1. First things first. Make sure you are fully committed to Jesus.
A young man named Kelley felt a tug at his heart just about every time he went to church. He was convinced he was being called to preach. He made an appointment to talk to his pastor. As questions were asked, the pastor determined that Kelley had not actually ever given his heart to Jesus. He had gone to church his entire life and assumed he was a Christian. What he thought was God calling him into ministry, was actually the conviction of the Holy Spirit to be saved.
If you are saved, make sure you have said from your heart, “I surrender all of myself to You, Lord Jesus. I am willing to go anywhere and do anything at any cost, if You will go with me.”
This is why Jesus said, “If anyone comes to me and does not let go of his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26, 27, 33).
2. Know your Bible and fill your mind with it.
The Bible makes us strong in faith, leads us to success (Psalm 1:1–3), and causes our hearts to be on fire for the Lord (Luke 24:32). But we have to know it for ourselves. There is an old saying: “You are the only Bible some people read.” While that may or may not be an effective evangelistic tool, we Christians must read and understand Scripture for ourselves. You cannot let Grandma be the only Bible that you read!
3. Know your gifts and know yourself.
Every Christian has gifts (1 Peter 4:10, 11). Knowing what they are helps you to understand your calling. And knowing yourself (Romans 7:15–24) makes you aware where you fit in among the various ministries.
4. Read about ministers and missionaries.
The Bible treats heroes of the faith as worthy role models (Hebrews 13:7). “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).
5. Ask yourself: Do I have a burning desire for the lost to be saved?
God gives the feeling of passionate concern for lost people to be saved to those called into ministry. This feeling is often called a burden. Jesus carried such a burden: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings” (Luke 13:33, 34). This burden was essential to his calling. What is your burden?
6. Pray for God to throw you where you can be best used for his glory.
In Matthew 9:38, it literally says: “Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to throw out laborers into his harvest.” Ask God to use you to the fullest for his glory. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5).
7. Involve yourself in passionate worship in your local church.
The most important calling, ever, happened during praise and worship: “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them'” (Acts 13:2).
8. Listen to the spiritual people in your life.
They will confirm your gifts. They are the instruments God will use to guide and teach you. (2 Timothy 1:5–7).
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