Activated Calling Abide/Obey The abilities we’ve been born with are not enough in themselves. It is necessary to be in the environment and under the training and mentorship that will enable their development. When these things are made available the degree to which they are accessed and utilized is the degree that the giftings will be developed. Answering the call to come to this place is where it begins, but while abiding there in the optimized development culture, adhering to the instructions found there will determine if it really makes any difference. Also, establishing the purpose for those abilities and how they should be directed will give meaning beyond just doing something well. By answering the call to come into the presence of the Master, we are entering into the place where our calling is not only discovered but given a reason and purpose that is so much greater than the world’s. Abiding in Him is not just an escape from the darkness. It’s where the One who made us establishes us in a way of life that utilizes our abilities to impact His kingdom for good. Rather than just being driven by self-promotion, our passion emulates His in serving other’s needs from a heart of love and compassion. From His Word and following His Spirit we are provided with everything necessary to glorify God in the very areas that our hearts respond to. What happens when we answer the call to come into His presence? From Him comes desire and ability Philippians 2:13 (TLB) 13 For God is at work within you, helping you want to obey him, and then helping you do what he wants. Personal identity is lost in His 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (NKJV) 26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. Obtain glory 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 (NKJV) 13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. With abiding is acquiring His will John 15:7-8 (NKJV) 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. With answered call to come is abiding where His will is heard John 15:10-17 (NKJV) 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. 11 "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another. The reason that gives a calling its worth- Philippians 2:1-8 (NIV) 1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross! Overview: It’s when we answer His call to come that we then can abide where His voice is heard, His will is known, and our calling is discovered. Abiding in Him we have the opportunity to know the purpose for our calling by obeying Jesus’ commands to lay down our lives for others. By aligning with His will, we are enabled to pursue the things that He will bless and empower us to succeed in for His glory. It’s when we join with the heart of God that we know and fulfill our calling in an eternal kingdom purpose. Prayer: Father, I’m so grateful that You’ve made it so I can come with confidence into Your presence. I desire to abide here with You, hearing Your will and aligning my heart and ways with Your purpose. I commit my whole mind, body, and spirit to fulfilling your purpose with Your calling on my life. I submit completely to Your working on my will and ability to do so for Your glory. Declarations: There is a greater purpose for the gifting and natural passions of my heart. In the presence of the Lord I discover this purpose in His love and its commission for my life. As I abide in Him and in obedience to His heart, I align with His will and vision for my life. God is continually working in me to desire His will and be more than able to fulfill it. The calling of my life is fulfilled with kingdom purpose as I abide in the presence of my Father.