How do Christians know what they've been called to do?

[Jodi 0]

What are some of the ways that a Christian discovers her/ his calling? I've read about some pastors who heard God specifically tell them to go into the ministry or to "Feed my sheep" and others who say God specifically told them what He wanted them to spend their lives doing. Is He always specific when He calls you to do something? Or does he sometimes hint at it until you get it? I know we are all called to represent Christ and show the people around us His love. But I am asking about the kind of calling that you focus your time, efforts, and resources on.

Thsi isn't a lesson; it's a request for a lesson! Thanks in advance for any insights you can share.

Jodi

[Linda Irish 0]

I never knew about having a "calling" since I was born again at 22 I was so, and still am, so in love with Jesus and passionate about learning about His ways....but it never crossed my mind that God might want more from me.but I do know that some of my friends had a deep yearning to know more of what God has in store for them....

But out of the blue...seven years ago God stopped me in my tracks right before I opened my front door to go in...after church. I felt the heaviest presence of God that I'd ever felt...He was stopping me from going in, I started shaking all over, that had never happened to me before...and then I said, "What God...what?" and He said to me, you are not going in until you break off that lie, I asked what lie, and God told me, "The lie, that a woman cannot be a minister of the word of God".....after I asked for confirmation he sent me two that very day....and then God began to give me more specific instructions for me...)something that I could focus my time efforts and resources on.) He told me to write about all our experiences together and put it into a book called "Its a God Thing" The Sheep Will Hear My Voice.....and to then get credentialed as a minister of the Gospel.............

.I will pray that God will put a fervent and passionate desire in your heart...to do the thing that He wants you to do!!!!!!!!!! In Jesus name we pray....and they all said...Amen

[Cholette 0]

This is a GREAT question Jodi. I don't think there is a specific way God reveals His calling to an individual. I've heard ALL TYPES of awesome stories. I've heard them from as simple as a prophet speaking into their lives to something similar to what Linda just shared.

I think if you or anyone else is in search of the call that God has on their life, the Bible says in James that when you need wisdom, just ask. After that, wait for Him to reveal it in HIS way and in HIS timing. You can trust that He wants you to know more than YOU want to know. He's such a wonderful and awesome God!

Blessings and I'm praying for you as well!!!

[Dove-Solutions 0]

I find this an awesome question, and I sure could have reaped some knowledge from it years ago when the Lord called me to the ministry. You see I was beaten down so bad that I didn't think God would use me because after all "how could he use me?" So I kinda of bought into the lie of the enemy also. Someone asked me once, does God call a female to minister.....I said he sure does. They said "Why?" I said because a man was unwilling to serve and God will use whomever is willing. I am certainly willing.

I was sitting at my kitchen table one morning reading the Word. The Lord said turn to 1 Timothy 2:7 and I did.

And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle-I am telling the truth, I am not lying- and a teacher of the true faith to the gentiles.

I said, Lord you are gonna have to confirm that cuz I need to test the spirit here. He told me to go to 2 Timothy 4:2-5

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage- with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrin. Instead to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

I said ok Lord, just one more confirmation and I am good. He sent me to Mathew 10:7

As you go preach this message; the kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive oout demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

I was totally convinced in my calling.....not at one point did he mention that I was female and was held to a different standard than a man. God chooses whom he chooses. He is God. End of story.

Love in Jesus,

Connie

[Virtuous 0]

Now, THAT'S a good question, Jodi1....hmmmmmm

[Linda Irish 0]

Connie, your post blessed me so much....I also received two confirmations from God on that day that He spoke to me. I did not tell anyone what God had said, a neighbor called be to come down for coffee...but before we started visiting I asked to use her restroom, there, turned upside down was a "Charisma" magazine....and it was turned to an article entitled somethint to the effect of : " Breaking the Lie" that a woman cannot be a minister of the Gospel " Later, My little eight year old grandson came over and we were going to watch "Left Behind" with my husband and my teenager son....After the movie my son came over and put his arm around my shoulder, "Do you see Uncle Dustin"?, I asked my little grandson, "He may look like a big guy, but he is still my little boy, One day he will grow up to do something wonderful, He will be an attorney to help poor people to be treated fair, or he will be a Policeman and help protect people, or he will be a minister and preach the word of God....and my little grandson broke in, He threw his arm out passionately and pointed at me, and in the authority of God, he said, No, no grandma, You, you, will be a minister of the God,

It made me cry.....funny God gave me two confirmations as well...He says it three times, yeah...He means it !!!

[Dove-Solutions 0]

Oh that is awesome! Praise God for out of the mouth of babes the truth is revealed. Praise God!

[Jodi 0]

Thanks Linda, Chollette, Connie, and Virtuous.

I'm not sure yet if I've been called. I'm asking Him for a definite calling with confirmations since I know He will sometimes do that. I love reading your testimonies.

Jodi

[newleaf 0]

[color=blue]I had a very specific dream that I still remember where I went to a meeting to hear a famous(not in reality) Indian man of God who was a businessman. He prayed for me and told me what my calling/purpose job was.

Prophets came to visit my church told me what my spiritual gifting was. They have all said the same thing.

[Jodi 0]

Justblueskies, what did they tell you was your gifting and what did they say was your calling?

[newleaf 0]

Hi Jodi
not a specific job title that would be great - a certain age population and social work!

[Jodi 0]

Specifics would be great sometimes, I agree! lol Did the age group and social work match what you already thought about yourself or were you surprised?

[newleaf 0]

have heard it so much from prophets, am studying something that I can use to help the poor

[Jodi 0]

I love that He has a plan for us and is willing to guide us into that plan!

[mjtorrence 0]

I would like to bump this thread up for my own question this is a good topic and I have read what everyone says here and have heard stories from others about how God called them but my question is I dont even know what call God has on my life how can I find out I know prayer

[Linda Irish 0]

I really believe this with all of my heart. I believe that If you walk in His word, You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.

I know that If we are walking in God's Spirit, we are continually being trained and maturing by walking in his word. That we are not just hearers but doers also. If we then are in His word and in His Spirit we need to just rest in that and know that HE IS GOD, He won't forget to show us the things that He has for us, He wont forget to fulfill the desires of our heart (delight in the Lord also and He will give you the desires of your heart) We are in training for the things that God has for us. We are being trained and tested so that when it is time to use us we dont quickly fall, but steadfast walk in the ways of the Father. Until God pulls us out on a new mission, we can rest in contentment in the Light of God and know. truly, that when the time is right we will be in the right place, as the Holy Spirit is always the right place. God wont forget us. and I dont know why I am to say this, but this is true. Until then, I believe God wants us all to know that, like the song," Love'S the only house big enough for all the pain in the world" And we all know God Is Love. amen

[lola21st 2]

Amen, Linda, Amen!