Using What You’ve Already Got!

Over the years I’ve come across many believers who were simply waiting—waiting to stretch their wings in ministry work—waiting for GOD to give them the right talent, the right gifting, the right ability, the right opportunity. I have discovered that this “waiting time” is simply a ploy of the enemy to rob the individual of the joy and excitement of ministry as well as robbing those to whom that individual has been called to minister to.

I have had people use the excuse that “as soon as everything is right in my life,” I will get to work for GOD. Once again, this idea of “getting everything right” simply serves as another ploy to prevent people from stepping out in ministry for GOD. Maybe that is you today? Maybe you have been holding back? Maybe you have been waiting for just the right opportunity, or just the right open door, or just the right this or that?

Excuses are nothing new! Consider the fact that GOD met up with Moses on the back side of a mountain out in the wilderness away from any civilization and told him he would be used to set GOD’s people free from their Egyptian bondage. Moses didn’t jump at the opportunity; rather, he began to make excuses.

Exodus 3 records the conversation between GOD and Moses. Moses tried every ploy in the book to get out of going back to Egypt to carry out his assignment. Finally, he asked the LORD: “What if they won’t believe me and will not obey me but say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?” (Exodus 4:1 HCSB).

GOD responded by asking Moses: “What is that in your hand?” (Exodus 4:2)—what is it you already have in your possession? To which Moses responded: “A staff.” It certainly didn’t look like much but when Moses threw it down it became a powerful snake. GOD told Moses to simply use what you’ve already got and watch GOD work through that to bring change to those around you.

I spent a great many years wishing I had more talent, more ability. But, I finally discovered by simply stepping out in faith, GOD would use the little bit that I had to carry out great and mighty works. He desires to do the same through you today. Stop waiting for the right time, the right talent, the right gift and simply start using what it is He has already given to you.

GOD took a little worthless piece of wood and changed the hearts of man with it, eventually setting His people free. Was it the piece of wood or the obedient heart of Moses? It was Moses stepping out in faith, believing in GOD’s ability that freed the Israelites. It is you stepping out in faith utilizing the simple little thing GOD has given you, whatever it may be, that GOD will use to work great and mighty wonders through—trust GOD and step out in faith today!

Scripture Reading: “Now the end of all things is near; therefore, be serious and disciplined for prayer. Above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins, be hospitable to one another without complaining. Based on the gift each one has received; use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:7-11 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father, I realize I have wasted a great deal of time waiting for the right gift, the right talent, the right opportunity to appear so I might become useable to You. Looking back, I see You have given me what I need, I have simply failed to obey You by stepping out in faith and using it. LORD GOD, help me today to recognize the opportunities You have placed in front of me and to simply obey You by grabbing those opportunities and using them for Your glory and honor in all things. I love You and praise You for always being with me and I thank You for what You have enabled me to do for the sake of Your kingdom!…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

A THOUGHT TO PONDER! – Faith as a Newborn

In my observations of life, I have come to recognize the kind of faith God wants His children to have in Him as their Heavenly Father is very evident in the faith of a newborn. From the very moment a newborn breathes in its first breath it instantly entrusts itself completely to its mother’s love and care. It has heard and learned its mother’s voice while in the womb and now exhibits that trust by desiring none other but her.
This is a beautiful example of the kind of faith God as our Heavenly Father expects from us. As He is gently speaking to us, drawing us to Himself, we too are hearing His voice and becoming familiar with Him. It is like that baby in the womb hearing its mom; we too find ourselves in the womb being prepared by God’s Spirit to be birthed to new life as He brings us to the place where we come to recognize our need for Christ as our Savior and we give our lives over to Him. It is not anything we do, but the work of God through His Spirit drawing us.

I like the way Paul put it in Ephesians where he wrote these words: “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence” (Ephesians 3:12). The call of God on your life doesn’t stop there though. Throughout your life, His Spirit is continually speaking to you and working in you to build your faith in Him more and more so you may experience more of freedom and confidence to trust Him even more with your life.

BE BLESSED AS YOU TRUST GOD MORE WITH YOUR LIFE AND EXPERIENCE MORE OF HIS GREATNESS IN SO DOING!