Ever feel like telling God… NO!

August 20, 2010
Leadership Clip to Evernote
7

I’ve been mesmerized the last several days about Peter’s encounter with Jesus in Luke 5. He and his partners were fishing all night, and caught NOTHING, Zero, Nada! The nets were cleaned and put away, they were ready to go home and crash… but wait. Jesus says to push out into the deep and let your nets down for a catch…what??

There it was…The critical point of belief. What was Peter to do… Obey his desire, go home hang with the wife and kids catch a shower and relax, or load the nets back up, and do something he really thought would produce nothing, because he was just trying all night? You know he wanted to tell Jesus NO!

In spite of his disbelief, his doubt, his weariness he obeyed the voice of God and pushed out into the deep. You know the story… The catch was so great it almost sank two boats!

My challenge to you my friend. No matter what things look, feel, sound or seem like, the voice of God changes EVERYTHING! Always be listening, and ready and willing to “Push out into the deep.” The catch will amaze you!

Never tell God no, even if you feel like you have too!

About artie: I'm the lead Pastor at Cornerstone, a Multi-Ethnic church in the heart of Orangeburg, South Carolina. Also the founder of the Comb Network.com, a movement to plant Multi-Ethnic, culturally relevant churches in smaller cities. I direct a gathering of small city leader called "The Sticks."

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  • http://www.compassioninactionsc.org Joe Bates

    You know sometimes, even when you KNOW that God is working and He tells you to do something, you’re just so stinkn’ tired that you want to say no anyway, just to get a break.

    We had a fantastic board meeting for CIA last night, where we discussed all that had been accomplished and where we needed to go and how we were going to get there. Typical planning meeting. It was interesting to see the expressions of awe on the new board members faces when we listed the programs and accomplishment that CIA is doing and has done on virtually zero budget and no paid staff.

    It takes the personality and faith of a “Jodi” (Peter), to get excited to the point of tears when mentioning the articles from ABC, Newsweek, WLTX, T&D, etc., listing the programs running like school baggies, mobile pantries, med assistance, anger management, budgeting, parenting and still know the financial and professional shortfalls. The NOVA style of couseling after the tragedy which just occurred in Orangeburg with the Mom suffocating her kids, was such an inspiration for her because she was holding a parenting class for moms who know the lady involved. How many times did this tragedy NOT happen because of what she is doing. Others of us have to rely on HER faith and experiences, because we don’t get the opportunity to be hands on and face to face (successes) in our community.

    Jodi says, “We have a shortfall and we have need, BUT God is in this and is doing great things.” My tendancy is to say, “God is doing great things BUT we have a huge shortfall.” It is my goal to stay on the right side of the BUT and keep working because of her faith and hopefully mine will follow.

  • http://briancrussell.net/blog bman

    Great post! Sometimes it’s just that one act that goes beyond what we WANT to do… and God’s awesomeness explodes!

  • http://theperkinsblog.net Michael

    Totally hits home. I echo Brian’s thoughts on this Artie.

  • http://www.revtrev.com revtrev

    Wow Artie,

    Subscribed to your RSS and went through a number of your posts. In this one I’m hearing affirmation of a call from God that I didn’t know I was avoiding until recently.

    It’s a big challenge, most will say impossible one. But since I know it’s His show, I don’t mind being made the fool.

  • http://twitter.com/artiedavis/status/12788560323149824/ Artie Davis (@artiedavis) (@artiedavis)

    Ever feel like telling God… NO! http://is.gd/hxHZX

  • Marty Schoenleber

    Yes. I regularly feel stupid.

    • Anonymous

      That’s a good one Marty! Thanks for sharing.