Welcome to God’s Word to You
God’s Word to You today is found in
Exodus 4:13
13 But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”
Jonah 1:3
3 But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.
Matthew 26:75
75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Galatians 2:20
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
One of our pastors often speaks about the 5 second rule. If you are called or asked to respond to something, if you hesitate 5 seconds or more then you have already said no. By saying no to God you are being disobedient. I have to say I totally agree. And I’m not saying there aren’t things we need to think about and more, pray about.
But more often than not I can tell you from experience, especially when I bring up the need for those to go on a trip with me, I know all the answers and reasons why people won’t give it a second thought.
It usually is linked to the first three verses for today. Me go? Oh God you know I don’t want to do that. God I will do whatever you ask, but I know you wouldn’t ask me to do this.
Now I am not meaning to step on toes here. But here are just a few of the answers I get when I mention missions. I don’t feel called. I have children, family, responsibilities, etc and etc. I never thought about it. And of course, I don’t think I would be good at that.
Personally I would rather hear sorry I don’t want to. The sad thing is any of the reasons above are the same reasons people don’t respond to God’s call in other areas too. I want you to know I am not trying to focus just on missions. That is just the biggest area I see people closing their minds to do something they see difficult, or frankly unattractive.
But the choices of disobedience reach far beyond international missions. Of course not everyone is called to go overseas. But we all have calls. Maybe it is working in a soup kitchen, tutoring a less than fortunate student, caring for the lawn of an elderly neighbor or just being there for someone hurting.
My challenge today is simple. When you hear of a need don’t use the excuse I don’t feel called. If it honors God and has been put before you then you ARE called.
And folks, not only will the old cliché “if God calls you to it He will get you thru it” true, He will more often than not call you with someone’s voice and with a need that may seem beyond your thoughts or desires and maybe even interests.
I know when Rusty asked Dawn and I to go to Venezuela for our first trip we never thought it would become one of the greatest blessings and desires of our lives. And if I hadn’t been called to share Jesus thousands of miles from home in a country where I had to be translated for people to hear my heart I doubt I would be sharing here at home as I do. As a matter of fact, you may not even know that;
me n’ God love ya
Today I do ask you to do something. Pray about going with us this July. If the answer is no then will you pray about supporting us? We need the finances to go and fund raising is always the hardest thing to ask for. And whether you can or or not, will you pray for those of us who are going? Pray for our focus, our obedience, our funding, our health, safe travels and most of all that we glorify Him and many people will be trained and many will come to Christ.
******************************
I’d love to know how God is working in your lives and get to know you. Please feel encouraged to send any comments and thoughts.
Email me at Chuck.Acts420@gmail.com
in His service,
Chuck
*******************************