1 Corinthians 1:26 - Seeds of Calling

Step 1: Pray. Select.

Lately, I have been noticing a lot of transitions in life. I went to a wedding and funeral this past weekend and just received news this morning that my cousin gave birth to a healthy baby boy. It amazes me how much has happened in the past 72 hours.

As I began to settle in to pray this morning, I contemplated the Holy Spirit's words about new beginnings. Through my reflections on the events in my life and His words, he led me to 1 Corinthians 1:26.

Let's begin our journey here, friends.

Step 2: Write. Read. Circle

1 Corinthians 1:26 - For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.

After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out amongst the others:

• You See Your Calling

• Not Wise

• To The Flesh

• Are Called

Step 3: Re-Write

With a focus on the words that stood out, here is the personalized sentence that came alive in my heart. Don't forget, if you are doing this alongside me today, make sure to add your name to your unique sentence:

• Jennifer, you see your calling, not wise to the flesh, are called.

Step 4: Visualize

As I meditate on the scripture and the day's sentence, I ask myself, what is calling? A call can be to have a child, honor the person you love with a commitment in marriage, raise children, or answer God's call in death and go home to be with him.

The Holy Spirit tells me that calling is the harvest you see with your heart. It drives you to plant seeds in the hope that one day, they will take root and grow. We are directed to do something and take action to see it through. The most important part of a calling is that it belongs to our creator. He is the only one who has the vision for your life and a more abundant life. The more we are attached to our creator, the closer we are to hearing the call.

It cannot be driven by the seven deadly sins (pride, lust, greed, envy, gluttony, wrath, sloth). If we examine the nature of these things, they are all reactionary and have nothing to do with moving in faith. They are not creative. They only grow from what the eyes can perceive. As opposed to seeds of faith, which can only grow what GOD sees. Which, in turn, will produce something you have never seen before and pure.

The Holy Spirit warns me not to plant seeds to control my future or correct my past, which can cause me to lean on my own understanding. Instead, I should plant seeds I receive from my Father into soil comprised of expectation, love, and faith, and whatever springs up in agreement with what my Father says will be something more magical than anything the flesh has ever seen.

A question arises, so I move to Step 5.

Step 5: Ask. Seek

The question that came to mind is:

• Holy Spirit, how do I stay confident in my calling?

Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive

Here is the answer I received:

"Stand on his word. He says in Isaiah 43:19 - Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? And in Jeremiah 29: 11 -  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. When you plant in faith, and your heart is peaceful while you wait on the harvest, you will know it was all the work of the LORD. If you labor to control the outcome, you plant in the flesh and will never see the greatness God has for you. 1 Corinthians 2:9 - Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,

Nor have entered into the heart of man, The things which God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Corinthians 15:58 - 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

Step 7: Pray. Confirm

Heavenly Father, I come to you humbly in the mighty name of Jesus.

I thank you for your wise counsel today. Thank you for arming me with the truth to speak to any lie trying to persuade me to control my situation and life. You are my story's true author and finisher, and I release all my expectations to walk in faith and hear you more clearly.

Please help me remain strong on this journey of faith as I travel into unknown places, but I trust I am planting good seeds and will be joyful instead of fearful in the process.

Thank you for being the LORD and Savior of my life. In Jesus's Name - Amen!

If you used the scripture of the day and need prayer or someone to pray with you, connect Here. Remember, you are not alone.

Step 8: Share. Testify

If you workshopped any of the verses mentioned above using the 8-Step Prayer Practice, we would love to hear from you in the comments below about what the Holy Spirit showed or spoke to you today.

Remember to spread hope and share your miracle or testimony HERE. We want to see how God is working in your life!

Conclusion:

Friends, today, I am struck by the clear differentiation between planting seeds to fulfill the flesh and planting seeds in faith to fulfill His purpose.

I pray our gardens and soil of life be filled with the nutrients of love, expectation, and unwavering faith to produce the good fruit that will provide for life and life more abundantly, as God promises.

I pray you all have a peace-filled day, and I look forward to seeing you here tomorrow!