Thought for October 25, 2024

  •  1415: Battle of Agincourt--longbow defeats armored knights
  • 1760: George III takes the throne
  • 1854: Charge of the Light Brigade, over 100 killed
  • 1870: First postcards used in the US
  • 1929: Former Interior Secretary Albert Fall is first Cabinet member to go to jail after conviction of accepting a bribe
  • 1960: First electronic wrist watch goes on sale
  • 1962: During Cuban Missile Crisis, Adlai Stevenson tells Soviet UN representative--"I am prepared to wait for my answer until hell freezes over."
  • 1978: "Halloween" released
  • 2023: 18 killed and 13 injured in mass shooting in Lewiston Maine
  • Born: Pablo Picasso, Richard Byrd [explorer], Samantha Bee, Ciara, Georges Bizet, Katy Perry, Dave Cowens, Xander Schauffele,  John Dodge [automobiles], Sarah Colley [Minnie Pearl], Bobby Knight, Helen Reddy, James Carville, Mike Eruzione ["Do you believe in Miracles"], 
  • Died: Bobby Riggs, Payne Stewart, Geoffrey Chaucer, Bat Masterson, Roger Miller, Richard Harris, 
Thought:
Yesterday, we were thinking about our calling. In chapter 1 of Romans, Paul talks about his calling to preach the gospel to Greeks and barbarians, to the wise and foolish, and to those in Rome. [1:14-15] It strikes me that Paul feels that because he is called , he has an obligation to fulfill that calling [1:14]. Makes me wonder do I feel my obligation to fulfill the calling of Jesus. Is His calling something I get to when time allows, when convenient, when not too much trouble--or is His calling an obligation to which I give the first priority? 

As I think about how serious I am about His calling, Paul hits me in the face with 1:16-17. Am I ashamed of the gospel of Jesus? He has called me to go and spread the good news. Do I feel any weight of obligation, or am I ashamed, afraid of rejection or reaction? Paul says he is not ashamed and his life as told in Acts shows us that he preached the gospel despite opposition, beatings, imprisonment, shipwreck, and attempts to kill him. Makes me look like a weak Christian---I don't like rejection, opposition, mocking, being considered a fanatic. Almost any little thing seems to defeat me. Look at why Paul says he is unashamed:
  • The gospel is the power of God for salvation. Do I really believe everyone needs salvation? Do I really act like those who are unsaved are headed for eternity without God and without hope? Do I believe that Jesus is the only way to a right relationship with God? If I do, I fulfill my obligation to go and tell.
  • The gospel reveals the righteousness of God. If anyone wants to be right with God, the gospel is the only way. For in Christ we have a revelation of the love, grace, mercy, justice and righteousness of God. Jesus is the revelation of God--He said if you have seen me, you have seen the Father. He said that the words He speaks are those of the Father. 
  • Do I have the faith, the trust in Jesus and His claims and promises, to answer His calling? I have to answer this question every day, sometimes more than once. 
Today, Lord, I know Your calling, give me the faith to respond and Your strength to endure. 

Blessings
Larry

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