Pastor’s Weekly Refuel
JUST SAY YES
Luke 18:27 (NIV) — Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
Marcus was an immensely talented trash talker in his day. In the hallways of his high school he could constantly be heard cutting down his verbal opponents like an industrial strength lawn mower. In English class, his marvelous use of metaphor and machine gun delivery during discussions brought fear to all those who dared to oppose him. One day his English teacher asked if he would join the school’s debate team. He was given a package of debate topics and all the information he would need to be a part of the team. Once he reviewed the material and saw the scope of what it would take to a debater, all his bravado and confidence dissipated. Without telling his parents about the offer to be on the team, he declined.
So many times as Christians we act the same way to God’s challenges. He gives us an assignment that immediately seems too big for us. It involves doing things we have never done. Before we pray about it or consider that God has been preparing us for this challenge our entire lives, we decline the offer. We back away, pretending that it wasn’t God who dropped the idea in our head. We rationalize our decision because what God showed us did not align with our plans for our life (Proverbs 16:9). Plus, what God showed you was too big, too risky and/or too difficult. It’s like we expect our great big God give us a small, easily achievable assignments.
There are no excuses that we can come up with that will change God’s mind (Numbers 23:19). Many have tried. Remember Moses. God had an answer for all his excuses and he has an answer for all ours, too. God is always going to ask us to do something bigger than ourselves, remember David and Goliath (Samuel 17:4). That is the plan. That is the divine design. It will take you out of your comfort zone and cause you to wonder why you got the call or if the call was really for you. But God has prepared you – we are the works of his hands (Isaiah 64:8). We are a predestined people who are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14). That is what our life has been about; the good the bad the bitter and the sweet have all shaped and prepared us for the good works in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:10). Trust that God is not going to ask us to do something that will not result in victory (Psalms 60:12). So when he calls, no matter the request, just say yes. If he has called you and you placed God’s request on the backburner, now is the time to move it to the top of your priority list. It will save a lot of time and allow you to see just how great you can be when you accept God’s offer to conquer the impossible.
Be Blessed, Be Thankful, and Be Ready for the Challenge,
Pastor Marvin R. Wamble
Shiloh Community UMC
12695 Shiloh Church Road Newburg, MD 20664
Don’t forget to tune into the “Shiloh Hour of Pray Power” on PrayLive each Sunday night from 10-11 p.m. by calling 443-524-9880 code: 7729 or by going to www.praylive.com Also, First Lady Anita Wamble leads prayer on PrayLive each Sunday night from 9-10 p.m.
