STEPPING OUT IN SERVICE
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
My job was to dig the worms on Fridays so we could fish on Saturdays. We were fishing a stream in NE Wisconsin only know to us as Chemical Creek. My dad loved to fish there and he and my older brother Dave would go many Saturday morning ls when I was very young.
One Saturday morning dad said I was old enough to go along. I filled two tin cans with fat angle worms Friday afternoon and I went to sleep that night anxiously awaiting the morning. When we got out if the truck Dad told me to go with Dave further upstream and he and another one of my brothers would go downstream.
After Dave had a few brook trout in his wicker creel, he handed me the rod and asked if I wanted to try. He pointed to a spot where the water went under a log and explained where to drop the worm upstream 10 feet or so from the log. He showed me how to hold the rod in one hand and the line in the other, so I could set the hook when I felt a bite.
The very first time I tossed the line in, I felt a little tap. I set the hook and a bright colored brook trout cam splashing out of the water and I excitedly flipped up onto the bank. It's a time and experience I'll never forget. It set a passion in me for walking the creeks and fishing the beautiful brook trout of the Northwood.
My brother Dave instilled in me desires and knowledge for the outdoors. There were many other men that poured into me in my childhood and as a young adult. Men that took the time to explain things that, like my dad would do in the woods. They helped me walk in the right way. These men had busy lives, but they were willing to answer God's call to change my life.
Over and over again, we read about men and women in the Bible who did great things for God. Not just great men and women — but godly men and women.
Do you know what these men and women had in common? Each one of them had a big heart for God.
Nehemiah is one example of a great man living out his life in the service of God. Nehemiah felt called by God to leave his life of luxury in the palace and go and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem... And he did just that.
I believe God is doing exactly the same thing in the hearts of His people today. And that includes you! He's stirring your heart to do something for His glory. He's calling you out to do something special in His kingdom.
God is calling you to step out of your comfort zone... to do the unusual things... to do the counter-cultural things... to make His kingdom great!
Now, please, don't misunderstand me. You don't have to be a pastor, a missionary, or a super-spiritual star or hero! You don't have to leave your job and change your profession. God can and will use you right where He has you. All you have to do is have a heart for God... and a willingness to get out of your comfort zone. He's calling His people out? Will you answer?
This "calling out" comes with promises...
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
All we have to do is be willing to serve Him. How do we "acknowledge Him"? Trust that He is who He says He is. Then begin asking what path He wants you on. Spend time Jin prayer and Bible study looking for where He wants you.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Known that there is nothing that you and God together can not do. There is nothing too big for you, when God is leading.
Nehemiah, didn't know much about rebuilding walls, yet God used him to do just that. It was a work done for God's kingdom because God called and Nehemiah answered the call to serve. He stepped out and stepped up and God used him.
Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
Step out of your comfort zone today. See what God can do through you.
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