June 27
2 Kings 10:32-12:21 | PS 145:1-21 | Prov 18:1 | Acts 18:1-22
God desires us to act in obedience, not for us to be "practical". When God calls someone into full time ministry, it is a calling. Therefore, it is less a matter of figuring out every financial nuance, etc. When God calls you into a ministry, not full-time, within a church or independently, it is a calling, don't spend too much time figuring out how you will fit it in to your already busy schedule. When God calls you to share with another, don't wait for everything to line up the way you have planned, just speak forth. When God is calling you to give financially, don't wait for all of your finances to be perfect, because they never will be. God calls us into obedience. We are not to just throw in the things of God out of abundance: of time, money, etc. Also, when we step out, it might not always come out as we planned, or as we hoped for, but, if moved by the Spirit, and in obedience, there might be fruit which we never see this side of eternity.
In the eyes of the world, Paul had it made, as a member of the Sanhedrin, respected by his peers and people, before Jesus grabbed a hold of him in Acts 9. Ananias was sent to inform Saul (Paul) of his commission by God, as we read in 9:15-16, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” Paul was not reckless, but purposeful and obedient. With the cross before him, and his commission understood, he moved forward in obedience. He didn't overplan or get overly concerned about his finances. We read in Acts 18:1-4, "After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks." By this time, Paul was a renowned and bold messenger of Jesus Christ. Paul functioning as a tentmaker, would be like the late Billy Graham ceasing full-time evangelism and earning his keep as a tradesman. He would vacilate between part-time and full-time as events changed. When Silas and Timothy arrived from Phillipi, they brought resources with them to allow him to once again preach full-time (Philippians 4:15-16).
If we are to be vessels, then we are to move in obedience to His Spirit. We don't cross every t and dot every i before we move forward. Sometimes things will go forth smoothly, and other times it might seem like one obstacle after another. But we are to move forward by His Spirit, and in obedience, not carried about by "circumstances" and conveniences. We are His ambassadors, and His assignments are not always easy or pretty. They may go noticed or unnoticed. But they are always seen by Him. We can never forget this. They are seen by Him.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: