Some of you have commented that you would like to hear some of the messages delivered at my church. Well, that opportunity has finally arrived. We have started “podcasting,” or making audio episodes of the sermons available for download or streaming audio listening. You can go to iTunes and search for Westwood Church of God or Pastor Chris Keeton, or you can go to our church website and listen from there (click here for the direct link to the church page). Or, if you already have iTunes installed, you can just click here to be taken directly to the Music Store Podcast page for the church.
The most recent service was actually the first-time effort of a man who answered God’s call and delivered a message to the congregation. This man is very shy when it comes to public speaking, but he decided to obey the Lord, lay his own nervousness aside, and press forward. His message, coupled with the act of tremendous courage it took to overcome that fear, is truly inspiring, especially for those who know him well.
I was as excited as a parent watching his child accomplish some great feat. Not only that, but I know from experience how difficult it can be to get up in front of a crowd to speak (especially when you’re delivering God’s Word). But all throughout the service, I could not help but think about what God wants to do in our lives.
God’s wish is for us to be obedient. We say we trust Him, that He knows what right and what’s best, but often when He calls us to do something, anything, we react as if to say, “Um, excuse me, but I think You’ve made a slight error.” Or we flat-out refuse to comply or we run away. But God does indeed know what He’s doing, and so when He calls you, don’t be afraid to answer.
It has nothing to do with your abilities, but your level of obedience, of letting the Lord work through you and with you. You are not alone when it comes to serving God. And it doesn’t matter if you can do it as well as someone else. What matters is that you do it as best as you can do it. You see, God calls each of us for a reason. If He wanted it done like someone else could do it, He would have asked them. But instead, He calls you, because you are the one to do the job, whatever it might be.
By your own courage to stand up and answer the call to serve (in whatever capacity that might be), you may bring inspiration and revival to countless others. Revival is like a door, and each of us are the key. It might take us being used in order to open revival to everyone. Refusing to be used of God, and the door may remain locked for everyone. The Lord has gifted each of us in some way, and He has bought victory for us. Now is the time to take it. The only thing standing in our way is ourselves.
What is it the Lord is calling you to do? Is it witnessing more? Studying? Praying? Preaching or teaching? Singing? You may think that you don’t have the ability, and you would be right. But remember, it’s not about what you can do, but about what God can do. If you are willing to be used of Him, He is more than capable to get the job done. So just let Him.
There is great victory and blessings lying before us, just around the next bend. I used in Sunday Morning’s message (also available for listening) a quote from Arthur Godfrey, which sums it up pretty well: “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” You may be on the right track, but are you moving? The Christian life isn’t about sitting still, it’s about moving forward. Now is the time for great work to be done for the kingdom of God, and the person to do that work is you. Are you willing to step up?
Success isn’t always about ability or talent. It’s about courage. But more than that, it’s about what God can do through a willing vessel. Let God show you what He can really do through you, and may He receive all the glory from every breath of our life.
© 2007, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by leaving a comment (with your request) which will be forwarded to Chris Keeton. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.
The most recent service was actually the first-time effort of a man who answered God’s call and delivered a message to the congregation. This man is very shy when it comes to public speaking, but he decided to obey the Lord, lay his own nervousness aside, and press forward. His message, coupled with the act of tremendous courage it took to overcome that fear, is truly inspiring, especially for those who know him well.
I was as excited as a parent watching his child accomplish some great feat. Not only that, but I know from experience how difficult it can be to get up in front of a crowd to speak (especially when you’re delivering God’s Word). But all throughout the service, I could not help but think about what God wants to do in our lives.
God’s wish is for us to be obedient. We say we trust Him, that He knows what right and what’s best, but often when He calls us to do something, anything, we react as if to say, “Um, excuse me, but I think You’ve made a slight error.” Or we flat-out refuse to comply or we run away. But God does indeed know what He’s doing, and so when He calls you, don’t be afraid to answer.
It has nothing to do with your abilities, but your level of obedience, of letting the Lord work through you and with you. You are not alone when it comes to serving God. And it doesn’t matter if you can do it as well as someone else. What matters is that you do it as best as you can do it. You see, God calls each of us for a reason. If He wanted it done like someone else could do it, He would have asked them. But instead, He calls you, because you are the one to do the job, whatever it might be.
By your own courage to stand up and answer the call to serve (in whatever capacity that might be), you may bring inspiration and revival to countless others. Revival is like a door, and each of us are the key. It might take us being used in order to open revival to everyone. Refusing to be used of God, and the door may remain locked for everyone. The Lord has gifted each of us in some way, and He has bought victory for us. Now is the time to take it. The only thing standing in our way is ourselves.
What is it the Lord is calling you to do? Is it witnessing more? Studying? Praying? Preaching or teaching? Singing? You may think that you don’t have the ability, and you would be right. But remember, it’s not about what you can do, but about what God can do. If you are willing to be used of Him, He is more than capable to get the job done. So just let Him.
There is great victory and blessings lying before us, just around the next bend. I used in Sunday Morning’s message (also available for listening) a quote from Arthur Godfrey, which sums it up pretty well: “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” You may be on the right track, but are you moving? The Christian life isn’t about sitting still, it’s about moving forward. Now is the time for great work to be done for the kingdom of God, and the person to do that work is you. Are you willing to step up?
Success isn’t always about ability or talent. It’s about courage. But more than that, it’s about what God can do through a willing vessel. Let God show you what He can really do through you, and may He receive all the glory from every breath of our life.
© 2007, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by leaving a comment (with your request) which will be forwarded to Chris Keeton. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.
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