A Devotional by Pastor Cesar Castellanos
Today’s Bible Verse
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.
2 Corinthians 3:5
Trained by the Best Coach
When the Lord chose His team of twelve, not one of them was able to effectively accomplish the task. However, with skilled hands, for three and a half years, Jesus devoted Himself to making them true men of character. First, He formed them and then breathed His Spirit into them. Just as God did when He created Adam, when He finished His work, He breathed His Spirit of life into him; Jesus did the same with His disciples. When they had the right character, they received the Holy Spirit. We understand that the Lord is looking for people to be part of His team. He wants you to be part of it. He wants to take you to the front of the line. Maybe you don’t see yourself as having enough experience, but the Lord is still calling you. He first calls you and then He equips you. God calls you to the ministry even when you are not trained. Then you are trained to be a brilliant leader.
In order to relate to His children, God always works through covenants. The Lord revealed Himself to Abraham as the Almighty God and said, “Walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers” (Genesis 17:1-3). God’s covenant is with one man. Generally, this includes his descendants, and extends to the children who keep God’s covenant. God will enlarge their sphere of responsibility in different areas. After the covenant, God renamed Abram to Abraham, which means “father of multitudes.” This determined that nations and kings would come from Abraham.
Just before Jesus was betrayed by Judas, He instituted the Holy Supper and drinking the wine He said, “This is my blood which is shed for many.” That cup represented the new covenant through His blood. Whoever drank it began a new covenant with God. Through faith, you and I have entered a new covenant. In the spiritual world, the opposing forces clearly perceive the mark of the blood of Jesus on families that are sheltered under the shadow of the Christian faith. They know that they cannot break through to them because of Jesus’ blood. His blood put a hedge of protection that no demon can trespass. The Christ that you have in your life is not weak; He is strong. Although He died in weakness, He rose victorious in the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus can empathize with each one of us because, as man, He had to endure all kinds of adversity. Believe that His blood covers you, so that no evil will harm you.
Something to Think About
From the moment I received the Lord, I felt that I was called to ministry; it was a conviction. You should also feel that conviction. I knew nothing of the Bible; but in my heart I felt I had been selected by God to enter into the ministry. It does not matter if you do not have the knowledge, experience, or influence. If you feel in your heart that you’re being called, God will guide you and train you. Two months later, after my conversion, a Pastor of a church invited me to share a teaching from the pulpit. That Sunday, I preached on the Parable of the Prodigal Son. When I opened my mouth to teach, the anointing of God came so strongly upon my life, that I felt the words came from me with energy and with great influence. Ideas came to my mind with lightning speed and all that I communicated was totally new to me. I preached with fire, as if I had twenty years of experience in the ministry.
The Holy Spirit is making the same invitation to you. However this time, the pulpit is in a house and the public will perhaps be your own friends, relatives or neighbors. You must be confident that by opening your mouth, the anointing of God will come upon your life with power. You will see, with joy, that the Lord will begin to use you to transform the lives of many. (Cesar Castellanos)
Prayer
Sovereign Lord, I am amazed to see how drawn I am to Your cords of love and mercy. When nobody believed in me, You did. You never stopped even though I had sins and weaknesses. You focused on the purpose for which you had created me, and created an atmosphere that led me to meet You. When my mind was confused, You brought clarity to Your Word. When the world had trapped me, You came to my rescue and saved me. When I couldn’t speak, You anointed my tongue with words of life and power that could rescue many. I love you Jesus, Amen.
Declaration
I have been called and trained by the One who gave everything for me. He is the only One that I will serve.
Today’s Bible Reading
- Old Testament: Ezekiel 29-30; Job 10
- New Testament: John 10:1-10; 1 John 2:12-17
