Getting Rid of the "NO" in our Heart.

There is a small three letter word in the English language that is one of the upmost importance. That wee little word is “YES”

It is found several times in the Bible -

In fact - our journey with God begins and continues with YES

Doubt and unbelief will always cause us to say NO - but faith and belief will bring about a YES -

A man slid over the side of a cliff and was able to grab a branch at the last second. He hung dangling over the precipice, hundreds of feet from the ground below. He screamed out with a loud voice, “Help me! Somebody help me!”

A voice came out of the sky, “Do you believe that I can help you?”

The man responded, “Yes, I believe. Please help me!”

The voice came out of the sky again, “Do you believe that I have the power to help you?”

“Yes, I believe! I believe! Please help me!”

“Do you believe I love you enough to help you?”

“Yes, I know you love me. Please, oh please, HELP ME!”

“Because you believe, I will help you. Now let go.”

After a brief silence, the man said, “Is there anybody else up there?”

Yes is willing to trust and let go - while doubt says no and wants to hang on to its own way - even at times seeking other counsel - “Is there anybody else up there?”

Faith may be defined as saying “Yes” to the Saviour. There are several people who said “Yes” to the Lord, and they got what they wanted.

1,000 Bible Study Outlines: Study Helps and Sermon Outlines (333. Faith’s Answer—“Yes”)

1. The Blind Men gave the “Yes” of faith to Christ’s ability

Jesus right after healing the woman with an issue of blood and the ruler’s daughter, left the area and two men who were blind began to follow him and they cried out - “Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.”

Matthew 9:28“28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.”

The word in each of the passages may be rendered “Yes,” and is so given in Matthew 17:25, and other places. “Truth” (Matt. 15:27), “Even so” (Luke 10:21). and “Surely” (Rev. 22:20).

2. Jesus taught the Disciples by parables and then asked them if they understood - The Disciples said “Yes, Lord,” to Christ’s question of teaching (Matthew 13:51“51 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.”

3. The Syrophenician Woman replied “Yes, Lord,” to His designation of “dog” (Matthew 15:27“27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”

4. Martha said “Yes, Lord,”4 to His word (John 11:27 “27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.”

5. Peter said “Yes, Lord,”4 to His question about love (John 21:15, John 21:16“16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”

6. John said, “Yes, Lord Jesus, come,”4 to His announcement of His return (Revelation 22:20“20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

7. Christ is the Great Example, for He said “Yes, Father,”4 to His will (Matthew 11:25–26 “25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.”

Obedience is the “Yes” of faith to God’s Word. When we say “Yes” in fulfilling the conditions of the Lord’s promises, He says “Yes” to the prayer of our requests.

Dr. Dennis Kinlaw writes -

“there is no “no” in my heart”

God looks at you and says, “I want you to take your hand off your life and let me put my hand on it. I want you to let me lead you, guide you, and direct you so you live your life the way I want you to instead of living it for yourself.” And something inside of you wants to ask two questions. First of all, “God, where are you going to take me?” And second, “Do you know what will make me happy and fulfilled?”

My first water slide trip -

I wanted to control the ride - but there is no controlling the ride in a water slide with someone my age and weight - my sleeve still bears the hole burnt into it by me attempting to slow down by putting my arm on the slide on my way down.

Unless you are totally, fully, and completely yielded to God so that all that says no inside of you has been exchanged for one big yes to him and his will, you will begin to wonder if he is as smart as he claims to be. That nagging doubt in your mind about his goodness will prevent you from taking your hands off your life, and you will ruin your life by your own contaminating touch.

...We must come to the place where we look up into his face and say, “I cannot see as well as you can see. Will you lead me and guide me so that I do not hurt you, myself, or those whom I love? I will trust that you are wiser than I am, and I will obey even if the way you lead looks wrong to me.”

Why don’t you ask God today to exchange the “no” that still exists in your heart for the “yes” that exists in him? You will never be sorry if you trade all of you for all of God.

This Day with the Master

365 Daily Meditations

Dennis F. Kinlaw with Christlane A. Albertson