Confirm Your Calling

"Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"- 2 Peter 1:10-11 (NIV).

No one comes to Jesus unless God the Father calls him (John 6:44). Once we respond to His calling, He delivers us from a sinful world and transfers our citizenship into the kingdom of His beloved Son (Colossians 1:13-14). Our hearts should burst with joy and gratitude, because His kingdom cannot be shaken.  Our gratitude should include heartfelt worship, reverence and awe (Hebrews 12:28). We may not see death, if the Lord returns before our time, but if we do, we will awake to everlasting life in His eternal kingdom. Until that time, let us confirm our calling and shine like the brightness of the sky above; and if we guide others to accept God's calling, we will shine like the stars forever and ever (Daniel 12:2-3). Praise the Lord!

Friendship

"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity"- Colossians 3:14 (NIV).

The virtues Paul talks about are compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and forgiveness (vv 12-13). We need to choose our friends wisely by choosing wise friends, so that we may become wise. Otherwise you choose foolish friends and suffer for their companionship (Proverbs 13:20). Don't be misled; know that bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33). Instead, be wise; choose friends of virtue. Be devoted to each other in love and honor one another above yourself (Romans 12:10). Take time to thank God for the wise friends He has blessed you with along the way; some of which have had to move on in their callings, or to be with the Lord, and some we are blessed to keep longer, but you were all together in perfect unity.