Exodus 4:1-2
And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee.
And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.
What's In Your Hand?
Look to the Lord. Now, look at your hands. Now, look back to the Lord.
If you're an internet junkie, like I am, you'll recognize that paraphrased line from a stream of web ads that crossed over to television. Truth is, God Himself wrote that copy eons ago with Moses. It's a great formula for us to follow.
When we read about Moses' confrontation with his destiny with God, we discover that Moses, once gung-ho about freeing his brothers and sisters from the tyranny of Pharoh, is hesistent when God finally tells him, 'It's time.' Moses, who was raised in the palace of Pharoh as one of the king's sons, suddenly can't find his voice. He can't see how he can be used for such a great task.
Moses knew who he was. He knew his destiny. But, out in the wilderness, up on a mountain, looking at a burning bush and hearing the voice of God, he felt weak, helpless and hesitant.
Any of us who have come face to face (or face to voice) with our callings in Christ have found ourselves in the same predicament. That passion inside that burns like Moses' bush...constant flame but never consumed. Seems like that 'thing' never goes out, no matter how much we ignore it. No matter how far in life we may seem to get from it, it always comes back...brighter...more intense. But once we come before the Lord with it, we don't know how to start.
God said, 'What is in your hand?'
Beloved, there is nothing we are called to do...there is no passion placed inside that God is not willing to meet. In church settings, we'll use the phrase 'author and finisher of our faith' and it's true (Hebrews 12:2). God authors the passion. He will complete and refine the work. But we have to choose to begin the work, the walk, the answer to the call.
We have to start with what's in our hands.
So what is it? What is it that you've been made to do? Is it teach? Then teach. Are you a singer? Sing. Is it a hairdresser? Then do the darn thing.
But start. Start with what's in your hand. Start with what has already been given to you by your experiences, your training, your innate talent. Start. But start in the right direction. Don't start for material gain. Don't start for fame. Start toward your calling. Start by giving your gift back to the Lord...the Author...the Creator. Give it back to Him and He will complete the task through you.
And you know what? That passion? It's your ministry. It really is. All of us who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for our sin, have a ministry. It may not involve a collar or a pulpit one day a week, but it is a ministry. You and I and our callings in Christ are just as important and necessary in the work of the Church as any pastor or deacon. (Romans 12:4)
It takes many roles to create a vibrant community. Doctors and lawyers are as necessary as janitors and sanitation workers. Nurses, artists, teachers and barbers all fill important roles. The community isn't viable if any are missing. Just like your own body, it takes a lot of different parts to make the whole thing work well.
Embrace the passion. Turn aside, or rather, inside, and take a look at that burning passion...that calling...that ministry and turn it over to the Lord. Then start. Start with what you have. What you need to do it is His business. And He's willing and able to meet the need, if we just start.
Ephesians 1:3-13
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Abundant, productive, passion following peace to you! (hint...it's in your hands)
Lifeline is produced from the Evangelistic Ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. You are encouraged to share this message. The Fellowship Church website (www.fcchosengeneration.com) includes a link to the Lifeline Blog (www.lifelineatfellowship.blogspot.com) where you can find previous messages. Evangelist Robinson also posts her entries on Facebook and Twitter. To subscribe to the mailing, or for questions and comments, tweet (@evangeliststeff) or send email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. Fellowship Church can be reached at chosen.gen@att.net.
And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee.
And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.
What's In Your Hand?
Look to the Lord. Now, look at your hands. Now, look back to the Lord.
If you're an internet junkie, like I am, you'll recognize that paraphrased line from a stream of web ads that crossed over to television. Truth is, God Himself wrote that copy eons ago with Moses. It's a great formula for us to follow.
When we read about Moses' confrontation with his destiny with God, we discover that Moses, once gung-ho about freeing his brothers and sisters from the tyranny of Pharoh, is hesistent when God finally tells him, 'It's time.' Moses, who was raised in the palace of Pharoh as one of the king's sons, suddenly can't find his voice. He can't see how he can be used for such a great task.
Moses knew who he was. He knew his destiny. But, out in the wilderness, up on a mountain, looking at a burning bush and hearing the voice of God, he felt weak, helpless and hesitant.
Any of us who have come face to face (or face to voice) with our callings in Christ have found ourselves in the same predicament. That passion inside that burns like Moses' bush...constant flame but never consumed. Seems like that 'thing' never goes out, no matter how much we ignore it. No matter how far in life we may seem to get from it, it always comes back...brighter...more intense. But once we come before the Lord with it, we don't know how to start.
God said, 'What is in your hand?'
Beloved, there is nothing we are called to do...there is no passion placed inside that God is not willing to meet. In church settings, we'll use the phrase 'author and finisher of our faith' and it's true (Hebrews 12:2). God authors the passion. He will complete and refine the work. But we have to choose to begin the work, the walk, the answer to the call.
We have to start with what's in our hands.
So what is it? What is it that you've been made to do? Is it teach? Then teach. Are you a singer? Sing. Is it a hairdresser? Then do the darn thing.
But start. Start with what's in your hand. Start with what has already been given to you by your experiences, your training, your innate talent. Start. But start in the right direction. Don't start for material gain. Don't start for fame. Start toward your calling. Start by giving your gift back to the Lord...the Author...the Creator. Give it back to Him and He will complete the task through you.
And you know what? That passion? It's your ministry. It really is. All of us who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for our sin, have a ministry. It may not involve a collar or a pulpit one day a week, but it is a ministry. You and I and our callings in Christ are just as important and necessary in the work of the Church as any pastor or deacon. (Romans 12:4)
It takes many roles to create a vibrant community. Doctors and lawyers are as necessary as janitors and sanitation workers. Nurses, artists, teachers and barbers all fill important roles. The community isn't viable if any are missing. Just like your own body, it takes a lot of different parts to make the whole thing work well.
Embrace the passion. Turn aside, or rather, inside, and take a look at that burning passion...that calling...that ministry and turn it over to the Lord. Then start. Start with what you have. What you need to do it is His business. And He's willing and able to meet the need, if we just start.
Ephesians 1:3-13
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Abundant, productive, passion following peace to you! (hint...it's in your hands)
Lifeline is produced from the Evangelistic Ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. You are encouraged to share this message. The Fellowship Church website (www.fcchosengeneration.com) includes a link to the Lifeline Blog (www.lifelineatfellowship.blogspot.com) where you can find previous messages. Evangelist Robinson also posts her entries on Facebook and Twitter. To subscribe to the mailing, or for questions and comments, tweet (@evangeliststeff) or send email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. Fellowship Church can be reached at chosen.gen@att.net.
Fellowship Church
Where Passions Become Reality
Because You Are a Chosen Generation
455 Highway 138 W, STE C
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Alton Watkins, Pastor
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