You Have Everything You Need

You Have Everything You Need

Exodus 4: Then Moses answered and said, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you.’ ”

 

² So the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”

 

He said, “A rod.”

 

³ And He said, “Cast it on the ground.” So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. ⁴ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail” (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand), ⁵ “that they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”

 

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Moses, being unsure of himself, asked GOD “What if they don’t believe me?” GOD had just told Moses to go get HIS people out of Egypt. Moses needed some confirmation.

 

My Observations:

• Moses felt insignificant, inadequate and inferior to the Egyptians who had armies, wealth and power.
• GOD asked Moses a question that HE knew the answer to, but wanted Moses to self-discover what HE was about to do.
• GOD turned the rod into a serpent to convince Moses that HE can do anything and that serpents are under HIS authority.

 

“You have everything you need,” seems to be the message GOD was giving to Moses. “All you need is the stick you have in your hand and I will do the rest,” is what I’m getting from this demonstration of power. I believe you and I underestimate the true power of GOD.

 

When we try to steer GOD by telling HIM what we need, we miss the point that HE has already provided us with everything we need. GOD was about to use a rod to defeat the Egyptians who were mistreating other humans. When you have GOD you have all you need.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the conversation HE had with him about the rod?
• Do you sometimes feel inadequate to take on large challenges GOD may want you to take on?
• Will you trust GOD and know you have everything you need to defeat the giant you are facing?

Look at the Dust

 

Look at the Dust

1 Corinthians 1: ²⁶ Now remember what you were, my friends, when God called you. From the human point of view few of you were wise or powerful or of high social standing. ²⁷ God purposely chose what the world considers nonsense in order to shame the wise, and he chose what the world considers weak in order to shame the powerful. ²⁸ He chose what the world looks down on and despises and thinks is nothing, in order to destroy what the world thinks is important. ²⁹ This means that no one can boast in God's presence. ³⁰ But God has brought you into union with Christ Jesus, and God has made Christ to be our wisdom. By him we are put right with God; we become God's holy people and are set free. ³¹ So then, as the scripture says, “Whoever wants to boast must boast of what the Lord has done.”

 

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Seeing the car this person drove sparked our conversation. It was a very expensive car. I watched his mannerisms on stage and noticed what he did to prepare to get on stage. I took mental notes so I could be just like him when I grew up.

 

• There have been many people I looked at so I could become like them.
• There have been many people I have watched so I could learn how to be “successful.”
• There have been many people I have followed so I could gain their “wisdom.”

 

Paul points out something strange regarding important people. He mentions that the world sees people different than GOD. What the world sees as “important”, GOD will destroy. HE will do this with unconventional methods.

 

• GOD wants me to know I am special to HIM and I am not overlooked.
• GOD wants me to know HE sees people differently than the way the world sees people.
• GOD wants me to know that HE can use people who are overlooked and thrown away.

 

Overlooking people to label others as “important” is a travesty. I mean, GOD may label a person important that the world says is insignificant, then what? That is exactly what happened when JESUS became a human. HE was overlooked as the Messiah and many people did not believe HE was and is GOD.

 

HE then noticed the dusty people and healed them. HE raised up people, who the world would call insignificant, from the dust and placed them over the rich and powerful. I am glad GOD sees me and others different than those who overlook.

 

• Do you feel overlooked?
• Do you think you are insignificant?
• Will you praise GOD for being in the same group as CHRIST, because HE too was overlooked?
• Will you boast about JESUS and what HE did for you today?

Significance

Significance

Acts 18: ¹² While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. ¹³ “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.”

¹⁴ Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. ¹⁵ But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.” ¹⁶ So he drove them off. ¹⁷ Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever.

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“He’s not playing right!” I protested. I mean, everyone knows you are supposed to put the blocks in the dump truck, then dump them on the floor and start over. This person wanted to kick the blocks. What sense did that make? The teacher came over and listened to both of us.

• There have been people in my life who listened to me.
• There have been people in my life who did not trivialize what I was saying.
• There have been people in my life who treated my concerns as significant.

Gallio was proconsul, so the Jews brought Paul to him in an accusatory way. Gallio scoffed at their anger over Paul’s confession that JESUS was and is GOD. He felt their argument was insignificant so he said “Settle the matter yourselves.”

• GOD wants me to stand firm on my faith in HIM.
• GOD wants me to know HE is the Most High.
• GOD wants me to speak about JESUS being the most significant choice of life.

Significance in GOD has been watered down by the world. The enemy’s tactic is to fool humans to seek significance within themselves. BUT GOD wants something different. GOD wants me to have unstoppable purpose that teaches people about JESUS.

People may scoff at the name of JESUS, but I know that by believing in HIM, even speaking HIS name brings power beyond measure. HIS word does not go out void, rather it will prosper and accomplish what it was intended to do. My significance is through JESUS, who is the Most High.

• Are you seeking to make a name of yourself?
• Do you shy away from speaking the name of JESUS?
• Will you open your mouth and profess JESUS as LORD so people can believe in HIS Word today?

Significance

Luke ²⁶ Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

²⁹ But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. ³⁰ Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. ³² He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. ³³ And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

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“This is my chance” I said to myself many times in my search for significance stage. As I grabbed the mic, I stood in front of the judges and confidently gave my audition. I stayed and watched the next person because I just wanted to see who would lose to me. The person was significantly better than me.

• There were times when I sought significance amongst humans.
• There were times when I wanted humans to place esteemed labels on me above other humans.
• There were times when I searched for significance in what I did.

“Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” this ultra-scary being said to Mary. She was a poor and unknown person who may not have done anything worth noting in the community. By all accounts Mary would at best be labeled “regular.” BUT GOD said something different.

• GOD says to me “I made you for MY purpose.”
• GOD says to me “I created you with a purpose that only you can do.”
• GOD says to me “I rescued you out of MY grace and mercy so you can show others the same.”

The only significant one is JESUS. My name can remain unknown. HE grows me to point others to HIM and not to myself. HE doesn’t want me crowding the news, grabbing all the attention.

HE wants me to say “HE is great. HE is the SON of the HIGHEST. HE is the ONE who has the throne. HE is the ruler of the kingdom that has no end.”  My significance comes in pointing to the ONE who is truly significant.

• Are you looking for the spotlight?
• Do you seek significance in your title or your job or amongst your family?
• Can you stop thinking you are insignificant and start pointing to the ONE who is truly significant, namely JESUS?

Small is Large

Matthew 13: ³¹ He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. ³² Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

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“Go and evangelize the neighborhood” was the overwhelming message I felt. This was very scary because I did not know anyone in the area and some of the neighbors were into some dangerous things. I felt small and did not know where to start.

• Sometimes I feel insignificant.
• Sometimes I feel like I’m facing giants as an ant.
• Sometimes I feel so small that the issues, situations and circumstances seem to be overwhelming.

“What powers do I have?” I mean I’m no one special, am I? Yes!

• GOD does not expect me to be powerful but believe HE is the most powerful.
• GOD does not expect me to be the answer; rather believe HE is the only answer.
• GOD does not expect me to be a savior but believe JESUS is my savior.

Millions of people saved begins with the one person I talk to about the Great News of being rescued by JESUS. I don’t have to “be” special or “do” anything special. HE sends people to me! How much easier can it get?! GOD’s only requirement is that I have the tiniest bit of faith to follow HIS leading.

• Do you feel small?
• Do you feel overwhelmed?
• Can you have the tiniest bit of faith and let GOD handle the rest?

My little help can be powerful

Exodus 38: ²⁵ The silver that was received from the men in the community who were listed and counted weighed four tons. It was weighed out in keeping with the weights used in the sacred tent. 

²⁶ It amounted to a fifth of an ounce for each person. It was weighed out in keeping with the weights used in the sacred tent. The silver was received from the men who had been listed and counted. All of them were 20 years old or more. Their total number was 603,550.

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Darkness appeared in the west but we were hungry and wanted some dinner. I felt a drip hit my head then is starter to drizzle. Four miles into the trip it began to rain, but not too hard. Winds picked up and leaves blew off trees, then twigs then branches.

Finally, trees were lying in the street, on cars and in houses. The wind was strong but a drizzle or light rain hit this territory every day for the prior month which caused the ground to be saturated making it easy for the trees to topple over. How powerful is a drizzle?

• Major problems don’t happen all at once.
• Serious issues don’t happen right away but over time.
• Big trouble seems to happen with tiny issues complied.

Sometimes the issues with mankind seem too big for me. I mean large groups of people are doing what they want to do. I seem so tiny compared to the issues mankind is facing. Besides, I have my own sins that I’m dealing with. Maybe I should give up. BUT GOD says different.

• GOD says do a little and I will do the rest.
• GOD says I made you with a purpose but MY SON did the ultimate purpose.
• GOD says since I am with you who can be against you?

Each person gave less than five ounces of silver which is easy to carry. When put together it weighed four tons! GOD doesn’t want me to save the world, that’s HIS job. HE does want me to reach “that” person because HE made me special and I am the only one who can.

• Are you trying too hard to please GOD?
• Do you think you have to save an entire nation?
• Can you just reach the person GOD sends you today?
• Won’t you encourage someone to do a little instead of doing a lot?

I am special.

Matthew 2: ⁵ “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

⁶ “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for out of you will come a ruler

who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

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Our neighborhood was typical in the big city. Houses, families, dogs and a car was what you would find for block and blocks. I was oblivious to the future and never really thought about “what I would become.”  I was just a kid in a neighborhood going to and from school.

I never would have imagined the adventure GOD had for me in the ride called life. With uncombed hair and tattered clothes I just never thought I would be someone special. BUT GOD thought differently.

• It doesn’t matter to GOD what neighborhood I lived in, I am special to HIM.
• It doesn’t matter to GOD what social status I’m in, I am special to HIM.
• It doesn’t matter to GOD what clothes I wear, car I drive or gadget I use, I am special to HIM.

More and more I see people who consider themselves special by their job titles, social standing or cumulative wealth. When any of these things get out of whack, they don’t feel as special, I know I felt this way. GOD on the other hand started me off special as a child.

I had no possessions entering the world and will leave with nothing. What makes me special is GOD has placed HIS HOLY SPIRIT inside me and now I am able to speak about HIS SON in generous amounts without guilt of yesterday’s sin.

• JESUS entered the world as a humble servant.
• JESUS came from a modest town.
• JESUS walked the earth with no wealth.

GOD knows human wealth and human titles are no match for HIS wealth or HIS title. When HE declares something special, no one can change that decree. HE has declared you and I special, that’s all that matters!

• Do you believe GOD made you special?
• Do you think GOD has a bigger plan for you?
• Can you drop your fears and follow GOD’s leading?