What's That in Your Hand? by Theresa Zuber

After seeing the burning bush that was not consumed by the flame and hearing the voice of the Almighty God speak to him – Moses still was not convinced that HE could be a part of God’s plan. (Exodus 3 & 4) “What if they don’t believe me? What if they don’t listen?” Moses asked God. Seems like a valid question. “Okay God – I hear your plan – but what if it doesn’t work – then what?” You see, Moses realized that he was not a public speaker. He had not been leading his tribe around and making big decisions. He had left Egypt because of conflict – so what made God think that he, Moses, was the man for the job? Confronting Pharaoh with this request to free the Israelite people seemed like an ill-fated plan. So, when Moses questioned God, God simply asked him a question – “what is that in your hand?”

Then God proceeded to show Moses that He can use whatever it is we have for His greater purposes. Whether it is a staff that he turns into a snake (Ex 4), or a slingshot he uses to slay a giant (1 Samuel 17), or the jawbone of a donkey (Judges 15), some bread and fish (Matt 14), a fishing net (Luke 5) and the list goes on and on.

So my question to you is – what do you have in your hand? A hammer? A musical instrument? A Bible? A plate of cookies? A telephone? Don’t assume that you haven’t got the words or the wisdom or the talent to do great things. All it takes is a willing heart and some faith! God is able.

Eph 3: ²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Worship Spotlight 11 16 09

After God parted the Red Sea and allowed the Israelite nation to escape from Pharaoh, the Israelite people celebrated. How did they show their joy and thankfulness? They sang a song to the Lord:

Exodus 15: 1 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD : "I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea. 2 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.”

When was the last time that you were so thankful to God that you sang a song to Him? He has saved you from bondage – delivered you from the grips of Hell. We should celebrate that every day we are on this earth!

Col 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

I’m reminded of a chorus we sang years ago, “Give thanks with a grateful heart. Give thanks to the Holy One. Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ his Son.” Worshiping is about so much more than “singing songs.” Worship Him with a grateful heart – mindful of everything He has done for you!

Are you the Weakest Link? by Theresa Zuber

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. But, it seems that God oftentimes uses the weakest, most unlikely people, to accomplish his work.

Take Gideon (Judges 6 & 7) who declared himself the least man from the weakest clan, yet God used him. Gideon found it hard to believe so he asked God to give him a sign. Then, he asked for more signs – not that he didn’t trust God- but he had no confidence in his abilities to lead God’s people. Could he possibly understand God correctly? Was he completely bonkers???

Gideon is not the only one who had trouble believing God could use him. Moses argued with God that he was “slow to speak”. Did you get that? He said he wasn’t able to speak to Pharaoh, but he had no problem arguing with the most High God.

Other times God has used unlikely people: Rahab the prostitute (Josh 2), David the young shepherd boy (1 Sam 16), Joseph the dreamer (Gen 37-41), Matthew the tax collector (Matt 9), Zaccheus the “wee little man” (Luke 19), and Peter, who denied Christ three times. (Mark 14)

1 Cor 1:26-27 “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”

Our society places great importance on being self-confident and believing that you can do great things. Yet God seems to use those people who have emptied themselves out so that there is room for Him. Suddenly, being a link that God can use for His purposes seems much more important than fitting in with the rest of the world.

2 Cor 12: 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.