shining on a dark sea, God will shine His face upon you. He will illuminate your life, making you radiant with His love and joy.

“THEN THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN in the kingdom of their Father…”

Matthew 13:43

Certain modes of communication require specific frequencies and power to transmit information clearly. Tuned to a frequency just one degree off, a radio station’s signal is received, at best, as static. Cell phone conversations disconnect when one person travels outside the area of coverage. Even in face-to-face communication, a person can fail to understand the intended meaning of another’s words. This was the case with Jesus and His disciples.

Jesus spent many hours talking with His disciples. They accompanied Him as He spoke to thousands of people. Though communication was ongoing, their ears were often tuned to a different frequency: one of their own understanding, a frequency of lies. That changed dramatically with the coming of the Holy Spirit. The very men who struggled to understand and believe Jesus now heard God clearly through His indwelling Counselor and Teacher. They became men of bold faith. This finely tuned frequency to God’s voice is available to you as well.

With the Word of God as His primary tool, the Holy Spirit reveals truth. At times, He reveals truth by convicting us of sin, which is rooted in lies. Conviction is not condemnation:

“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

When God convicts, He seeks to convince and persuade us to the utmost degree. It’s a gracious act by a loving God. He convicts us so we will believe and live by His truth. Jesus promised in John 16:7-11 that the Holy Spirit will:

1. Reveal areas where you are not believing God.
2. Convince you of your true identity in Christ and reveal the righteousness in which you can walk.
3. Convince you that Satan has been condemned and that the power of sin over you has therefore been broken.

We need to hear His Voice continually. Tune your ears to hear God speaking these truths to you. They are ringing out loudly and clearly. May they be music to your ears!

“If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:31-32