A Life Worthy of the Lord’s Calling

Prayer ~ Lord, I do feel that I’ve been called by You…called to be part of Your family—and so blessed by that. Paul called the Ephesians to be worthy of their calling. How can I do that? By being humble and patient? I am certainly unworthy—but very willing to serve You in any way I can. I feel that this blog is an opportunity to reach others for You—open doors and hearts for others to seek and know You. May they praise and worship You, praying continually—as Paul taught and I strive to do. You are worthy to be praised, honored, and adored.

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all. However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. That is why the Scriptures say, "When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people." Notice that it says "he ascended." This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself. Ephesians 4:1-10

Meditate. What does it mean to be “called?”

 

God is continually calling us through His word—to seek Him—and to know Him. In this passage, Paul was telling the Ephesians…and us…that we have been called to a glorious hope for the future. I think that hope is our eternal life in Christ. Interestingly, Paul points out that Christ descended from Heaven. He did indeed exist in Heaven with God the Father before He came to our lowly earth as a baby. Then after His death on the cross—for our sins—and His resurrection, He ascended…in Paul’s description… higher than all the heavens, so that He might fill the entire universe with Himself. Fill the entire universe—that is such a vast area. Jesus Christ is in control of all of creation. What a powerful position!

 

For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all. One…body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, God and Father. ONE. Each of those stands alone. One. One, yet they are intertwined. The Spirit and God the Father are ONE with Jesus Christ. It is a difficult concept for some people to get their heads around, but it is by faith that we can accept that fact. It is by faith and baptism that we declare that we are ONE with God. Believing in God as your spiritual Father, your Savior, and your comforter or sustainer is the biggest step anyone takes in their life. That is a calling that gives hope. Personally, I have hope. Hope for today and an even brighter hope for tomorrow…and forever. Do you have hope? Have you been called into a life filled with God’s glorious hope?

 

Verse of Salvation ~ My mercy and justice are coming soon. My salvation is on the way. My strong arm will bring justice to the nations. All distant lands will look to me and wait in hope for my powerful arm. Isaiah 51:5

Memory Verse of the Week ~ For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.  Romans 3:23

 

Mashup these blueberries! 

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

We can’t live on bread alone. We can only hope that we have more than bread—although good bread is all we need sometimes! Spread some freshly ground peanut butter or almond butter on a fresh slice of bread and top with some mashed blueberries or raspberries. The best peanut butter and jelly sandwich ever!

© 2022 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. 

 

 

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins of the Bible: New Testament Stories

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com