Publication date Dec 22, 2022

Don’t say no, say YES!

Publication date Dec 22, 2022

Merry Christmas!

friend, I want to share the power of your “YES!”. When you say “YES!” to God, the opportunity for miracles can happen each and every day. My prayer is that you will open your heart to God’s moments and that you will see how a “YES!” can pave the way for God to do great things.

This morning, I said a “yes” to God. I was busily trying to buy some groceries at the local market. A lady interrupted me at the checkout stand as I was trying to pay and get back to work.  She began to ask me questions, and even though I was feeling pushed, impatient and overwhelmed, I quickly prayed, “God, help me to be a blessing right now.” As I finished answering her final question, I turned to pay and the cashier said, “While you were talking to her, a man paid for your entire cart of items”. When I turned back, in shock and disbelief, she was gone too! I was both grateful and humbled by the gift I had received. A “yes” to a few questions opened the door to a HUGE blessing!

Can you imagine how overwhelmed Mary must have felt, nine months before Jesus arrived?  The Bible says:

"The angel went to her and said, 'Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.  But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.'" (Luke 1:28-32, NIV) 

At that moment, Mary could have said, “No...thank you!” Mary could have rejected the plan of God but in doing so, she would have missed out on being a part of the greatest miracle of all time. Mary could have allowed her skepticism to undermine the whole process, but instead, she embraced faith, and trust, and God used her “YES!” to change the world. Listen to the “Yes” of Mary:

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.” (Luke 1:38, NIV) 

Even though Mary must have had SO many questions she still said, “yes”. This amazing young woman did not allow doubt to hold her back. Instead, doubt was replaced with devotion, and the rest is Christmas history.

friend, what can you say “Yes!” to today? What part of God’s miraculous plan can you participate in by saying “Yes”? My prayer for you today is that you will refuse to say “no” and instead, the miracle of “Yes!” will change your life, your heart and your Christmas!

Never forget, you can be someone else’s miracle today!

Grant Fishbook
Author

Lead Teaching Pastor @ctkbellingham or, just a regular guy passionately following Jesus!