Do You Have the Right Credentials?

Sharon JaynesA Sudden Glory, Identity in Christ, Living Fully 60 Comments

 

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John, and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus,” (Acts 4:13, emphasis mine).

Do you ever feel like you just don’t have the right “stuff” to do great things for God? I know I’ve felt that way many times. And then God jerks a knot in my head with the truth. He has given me everything I need to do whatever He calls me to do. He’s given me the power of the Holy Spirit…just for starters.

Rick Warren, in his book, The Purpose Driven Life reminds us of some very unlikely candidates to do great things for God.

“Abraham was old, Jacob was insecure, Leah was unattractive., Joseph was abused, Moses stuttered, Gideon was poor, Samson was codependent, Rahab was immoral, David had an affair and all kinds of family problems, Elijah was suicidal, Jeremiah was depressed, Jonah was reluctant, Naomi was a widow, John the Baptist was eccentric to say the least, Peter was impulsive and hot-tempered, Martha worried a lot, the Samaritan woman had several failed marriages, Zachaeus was unpopular, Thomas had doubts, Paul had poor health, and Timothy was timid. That’s quite a group of misfits, but God used each of them in his service. He will use you too.”

 

I love this scenario. The religious leaders in Acts were listening to Peter and John preach. They were perplexed, astonished really. They wondered where Peter and John acquired such knowledge and wisdom. “When they saw the courage of Peter and John, and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus,” (Acts 4:13, emphasis mine).

Ah, they had been with Jesus. That explained everything.

We tend to look at folks who are talented or who have great resources and think, “If we could win that soul for the Lord, then think of all he could accomplish for the kingdom.”  How silly. As if God needs our meager resources to accomplish anything.

[tweetherder]When you say “yes” to God, despite your inabilities, then you become a living, breathing, walking display of His glory as you live and move and have your being in Him[/tweetherder]. “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. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).

[tweetherder]You are always one step of obedience away from the next great adventure and moments of sudden glory that follow.[/tweetherder] Are you willing to abandon that which makes you comfortable to embrace that which makes you fulfilled? Are you ready for the fancy footwork of faith?

As you consider joining Jesus on the dance floor of obedience, remember this: The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it,” (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Don’t worry that you don’t know all the right moves. He does. You simply need to follow His lead. In Him we live and move and have our being…the dance of obedience is breathtakingly beautiful.

Let’s Pray

Dear Father, forgive me for focusing on my inabilities rather than Your abilities. I don’t want to sit and watch others in their divine dance of obedience. I want to join You on the dance floor and follow Your lead! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

What do you Think?

Did you connect the title of this devotion to the body of the devotion?

If you know Jesus as Savior and Lord, then you do have the right credentials

I want you to write Today’s Truth on an index card and memorize it.

Ponder this: When they saw the courage of your name and realized that she was an unschooled, ordinary woman, they were astonished and they took note that she had been with Jesus.”

If you want to take the challenge and memorize this verse with me today,  leave a comment: “I’m memorizing it with you!”

Want More?

In my new book, away.

 

 

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Comments 60

  4. I so identified with this message. Thank you. For the last 2 or 3 years it seems as if God has been removing my gifts and talents…no it does not seem like it, He IS!! What this helped me identify was that in order for him to recieve all the glory, I must be bare bones…that is so reassuring because many in the church feel that I am being punished or whatever or disobedient and believe me I have searched for answers because at times to not do what I was so used to creating( oils, waters, sewing,glass, etc.) seemed sooo wrong. This has given me a confidence that He truly is in charge and will share the glory with no man- or woman!!

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  7. I was so depressed yesterday. Today the message from our Lord through you really refreshes my soul.
    I will memorize it with you!

    Reply

  34. Sharon, you have no idea how much this devotion spoke to me. I was recently asked to speak at a ladies tea. I told my friend that asked “I think you’ve called the wrong person”. I did tell her I would pray about it and God gave me the answer the very next morning. I was sharing with our women’s ministry team last night that I needed prayer because I do not like public speaking and I know I can’t do this on my own. The next morning my friend and leader of our team sent this devotion to me. I WILL be memorizing this with you! Thank you for sharing!

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  36. I’m memorizing it with you. From our sermon yesterday – God speaks to ordinary people, on ordinary days while they are doing ordinary things and uses them to do extraordinary things. Thought it was so appropriate because it fell in line with today’s devotion!!!

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  41. I am memorizing this verse with you! And especially grateful that you have reminded us to personalize it and ponder that mere thought! Thank you!

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  42. You are such a blessing Sharon, and God uses you mightily in the lives of women! This devotion was exactly what I needed, it’s exactly where I’m at….I’m memorizing it with you!

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  44. Good morning
    My spirit has been telling me to dance and I have not acted on it as of yet ,but this morning
    Do you have the right credentials move me. Next time the holy spirit moves me to dance I will give Jesus my hand and let him lead me to the floor and I will dance the dance of obedience.
    Hf

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  47. Wow!Sharon,words can’t decribe how I’m feeling right now!(Tears are overflowing) “I’m memorizing it with you!
    Amen!

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  52. I just read your devotional on Girlfriends in God and have a question…It may seem silly, but I do not know the answer…
    Your challenge was to ‘be still with God for 10 minutes’. During that time of being still do I pray or just sit and think of God?

    Reply

  53. I want to thank you deeply for this message! I have been struggling with many health issues for too long and I identified with the comment of opting for what is comfortable and have more or less been hiding out from life! I feel as though I have let God down in so many ways. It really hurts my heart to know that in some ways I have given up on myself and quit trying. I am ashamed of myself for giving in to those feelings of self pity and feeling worthless. As my physical being just seems to keep letting me down it is no excuse to let my spirit wither. I truly appreciate all of the messages form you all. They tend to snap me out of my funk, when I fall into the depression of all the surgeries and treatments and Dr. appointments etc… If Paul could do it so can I !!!! Please Pray for me as I struggle with this and focus on doing God’s will for my life!!

    Reply

  54. I’m memorizing it with you! I’m so thankful that God does use ordinary people. I don’t have a degree like many of my friends, but I do have faith in God and I love His Word and all the promises He has for me. I want to dance with the Lord and I will follow His lead. The dance of obedience is the best dance of all. God bless you for your obedience in sharing such insight with all who join you at” Girlfriends in God”.

    Reply

  56. This is a beautiful illustration that will help me to remember how much the Lord loves me despite my shortcomings. I will continue to use this for the youth and my own children. I will never forget this. Thank you for sharing a life changing moment. God continue to bless you in a powerful way.

    Reply

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