Your call is under assault. In recent months, hell has unleashed a virulent attack against the elect of God. Weak and impotent believers are of no concern to satan in this hour. He has set his sights on effectual leaders in key positions.
The Lord has quickened me with a word of encouragement for those who have taken a few fiery darts in this latest shower of enemy fire. It’s time to raise your shield of faith which is powerful to extinguish every fiery arrow the enemy has sent your way (Ephesians 6:16). You have been discovered by your enemy. Because of past success in the Kingdom, you have been painted the target of hellish accusation and disparagement. The proof of this demonic scheme lies in your thoughts. No doubt you’ve had to war against tormenting mind traffic, lately. Do any of these statements sound familiar?
- You don’t know what you’re doing.
- Someone else could do this better.
- You’re washed up.
- Your best days happened long ago.
- What do you have to show for years of service?
- It’s time to step aside.
- God has moved on without you.
More than I hated typing those satanic words, it was necessary to bear witness to the warfare many are enduring. Each of those statements is a lie. Satan will waste no opportunity to discommend you through the criticisms of others, your own insecurities, or the deceptive winds of circumstance. No matter how ineffectual you may feel, the fact is you’ve been chosen. Now more than ever, you need to nail down your call.
Declare Your Call
Stop trying to talk yourself down from the high call of God on your life. You have climbed to heights in Christ that others have dared not scale. From that vantage point, you saw glorious things (past, present, and future) from Father’s perspective. It appeared nothing could derail the plan that Heaven handed you. In that high place with Him, your call was discovered. Your identity in Christ was set – chiseled onto the tablet of your heart where no human hand could erase.
Then, time and events passed. The plan has not unfolded like you thought it might. The unexpected turns have caused you to question the glorious things you saw. Worse yet, recent developments have you questioning your identity (the person Father has said you are).
Am I talking, yet?
Friend, you must declare that high call. Let your lips bear witness to the etchings of God on your heart. Say aloud, “I am called of God.” “I AM CALLED OF GOD!” Understand, anyone who has been marked by Heaven will suffer attacks of a most personal nature.
The Apostle Paul took cruel criticism from without. 1 Corinthians 9:2-3 NLT, “Even if others think I am not an apostle, I certainly am to you. You yourselves are proof that I am the Lord’s apostle. This is my answer to those who question my authority.“
Later imprisoned for the gospel’s sake, the attack intensified. 2 Timothy 4:16 NIV, “At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.” If the Apostle Paul suffered in this manner, so will you.
- Now is not the time to back off, shrink away, or bow to blasts of intimidation.
- Draw the deepest breath your lungs will allow.
- Muster your courage.
- Now, let loose a roar of determination.
- Satan! It is ON!
Since satan cannot get you to quit, he’ll settle for displacing you. He will prey on your every fear and insecurity in an attempt to dissuade you from your authority. Now is not the time to demote yourself or downsize your vision. It is time to nail down your call.
“Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.” Hebrews 3:1
Your calling is of a heavenly nature, not an earthly election. You were not qualified, nor can you be disqualified by any earthly criteria. This calling is founded in and authorized by Heaven. No living being or demon in hell can touch that call. It is yours eternally.
Therefore fix your thoughts on Jesus. He is your commissioning Apostle. What is He saying about your future?
- No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment.
- For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
- The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because your salvation is nearer now than when you first believed.
- If you love me, feed my sheep.
michele c
January 10, 2012 at 00:05
God bless you Melissa. Your Nail Down Your Ca ll is 100% on point and on time for those of us that are praying to redeen the time and become effective glory carriers in our latter days after so many years if feeling inadequate.
Melissa Flores
January 10, 2012 at 13:13
Thank you, Michele. Interestingly you used the phrase “redeem the time” in your comment. That was a prophetic word released in our church this month… and we are exploring what Father means. You just served as a voice of confirmation for us! God bless.
Devin A. Link (@NaviDALink33)
January 10, 2012 at 04:14
This is definitely confirmation. The thing so perplexing is when the adversary uses church people to be the voice of detraction. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!
Melissa Flores
January 10, 2012 at 13:15
Unfortunately, Devin, the most damage is often done by those who sit in the pew next to us. We must be confident in Christ, rather than in the opinions of others. Blessings to you, my friend. Press on!
Susan Stanley
January 10, 2012 at 05:27
Thank you Melissa, I really need this today. Bless you dear sister.
Melissa Flores
January 10, 2012 at 13:16
As did I, Susan. We are in this together!
Natasha
January 10, 2012 at 07:32
Thanks for this timely word Melissa. I for one have been under mental attack for the last 2-3 days, and was asking the Lord why. It has surely intensified the more I feel the Spirit moving me into my heavenly calling.
Melissa Flores
January 10, 2012 at 13:17
There is always warfare around the birth of something new. Continue to push through the resistance. It will come to pass.
Lily
January 10, 2012 at 08:03
Thank you Melissa. This post come just right in time to my email. I’ve been through the same thing these past two weeks. Now it’s time for me to rise and shine! Nail down my call!
Melissa Flores
January 10, 2012 at 13:19
Isn’t it comforting to know that others are in the thick of it, with you? Glad to be of service.
Andrew Frazee
January 10, 2012 at 18:45
Here’s some encouragement Melissa. You don’t know me and I don’t know you. I left the church in Garrett County with my family at a young age, pursuing my own ways and continued doing so through college. Jesus never crossed my mind and then idk how but about a year ago I started to look for Jesus. You have to understand I didn’t systematically say well I need to look and find this Jesus and here’s how I’ll do it. God drew me to ministries like yours but I had no reason to look. My daily routines were not likely to allow me to encounter anything spiritual. I went from I don’t know, don’t care, to yes I understand most of the things in the bible. My life has fallen apart since then in the earthly sense, but I am closer to God now. THE BOTTOM LINE is that God is using ministries like yours to help people out, and Satan would love to destroy these connections for restoration, hope, and revelation.
Melissa Flores
January 10, 2012 at 21:06
Thank you for sharing, Andrew. I’m so glad to hear you’ve reconnected with God. He directs our steps… and for hungry hearts, even our “clicks”. I’m so glad we’ve met through this venue. We must continue to be faithful to the call… people’s lives are in the balance. Blessings!
insimplicity
January 10, 2012 at 20:27
Beautifully conveyed. Thank you. Moving forward…
Melissa Flores
January 10, 2012 at 21:07
Can’t wait… for your… you know… new project. Ahem. <3
Andre Williams
January 16, 2012 at 06:47
Melissa, thank you. You sis, hit the nail on the head. Yes I have been under persistent attack, even at home. I didn’t question my call but have been having a hard time bringing it into focus. The voice of the Lord was not stirring because I could not center. Even now I can’t describe what’s going on fully but this article brings a lot of light and offers a sense of covering as I continue in the vision the Lord is currently walking me through. Yummy, warfare is so good
.
Queen
January 17, 2012 at 09:58
Thank you for encouragement word of God, God Bless
Denise
January 18, 2012 at 02:29
OMG! Melissa, you are on it!
The Father have directed me to begin to do a study on the thoughts, He thinks concerning me, my future.
I’m experiencing this very word you’ve given, the intimandation, insecurity, but! I’m determined to experience all that He’s promised in this year. I thank you for allowing our Heavenly Father to use you to expose the enemy’s tactics. To God be the Glory!
Jean W.
January 29, 2012 at 03:45
Dear Melissa,
I just came across this message on “nail down your calling”. I am simply amazed. I was talking to a friend of mine a few hours ago and she was telling me I need to stop finding excuses and start back teaching Bible study. I was a minister/co-pastor with my husband as pastor until he passed away in 2008. I was devastated and started to believe i’ve lost my identity. I cant find a church thats teaching the Bible solidly. I just visit from church to church. I needed this message so badly. when i started to read i saw my situation and just began to praise God for sending me to this site. Thank you so much.
I actually came here to find out if there was an article on this Jewish new year like last year (5771).
please e-mail me if you know. and thanks again for the message. God bless you- i will sigh up to hear from you.
Jean.
Melissa Flores
January 29, 2012 at 16:03
Dearest Jean,
How blessed I am to read your words of confirmation. The Lord always feeds His sheep. May you draw the encouragement you need in this hour to persevere. As per your 5772 request, here’s the post: http://definingwords.com/2011/09/21/the-year-5772-ayin-bet/
Much love.