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Called

Words of Faith Final

Called
Words of Faith 9-23-2021
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2021
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Romans 8
    [28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
     [29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

     What does it mean to be called according to His purpose? And what is the goal of that call? What is the purpose at the end of all these things that "work together for good?"
     Paul says that God, in advance, intimately knew those who would answer the call and that He destined them to be conformed into the likeness of Christ. No one knows us better, and His goal is to conform us into the likeness of His Son.  
     That is the goal of the synergy of God in our lives. The blessings and struggles that "work together for good" are all toward one goal and that is to conform us to the likeness of Christ.  Is it any wonder, then, that we encounter trials along with blessings?  
    If we are to exhibit the character of Christ-- the fruit of His Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self‑control-- is it any wonder that we encounter situations where it is difficult to love, tough to have joy, painful to find peace, hard to be patient, difficult to be kind, tempting to be bad, hard to be faithful, anything but gentle and out of control? It is only in such situations that we can learn to surrender to the Spirit of God within us and truly be conformed to the likeness of Christ.
    We often are tempted to point out that the lost seem to have fewer trials and tribulations.  We may be tempted to say that this is "not fair." The reason may be that such a lost person is simply not being prepared for eternity and does not have God at work in their life conforming them to the image of Christ. That is not unfair. It is sad. Do you really want to trade places?   
     James said it so well: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

    Lord, conform to Your image. Help me to see Your hand at work in the circumstances of my life that I may surrender to Your Spirit and manifest the fruit of Your Spirit. In Jesus' name.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2021
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)        
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2021 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.