*TOPIC: AVOID MAKING UNNECESSARY EXCUSES TO GOD'S CALL.*(Series 4) *Scripture Reading:* Jeremiah 1:9 *"Then the Lord stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me, “Behold (hear Me), I have put My words in your mouth."*(AMP) Continuation from where we stopped yesterday. Just as Jeremiah experienced divine touch of God, Jesus also experienced this touch in a visible, yet profound way. Following his baptism, immediately coming out of the water, the heavens opened and the Spirit of God descended on him like a dove. And God spoke, "This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him" (Matt. 3:17). *God blesses not the silver-tongued orator, but the one whose tongue has been touched with coals from the altar. God uses not the most gifted and talented person, but the one touched by the hand of God. God uses the most unlikely persons to shake a church or a community or a nation. Never underestimate the power of the touch; especially when God does the touching.* *3) The Excuse: The Time is Not Right:* Jeremiah said to God, "I am only a youth" (Jeremiah 1:6). The word youth - unfortunately rendered child in some versions of the Bible - ordinarily denotes a young, unmarried man in his teens or early twenties. Most scholars think that Jeremiah was around 20 to 25 at the time of his call. His reply is not so much revealing his age as much as a deep sense of immaturity. He felt inferior, inexperienced, and intimidated by the size of the task to which God was summoning him. THE PROMISE: God's call may come at an inopportune time, but He never sends forth his servant alone. We have the promise of God's presence. *"Then the LORD said to me: Do not say, ‘I am only a youth,' for you will go to everyone I send you to and speak whatever I tell you. Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to deliver you. This is the LORD's declaration".* (Jeremiah 1:7-8). To be continue tomorrow morning by God's Grace. Good morning and do have a great day, peace. *Prayer point:* Father, let your will be done in my life in Jesus Christ name. Amen! T.S. AFOLAYAN