1. QUALIFYING the CALLED

2. Jeremiah 29: 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the L ORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29: 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the L ORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

3. 1 Corinthians 7:17-19 (MSG) And don’t be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God’s place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there. God, not your marital status, defines your life. Don’t think I’m being harder on you than on the others… 1 Corinthians 7:17-19 (MSG) And don’t be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God’s place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there. God, not your marital status, defines your life. Don’t think I’m being harder on you than on the others…

4. …I give this same counsel in all the churches. Were you Jewish at the time God called you? Don’t try to remove the evidence. Were you non– Jewish at the time of your call? Don’t become a Jew. Being Jewish isn’t the point. The really important thing is obeying God’s call, following his commands. (MSG) …I give this same counsel in all the churches. Were you Jewish at the time God called you? Don’t try to remove the evidence. Were you non– Jewish at the time of your call? Don’t become a Jew. Being Jewish isn’t the point. The really important thing is obeying God’s call, following his commands. (MSG)

5. Jeremiah 29:12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. Jeremiah 29:12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

6. 2 Chronicles 16: 9 The eyes of the L ORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16: 9 The eyes of the L ORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

7. Romans 8:27-28 He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. (MSG) Romans 8:27-28 He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. (MSG)

8. Romans 8: 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (NLT) Romans 8: 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (NLT)

9. Jeremiah 29: 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. Jeremiah 29: 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

10. 1 Samuel 16: 1 G OD addressed Samuel: "So, how long are you going to mope over Saul? You know I've rejected him as king over Israel. Fill your flask with anointing oil and get going. I'm sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I've spotted the very king I want among his sons." 1 Samuel 16: 1 G OD addressed Samuel: "So, how long are you going to mope over Saul? You know I've rejected him as king over Israel. Fill your flask with anointing oil and get going. I'm sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I've spotted the very king I want among his sons."

11. 2-3 "I can't do that," said Samuel. "Saul will hear about it and kill me." G OD said, "Take a heifer with you and announce, 'I've come to lead you in worship of G OD, with this heifer as a sacrifice.' Make sure Jesse gets invited. I'll let you know what to do next. I'll point out the one you are to anoint." 2-3 "I can't do that," said Samuel. "Saul will hear about it and kill me." G OD said, "Take a heifer with you and announce, 'I've come to lead you in worship of G OD, with this heifer as a sacrifice.' Make sure Jesse gets invited. I'll let you know what to do next. I'll point out the one you are to anoint."

12. 6 When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, "Here he is! G OD 's anointed!" 6 When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, "Here he is! G OD 's anointed!"

13. 7 But G OD told Samuel, "Looks aren't everything. Don't be impressed with his looks and stature. I've already eliminated him. G OD judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; G OD looks into the heart."

14. 8 Jesse then called up Abinadab and presented him to Samuel. Samuel said, "This man isn't G OD 's choice either." 8 Jesse then called up Abinadab and presented him to Samuel. Samuel said, "This man isn't G OD 's choice either."

15. 9 Next Jesse presented Shammah. Samuel said, "No, this man isn't either." 9 Next Jesse presented Shammah. Samuel said, "No, this man isn't either."

16. 10 Jesse presented his seven sons to Samuel. Samuel was blunt with Jesse, "G OD hasn't chosen any of these." 10 Jesse presented his seven sons to Samuel. Samuel was blunt with Jesse, "G OD hasn't chosen any of these."

17. 11 Then he asked Jesse, "Is this it? Are there no more sons?" "Well, yes, there's the runt. But he's out tending the sheep." Samuel ordered Jesse, "Go get him. We're not moving from this spot until he's here." 11 Then he asked Jesse, "Is this it? Are there no more sons?" "Well, yes, there's the runt. But he's out tending the sheep." Samuel ordered Jesse, "Go get him. We're not moving from this spot until he's here."

18. 12 Jesse sent for him. He was brought in, the very picture of health— bright-eyed, good- looking. G OD said, "Up on your feet! Anoint him! This is the one." 12 Jesse sent for him. He was brought in, the very picture of health— bright-eyed, good- looking. G OD said, "Up on your feet! Anoint him! This is the one."

19. 13 Samuel took his flask of oil and anointed him, with his brothers standing around watching. The Spirit of G OD entered David like a rush of wind, God vitally empowering him for the rest of his life. 13 Samuel took his flask of oil and anointed him, with his brothers standing around watching. The Spirit of G OD entered David like a rush of wind, God vitally empowering him for the rest of his life.