JUNE THEME – “SEEING UNITY FROM GOD’S PERSPECTIVE”
BEATS FROM YOUR PASTOR’S HEART
NON-NEGOTIABLE
Joshua 24:15 — “Choose you this day whom ye will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
We live in a generation where almost everything is negotiable. Prices are negotiated, contracts are negotiated, commitments are negotiated, and sadly, even truth is often treated as negotiable. Many believers have adopted the same mindset in their walk with God. They know what God has said, yet they continue discussing what He has already decided. They know what God desires, yet they delay obedience until it becomes easier, safer, or more convenient. Yet throughout Scripture, God has always had certain things that were never intended to be negotiated. Holiness is not negotiable. Forgiveness is not negotiable. Faithfulness is not negotiable. Love is not negotiable. Obedience is not negotiable. Joshua understood this truth. As he neared the end of his life, he gathered the people of Israel and challenged them to make a decision. He did not ask them to continue debating. He did not encourage them to keep one foot in the world and one foot with God. He stood before them and declared, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” Joshua had already settled the issue. His answer was already determined. His obedience was non-negotiable. The greatest spiritual victories often begin when believers stop negotiating with God.
GOD IS LOOKING FOR A DECISION, NOT A DISCUSSION
One of the greatest dangers in the Christian life is knowing what God wants while continually postponing obedience. Many believers spend years discussing surrender rather than practicing surrender. They know the next step God wants them to take. They know the relationship that needs forgiveness. They know the ministry where God wants them to serve. They know the habit God wants removed. They know the area where He is calling them to trust Him. Yet they continue negotiating what God has already made clear. The truth is simple. Delayed obedience is still disobedience. Partial obedience is still disobedience. Selective obedience is still disobedience.
God is not seeking our opinion about His will. He is seeking our surrender to His will. Imagine a soldier receiving orders from his commanding officer in the middle of a battle. Instead of obeying, he begins negotiating. He asks for more time, questions the command, and suggests alternative plans. We would call that insubordination. Yet many believers do the same thing spiritually. God has already spoken, but they continue discussing what He has already decided. The moment we stop debating and start obeying is often the moment peace begins to flood our hearts.
SETTLED CONVICTIONS SURVIVE THE STORM
The early disciples understood something many modern believers have forgotten. They settled their obedience before the trials arrived. When Jesus said, “Follow Me,” they left their nets. When He commanded them to preach, they preached. When persecution came, they remained faithful. When suffering arrived, they continued serving. Their commitment was settled before the pressure came. Many believers struggle during difficult seasons because they never settled the issue of obedience beforehand. When obedience remains negotiable, pressure usually wins. Trials expose convictions that have never truly been settled. A sailor does not wait until hurricane-force winds arrive before deciding whether he needs an anchor. The anchor is secured long before the storm appears. In the same way, spiritual convictions must be established before life’s difficulties arrive. The believers who stand firm during hardship are usually those who settled long ago that obedience is not up for discussion. A conviction that remains negotiable will eventually be abandoned. A conviction that is settled becomes an anchor that holds during life’s fiercest storms.
REVIVAL BEGINS WITH A HEART THAT SAYS YES
Throughout Scripture, every genuine revival began with surrendered people. God moves powerfully through hearts that have already decided to obey. Many believers pray for revival while simultaneously resisting what God has already shown them. Some need to forgive. Some need to reconcile. Some need to witness. Some need to surrender a habit. Some need to step into ministry. Some need to trust God with an uncertain future. Yet they continue negotiating. The Christian life becomes much simpler when we stop debating what God has already decided. When God speaks, the answer is yes. When God convicts, the answer is yes. When God leads, the answer is yes. When God calls, the answer is yes. That is where peace begins. That is where power begins. That is where revival begins. God is not looking for believers who will obey when it is convenient. He is looking for believers whose answer is yes before He even asks the question.
Years ago, engineers began constructing a massive bridge across a dangerous river. Before the bridge could carry traffic, enormous support pillars had to be anchored deep into the riverbed. Workers spent weeks securing the foundation long before the first vehicle crossed the bridge. Why? Because the strength of the bridge would be determined long before the pressure arrived.
The same principle is true spiritually. The strength of your Christian life is determined by decisions you make before the trial arrives. When obedience is settled beforehand, the storms may shake you, but they cannot move you. Joshua’s strength did not come from a decision he made during a crisis. It came from a conviction he settled long before the crisis ever arrived. “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” The matter was settled. Today may be a good day to ask yourself some honest questions. What has God already shown me that I continue to negotiate? What act of obedience have I postponed? What area of surrender have I delayed? What relationship needs forgiveness? What ministry needs faithfulness? What step of faith needs action? The issue is not whether God has spoken. The issue is whether we have decided to obey. Far too many believers are waiting for another confirmation when God is waiting for obedience. Far too many are asking God for more direction while ignoring the direction He has already given. The greatest breakthroughs often occur when God’s people stop negotiating and start obeying.
WARFARE PRAYER
Heavenly Father, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, I come before You acknowledging that there have been times when I have negotiated what You have already commanded. Forgive me for every delay, every excuse, every compromise, and every act of partial obedience. I renounce every spirit of fear, procrastination, pride, rebellion, and self-will that seeks to keep me from fully surrendering to Your authority.
Lord, strengthen my heart to obey quickly, completely, and joyfully. Break every stronghold that resists Your will. Silence every voice that encourages compromise. Give me the courage to say yes when You speak, trust when You lead, and follow wherever You direct. Let revival begin in my own heart as I surrender completely to You. May my answer be yes before You even ask. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
DAILY CHALLENGE
Today, identify one area of your life where you have been negotiating with God. It may involve forgiveness, service, witnessing, generosity, faithfulness, surrender, or a step of obedience He has already revealed. Stop debating what God has already decided. Stop postponing what God has already commanded. Take one specific step of obedience today. Remember: what God has declared non-negotiable should never become negotiable in our lives.
WEDNESDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Kim’s Sisters – Ann & Brenda & Mateen
Ann Stanley
Aston Savage
Britany Smith ~ Breast Cancer
Christopher & Yting Kelley
Danny Jarrard
David Franklin
Dinay Rodriguez
Ellen Boyd
Jean Muehlfelt
Kim McClain’s Daughter, Amanda
Mary Williams
Nancy Riley
Phillip Roach
Susan Bankston
Wes Knight
Amy Garner’s Dad
Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shelnutt’s
Angela Bryan’s Sisters
Annette Ford
Brando Echarte
Carol Lawhead – Riverside in Conyers
Darlene Kelley – Cancer Treatment
Darlene Wiggins
Debbie Foskey
Deon Lotter
Don And Karelle Franklin – Mae’s Cousins
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Ed Adkins – Friend of Brian Edwards
Ed Franklin’s Son In Law – Heart Surgery
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Friend of Linda Hodge
Gayle Sparks
Gloria Young
James Burnette
Jean Partee
Jean Partee’s Sister
Jessica Headrick
John McClain’s Mother
Joni Oberhage
June Cronan’s Sister
June Davis
Kailey Bateman
Kim McClain’s Mother
Lillianna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Mays
Lonzo Christian
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom
Mrs. Franklin
Nancy Brown
Nora Allison
Paul Bateman
Ron And Johnnie Barry – Friends Of Ashton & Glenda Bateman
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Roy Roach
Scott Lanier
Scotty Nix
Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shelnutt’s
Steve Michaels
Tammy Shelnutt
Tom Witcher