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00:00Want to talk to you today about how you lack nothing
00:04Sometimes we see ourselves at a disadvantage if we had more talent then we could do something greater
00:10We had more personality more height more attractive
00:15Then we could accomplish our dreams or if we had more funds more resources more opportunity
00:21Then we could overcome this obstacle
00:24But as long as you see yourself as lacking at a deficit
00:28You'll make excuses to settle where you are and be less than your best
00:33Psalm 34 says those who trust in the Lord will never lack any good thing
00:40God has given you everything you need for your destiny
00:44He's already put in you the wisdom the confidence the strength
00:48It's already lined up the right people the good breaks the resources it's already there
00:54The question is do you recognize what you have?
00:57Are you using what God is giving you or are you overlooking it because it seems common?
01:04Ordinary, are you discounting yourself because you feel shortchanged too small wrong nationality not up to par
01:13You have to change your mindset
01:15It's not enough to just have faith in God that's important
01:19But you have to take it one step further and have faith in what God has given you
01:25You have to believe that you're equipped that you're empowered that your steps are being ordered
01:31Here's the key. You don't have to have great talent to do something great
01:36If you'll use what you have God will breathe on it and you'll accomplish more than you thought possible
01:43It's not necessarily the amount of education the amount of resources the amount of friends who you know
01:51What makes the difference is the anointing on your life?
01:55You can have average talent, but when God favors you you'll go further than people with great talent
02:02You can have an extraordinary problem. You're outnumbered
02:07Surrounded but God can take an ordinary solution
02:11Something that seems common and cause you to be victorious
02:15Don't discount what you have
02:17Don't overlook what God has given you the enemy would love for us to get stuck thinking we're at a deficit
02:24When I get more funds more training more good breaks, then I could move forward
02:31We're waiting for more when in fact everything we need is already there
02:36Look around at what God has given you
02:39Recognize what you have
02:42Moses felt like he was at a disadvantage
02:45He'd been out in the desert for 40 years
02:48hiding because of a mistake
02:50God came to him in a burning bush and told him to go tell the Pharaoh to let the Israelites go
02:56They'd been in slavery for many years
02:59Moses said God he's not going to listen to me. I don't have any influence the right credentials. I'm not a good speaker
03:06I stutter he went on and on making all these excuses
03:11God said to him Moses. What do you have in your hand?
03:15Moses said God it's nothing. It's just a stick just piece of wood. I got off a tree
03:21I've been using as a staff for my animals. God said throw it on the ground
03:27He threw it down and it turned into a snake
03:30God took something Moses had that seemed common
03:34Ordinary nothing special but God breathed on it and it became extraordinary
03:41There are things that God has put in your life that seem common
03:45Normal town normal neighborhood normal job. It's ordinary to us. But when God steps in
03:52supernatural things happen
03:54When Moses saw that snake verse 3 says he was so terrified that he took off running
04:01You would think he'd be so amazed and so inspired that he'd be full of faith just the opposite
04:07God told him to pick the snake up by the tail
04:11Took a lot more faith to pick it up than to throw it down
04:14When he did it turned back into his staff
04:18God was showing him that he had what he needed. It looked ordinary
04:24Insignificant just a stick but if it needs to be a key to open a door God will turn it into a key
04:30If it needs to be a shield to protect you God will turn it into a shield
04:35If it needs to be provisioned to fund your dream
04:38God will turn it into a bank if it needs to be an auditorium to expand your church. God will turn it into a compact Center
04:46Anytime you tell God that you're stuck you're at a deficit you're lacking God asked the question
04:53What's in your hand?
04:55What are you discounting? What are you overlooking?
04:59Joel I don't have the talent the training the connections. I'm limited in my career
05:05Just keep being faithful using what you have. God will take the ordinary and do something extraordinary
05:12You do the natural and God will do the supernatural
05:16Jesus told his disciples to roll away the stone and I'll raise Lazarus
05:22Jesus could have rolled away the stone. He's God. He spoke to the storm and calm the winds
05:28Why did he tell his disciples to do it?
05:30It's this principle if you'll do the ordinary
05:33God will do the extraordinary if you'll do what's common
05:37God will do what's uncommon if you'll throw down the staff so to speak. He'll turn it into what you need
05:45When my father went to be with the Lord, I knew I was supposed to step up and pastor the church
05:50But I didn't feel qualified. I didn't have the training never ministered before
05:56On top of that my father was such a great minister
06:00He was strong dynamic had a big personality and I was just the opposite
06:06All those thoughts told me joy. You're not enough. You're not like your father
06:11Here's the key. You don't need what someone else has you're not running their race. You have what you need for your race
06:20Don't compare yourself to other people if you're focused on what they have their gifts
06:26They're looks their resources. You're gonna start discounting yourself
06:30Thinking man, I can't speak like my father
06:33Where I'm not as attractive as my cousin or my co-worker is so much more talented
06:38If you needed what they have God would have given it to you
06:42You're not lacking anything you need to fulfill your purpose
06:47Now I was tempted to shrink back and feel less than because my father was such a gifted leader
06:53I had to do what I'm asking you to do
06:56I said God, I don't have what my father had but I believe I have what I need for my destiny
07:03I'm not going to compare myself to him
07:06I'm going to take what you put in my hands my gifts my personality my smile and
07:12Use it to the best of my ability. I
07:16started speaking
07:17Week after week, I didn't really know how to write a message. I didn't have deep theology
07:23I just talked about the goodness of God and how to live a life of victory
07:28People started telling me Joel you have a gift
07:31You have such a good way of explaining the scripture and making it relevant
07:35That always puzzled me. I would think what are they talking about having a gift? I'm just up there talking
07:41What felt ordinary to me God breathed on and it became something much greater
07:47Never dreamed I'd be a pastor and speaking to people around the world
07:52When you look at what you have your skills talents personality, it's easy to think this is ordinary
08:00It's just a walking stick. That's what God uses
08:03There's something he's given you that's going to take you to new levels. It's not spectacular. It's ordinary
08:11Don't discount it. Don't go around with a
08:14Disadvantaged mentality use what you have and he'll take the natural and do something supernatural
08:22Moses spoke to the Pharaoh
08:25Eventually, he let the Israelites go but as they were leaving he changed his mind
08:30He sent 600 of his most skilled warriors and all these chariots to capture them and bring them back
08:38Moses and the Israelites came to a dead end at the Red Sea. They had nowhere to go
08:44The people started complaining Moses. Why did you bring us out here in the desert to die?
08:50We'd rather stayed in Egypt as slaves and come out here and be killed
08:54Moses was praying God do something supernatural
08:57Send an army to rescue us rain down hail upon them
09:02God said in verse 16 Moses. Why are you crying out to me lift up your rod?
09:08Stretch forth your hand and part the sea. I
09:11Can hear Moses saying God you mean you want me to do something ordinary?
09:17You're gonna use this stick again this common thing. You want me to lift it up?
09:22When he did the waters begin to push back the Red Sea parted the people went through on dry ground
09:31We're looking for the spectacular
09:33But often it starts with something ordinary
09:37Something we could easily discount think it's common
09:41What do you have in your hand?
09:43I'm just a business person. I'm just a student. I'm just an architect. I'm just a stay-at-home mom
09:50I'll never do anything significant. That's how Moses felt out there in the desert 40 years
09:56But God has put something in your hand something that seems ordinary if you'll dare lift up your rod
10:04Do what he's asking you to do you're going to come into these destiny moments where you see Red Sea's part
10:11Deliverance from enemies gifts come out that you never knew you had it's in you
10:16God put it there before you were born
10:19He marked you for greatness. He already set the time for you to break out to levels. You've never dreamed
10:26Now you have to get in agreement with him
10:29This is not going to happen if we have a lack mentality. I don't have the talent. It's too big
10:36Joel I got a Red Sea in front of me right now a dead end. What do you expect me to do lift up your rod?
10:44Do the natural and God will do the supernatural. He'll breathe on your life in a new way
10:51This is what happened with Samson
10:53He was surrounded by the Philistines a huge army. He had no weapons. No protection
11:00All the odds were against him. He looked around to try to find something to defend himself
11:06All he could find was the jawbone of a donkey some dead bones
11:11I'm sure he thought all great God. I need a sword. I need a shield
11:16I need some troops to come rescue me. But all I have is this jawbone
11:21Was common a lot of dead animals out in the desert. He could ignored it and thought well, that's of no use
11:27But he was smart enough to realize it was a part of his destiny
11:33What you need to accomplish your assignment will always be within reach
11:38It won't be far off where you can't attain it. It will be close to you
11:43Pay attention to what God brings across your path and who he brings across your path. It's not there by accident
11:51It's easy to discount like oh, that's common that person that opportunity this idea
11:58It's just a stick Joel, it's just the jawbone of a donkey
12:02God uses the ordinary to do the extraordinary
12:07If you'll recognize what you have and be a good steward, then you'll see what God was up to
12:14Samson picked up that jawbone
12:16The scripture says the Spirit of God came upon him and he defeated a thousand Philistines
12:24one man
12:25not with a rifle not with an army not with fire coming down from heaven, but with something ordinary a
12:33jawbone of a donkey
12:36What God is going to do in your life won't always happen through spectacular ways
12:42Maybe some of that but most of the time God is going to use something ordinary
12:48Something within reach something close to you
12:52God asked Moses. What do you have in your hand?
12:56Not what do you wish you had Moses? What does your neighbor have? What are you hoping for this far off?
13:02There is something close to you. It's easy to overlook. It's easy to over discount, but God put it there
13:09It's instrumental in you reaching your destiny
13:14There was a young woman named Mary Bethune born in South Carolina in the late
13:201800s she was the youngest of 17 children
13:24Her parents were slaves
13:26Despite the odds being against her. She was able to get a good education
13:30Even attend college from the time. She was a little girl
13:34She always had a dream to teach young people after getting her degree
13:39She sent her application to different schools hoping to get a teaching position
13:44She was a straight-a student. You couldn't meet a finer young woman
13:49She waited month after month
13:52Unfortunately, no one was would hire her
13:55She was disappointed, but she knew that God still had a plan that one one door closes
14:01God will always open up another door
14:03Other than sitting around defeated. She decided to start her own school
14:09She didn't have any desk, but she did have some cardboard boxes. She set them up as desk
14:15She didn't have any pens, but she did have some red berries out in the field
14:20Every night she would drain the juice. So the students could use that for ink in their pens
14:27After several years the local college saw what was happening
14:31They asked her to join her school with theirs. It became the Bethune Cookman College
14:37She went on to become the first
14:40African-american college president now in the natural
14:44Mary was at a deficit
14:47She was lacking a poor family turned down for the position. No equipment. No funding that didn't stop her
14:55What she needed was within reach if it's out of reach
15:00You don't need it. If you can't attain it. It wasn't meant to be
15:05Don't sit around in self-pity. God has something better. He said because you trust him you will not lack
15:12If you needed it for your destiny and it was out of reach God wouldn't be a just God
15:19Let go of what didn't work out and who didn't stay in your life the promotion you didn't get how you weren't raised, right?
15:27None of that has stopped your purpose
15:30Nothing, you've been through has canceled your assignment. No bad break has lessened your greatness
15:37What you need is close to you
15:40Recognize what you have may seem common just some cardboard boxes
15:46Just the jawbone of a donkey just this thick this rod
15:50Yes, but when you use it Red Sea's part enemies are defeated doors will open
15:56Opportunity that thrusts you into your destiny
15:59What's in your hand?
16:01There's something you're overlooking it seems ordinary
16:05But when you do the natural
16:07God will do the supernatural
16:09When you set up the cardboard desk when you drain the ink God will bring the college president position more than you can imagine
16:18John chapter 6 a great crowd had followed Jesus to a remote area to hear him teach
16:24It's getting late in the day almost dark
16:28Jesus said to his disciples you need to feed the people. They're too tired to go home hungry
16:34They said in effect. Are you kidding Jesus? There are 15,000 people here
16:39We're out in the desert the nearest Walmart's 300 miles. It's Sunday chick-fil-a is not even open
16:46They came up with all these good reasons why it was impossible
16:51Jesus asked him. What do you have?
16:54They went out in the crowd
16:55Came back in a few minutes and all we could find was this little boys lunch just five loaves of bread two fish
17:02But what is that among so many?
17:05It was a logical question. What good is this one lunch going to do when we need lunch for 15,000 people?
17:13But God doesn't ask you to figure out how it's going to happen
17:16He just asked you to use what he's given you to not discount to not live thinking you had a deficit
17:24But to believe that he can take what seems small and make something great out of it
17:30Same thing when I stepped up my mind said what is this among so many God?
17:37All I have is five loaves and two fish. We need something much greater more talent more wisdom more training
17:44God is not asking you for what you don't have. He's asking you to trust him with what you do have with what's in reach
17:53Joel all I have is a little lunch. God can take the little and multiply. I just have a little faith
17:59A little faith can move a mountain. I just have a walking stick. You can part of Red Sea
18:05I just have the jawbone of a donkey something I found close. You can defeat an army
18:11You can beat the cancer you can break the addiction
18:15You're not lacking you have exactly what you need and sometimes on purpose God will let you be outnumbered
18:23He'll let the door close let you not feel qualified for the position
18:27He takes that small and bleeds on it
18:31Jesus prayed over the five loaves and two fish and they multiplied and they fed all
18:3815,000 people plus they had 12 baskets full left over
18:42But the disciples almost talked themselves out of it thought they were at a too big of a deficit
18:49But the deficit is a sign that God's about to do something amazing
18:54Now many of you have been faithful with what God has given you go into church
19:00Doing more than you have to go into work serving giving believing
19:05You're going to come in to some of these destiny moments where you see God breathe on your talent
19:11You rise to a new level
19:14Breathe on your finances and you come into overflow
19:17Breathe on your health that cancer is gone
19:21Breathe on your children. They're back on track fulfilling their purpose
19:26Don't be fooled by the facts
19:28Every circumstance may say you're at a deficit
19:31You just have five loaves and two fish you're lacking talent lacking funds lacking confidence
19:37No, your time is coming. You keep doing the natural
19:41Using what you have God's going to step in and do the supernatural and take you where you can't go on your own
19:50I talked to a man. He's an attorney and he always had a desire to be in the sports industry
19:56but he didn't know anyone in that field and he was living in a small town where he was raised and working there and
20:04Several times a week. He'd go up to the gym to play basketball
20:07He played with this same group of men for a few years
20:11One day this older gentleman asked him what he did for a living
20:15He told how he was an attorney doing corporate law, but he said my dream is to be a sports agent
20:21I just don't have any connections
20:24The man said that's interesting. My nephew is the number one college football player in the nation
20:30He was just asking me about who I knew that could represent him. I'm gonna have him call you
20:37That was his first sports client. His business grew and grew today
20:42He's one of the top sports agents in the world. He said Joel. I never dreamed I would be where I am
20:50Seemed like he was lacking didn't know anyone in a small town then that one good break that one connection
20:58You don't know what God is up to
21:00You don't know the doors. He's about to open the people you're about to meet the favor. You're about to see
21:08May seem like you're at a deficit
21:10What's in your heart is much bigger than you think could ever happen just stay faithful where you are
21:17Keeping God first place being your best with what he's given you
21:21You're gonna come into your destiny moments where suddenly the Red Sea parts
21:27You're doing the ordinary and God steps in and does the extraordinary
21:31You're gathering the five loaves and two fish not complaining not discounting it
21:36Then God multiplies it gives you a supernatural increase
21:41Supernatural provision the right people show up favor that you can't explain
21:48Second Kings chapter 4 there was a widow that was trying to survive
21:53Her husband had served with the Prophet Elisha
21:57But he had passed and he left her some funds to live off on but she'd used all that up
22:03Now she didn't know how she was going to make it in those days if you couldn't pay your debts
22:08They would take your family members and they would have to work for the payment
22:13Well, these creditors were coming for her two sons. She was so distraught
22:18She went to the Prophet Elisha to explain what was happening
22:22Elisha said to her. What do you have in your house?
22:26Verse 2 she answered nothing at all
22:29She was saying we're done it's over there's nothing here
22:34Then she thought about it and said wait a minute
22:36Nothing, except a small jar of oil
22:40Elisha said that's all we need just a little oil
22:44He told her to go out and borrow as many large empty containers as she could find
22:51She and her sons went out and knocked on the neighbor's door and they brought back all these containers
22:57Elisha said now take the little oil that you have and pour it into the empty containers
23:03That didn't make sense
23:04But she obeyed as she did the oil never ran out God multiplied it
23:10She kept pouring and pouring until all the containers were filled
23:15She went out and sold the oil paid off all her debts and had plenty to live on
23:21When Elisha asked her what she had in her house at first she said nothing at all
23:27She discounted the oil was too small not significant. But the truth is that's all God needed
23:35She was looking on the outside hoping Elisha would save her
23:40But what she needed was on the inside it was within reach in her house, but it was common
23:47Ordinary just a little oil. This can't do any good. I've got a big problem
23:52But when you use what you have God will breathe on it
23:57And some of us are like this woman. What do you have in your house? I don't have anything Joel
24:02I'm not that talented. I don't have a good personality. I've got an okay job. It's it's nothing
24:08if you only knew what God can do with a little a
24:12Little jar of oil a little boy's lunch a little faith a little talent
24:19God asked Moses. What's in your hand? He said something ordinary. Yes this woman. What's in your house?
24:26She said nothing at all
24:28Both times they had what they needed. They just didn't recognize it
24:34Moses had a rod that would part of see a stick that we'd be talking about thousands of years later
24:40This widow had a little jar of oil oil that would sustain her for years until the famine was over
24:48What's in your hand?
24:50What's in your house?
24:52What you need is close to you. It's within reach. You are not lacking
24:57You are not at a deficit. You are in position to see the hand of God do something supernatural
25:04Now do your part and give him the five loaves and two fish even though it seems insignificant
25:11Pour the little jar of oil lift up your rod
25:15small acts of obedience
25:17lead to great miracles
25:20No more thinking. I'm at a disadvantage. I'm lacking turn it around. I have everything I need. I'm equipped
25:27Empowered and anointed if you'll do this
25:30I believe and declare like Moses red seeds are going to part in your life
25:36Doors are going to open
25:38Problems turn around like this widow. God's going to multiply what you have and pour out abundance
25:45Breakthroughs healing the fullness of your destiny in Jesus name and if you receive it, can you say amen?
25:57Let's pray together if you have five minutes stick with me Lord, thank you for what we've heard
26:01I know it falls on great ground faithful people here at Lakewood
26:05Lord, you see all those honoring you today here and online
26:09Lord, I think that this seed is taking root in our heart today
26:14we're going out of here with a
26:16bigger vision
26:18Not limiting you not thinking that we're at a disadvantage, but Lord knowing that we have everything we need
26:25Lord help us to keep the right perspective
26:28Lord, I thank you just like I declared you are breathing on your people
26:32Lord at what they put their hands to what you've called them to do Lord. Let them see supernatural provision
26:39Thank you that you're defeating enemies for them. Lord. We thank you Lord. We trust you
26:44We're gonna keep our eyes on you Lord
26:46And I just thank you for watching after
26:48Your people as they go out this week and the children Lord at school or wherever
26:53Lord I thank you that your angels are watching after them in Jesus name
26:58With their heads bowed in prayer, just a quick question if your heart stopped beating in the next few minutes
27:05Are you at peace with God?
27:08Do you know where you would spend eternity if you died a little while from now?
27:13If not, I would love to pray with you
27:16I'm not here to condemn anybody. I'm here to help you find a new beginning
27:22I know this comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
27:27In just a moment if you're not at peace with the Lord, or maybe you are a Christian, but you've grown cold toward God
27:35You know, you need to rededicate your life. You need a fresh new start if that's you in just a moment
27:42I'm gonna ask you to take a step of faith and stand right where you are and we'll pray together. I
27:49Can't think of a better time to get on the road to victory than right now
27:55God is not mad at you
27:57Your sins have already been forgiven. All you have to do is accept the free gift of Christ's salvation
28:04Will you do it today?
28:06The enemy in your thoughts he'll whisper do it next week. Do it another time. Listen, the Bible says
28:13Today is the day of salvation
28:15Don't put it off. You're not hearing this by accident
28:19Which always embarrassing to stand in front of everyone. I have people at the house
28:23I can't lift my hand. Listen to what Jesus said if you won't be ashamed of me before people
28:30Then I won't be ashamed of you before my Father in heaven
28:34I'm gonna give you a great opportunity to show God that you're not ashamed of him
28:39If you're not at peace with the Lord or you just need to rededicate your life
28:44You need a fresh new start a new beginning if that's you
28:48Would you be bold take that step of faith and stand right where you are and we'll pray together
28:53Would you do that? Come on Lakewood. Let's give them a hand as they stand all over the building
29:03Come on don't put it off. I
29:07Feel like there ought to be a few more your hearts beating fast anybody else don't go home without peace anyone else
29:15Watching listen, you'll slip your hand up still time for you up top
29:22Well, God bless you, please remain standing if you don't mind let me tell you how proud we are of you
29:28I know that took courage to stand and more importantly
29:31I know the angels are rejoicing in the heavens
29:34God's never going to be ashamed of you because you took this step of faith
29:38The scripture says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Let me help you to call
29:44Do you mind all praying this after me Lord Jesus? I
29:49repent of my sins
29:51Come into my heart. I
29:54Make you my Lord and Savior
29:58Amen or remain standing one more moment. I want to tell you how much we love you
30:01We're gonna be praying for you
30:04Also want to give you a personal invitation and a challenge to come back and be with us on a regular basis
30:10We ask new believers. Give us the next year of your life
30:14Make a commitment just like you go to work. This is gonna be a priority for the next year
30:19You're gonna be here every Sunday in person online. How do you do it?
30:22I'll make a promise before that year is over your life will never be the same
30:27We're gonna help you grow and become who God's created you to be
30:32Why don't you make that commitment to come you can get plugged in on one of our teams?
30:35We'd love to have you be a part of one of the teams that serve and help others
30:40You'll meet some awesome people after service
30:42There's a room called new beginnings right over here. If you need anything stop by information prayer. They'd be happy to talk with you
30:48I'm gonna be out there in the lobby
30:49If you can't do it today do it next time you're here because I'd love to meet you but also after the service
30:54There's great classes
30:55There's things online as well
30:57But know this the moment you stood up God washed away all your sins your mistakes your failures
31:03You are starting with a fresh clean slate
31:07Write it down in your Bible August 11th
31:102024 a new day of victory in your life in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Well, let's all stand together if you would, please
31:19Thanks so much for coming out today. How many of you going home better off than you were before? Amen
31:24Well, we love you guys, and I want to speak a blessing until we meet again
31:29May the Lord bless you and keep you
31:32Let the Lord show you his favor and have mercy on you and may the Lord watch over you and give you his peace
31:38God bless you. Have an awesome week a favor filled week. We'll see you back real soon