Stepping Stones: You Have Been Called!

Transformational Tip
In movies you see creative ways that legal papers, notifying you to appear in court or that you are a defendant in a lawsuit, are served. This is sometimes dangerous to the deliverer, as these papers need to be directly handed to the individual to make it official and take away the excuse of, "Nobody ever told me!" The deliverer always says the same thing; "You have been served." Today's message is to tell you, "You have been called!"
There are powerful themes that run throughout the Bible. One of the strongest is Jesus' message... "Come follow me." Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, the judges, prophets, David, Solomon, Daniel, all were called to follow God. Through the New Testament, Jesus continued to deliver the same message. Jesus' first words to Peter were "Come follow me." His last words to Peter were "...you must follow me." And Peter did follow Jesus from those very first words. Yes, he stumbled and fell; he even denied that he knew Jesus...but he followed.
Be clear about this; Jesus is calling you to follow Him. You may wonder what Jesus sees in you when he calls you...but remember that he called and accepted Peter with all his failings...and Peter went on to do great things for God. Jesus chose real people, sinners, to be his disciples.
Today, take a deep look into your heart. What distorted belief keeps you from following God in all areas of your life? Why do you have trouble believing God's truth in that area? It usually comes down to believing God's promises about when we suffer, are in pain, or pain is near. Don't let your pain or failings keep you from following God. You have been called! And you can't use the excuse, "Nobody ever told me!"

Prayer
Dear Father God,
I hear Your call to me. I have been trying to avoid it, act like I didn't hear it; but today I acknowledge that I hear Your call to me; I will follow You. Like Peter, I have many weaknesses and I do not feel worthy of Your call. Father, I pray that you infuse me, fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I pray that Your Spirit give me the strength and the knowledge I need to be a follower of the teachings of Your Son Jesus Christ. Help me Lord to help and encourage others to follow You. Let me be a shining example of Your love and peace. I give all glory to You my Lord. Amen

The Truth
"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
Mark 1:17
"...You must follow me."
John 21:22
Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Matthew 16:24
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."
Luke 18:22