Tag: Faith

God Is Calling Your Name?

On By SonjaIn Uncategorized2 Comments
Sleeping child hears God calling him three times.

Reprint October 24, 2024

How many friends, family members and acquaintances do you know that addresses people not by their given names, but rather by using a euphemism (a mild or indirect word or expression) that in most cases depicts an endearing term that shows hospitality and love?

For example, I often greet family and friends by saying, “Hello Lovie. How are you?” If a conversation pursues, I’m guilty of peppering my sentences with “Lovie” a few more times to make a point. Now, I’m not saying that this is all bad. I’m just saying that this week my eyes were opened to the realization that perhaps I might want to just curtail using the expression of “Lovie” as a substitute for addressing a person by their legitimate name.

Here is why…

A few years ago, my bible study group started reading 1st Samuel, a book in the Bible. A very popular story in that book is the one about the young lad, Samuel, who had a dream while living in a priestly commune (temple) with the prophet Eli. Samuel was awakened from his dream twice by someone calling him. Samuel thought it was Eli so he got up and went to Eli. Since Eli had not been the one who called unto Samuel, Eli instructed Samuel what to say if he heard his named called a third time. Finally, the Lord did call his name again, but this time He called out, “Samuel! Samuel!” and He got Samuel’s attention. Samuel’s response was, “Here I am Lord. Speak, for your servant is listening” (1st Samuel 3:1-10).

I am very familiar with that story as I am sure you are too. But this time Samuel’s encounter with the Lord really got my attention and I wondered how many times was a double salutation used to call somebody in the Old and New Testaments. My research revealed that throughout all sixty-six books in the entire Bible, only nine people and one city were addressed by calling their names twice.

I immediately called upon the Holy Spirit and asked if we could have a little conversation…

In my spirit I began to realize that every time an individual was called by name twice, he or she was elevated to a greater and higher position of importance in the scheme of things in the Bible.

  1. Abraham! Abraham! He became the Father of many Nations . (Genesis 22:11-13)
  2. Jacob! Jacob! He became a great nation siring 12 tribes. And his name was changed to Israel. (Genesis 46:1-4)
  3. Moses! Moses! He was assigned to become a deliverer of God’s people. (Exodus 3:1-10)
  4. Samuel! Samuel! He was young at the time, but God was grooming him to be a priest, prophet, and judge. (1 Samuel 3:1-10)
  5. Martha! Martha! She was the sister to Mary and Lazarus. Martha was taught from being anxious about many things in life. (Luke 10:38-42)
  6. Simon! Simon! Also known as Peter. He learned to rely on Jesus instead of his own self. (Luke 22:31-32)
  7. Saul! Saul! Also known later as Paul. He changed from persecuting Christians to teaching them. (Acts 9:4)
  8. Lord! Lord! This was the title people began to use with their lips but not with their hearts. (Matthew 7:21-22, 25:11: Luke 6:46; 13:25)
  9. Eloi! Eloi! Definition for “My God, My God” that people still call on today. (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34; Psalm 22:1)
  10. Jerusalem! Jerusalem! The name given to the only city in the Bible that was elevated to prominence. (Matthew 23:37 and Luke 13:34)

This is the conclusion of the matter…

If and when God calls your name TWICE, will you recognize him and answer the call? Will Jesus get your attention? I truly believe that God has a place and an assignment for each and every one of us to perform. He is no respecter of person. What he has done for others, he will do for you! So, for goodness sake…don’t miss it when God calls your name…TWICE!

My prayer for you…

Dear Heavenly Father: First of all, I want to thank You for knowing our names and just where we are at any given moment. We also wish to thank You for Your divine organizational structure, for it is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 that “There is timing and purpose for everything in God. There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven…And a time to heal.” So, dear Jesus, please find all of us in good health, good spirits, good moral living conditions, and good hearts for service in Your vineyards. May we all use good common sense and good judgment and be submissive to the instructions of the Holy Spirit and to always remember that love never fails when carrying out Your decrees and directions for our lives. We humbly come laying these prayers at the feet of Jesus. Amen!

I’ll Be Somewhere Listening For My Name

Scripture Lesson: He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, (2 Timothy 1:9 NIV)

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.wordpress.com every Friday for a new post from The Master’s servant manager…Me!

God’s Son: The Ultimate Sacrifice

On By SonjaIn Uncategorized4 Comments

Jesus began calling his first disciples out of the saltshaker and into the world.  And guess where the saltshakers had found refuge?  In the synagogues!  Yes, hiding in plain sight. What you may not realize is that John the Baptist was actually the first preacher of the gospel. John’s message was one of repentance. The Holy Spirit had already informed him that the kingdom of heaven has come near. John preached that the Pharisees’ and Sadducees’ had already been warned by the prophet Isaiah.

This situation came about after Jesus had been reluctantly baptized in the Jordan River by His cousin, John the Baptist.  After this took place, two additional events happened.  First, God opened heaven and Jesus saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.  Then, a voice from heaven was heard: “This is my Son, Whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Those two events were confirmation and proof positive that Jesus Christ was the Messiah…just as John the Baptist had proclaimed.

Nevertheless, Peter’s denial of ever knowing Jesus and his braggadocio expressions of false endearment toward Christ was a let down. Also, Peter did not stay awake while Jesus prayed to his Father. Seemingly, towards the end of Jesus’s life on earth, Peter tried to avoid being publicly identified as a Christian. (That situation can be associated with many followers today.)

Perhaps the Lord knew from the get-go, that his life’s road would be hard to climb. Thus, he allowed the Holy Spirit to lead him into the wilderness, and there he went on a forty day and night fast.  Jesus was also tempted by the Devil during this time.

Jesus overcame the wilds of the Devil and was successful in causing Ole Slew-foot to flee.  Next, angels came and attended to Jesus. However, the Pharisees’ disdain for Jesus was never appeased. Jesus’ teaching on: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you,” never took hold in the Pharisees’ heart.

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!

God IS The Author And Finisher Of Our Faith

On By SonjaIn Uncategorized5 Comments

When was the last time you had an “Ah-Haa” moment?  Was it last week, yesterday or maybe this morning?  Mine was just now!  Just as I began to compose my thoughts for this week’s blog, the Lord shouted in a loud voice, “STOP in the name of love, before you break my heart.  Think it over.”  Doo wop, doo wop!”

Well, I exaggerated.  The angels were not really blasting out The Supremes 1965 hit song, but I thought it was a great opener for what I am about to share with you (for the second time) concerning just how much God loves proof reading our writings, publishing and promoting our hieroglyphics on how we use His written word as a form of our worship.

Honestly, when life throws me a lemon, one of the most expressive ways I’ve found to cope is by journaling, or writing my grief down somewhere.  And my first thoughts this morning when I awoke were the Holy Spirit whispering to me, my child, that is just what I do…envelop someone’s heart to write things down.  (My “Ah-Haa” moment.)  You see, God is actually the Author and Finisher of our faith….who would-a-thought!

So, what are some examples in the Bible of God’s references to writing things down?  I’m so glad you asked.

  • As a Prosecuting Attorney, God said:  “Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”  Luke 1:3-4
  • As a Supreme Ruler, God said:  “This is what the Lord said, the God of Israel, says:  ‘Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you.'”  Jeremiah 30:2a
  • As the Master Teacher, God said:  “Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”  Deuteronomy 6:9
  • Under the direction of the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote:  “You (the Corinthians) yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody.  You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”  2 Corinthians 3:2-3
God Prefers a written letter.

Needless to say, one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day!

I realize that there are other acceptable ways Believers in Christ pay homage to Him, for example:

  1. By worshiping through music.
  2. By worshiping in fasting and praying.
  3. By worshiping conducting Bible study.
  4. By fostering unity in the body of Christ.

But for me, worshiping while journaling allows me to laugh out loud with Him, debate with Him, cry with Him, rejoice with Him, shout with Him, run with Him, Love on Him, and most of all submit to Him.

The man on the left is not a picture of my grandfather, Daddy Bob, but it reminds me of him sitting in the wooden bench swing on his front porch on a warm Spring day, slowly pumping himself back and forth as he read his Bible.  We grandchildren knew not to disturb him, but we could watch him as he from time to time looked up at the rolling clouds in the bright blue sky and spit out his tobacco.  Next, he would take his pencil from behind his ear and underlined something he had just read in the Bible.  How I longed for a peek at that page.  But that was Grandpa’s own private conversation with God and I knew he expected God to answer him in His own good time.

You may be wondering how you can use the written word as a form of worship?  May I suggest you try writing down your first positive thoughts of your day.  And in the evening pick up that list and write down how each thought was accomplished.  Did you make it happen?  Did someone else make it happen?  Was God in the mix?  Then turn it all over to Jesus in your closing written prayer.  Collect these precious pieces of paper and you will be on your way to worshipping while journaling.   Then you, too, will agree that to journal is a wonderful form of expression.

Until next week, my friends, happy journaling.

TO HELP YOU GET STARTED WITH YOUR JOURNALING, SHOP AMAZON FOR THIS JOURNAL NOTEBOOK:  I’ll Write it Down: A Two Way Chat Diary Oct 17, 2019 by Joronda Montañ Paperback      $9.95

Scripture Lesson:  “Never forget to be truthful and kind.  Hold these virtues tightly.  Write them deep within your heart.  If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don’t ever trust yourself.  Proverbs 4:3-5 (Living Bible)  STOP in the name of love…

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!

God Sends Out A Clarion Call For Workers

On By SonjaIn Uncategorized2 Comments

There is a large sign in My employment office that says, “WELCOME!”  This greeting is for all those who come through these doors seeking to be partakers of a Heavenly Calling in this earthly habitation called  “World”.  The qualifications are simple…your mission is to be molded and shaped into the likeness of the Apostle and High Priest of our profession; Namely, our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus.

I greet you in harmony in knowing that there is a better way; that faith without works is dead! and that faith without hope is like a hot coal being removed from the fire, placed on the hearth and watching it’s glow slowly go out.  For you have come to realize that you cannot continue to grow in this Christian life alone.  That is why you have darted into this employment office.  You need the warmth, fellowship and support of each other and the right Employer to give you an opportunity to excel.

Blog Heavenly Hiring Frequently Asked Questions.jpgOkay…so you have questions.

First, you need to analyze, agree to, and equate to the Job Description.  Know that you are applying for the position of ‘Discipleship‘, not ‘Welfare Recipient‘. You are to let go physically, emotionally and spiritually of all those things that so easily beset you and send you off on a tantrum.  The job description is posted below if you choose to accept it:

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26-33).

You may be wondering…”How can this be accomplished?”  I’m so glad you asked.  The Second thing is to repeat the First.

1.      Know your job description by heart Find it in the B-I-B-L-E
2.     Know who your Supervisor is His Name is J-E-S-U-S
3.     Know what company policies are They are called The T-E-N Commandments
4.     Know what the consequences are if                you do not perform. Going to H-E-L-L in a hand basket
5.     Know what your limits are and be          willing and ready to accept change I am not the P-O-T-T-E-R; I am the              C-L-A-Y

The following is a Twenty-first Century Parable:

  • Moses received the Law, a Blueprint of what of do.
  • He and all the people knew who wrote those laws and who was their “Boss”.
  • But the Company of God, Inc., began to realize that the people could not follow the rules and regulations on a consistent basis. The Company also realized that the consequences and penalties were too sever.

So, a new policy was initiated–A BETTER WAY–and the only requirement printed in the job description was…”You must have faith!”…along with its derivative meanings and keep them.

Blog Heavenly Hiring Job Discription.jpg

Revised Applicant Qualifications…  (“Elysian” means blissful, delightful.)

Because some of the Ole Timers were so set in their ways and thought that the “Better Way” policy was so easy that there must be a fly in the ointment somewhere, they resigned and went to work in their same capacity at another firm.

But the younger whipper-snappers accepted the challenge based on the promises of the Employer…that He would put His Son in charge.  And all the people had to do was to accept Him as the Supervisor, form a union (the Church) and begin to study the By-Laws (the Holy Bible).

You know the rest of the story; how Jesus has set an example that no man can top.  How He did not just sit in His Father’s office and drink coffee all day, but came down among the workers.  How He demonstrated His love by giving of Himself, tirelessly.

Nothing less is expected of us, Dear Readers of this Heavenly Calling, if we are to continue to be in the employ of this Company.  We must begin to exercise our faith by releasing it to others and depending upon our Faithful God Father to keep His promise to make everything all right.

Blog Heavenly Hiring I Got The Job.jpg

Thank god I got the job!  And He knows how I take my coffee…with 3 blood drops of sugar and no cream!

Scripture References:   “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him.  For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves and chastises every son whom he receives.”  Hebrews 12: 5b-6

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (former laborers), let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run (work) with perseverance the race (job) that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter (and Supervisor) of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God”   Hebrews 12:1-2

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!