OUR FIRST CALLING

If we focus on simply being with Jesus, His power, wisdom and revelation will be present in our lives.

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.” —Ephesians 1:17-23 (NIV)

REFLECT ON THE WORD

When Jesus named his 12 disciples, they were called to be with Him, to preach the gospel and to cast out demons. We often focus on the latter two callings, exciting as they are, and miss their source in the first—just being with Him. Ephesians tells us we can experience the same power that raised Jesus from the dead! It is the Holy Spirit who allows you to access this power, so that you may know Him better. To know Jesus is our first calling. All wisdom, revelation and power flow from our obedience to it.

PRAYER + CONTEMPLATION

1. In what ways have you neglected your first calling to be with Jesus as you do ministry? Confess and repent.

2. Don’t feel shame; we all fall short. Pray and ask Jesus for the courage to just be with Him without fear or agenda.

3. Pray for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to be present in the church, that we might fulfill our first calling to simply be with Jesus and know Him better. Think about how to do that practically in worship.