Greetings from Norm Wakefield and the Spirit of Elijah Ministries,

We live in a culture that constantly bombards the Christian family. Do you find yourself always on guard against ideas and philosophies of life that are contrary to those you hold? I would like to encourage you on a monthly basis with an article that gives practical, spiritual, Bible-based insight into your relationship with God and your family. I began The Spirit of Elijah Ministries for the purpose of building up the local church by strengthening families. I found that if men could be equipped and encouraged to be shepherds and pastors at home to their families, the church and the kingdom of God would be the beneficiaries.

      It is my belief that revival in America can occur if men's hearts are turned to God and to their families. As fathers rise to the call of God in their lives as godly men, husbands, and fathers, the next generation will then be more prepared to advance the kingdom of God and bring glory to the name of Jesus Christ. It is my prayer that this monthly e-mail newsletter will be used of God to encourage you and give you and your family a vision for revival, renewal, and restoration.

      Additionally, I want to encourage you to check out our website: www.spiritofelijah.com. There you will find more information about The Spirit of Elijah Ministries as well as discover other articles and resources that may encourage and equip you as a husband/father, wife/mother, or prepare you for marriage. The materials you'll find there are practical, Bible-based, life-changing, and inexpensive. You'll discover a vision for raising your sons and daughters that will be exciting and full of hope.

      You may wonder how you came to be on the Spirit of Elijah email list -- you've either given your address to us or we have mutual friends. If you would like to have your email address dropped from our list, just reply with unsubscribe in the subject box. We'll be happy to oblige. Otherwise, you will continue to receive the Chariot of Fire. Let us know if these articles and resources "scratch where you're itchin'." I want to be helpful and relevant. If there are particular topics that would be of interest, please don't hesitate to let me know. I'll be happy to consider them. The articles in the next few months will center around the topic of rising to our callings in life -- the theme of a new audio series for men and their families due to be produced the first of next year. Enjoy!

Advancing the Spirit of Elijah,

Rising to the Call

When I was in high school and college sports, I dreamed of getting "the call" from my coaches. In football it was a call to carry the ball. In basketball, it was the opportunity to make that last shot or a big defensive play. When I was twenty, there was another "call" from Uncle Sam to fight for freedom. At work, it was being called to work on a special project. Each of these calls gave me an opportunity to show who and what I was. In one sense, they gave me the chance to define my existence. A "calling" is like that. We're given an opportunity to rise to the call and distinguish ourselves, face a challenge, put our best on the line, and establish our identities.

      We don't speak much these days about our "callings" in life. Usually when someone speaks of a "calling," they do so with reference to a career or ministry. But recently I've been thinking about the callings of God in life. I've realized there are many callings in life-events, acts of God, that call us out to define our existence. And the most important ones, we haven't risen to. I don't think it's because we didn't want to, but because our "callings" have gone unrecognized. In this issue, I would like to define a "call" of God or a "calling" so we can get in touch with what God is doing in our lives and apply that to our relationship with God and to the members of our families. What is a "call"?

It is an act of God

First, a "call" is an act of God followed by the giving of a name which defines an individual's identity. We see examples of this in the Bible. In the first two chapters of Genesis, God "called" the material world into being and then "called" each thing a name. He called forth everything that exists and then named it. According to that pattern, each of us was "called" forth from our mothers to be the sons or daughters of our fathers. Then we were named.

      Have you considered that the birth of a child is an act of God. Seldom do we think of a birth anymore as an act of God-God calling forth a son or daughter into existence. Births are so commonplace that we may miss the supernatural aspect of what is taking place -- God is "calling forth" another person into life.

      In the spiritual realm, all of the elect of God are "called forth" with a holy calling, and then are given a new name and identity. This calling supercedes, but doesn't replace, their first earthly calling. They are now in a new family, with a new father, with a new name -- sons or daughters of the living God. Notice what the apostle Paul wrote about our spiritual calling and what the apostle John wrote about what we are called.

...Who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, (2 Tim. 1:9)

See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him (1 John 3:1).

It Refers to a Special Relationship

Second, a "call" refers to a position or place in God's order of the creation -- a special relationship. This defines the individual to a greater degree. When God "called" Abram he became "a father of many nations." Moses was given the position of being the intercessor/priest of God's people, Israel. Joshua was called to be the leader of Israel as they entered the Promised Land. The firstborn was given a position as the heir to the father's inheritance. He got his position solely on the basis of God's calling him forth first from the mother's womb. There is an interesting exception, and that is the "calling" of Jacob. Esau was born first, but God "called" Jacob to the position of blessing. Paul understood God's calling Jacob to this special relationship. In Rom. 9:11 he wrote, "for though the twins were not yet born, and had not done anything good or bad, in order that God's purpose according to His choice might stand, not because of works, but because of Him who calls." When someone is "called" by God to Jesus Christ through His Spirit, they're called to be sons of God and to the special position as heirs of God. "Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God (Gal. 4:7).

It Entails Responsibilities, Privileges, and Promises

Third, a calling has responsibilities, privileges, and promises that produce hope and purpose. Again, this further defines the individual. When a prince or princess is born to royalty in England, they have a calling. That calling defines their lives. There are responsibilities that come with being a son or daughter of the King. There are also privileges and promises that direct the course of their lives. The same should be true of everyone!

      With every calling by God there are responsibilities outlined in God's Word. As sons or daughters of our parents, God's Word has clear directives as to our duties and responsibilities. We are to honor our parents by obeying them (Eph. 6:1-3), listening to them (Prov. 6:20), giving them our hearts (Prov. 23:26), and bringing honor to their names (Titus 2:8), just to list a few.

      There are also privileges with every calling by God. For instance, my sons and daughters get the privilege of my heart, my vision, my energy, and my callings in life. As I am blessed my children are blessed. It's part of the privileges they have as my children.

      The promises come with faithfulness. If one generation is faithful to rise to their callings, the next generation has the promise of enjoying God's blessings and being prepared for their callings in life. They have a hope because they know they are prepared for life by rising to the call of God at the time in their lives.

It Prepares us for the Next Calling

The fourth aspect of a "call" involves faithfulness. Our faithfulness to each calling is vital preparation for all other callings in life. Each calling has responsibilities and privileges that prepare the individual for the next calling. If we are not faithful with our first calling or ignore that calling, we'll be unprepared for the next calling in life. If someone ignores the call of God, runs from the call, or isn't led to prepare for the next call, they will experience the consequences. They will have conflict in life. How will they know how to lead anyone else in their callings? That's where the hope of the gospel comes in! As God calls us to Himself, He equips us for all of our callings in life by renewing our minds, forgiving our unfaithfulness, and restoring relationships.

What are the "Callings" to which we need to rise?

Can you think of certain acts of God in life that call you into a special relationship with definite responsibilities, privileges, and promises? Perhaps you might make this a topic of discussion with your family. Consider what your responsibilities are now. What things do you wish you had learned in your previous callings in life that would have helped you now? Are you teaching them to your children?

      Next month, in the next Chariot of Fire, we'll address at least six possible "callings" in life. Perhaps by then you'll have already thought of them! Until then, may God encourage you by His Spirit as you rise to the call of God each day to live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

            Norm Wakefield
            Elijah Ministries
            PO 377
            Bulverde, Texas 78163
            www.spiritofelijah.com