Welcome to my blog. I’m so glad you stopped by. There’s lots going on today.
1.) After two weeks of recovery from surgery, I get to drive again!
2.) My youngest son’s baseball team is in the middle of their ‘end of the year tournament.’ We’re hoping to win it all tonight! Go Bucks!
3.) I also have a devotion running today entitled, “When God Calls A Women,” and I promised you some tips to help you clarify your call. I’m a gal who keeps her word, so I’ll pause here before moving on…
While it’s true that every Christian is called to ministry, some are called “to the ministry.” Being “called” into vocational ministry goes beyond serving in the church. It’s knowing that God has called you apart to give your life in service to Him and others.
Why is it important to distinguish between the two? Because with any other profession, skills for the job can be learned to perform the tasks at hand. With ministry, it’s different. It can’t be done by just anyone because if involves a supernatural element. Therefore ministry must be done by those who are called and anointed by God. This is the first step toward clarifying your call.
A.) A person called by God has been anointed by Him for this role. Just as God anointed Moses, David, and the prophets and apostles, He has anointed you. What caused the people to listen to and follow Moses? What did David have that his brothers did not? God’s anointing. God’s favor. This anointing is not something to be prideful about. You had nothing to do with it. It’s God’s choosing.
In today’s devotion, I point out that Paul states he did not choose to be a minister, but God chose him. Through your call, you know that God has set you apart to serve Him and others. Through the anointing, others can see God’s hand on you.
B.) A person who is secure in God’s call to ministry have a quiet confidence about their lives. This confidence comes from knowing they are in the center of God’s will. Their motives are pure. Their intentions are not to gain attention or fame, but to pursue God’s will for their lives. They are willing to go where they are lead and serve God and others willingly and openly.
C.) Finally, a person called of God understands that they are not working for God but with God. If I’m working for God, then He simply needs to tell me what to do and I will do it. On the other hand, if I’m working with God, then there is a constant realization that I’m limited in what I can do on my own. While I’m limited on what I can do, I’m connected to the One who can do anything. I may have limited wisdom, but I know the God of all wisdom. I am aware of my limits in loving others, in bringing healing or comfort but I’m connected to an unlimited God. When we realize that God is the one who empowers us to do ministry, we are working with Him and not for Him.
If you are certain that God has called you into the ministry, you’ve experienced His anointing in your life, you have a quiet confidence that you’re in the center of His will, and you are aware that you’re working with God; not for Him, then hold tight! Your journey is just beginning!
4.) Lastly, today is the day we announce the first scholarship winner to She Speaks!
Let me pause here and give a big shout to Cindy Haux, our winner! WHOO-HOO! CONGRATULATIONS, Cindy!!
Now, if your name isn’t Cindy Haux, don’t let the enemy discourage you. The DETAILS TO OUR NEXT She Speaks Scholarship contest can be found on our home page at http://www.proverbs31.org/ Hurry over to find out how you can participate.
Or, here’s a sure way you can attend She Speaks this year…
Set up your own scholarship fund! Read below what LeAnn Rice, our Executive Director, at Proverbs 31 has to say about setting up a scholarship!
“We have put together an amazing letter that you can send to your family, friends, church, small group, etc. As a result, tax-deductible donations are made to Proverbs 31 Ministries and designated as scholarship money for you. Each year 20 – 30 women attend She Speaks because they set up their own scholarship. Everyone is not called to speak or write. But some are called to financially help someone else answer the call to speak or write.”
For information on setting up your own scholarship, visit http://www.shespeaksconference.com/. Click on the green button that says “Scholarship Info” at the bottom left of the home page. That button takes them to the scholarship information on the website.
Pam says
Micca,
Thank you so much for your devotional today about God's call. It really spoke to my heart and was that "confirmation" once again that He is calling me to follow this dream He has placed in my heart. I have recently entered a scholarship contest through Proverbs 31 but did not win, and thought I would try again. However, on the Proverbs 31 homepage I only see the information about the contest that just ended. Where can I find the information about the contest you mentioned?
Again, thank you so much for sharing your heart. God used you to speak to me : ) Have a great day!
Sweet Blessings ~
Pam
Catharine Gaither says
Micca,
Yes, fear and the lack of personal assurance has taken over. The fear of leaving my family and being alone on the road is more than discomforting. Moreover, the thought of making a mistake is downright frightening.
However, I find comfort in a single statement you made. "partner with God". Whether it's leaving my family for short periods of time, or speaking in front of a large group of people, I now realize I am not alone when I'm partnered with God to create a team. Thank you for your words of encouragement and stepping forth that God can work through you to get to me. I now know in time, He will do the same WITH me.
Fondly,
Catharine Gaither
The Calm of His Presence says
Micca,
Thank you so much for your devotion. This was exactly what I needed today! Thank you for allowing God to work through you.
I am so glad you are recovering well. I have been praying for you.
Have a blessed day,
Mary
Jill says
Micca,
I was up early this morning wrestling with a decision (and doubts.) Long story but your devo and blog were confirmation that I needed – really an answer to prayer. Thank you – your devo even had verses from my quiet time this morning. God is good, thank you for answering the call and encouraging me to do the same. Blessings to you and praising God for the healing work He is doing in you!! ~ Jill
Digging for Pearls says
Micca,
What a blessing to hear that you are doing much better. You are often in my thoughts and prayers. I pray for God to continue to strengthen you.
Blessings,
Jodie
Jeanies Heavenly Treasures says
Micca,
I'm very glad to hear that you are doing well! That devil aint gonna knock you down!
Girl, you have no idea what your devo means to me! The Lord is speaking to me through it! Yes, it's about partnering with Him!!!
He has recently called me to speak out about abortion. This is very near and dear to my heart because I had an abortion when I was a teenager. Well, I got saved 25 yrs ago. The Lord forgave me (and I know that) but I was not Healed from it. I went through an abortion recovery program and Our God has Healed Me! Now, He has called me to speak about it. So….I would appreciate your prayers!
God Bless You, My Friend!
Jeanie
LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagious says
Wow Micca, thank you for your insightful words today. God has been working in me and I do feel a God Call. Your words today clarified it even more for me. You are such a wonderful writer and get the point across so well. I can sure tell that "YOU are Working With God". Our sermon yesterday was on this very same thing. My goodness, how God is working to get me going to the next step!!!
Thank you,
Lee Ann
Kimberly says
Thanks for encouraging us to press forward. It is easy to get discouraged, to run and not listen to what God is saying to your heart on a daily basis but eventually, like Jonah, we all have our moment when we can no longer deny the truth and we step out and do what He has called us to do. I did not get chosen for the scholarship but I've decided to step out on faith and register for the conference and try to raise the money through scholarship donations from friends, family and co-workers. I am sending the letter to everyone I know and posting it on my blog. If this is the season for me to do as He has prompted me to then I will be blessed with the funds to make the trip. No matter the outcome, I have taken the first step to making the dream a reality.
kdchristian44@gmail.com
re-organizedchaosinva.blogspot.com
OurStoriesGodsGlory says
A great devo today and it just so happened that I read your thoughts today in The Reason We Speak! Love when God does that. He is the perfect orchestrater of all things and He is the ultimate confirmer of our call. I kind of backed into ministry when I had a prompting to do some leadership activities, but didn't consider myself a leader at all. When I mentioned what God had laid on my heart to the person who I thought God would naturally have picked to carry out the task, she said, "God is not calling me to that, He's calling you." I remember thinking, "Are you talking to me God? Me? Are you calling me? Little ole me?" My passion planted by God won out over my fears and insecurities. Praise God! And thank you for sharing your pertinent thoughts! OurStoriesGodsGlory.blogspot.com
Prophetess Yumia Rhone says
When people make up there mind that they are going to
Live for him the way they are supposed to then all the blessings
They desire will come