42-A-Step-Of-Faith-Too-Late

The speaker discusses how many people give up on their dreams or hesitate to take a step of faith due to their age or current circumstances. He shares examples of individuals who have settled for less and abandoned their goals. However, he emphasizes that God gives us dreams for a reason and intends to use us to bless others. He then references the story of Sarah and Abraham from Genesis, highlighting lessons such as God's plans for us don't change with time, our alternative arrangements can't replace God's will, and our unbelief or sins can only stop us, not God. He encourages listeners to believe in God, repent, and not settle for alternatives. The speaker concludes with a prayer and invites listeners to visit his website for more messages. Hello and welcome to Join This Chariot for a 5-Minute Bible Study. This 42nd episode on A Step of Faith is titled, Too Late. My name is Greg Alabi and I'm inviting you to come let us study the Bible together. As I interact with people from various backgrounds, various nationalities and various age groups, one common thing I realize that stops or discourage people from trying a new thing or taking a step of faith to accomplish a worthwhile goal, I hear them say things like, not at this age, not at this stage, if I was much younger, maybe yes, but right now the priority is not to start anything new. The priority now is consolidation. Dear friends, I have tried persuading or convincing these people, they end up explaining why it will not be possible, all based on their current situation. Some are single, never married, but now have given up on ever finding a partner. Some had wished to get some higher education, but right now they do not seem to be needing that anymore. That is not their immediate priority any longer. Some always dreamt of traveling overseas or start their own business venture, but after several years of procrastinating, they decided to focus on building their career in their regular employment. Some years ago, I met this older gentleman who was a highly anointed minister of God. He was a mentor we all looked up to. He always talked about starting his own church and pastoring the congregation. I asked after his ministry. After over 40 years of his call or calling to ministry, he told me he had settled down in a local assembly where he is a member. He now accepts invitations to speak wherever he is invited to. Please understand that none of these people are wrong in themselves, nor did they commit any sin or live in any error, but my point is that the inability to achieve their goals early in life has made some of us to settle for wherever we find ourselves, forcing us to abandon our dreams and believing it is too late in the day to take a step of faith to pursue our dreams again. Dear friends, God gave you that vision, that dream for a reason, not just to improve your own life, but because God was hoping to achieve something through your success. He intended to use you to be a blessing to several other people. But here we are, life has forced some of us to give up on our dreams. Now let us learn some valuable lessons from somebody who gave up on her own vision. Genesis 18 verse 11 to 15, Abraham and Sarah were very old, maybe in their 90s, never had their biological child. Sarah had reached menopause. God was still interested and insisting that she would be pregnant and have her own baby boy. Verse 12 in the Good News Bible says, Now that I am old and worn out, hear how Sarah described herself, Now that I am old and worn out, can I still enjoy intimacy? And besides, my husband is old too. Next verse is verse 13 and 14. God asked Abraham, Why did Sarah laugh? Why is she doubting? Is there anything difficult for the Lord? God then said, He is going to make it happen. She will be a joyful mother of His son. Now here are some valuable lessons. First lesson here, Because time has passed, does not mean God has or will change His mind or His plan for your life. Second lesson, Back in chapter 16 verse 2, Sarah offered Abraham Haggard to bear them a child. The lesson, Our alternative arrangements can never become a replacement for the will of God for our lives. Third lesson is in verse 12 of chapter 18. It says, Sarah laughed at the idea that she will be a joyful mother. Verse 15, She lied and denied she ever laughed. The lesson, Romans chapter 3 verse 3 says, What if some do not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? My point, when God decides to do something for you, hear me, all of humanity cannot stop divinity. Can I repeat that? All of humanity cannot stop divinity. Fourth lesson here, Our unbelief, our sins, can only stop us. We cannot stop God. Therefore, if we start believing God and repent of all lies and any sin in our lives, dreams can be achieved if we take a step of faith. Fifth lesson, Let us never allow procrastination or our current situation to make us settle for alternatives. You will make it if you try. Let us pray. Father, we pray that you give us the grace to pursue, to overtake, and to recover every lost ground in Jesus' name, Amen. I want to invite you to please visit our website, gregalabby.com, look for the podcasts, listen to them, the previous and current messages, share with friends and family. I believe you will richly be blessed. God bless you.