I’M HERE. Three simple words – “Here I am” – and they mean – I am available – I am available to listen – I am available and willing to listen to what YOU are saying to me – and what YOU have to say to me.

When we speak these words, we never know where they will lead us, nor what the consequences will be, yes, even in 2021.

What do we do when we hear the voice of God, when we know that it is God speaking to me, doing something to get my attention, take over my life and my talents and gifts?

What happens when I say to God, “Here I am”?

1 – I can make a sacrifice that I never thought I could make. That may not be the best start for a message, perhaps one should start with a blessing, but this is a blessing! Look at Abraham again – Some time later, God tested Abraham. He said, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said: “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” Genesis 22 v. 1 and 2.

God does not test us to qualify us, but to make us grow and develop.

Matthew 10 verse 39: whoever finds his life will lose it and whoever loses his life for me will find it. This is the principle of the cross. I give up something to receive something much better. GOD returns it in a way we could never imagine, but it starts with sacrifice.

Jacob abandoned his plans – Joseph abandoned his dreams – Moses abandoned Pharaoh’s palaces – David abandoned his desire to build the temple for God – Matthew abandoned his job as a tax collector – Peter abandoned his nets – Paul abandoned his religion: Mary abandoned your son. Everyone gave something, everyone knew something about the sacrifice, then God gives something back.

Couldn’t we miss out on the sacrifice part? Not! We give up being in control and God is in control, and God does something.

Romans 12 verse 1 – Brethren, in view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, who is your spiritual worship.

2 – “Here I am” – means that I face a fear that I thought I could never face.

JACOB – He fought with God – his name means ‘scheming’ – but then God gives him a new name: Israel.

And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!” “Here I am,” he replied. “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, because there I will make you a great nation. I will go down to Egypt with you and I will certainly bring you back.” Genesis 46 verses 2 through 4.

This was the only place he was never supposed to go!

What is the one thing you never want to do? Where is the only place I never want to go?

3 – “Here I am” – I see a miracle that I thought I would never see otherwise.

Moses – When the LORD saw that he had come to look, God called to him from within the bush: “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” “Come no closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, because the place where you are is holy ground.” Exodus 3 vers 4

40 years in the Pharaoh’s Palace – 40 years in the desert tending sheep.

MOSES asks 4 questions: Who am I? Who are you? What about them? How about this? This problem, the weakness I have, the fight?

Remember and consider the miracles Moses saw throughout the years.

4 – “Here I am” – I hear a message that I never thought I would hear.

1 Samuel 3 verse 4 – Samuel – Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel replied, “Here I am.” When GOD speaks to you, it may sound like someone else, or it may sound like someone else, instead of you.

God’s voice, God’s call, can ruin your plans, hopes, and ambitions.

5 – “Here I am” – I’m going to a place I never thought I’d go.

Isaiah 6 verse 8 – Isaiah has this vision – he hears this voice – Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Who can I send? Who will go for us?” So I said, “Here I am. Send me.”

We tend to say, “That’s a good question. I’m going to consider that question. I’ll ask it at some point. I’ll get someone to consult me ​​about this.”

God doesn’t do that; God does not need to consult; you need obedient servants.

6 – “Here I am” – I trust a promise I never thought I could trust.

Luke 1:35, 37 and 38: Consider Mary.

The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the saint to be born will be called the Son of God. For nothing is impossible for God.” “I am the servant of the Lord,” answered Maria. “Let it be for me as you said.”

This is the promise of a virgin birth: Mary is around 14 or 15 years old, she is engaged to Joseph. The words are slightly different from “Here I am”, but the feeling is the same.

Some may consider that they have been too sinful and therefore unworthy; Others may consider that they have been a failure, that they made too many mistakes, or that they have too many flaws.

“I am a failure, I have always been a failure, I will never be anything and I will never do anything with my life.”

That is no longer true when we say “Here I am” to God, when God calls.

7 – I serve a person whom I never thought I could serve.

Acts 9 verses 10 and 11 – Ananias There was a follower of Jesus in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to Ananias in a vision: “Ananias!”

Ananias replied, “Here I am, Lord.” The Lord said to him: “Get up and go to the Straight Street. Find the house of Judas and ask for a man named Saul from the city of Tarsus.”

At that time, Ananias did not know the end of the story, we do. Ananias is involved from the beginning of Saul’s Christian life. Ananias had to go face Saul of Tarsus and serve Saul of Tarsus. Saul was healed – and Saul was baptized – because Ananias went and served.

8 – I find a JOY that I never thought I would find – JESUS.

Actually, it is Jesus who finds us – people may say at first that they have found God, or that they have found Jesus – but soon they realize that it is Jesus who has come looking for us – and they call us. This is what the resurrection is all about: He is available to enter any church, any life by the Holy Spirit.

Revelation 3 verse 20 is about Jesus wanting to enter the Church, to be allowed to enter His Church! “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you will eat with me.”

I am available, I am willing to listen, and I am willing to serve, I am willing to trust, I am willing to go.

“Here I am”, ready to sacrifice myself, I have the strength and courage to face my fears.

“Here I am” – prepared to see miracles – and hear a message I never thought I would hear – and go and do what I never thought I could go and do.

“Here I am”, ready to trust the promises of God, and perhaps serve someone I thought I would never serve, and enjoy that joy that is in Jesus Christ and all the other blessings of GOD.

January 2021 – “Here I am” – when God calls – when Jesus chooses – it is because there is a very real need – and He wants you to be part of His plan and purpose.

Answer carefully.