Click here to download a printable version of the Daily Bible Study for 7.20.10.

TUESDAY — Calling All Who Will Listen!
Today’s Big Point: We all have a clear calling, the question is…are you listening? Are you taking action?

     “Before becoming a part of the staff at CedarCreek, I spent six months faithfully praying for God to make my unique calling clear. As a Southern Baptist preacher’s kid, who fell in love with Jesus at seven and felt His calling into ministry at sixteen, I somehow became extremely disillusioned with church and Christians by the age of 24. When my husband and I walked through the doors of CedarCreek for the first time we were making one last ditch effort to be a part of a church body. We saw Senior Pastor Lee Powell when we walked through the doors. We only met him two times before that day, and he remembered our names, shook our hands, and told us he was glad that we came. This is the kind of friendliness that CedarCreek was known for and it made us feel right at home. Each weekend at the service, our hearts seemed to soften more and more. We were captivated by the mission, and God began to work in our hearts in ways we had never experienced. Three short years later, I began leading Family ministries at CedarCreek. My husband and I knew it was part of God’s plan for our lives to serve in this way, just as coming to CedarCreek was as well. Leaving my job was a step of faith, but peace-filled because I felt called.”
– Chantele Henry, Family and Adult Education Pastor

READ…What does the Bible say?
Judges 6:14 (New International Version)
14 The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”

Matthew 28:19 (New Living Translation)
19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 4:10 (New Living Translation)
10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

THINK…Find the answers
How did God encourage Gideon even though he was giving God excuses?

According to Matthew 28:19, what is every Christ follower called to do?

LIVE…What will you do now?
In the past few Living It Out Bible studies, we have asked the readers to reflect on Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” Again, this week we are asking you to do the same, but this time pay more attention to “called according to His purpose.” We are just like Gideon, who was “called according to His purpose”, and we too question our standing with God when He presents an opportunity to accept His calling. We say things like, I don’t think I am ready…what about my past…what if I mess it up…what if they are offended. If all things truly do work together for the good of those who love God and are called… is there any reason not to be obedient?

What is keeping you from helping a new believer grow?

If you are a new believer, what is keeping you from joining a new believers group?

PRAY…God, what do You want me to know & do?
God, give me the desire to act on my calling as a believer. Lay opportunities in front of me to live out my calling.

DAILY BIBLE READING COMMENTARY:
Luke 16:1-13 The parable of the shrewd manager creates a lot of complex questions because Jesus seems to be advocating dishonesty. However, Jesus is not praising the manager’s unscrupulous behavior (Jesus calls the manager  a “dishonest rascal’ in verse 8). There are several lessons for Christ-followers in this parable: 1. Christ-followers should be faithful and wise with the money and resources God has blessed us with; 2. Worldly wealth is okay, but it should be used to create opportunities to increase the reach of the gospel message; 3. If we cannot faithfully handle what we have, we won’t be able to handle more.
Luke 16:13 We are either completely devoted to God or completely devoted to the pursuit of money and stuff…you cannot be devoted to both. What is your decision?
Luke 16:18 The Old Testament recognized the reality of divorce. Depending on the Jewish sect, legitimate grounds for divorce varied – one group accepted the ruining of a meal as grounds for a divorce. Jesus reacted strongly against the Jews’ casual attitudes and affirms the reality of the scriptures: God hates divorce.
Luke 16:19-31 “Eschatological reverse” is a theme found in Luke and it means that things are reversed on the other side of this life. Lazarus was poor and humble on earth, but he was made rich in heaven. The rich man was proud and well-off, but left destitute and suffering. Those who value riches over God will be rejected and God demands that we value love and justice for those who are poor and in need.