Not Optional but Invitational
by Otto Bixler
When we buy a new car we get an owner’s manual. The Bible has often been called an owner’s manual for life. We might think that if we follow the instructions in the owner’s manual we can get God to perform the way we wish. It is quite the other way around. God is our Father by adoption through Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:5) and as Father, He has behavioural criteria for us. The Bible is a manual for how we should behave if we want our relationship with God to function well. If things aren’t as we like them to be in our life, perhaps we’ve been reading the Bible through a faulty belief system.
For example Jeremiah 33:3 says ‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ Do you see an “if” written before the word ‘call’? It’s not there! This is an imperative: a command. It’s not an optional extra in your faith walk. It doesn’t even say that you are to call out to Him with your problem or wishes. It just says, ‘Call to Me.’
Were you thinking that you must only call out to God when you’re beyond your abilities and your flesh can’t rescue you? How far this is from the truth! He has things that He wants to say to us but often we’re not ready to listen. We’re so full of the world, our own problems, goals and expectations about life and even about how God should be or how He should treat us. But He’s waiting for you to call to Him and say you’re ready to listen to Him. Do you love Him? Jesus says that those who love Him obey His commandments.
God wants to talk to you. He waits to share things that are beyond your reach - things that are beyond your intellect, experience, learning or even Scripture reading. There are things that you can’t unlock for yourself from the Bible. So, how can you neglect this command and say that you love Him? Do you think that this isn’t for you or that He’s only there in your time of need – and only if He’s not busy solving other problems? Take some time and call unto Him. He’s waiting just for you. He wants to talk to you and to bless you.
Prayer: Lord, I am calling upon You now. Show me the things You want me to know today. Expand my relationship with You. Forgive me for only calling upon You in times of trouble. I want to talk with You regularly about everything. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Otto Bixler and his wife Sharon joined the full-time team in 1990 and began the work of Ellel East (covering Eastern Europe and Russia) in 1992. He is Regional Director of Ellel East, a member of the Executive Leadership, an ordained Vineyard pastor, and teaches worldwide for Ellel. He has recently authored a book “Widows, Orphans, and Prisoners” which has come out of his 18 years of ministry in the Ellel East region. Otto has one married son and two grandchildren who live in the USA. His heart is to establish the Kingdom of God in churches wherever he goes through the equipping of the saints and helping in their restoration process.
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