Education is a valuable asset, but no degree program in the world can "call" you to the ministry. Only God assigns your call, and for the body of Christ to function like it should, all the parts are required. Let's get past our insecurity in seeking glory, honor, and respect of others, and look for the honor and calling that comes from God alone.

Faith isn't dependent on favorable circumstances, but rather stands boldly and declares God's Word in the face of the storm. When dealing with the storms of this life James says we can ask for wisdom from God, but he gives this condition in James 1:6-7 - "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord." Let's learn how to have unwavering Faith!

James 3:13 says, "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom." True faith doesn't stay dormant as knowledge - it expresses itself by action. Belief is more than mere agreement with the truth; true belief is moved to do something. Faith takes on giants, faces down lions and will set the captives free. Let's not rest in knowing the truth, but living the truth.

Jesus said in John's gospel "as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you" (20:21), and "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also." (14:12) All scripture testifies of a miraculous God partnering with willing men and women to do extraordinary things! We have never been called to reach the world with our own ability and might, but with His. God does not change and His mission has not changed.

Proverbs 24:10 says, "If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small." Difficult situations have a way of exposing who we really are underneath. You may be able to put on a mask of love and faith, but the proof is in your maturity. God wants to use us to change this world, and this frequently means taking on the "giants" that oppose God's will in our lives, and the lives of others. But if we stay close to Him, He will mature us into sons and daughters that can handle anything.

The work of Christ has given us something we could not obtain on our own. Genesis declares 3 times that we were made in "the image of God." This is what was lost; this is what Christ restored. Jesus paid a high price to give us an image and nature like our Father. You are valuable to God, and if you have received Christ you have become His son or daughter. Learn what it means to walk by the new nature Christ gave you - the nature of a child of God.

God not only cares about what we do, but why we do it - the "why" is the heart of the matter. What motivates us is key to having a character that represents the heart of God. The Pharisees prayed, fasted, and gave to the poor, but they did it for the wrong reasons. Why we do what we do should ultimately be motivated by our love for the Father. Join with us as we see that our love and relationship with God is essential in motivating us to fulfill our calling.

In 1 Cor. 3:18-19 Paul says, "If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God." God's way of doing things doesn't come naturally to us. We see limitations, He sees possibilities. As we explore more about our calling, we must become adaptable and moldable to a new way of seeing things - a kingdom mentality, a kingdom reality. "All things are possible to Him that believeth!"