Date: 02-06-2020

Title: Being Called

(S) cripture:
    Acts 13:1-3 (NASB77) Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 And while they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
    
(O) bservation:
    In Antioch the followers of Jesus were first called “Christians” and it is there that the call of God was recognized in Barnabas and Saul (Paul). The church then prayed and laid hands on them to set them apart for the work God had for them. They then sent them away to do that work.    

(A) pplication:
    I remember clearly sensing God’s call in my life. I was 15 and at the West Virginia Baptist Camp at Cowen. Rev. Elizabeth Caudill was the camp pastor and had asked if any felt God calling them into vocational ministry. I responded. My home Pastor, Ted Sisk, was a great encourager. My Uncles, Jim Crouch and Ward Robinson, both pastors in West Virginia were great influences and mentors. My parents fostered and nurtured that call. My training with Campus Crusade for Christ was invaluable. I then served on the staff of North Parkersburg Baptist with Sr. Pastor, Conrad Lowe. Conrad taught me much about leadership. In 1973 my home church, Highlawn Baptist in Huntington, WV, recognized my call and set me apart by the laying on of hands and prayer. We call that “ordination”. I have been blessed by those who poured their lives into mine over the years, there are too many to mention here, and have continued to recognize that call and allow me to do the work that God called me to do.
    As the years have passed I think that many have misunderstood ordination. Many have made it a separating apart to a higher status with the Lord. Somehow the “ordained” are more important than others in the church. NOT TRUE, we simply have different roles to carry out. Maybe we should lay hands on everyone we set apart for a ministry in the church, Sunday School teachers, ushers, youth leaders, decorating committee, trustees, etc. You get the picture. We are all called, just to different work to do.
    Today I am reminded of my call want to live out every day to the best of my ability.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, Thank you for your call in my life. Let me celebrate it and live it out today. Use me to help others see your call in their lives and begin to live it out. Amen