"Moses answered, 'What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, The Lord did not appear to you?' Then the Lord said to him, 'What is that in your hand?' 'A staff,' he replied. The Lord said, 'Throw it on the ground.' Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. Then the Lord said to him, 'Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.' So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. 'This,' said the Lord, 'is so that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers --- the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob --- has appeared to you.'" ---- Exodus 4:1-5
One of the great challenges of life for people of faith is that we've been called by God to do things that exceed our natural talents and abilities! Most of us keenly perceive that, and we join our friend Moses in making excuses why we simply CANNOT do what God wants us to do. One does not have to lie to find good and evident reasons why he/she cannot accomplish a myriad of things that God wants done. We're simply human beings, after all, and we DO have our limitations!
Over and over again throughout the Scriptures, people were moved by God to do far more than they ever imagined. One consistent quality they possessed is that they knew they were NOT up to the task and it exceeded their abilities. In life after life and in one way or another, God asked the question, "What do you have in your hand?"
Moses, as the passage indicates, had only a simple shepherd's staff. It was very ordinary but strong wood. Nothing remarkable or beautiful about it. It was so ordinary and insignificant that no one would normally take note of it. It was the same with young David --- only a sling and a few smooth round stones from a brook. With Mary, it was simply a box of sweet smelling ointment intended to anoint the dead. For one nameless young boy, it was only a lunch --- a few loaves and fishes. The most simple things of life, however, are often the most significant --- IN THE HANDS OF GOD!
You see, THAT is the real difference! In our own hands, the articles and implements of life are merely ordinary. However, when they are used by God in His service, they become extraordinary! Loaves and fishes feed thousands, a sling and stones become mightier than a warrior's sword, and funeral ointment becomes a sweet smelling fragrance to a whole household and becomes a powerful prophecy of Christ's atoning death on the cross!
What about you? What's in YOUR hand? God can use your voice, your gifts and talents, your simple efforts for His Kingdom to bring glory to Himself and to bring His touch to the lives of others. The key is not any special quality you have --- the key is your willingness and availability!
Put whatever you have in your hand and life into His hand and see the marvelous things He will do with you! God does not want what you don't have --- He wants to use what you DO have! Give it to Him today and throughout this week!
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in it's various forms." ---1 Peter 4:10
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2001
One of the great challenges of life for people of faith is that we've been called by God to do things that exceed our natural talents and abilities! Most of us keenly perceive that, and we join our friend Moses in making excuses why we simply CANNOT do what God wants us to do. One does not have to lie to find good and evident reasons why he/she cannot accomplish a myriad of things that God wants done. We're simply human beings, after all, and we DO have our limitations!
Over and over again throughout the Scriptures, people were moved by God to do far more than they ever imagined. One consistent quality they possessed is that they knew they were NOT up to the task and it exceeded their abilities. In life after life and in one way or another, God asked the question, "What do you have in your hand?"
Moses, as the passage indicates, had only a simple shepherd's staff. It was very ordinary but strong wood. Nothing remarkable or beautiful about it. It was so ordinary and insignificant that no one would normally take note of it. It was the same with young David --- only a sling and a few smooth round stones from a brook. With Mary, it was simply a box of sweet smelling ointment intended to anoint the dead. For one nameless young boy, it was only a lunch --- a few loaves and fishes. The most simple things of life, however, are often the most significant --- IN THE HANDS OF GOD!
You see, THAT is the real difference! In our own hands, the articles and implements of life are merely ordinary. However, when they are used by God in His service, they become extraordinary! Loaves and fishes feed thousands, a sling and stones become mightier than a warrior's sword, and funeral ointment becomes a sweet smelling fragrance to a whole household and becomes a powerful prophecy of Christ's atoning death on the cross!
What about you? What's in YOUR hand? God can use your voice, your gifts and talents, your simple efforts for His Kingdom to bring glory to Himself and to bring His touch to the lives of others. The key is not any special quality you have --- the key is your willingness and availability!
Put whatever you have in your hand and life into His hand and see the marvelous things He will do with you! God does not want what you don't have --- He wants to use what you DO have! Give it to Him today and throughout this week!
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in it's various forms." ---1 Peter 4:10
--------------
2001
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