In Him: Saying Yes

When I started my site and blog it started as an avenue for me to share things I have learned over 15 years in the financial industry, things I used to teach to bankers for them to help clients, things I learned for managing my own finances and credit. It was so rewarding to see people get excited about learning how to get out of debt, improve their credit, save for the future...to see them appreciate learning something that will help them. I had decided that while I was now a SAHM, I still could help others, teach them and make a difference, even if it was to one person. I realized the opportunity I had to expand from the basics of financial education to also include the deals, rebates, money saving tips at the grocery store, ways I have used my talents and time at home to make a little spending money...the extra things I do that help our monthly budget.

Shortly after starting my site I felt God tugging at my heart...what about Me? What about sharing your faith? I struggled a little...my years in the corporate world where you were frowned upon to talk about your faith...after all, you may offend someone...played in my mind. Then I remembered...wait a minute...it felt so good to leave those lies...to live by only pleasing One...take me for who I am and what I believe...or don't. I added a faith page to my site, but I still felt Him saying "you can do more."

More? My blog too? But how...what? I am new at this...then it (He) hit me. Something I am always giving thanks for...the sermons our Pastor, Brett Rickey, delivers. I always walk out feeling like I learned something...something to apply to my daily life...something more about myself...something I can do.

It's a start, small as it may be...a few weeks ago I started sharing my take aways as part of my pastor's sermon. As I grow, so will my postings, but this is a good start, I sense that from God. It's pretty cool to think that a humble pastor (I say that with the utmost respect, he is humble, but myself and others see the amazing impact he is making one life at a time in our church) from my town can reach someone across the country or the globe via the internet and my blog posting.

What did he share today? His sermon was called "Holy Ground: When God Asks BIG."

Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up."

Pastor shared with humor how men are always drawn to fire, even as little boys being told not to play with matches...and as men asking with admiration what kind of fuel are you using, how'd you get that fire going so big? He asked us if we have ever seen a Christian on fire for God? Have you? Are you?

When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!" And Moses said, "Here I am."
"Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." Then he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.
The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt."

Exodus 3:1-10 (NIV)

Pastor reminded us that God sends a person to do what he wants done. Can you think of someone that God used to accomplish something? Maybe He used you? He wants to use each of us for as long as we are here!

Do we always say yes when He asks us to do something? Truthfully, no, we never think it is the right time for us, right? Here are five common objections we give when God asks for more that our pastor shared.

Objection 1: But who am I?

But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" Exodus 3:11 (NIV)

Affirmation 1: And God said, I will be with you... Exodus 3:12

Objection 2: But who are you?

Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?" Exodus 3:13

Affirmation 2: God said to Moses, "I am who I am . This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' " God also said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation. "Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. Exodus 3:14-16 (NIV)

Objection 3: I don't have what it takes.

Moses answered, "What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, 'The LORD did not appear to you'?" Exodus 4:1 (NIV)

The enemy tells us these lies. While here the stick in Moses' hand is called a staff, later it is called the rod of God..."He raises you up to be the person He wants you to be!"

Affirmation 3: Then the LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?" "A staff," he replied.
The LORD said, "Throw it on the ground." Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. Then the LORD said to him, "Reach out your hand and take it by the tail." So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. "This," said the LORD, "is so that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you." Exodus 4:2-5 (NIV)

Objection 4: I'm not good with words.

Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." Exodus 4:10 (NIV)

The enemy convinces us to not get invloved because of one deficiency. Anone that knew me before I was a corporate trainer was surprised that I was able to get up in front of people and speak. Did you know that public speaking is at the top of "the list" of fears people have? I prayed before starting every class I taught for Him to give me the confidence and the words...and He did..not me!

Affirmation 4: The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD ? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." Exodus 4:11-12 (NIV)

Objection 5: I don't want to do it!

But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it." Exodus 4:13 (NIV)

Affirmation 5: Then the LORD's anger burned against Moses and he said, "What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you. You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. Exodus 4:14-16 (NIV)

Pastor reminded us that the Apostles were sent out by two, and that Moses was able to do what was asked of him once he had his partner. There were ladies I trained with at the same location and we encouraged one another (SB, CT, DS), we found strength in one another. He blessed us with each other.

God wants you to be on fire for Him...He will use a small yes to do big things!

You say what you don't have...He asks what you DO have!

Holy Ground is where God is asking you to do something with what you have.

Will you say yes?

In Him,