Article Library

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By Pastor Chuck Swindoll

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Say Yes to God’s Call

“I’m asking you to think yes. I’m asking you to be available. I’m asking you to learn from my frequent no, no, no. That’s a wrong response when the Lord is on the other end of that phone call. Or when He brings before you something that you hadn’t planned on. You’re not in charge of your life. We’re not our own. We’re bought with a price. We’re vessels to be filled and used, so get out of the way. Say yes.”

The Only Way to Go is with a Yes

“Guard us all, our Father, from building those great, big barriers based on a human viewpoint that thinks and says repeatedly, no, not me, no. And then let’s learn from Moses, Lord, that the only way to go is with a yes, and then help us get out of the way.”

Send Anybody Else

“‘Lord, please send anyone else.’ Man, I’ve prayed that. I’ve said that. ‘Lord, just send anybody else. I don’t want to do that.’ ‘I’m not calling you because you want to do it; I’m calling you because I want you to do it.’ Would you please say yes? I’m asking of you something great.”

You’re a Set of Vocal Cords, but I Am God

“Stop saying no. Stop looking at the obstacles. Stop thinking, ‘Not me.’ So Moses protested to God and said, verse 11, ‘Who am I?’ ‘You’re nothing’ could have been the answer. ‘Who am I that I appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?’ (Exodus 3:11). You happen to be a human set of vocal cords. That’s all I need. ‘You’re a set of vocal cords, but I am God.’”

Let Him Do Great Things

“So I’m telling you where the Lord sends you, it is remarkable what can happen to you. And you finally are at peace with it. You say yes to it, and you do it. And having done it, you realize how magnificent the plan is. He wanted to do great things, and I wanted to do familiar things. He wanted to break molds, and I wanted to be poured into the mold where I am comfortable.”

Additional Resources

First, sign up for our Chuck’s Insights on Ministry email where we bring you his best thoughts on preaching, leadership, and ministry each week. By signing up, you’ll instantly receive a one-page checklist with 20 preaching insights from Chuck. See this page’s sidebar.

Second, check out our new Preach The Word articles and video series on YouTube where we’re teaching Chuck’s best insights on this important calling.

Third, listen to Chuck’s messages to those in ministry through our Seminary Chapels page. For decades, he offered students at Dallas Theological Seminary his best thoughts on church leadership and ministry. Now, we have put them at your finger tips. Also, you can find them through this YouTube playlist we created for you.

Fourth, if you don’t own a copy of Chuck’s book on preaching, Saying It Well, we highly recommend you add it to your library. It’s his preaching memoir that is also like a practical preaching manual. You won’t be able to put it down.

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