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Sometimes, it\u2019s okay to say \u2018no<\/em>\u2019 when people ask you to do things.<\/strong> Jesus Himself sometimes respectfully refused when people demanded things from Him that were contrary to His mission:<\/p>\n * Brothers\u2019 squabbling? Jesus hadn\u2019t come to decide such things (Luke 12:14<\/strong><\/span>).<\/p>\n * Begging Jesus to stay in Capernaum? \u201cWe must go on to other towns as well<\/em>\u201d Jesus replies (Mark 1:38<\/strong><\/span>)<\/p>\n * Herod\u2019s questions? \u201cJesus refused to answer<\/em>\u201d (Luke 23:9<\/strong><\/span>)<\/p>\n * Be our Earthly King? Jesus had bigger plans! (John 6:15<\/strong><\/span>)<\/p>\n Consider Romans 12:4-8<\/strong><\/span>. All of us are called to use our abilities to help our church. Some may have a gift in public speaking. Others may get weak in the knees at the very thought. We all have something to offer. Whether our talent is serving, teaching, encouraging, leadership, kindness, or whatever else, we should use that gift to the fullest in the service of God in His body, His church. But this does not mean that we have to say \u2018yes\u2019 every time we are asked to do something.<\/p>\n \u201cAll men think of themselves as kind of low level superheroes \u2026 when men are growing up reading about Batman, Spider \u2013 man, Superman, these aren\u2019t fantasies, these are options.<\/em>\u201d (Jerry Seinfeld, I\u2019m Telling You For the Last Time)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n We are not superheroes<\/strong>. We don\u2019t have to do it all. Sometimes we say \u2018yes\u2019 just to please the person asking. But we are called to do something, not everything, and we must aim to please God, not people. Consider what Paul said: \u201cI am trying to please God. If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ\u2019s servan<\/em>t\u201d (Galatians 1:10<\/strong><\/span>). By agreeing to speak in public when the mere thought fills us with terror, not only are we ignoring God\u2019s gifts, but we may be taking the opportunity away from someone who is truly gifted in this area.<\/p>\n Jesus was able to achieve His mission in only three short years because he focused on His mission<\/strong>. Perhaps if we do the same, by playing to our strengths, so too will our efforts be magnified a hundredfold. How we go about furthering our mission as a member of God\u2019s body depends on our gifts. Let us refocus ourselves today on using the gifts that God has given us to the fullest. And remember, it\u2019s OK to say no.<\/p>\n Question<\/strong>: Which unnecessary obligations do you have that are preventing you from serving God to the fullest of your ability?<\/p>\n by Darren Hewer<\/a> \u2022 The Transcendent Life<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 by Francis Frangipane<\/p>\n \u2022 \u00a0Why am I Here<\/a> <\/strong>by Vonette Bright<\/p>\n \u2022 Let God\u2019s Light Through <\/a>\u2013<\/strong> by Darren Hewer<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
Used by Permission<\/p>\n\nFURTHER READING<\/span><\/h3>\n