WORD 4 TODAY- “Called”

Heard a beautiful message by an older Spanish speaker teaching us how Jesus considered the calling of the 12 apostles.

She began with Luke 6:12-13 NLT

“One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. 

Jesus went away to pray to God all night and in the morning He had chosen the 12 apostles.

I am sure that Jesus as He prayed, would have also been watching each disciple as He was praying about calling them for His purpose.

He watched, saw and heard their behavior, their  character, their prayers and He knew their heart.

We know that Judas Iscariot was among the 12.

Did Jesus make a mistake?

The speaker took us to Acts 1:16-17 NLT

“Brothers,” he said, “the Scriptures had to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus. This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David. 

Judas was one of us and shared in the ministry with us.”

The answer to why Judas was included with the 12 is simple .. Judas was part of the ministry and the work thereof. Wow, truly nothing is by chance, from the beginning Judas’ part was foretolded.

The call of the 12 apostles was a time of walking with Jesus as He taught and prepared them for the ministry, empowered them with the Holy Spirit and poured into them all they would need for the work ahead after Jesus’ departure.

It was as an important election of the 12 apostles by Jesus that even today, these men are still a living example to us as to how to be about our Father’s work. 

They were not afraid to die for the gospel, in fact, the apostles died rejoicing in preaching the good news!

We too have been called to go out and preach the good news. In our homes, schools, work and community. We must take on the responsibility of sharing the gospel to those around us and then pray, for many will not want to hear what you say. 

Mark 16:15

And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone”.

We can not allow fear, discouragement, illness, doubt and everything else the enemy will bring against us, to keep you from being God’s witness. Remember that the apostles were persecuted and Jesus Himself is hatred by the world. It is still the same today for us! 

We can learn from the parables of how the foolish and the wise virgins prepared themselves for the Lord’s return and from the parable of the “talents” of the three chosen men by their master and given talents to put to use.

What will you do with the Truth about Jesus?

In Revelation 21:14

“The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb”

Let’s get busy with the talents God has given to us. We will not hide it, we will not be fearful and we will not let the devil take it from us.

Your name is written in the Book of Life 

Revelation 21:27

by Speaker Margarita 

3/2/2024

Village Green