Jeremiah was called to be a prophet. This calling was ordained by God prior to Jeremiah being formed in his mother’s womb.

“Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee: and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:4-5)

Like most of us, Jeremiah tried to make excuses as to why he couldn’t do what God called him to do.

“Then said I, ‘Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.’” (Jeremiah 1:6)

This “child” was probably about 30 years old when he spoke those words! He tried to wiggle out of his calling, but he did go on to faithfully obey God in a very difficult task. God sees strengths in us that we cannot see in ourselves, and He knew Jeremiah was capable of delivering the message that God wanted him to deliver. Jeremiah was to warn the southern kingdom of Judah that they were going to face God’s judgment if they didn’t turn from their rebellion. God knew Jeremiah was the man for the job.

“But the LORD said unto me, ‘Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.’” (Jeremiah 1:7-8)

We might look at Jeremiah as a failure because his words were ignored. Jeremiah could have given up after the first year of failure or he could have doubted that God had even called him, but he didn’t. The thing that has to be understood is that Jeremiah did what God asked him to do.

Whether or not the people listened wasn’t his problem. Had Judah heeded the words he spoke and returned to a right relationship with God they wouldn’t have spent 70 years in Babylonian captivity. God doesn’t call us to be successful…He calls us to do His work. Jeremiah preached for many years with no success, but he was faithful to what God called him to do.

The Bible is filled with accounts of God asking people to do things that they didn’t necessarily understand. For instance, Noah lived at a time when demonic wickedness was everywhere. In order to preserve the small remnant of His creation that hadn’t been genetically corrupted, God would send a flood.

Noah was directed to build an Ark and God gave him the building plans. Noah, his wife, his three sons, and their wives would enter the Ark along with some animals and they would be saved from the judgment. Noah was called to a great undertaking, and he was faithful to all God said:

“Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.” (Genesis 6:22)

Noah would have had a hard time understanding about the coming Flood and how the Ark would be used. The earth had been watered by a mist so rain and floods were unknown, but Noah got busy and didn’t question why. Because Noah had been faithful to his call and did what God asked of him, you and I are here today.

“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” (Hebrews 11:7)

Had Noah questioned God or decided to build the Ark according to his own way of thinking, all would have been lost. Faithful obedience to God will always prove to be best.

There are many accounts in the Old Testament where men and women were faithful to do God’s will. They did what they were asked regardless of whether or not people heeded their warnings. God called Abraham to leave his home in order to establish the nation of Israel. Sarah was called to follow her husband Abraham and to give birth to Isaac.

Moses was called to lead the nation of Israel out of Egyptian captivity, the shepherd boy David was called to be king and establish the royal lineage of the Messiah. Esther was called to reveal a plot to murder all Jews, and the list is long but inspiring. Each person did what they were called to do. God gives us the opportunity to be a part of His plan and it’s up to us to hear His calling and be faithful.

The New Testament is also filled with accounts of people who were faithful to their calling. For instance, God asked Mary to give birth to His Son. What an honor. When the time was right, Jesus began His ministry on earth and He began by calling men to follow Him.

“Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.” (Mark 1:16-17)

Simon (Peter) and Andrew responded to His call and eventually twelve men became His disciples. Each man had strengths and weaknesses, but together they spread the gospel and we are blessed today because of them. They weren’t perfect men, but they were faithful to their call. Peter had his rough moments, though, but we can learn from those moments and take heart.

After Jesus was crucified and had risen from the grave He met the disciples at Galilee. There He confronted Peter and called him to feed the sheep. Did Peter jump at the chance to serve Jesus? Well, as only Peter could, he shows us that our calling isn’t greater or lesser than what someone else is called to do. After Jesus told Peter what his calling was, Peter saw John nearby and wanted to know what he was called to do.

“Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?” (John 21:21)

Was Peter unhappy with his calling to feed the sheep, or was he excited and curious about what John was called to do? Whatever his reason Jesus made it clear that each had their own calling.

“Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.” (John 21:22)

That advice is for every one of us. Be faithful to your calling no matter what others are called to do. We all are called for a special task and God can use any quality we have to accomplish great things. When Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthians he talked of the various spiritual gifts and how important each one was.

“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord…But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-5, 7)

Paul went on to say that various gifts are given to members of the body of Christ, but these gifts should not bring division. If someone is called to preach, that’s a wonderful calling but isn’t greater than a person given the gift of prophecy.

“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ… For the body is not one member, but many.” (1 Corinthians 12:12, 14)

We should never feel inferior because we don’t have a powerful ministry that reaches thousands or millions of people. If you’re called to that, good for you, but if you are called to serve food at the local homeless shelter witnessing to one person at a time, then do that as if you’re doing it for the Lord.

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” (Colossians 3:23)

Do what God asks you to do regardless of how small a task it may seem. You’re important to the Body of Christ. Don’t be daunted by what you’ve been called to accomplish. If the task seems too big, be sure you pray and stay strong by studying God’s Word. If the task seems too menial, be sure you pray and stay strong by studying God’s Word.

Let God judge your strengths and weaknesses and assign the task. He called Jeremiah to be a prophet and his calling was very different than what Ezekiel or Isaiah or Daniel were called to do. Noah could have laughed when God told him to build an Ark, but he was faithful to his calling, and his family was saved from God’s judgment.

Maybe your calling is to be a Christian parent who raises godly children. Don’t look upon that as trivial. It could be that you’re called to spread the gospel to the far corners of the world, or maybe your mission field is in your own neighborhood. Remember each member of the Body of Christ is there for a special purpose.

“If the foot shall say, ‘Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body.’” (1 Corinthians 12:15-19)

Each part is important to the whole body. If a part is not there, the whole body feels the loss. What have you been called to do? Each and every one of us is called to be a witness for Christ. Aside from that, God has called you for a special purpose. Study His Word so you can represent Him as best you can. Pray for His guidance and wisdom. Figure out what He wants you to do, then be faithful to your calling.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Ron Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original Scripture is “theopneustos” (God breathed)

 

Many things can happen when you’re asleep. You slip into a dream world and are usually unaware of what happens around you; a sound sleeper can sleep through almost anything. A good night’s sleep can make you feel refreshed and able to face the challenges of a new day, but if you have nightmares or toss and turn, you wake up feeling bad.

Sometimes it’s better to be asleep, such as when you face surgery. Anesthesia will dull your senses in induced sleep so you don’t feel pain. The first instance of an induced sleep was when God took Eve out of Adam’s side.

“And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; and the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.” (Genesis 2:21-22)

God created Adam but knew he needed a companion in life, so Eve was created. Instead of creating her in the same way as He had created Adam, God first put Adam into a deep sleep then took Eve from Adam’s side. When Adam awoke from that deep sleep he was very pleased to find Eve there for him. While Adam slept, God performed a miracle.

This established that marriage is only between a man and a woman and anything else is an abomination. Unfortunately, while Christians are sleeping the precious union between a man and a woman is being perverted into something ugly. Brothers and sisters, stay alert. Satan is trying to corrupt marriage into something that God abhors. Wake-up, Christians. Romance between two men or two women is of Satan.

Another instance of God using sleep to accomplish great things is when He established a covenant with Abraham. That covenant established that Abraham would have descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and that those descendents would have everlasting ownership of the land now known as Israel. Because these things could only come about by God’s intervention, Abraham asked for a sign.

Abraham was to sacrifice a 3 year old heifer, a 3 year old goat, a 3 year old ram, a turtledove and a pigeon. Abraham obeyed God and watched over the sacrifices waiting for God to confirm His promises. At sundown, Abraham fell into a deep sleep, but as he slept he heard God’s voice.

God promised him a long life and that he would die peacefully, but the future generations would face trouble and become slaves. God said that it would be many years until Abraham’s descendents would fully possess the land.

“And it came to pass, that when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.” (Genesis 15:17-18)

While Abraham slept God confirmed the covenant. Through Abraham’s son Isaac the promise of numerous descendents has been fulfilled. They did go to Egypt where they were made slaves, just as God had prophesied, but they came out of that slavery and eventually entered the land that God had promised them. At various times in history the nation of Israel disobeyed God and they were disbursed to other nations, but the land was given by God to the descendants of Abraham forever.

Today we see the Jewish people returning to Jerusalem and to the land of Israel. The opposition to this return is fueled by Satan and many people, including Christians, are asleep and are against the Jewish nation. Satan wants it that way and fuels the fire of war. Brothers and sisters, wake up. Pray for Israel and the Jewish people who are fighting for their God-given right to the land.

There are times when you may not actually be asleep, but go through life with your eyes closed to God’s truth. Heathens generally don’t have a clue and lust after worldly sins of the flesh rather than understanding life from God’s perspective. Such was that case with Belshazzar. He came to rule Babylon some time after King Nebuchadnezzar who had taken the Southern Kingdom of Judah captive.

Nebuchadnezzar had plundered treasures from the Jewish Temple before destroying it. When Belshazzar became king he embraced the pagan sin of Babylon and gave no honor to God Almighty. One day he threw a party and drank from the golden vessels that had been stolen from the Temple. Not only that, but he mocked God as “They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone” (Daniel 5:4.)

Belshazzar may not have been asleep, but his eyes were blinded by drunkenness and idolatry.  While he was sleeping the enemy was at the door. God will not be mocked by people with their eyes and hearts turned to the lusts of this world. It was that night that the enemy of Babylon quietly attacked, but God gave a warning.

A mysterious hand appeared and wrote a cryptic message on the wall. When Belshazzar saw it he was scared. He called the pagan astrologers and soothsayers  to come and give him answers. Godly answers will never come from ungodly people. When the astrologers where unable to decipher the message, Belshazzar called for Daniel to decipher the message. Daniel basically said that Belshazzar was filled with pride and was going to be judged.

“In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.” (Daniel 5:30-31)

Brothers and sisters, don’t be spiritually asleep because that’s when the enemy will attack. Witchcraft, Satan worship, sorcery, astrology, and many more evil things are  all around us, but they go unnoticed by the majority of Christians. Have you looked into what’s going on at the Large Hadron Collider at Cern? This is one of the most satanically inspired places on earth.

Is there a statue of the Baphomet in your neighborhood? What about Satanism and witchcraft? You might be surprised at what your neighbor practices. How many people in your city take mind-altering drugs that are entry points for demons?

These things are all pure evil and as Christians we cannot close our eyes to what is happening around us. The spiritual battle is aggressive and is becoming more evident. As it was in Belshazzar’s day the enemy is at the door and his handwriting is on the wall. If Christians are sleeping, mock God, and aren’t vigilant—the strongholds of Satan will continue to grow stronger.

Jesus wants us to be alert. An example of men being asleep when they should have been alert happened on the night Jesus was arrested. He knew what was about to happen and took a few disciples with Him to pray at Gethsemane.

“And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.” (Mark 14:34)

That seems like a simple request, but the disciples hadn’t been paying attention. These men, who had followed Jesus and heard Him say that He would be put to death, were in denial. A few days earlier Peter had tried to stop Jesus from going to Jerusalem because he knew the danger there, but on this night Peter slept.

“And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:37-38)

What was about to happen wouldn’t have been changed by Peter, James, and John staying awake and praying. Jesus would indeed be arrested and crucified according to prophecy, but by sleeping these men compromised their walk with the Lord. They were unaware of what Satan was trying to accomplish and that put them in a spiritually weakened state.

When Judas showed up with the soldiers to arrest Jesus, those who slept were caught off-guard. As we point fingers at them for not being vigilant we are pointing fingers at ourselves. Brothers and sisters, don’t fall asleep when Jesus needs you to be alert. Watch and pray.

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.” (Joel 2:28-29)

Peter quoted this verse when he stood up on the day of Pentecost and gave a powerful speech concerning the power of the Holy Spirit. What a day that was! Peter wasn’t asleep anymore, and all of the disciples were spiritually wide awake. The Holy Spirit indwells every Christian, but we stifle Him by denying His power.

“This know also that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

Wake-up, Christians. We are in the last days and we have very little time left to come out of our slumber. Each day the signs of the times grow more evident and you’ll only see them if you’re awake. As we see the signs telling us that Daniel’s 70th week is drawing closer we can be sure that the Rapture is even closer. Wake-up, be alert, and fight the spiritual battle before us.

What’s been happening while you’re sleeping? If you open your eyes God will accomplish great things through you. Even though Adam and Abraham slept, God’s miracles abounded and we all benefit from what God did in their lives.

On the other hand, Belshazzar was in a drunken state and lost his life because he closed his eyes to God. The great prophet Daniel was nearby and would have advised him, but Belshazzar chose worldly lusts and pagan advisors instead of words from a godly man.

You have to be willing to turn from sin and listen to godly advice before it’s too late. Peter slept, but when he awakened from his denial of God’s power he made a difference in the lives of millions throughout time. Are you dreaming dreams and seeing visions? Wake up and let God’s power flow through your life.

While you were sleeping Satan was digging deep into government and has provoked hatred on every level of life. Drug use has exploded, murder is an everyday occurrence, witchcraft has invaded every aspect of life, and sin abounds. Brothers and sisters, it’s time to wake up and allow God’s power to rule in your lives.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com