If all the sons and daughters of the church would know how to be tireless missionaries of the Gospel, a new and flowering of holiness and renewal would spring up in this world that thirsts for love and for truth.
– Pope John Paul I
When someone refers to another as a “Yes Man,” they usually mean someone who is always agreeing no matter what they really believe. A “Yes Man” most often will say yes to your face, then behind your back they do whatever they think is best.
A “Yes Man” is usually not respected by his co-workers, because he is always trying to gain favor with his “yes attitude.” But God’s “yes man” is simply always saying yes to God.
Jesus gave us many illustrations of God’s “yes man”: the good Samaritan in Luke 10:29-37, who showed mercy to the man who had been left for dead on the road; the “good and faithful” servants in Matthew 25:14-30, who took the talents their master had given them and multiplied them; and the “sheep” in Matthew 25:32-40, who treated everyone they met as though they were Jesus Himself – feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and those in prison.
“But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted” (Matt. 23:11-12).
Abraham said yes to God even when he thought he might have to sacrifice his precious son. Noah said yes to God even though building a boat brought him ridicule. Moses said yes to God and went back to Egypt to free his people from Pharaoh even though he was wanted for murder.
Daniel said yes to God by continuing to pray, even over the threat of a lions’ den. The three Hebrew children said yes to God and no to Nebuchadnezzar though it meant walking into a fiery furnace.
Have you said yes to God for your life? Your surrender and submission to Him will bring about the yes you need to carry out your mission!
Excerpt permission granted by Albury Publishing
Carman Domenic Licciardello is an enigma in Christian music, often described as part evangelist, part Vegas Showman. His concerts were more like a rock and roll Billy Graham Crusade than a Christian music event. After all the singing, dancing, clapping, and preaching, crowds of people would stream down to the counseling area to accept Christ-many times as many as 5,000 in an evening.
Admission was usually free; a simple offering was taken, similar to 30,000 churches on Sunday mornings. And he filled the largest stadiums the world over. Carman held the record for the largest Christian concert ever in Dallas, Texas. But it even goes beyond that. Take the Mega Stadium acts that played the famed landmark such as Pink Floyd, U 2, Madonna, The Jackson Five, Paul McCartney, Garth Brooks, and even Metallic. As the newspapers noted, you'll see that the one-act that drew the highest attendance in Texas Stadium was Carman, with 71,132.
Carman (1956-2021) was a popular contemporary Christian singer and songwriter.
Born Carman Licciardello, he began recording under his first name and released his debut album in 1980. Carman began charting contemporary Christian hits in 1984 with "Sunday's on the Way," reaching No. 1 with "The Champion" (1986) and "Radically Saved" (1988). His other hit songs include "Lord of All," "Jesus Is the Light," and "Satan, Bite the Dust!" Carman reportedly holds the world record for the largest audience at a Christian concert. His popularity was at its height in the 1980s and early '90s, but he continued releasing albums for years, including his most recent release, 2014's "No Plan B." In 2018, he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.