Devotion Day 1 Night 1

Speaker: Rick Warren
Title: What is in your hand?

simple but inspiring message from one of the most influential christian today......

taken from exodus the part where moses encounter the burning bush
God ask moses what is in your hand?
and moses was holding a staff that time....God ask him to throw it down and it became a snake
a miracle took place
then God ask moses to pick it up and it became a staff...

throw it down and it became alive, pick it up and it die
rick warren

before i explain what it exactly means, let me explain what is in moses hand....
a staff
according to rick
a staff is your identity....moses is a shepard
your wealth....last time people judge your wealth by the flocks you have
your influence....you use the staff to lead the sheep...

another example
what is in a basketball players hand
a basketball
his identity....a basketball player
his wealth....he earn money playing basketball
his influence....when he plays basketball he is a basketball player....his teammates listen to him...10 years down the road people will listen to him as a basketball player too like Michael Jordan

so when you throw down what is in your hand and surrender everything you are to God, he will use what is in your hand to do greater works than what you can do now....

watching this message rick is exceptionally humble...bowing down on stage and praying next to brian houston (hillsong).....

not only that he did not take a cent from the sales of the multi million dollar book the purpose driven life for his own benefit.....he still lives in the same house he lives in 15 years ago....he still use the same car he had 6 years ago....
all the money he earned goes to ministry!!!
when everybody in hillsong conference applaud he stopped them!!!telling them im not here to boast im here to teach you!!!

i personally never see any preacher like that!!!preachers nowadays wants appreciation....
when people become famous they become a celebrity!!!they are no longer the same anymore!!!
they walk differently, talk differrently, and act differently in front of friends!!!
even with a little bit of fame like maybe a lead vocalist in a 100 member church......
but rick is different he stands out!!!he is so humble....and thats what everyone should be like when they are famous!!!

he ended the message by asking who wants to give everything they had to God?
one by one they stand up!!!
and together they proclaim this declaration.....


Purpose driven life declaration
Today, I Am stepping across the line. I'm tired of waffling and I'm finished with wavering. I've made my choice, the verdict is in, and my decision is irrevocable. I'm going God's way. There's no turning back now!

I will live the rest of my life serving God's purposes with God's people on God's planet for God's glory. I will use my life to celebrate his presence, cultivate his character, participate in his family, demonstrate his love, and communicate his word.

Since my past has been forgiven, and I have a purpose for living, and a home awaiting in heaven, I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying. Instead I will magnify God, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership of his family.

Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth, "we" over "me," character over comfort, service over status, and people over possessions, position, and pleasures. I know what matters most, and I'll give it all I've got. I'll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today.

I won't be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics, motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by temptation, or intimidated by the devil. I'll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running by me. When times get tough, and I get tired, I won't back up, back off, back down, back out, or backslide. I'll just keep moving forward by God's grace. I'm Spirit-led, purpose driven, and mission-focused, so I cannot be bought, I will not be compromised, and I shall not quit until I finish the race.

I'm a trophy of God's amazing grace, so I will be gracious to everyone, grateful for every day, and generous with everything God entrusts to me.

To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I say, "However, whenever, wherever, and whatever you ask me to do, my answer in advance is yes! Wherever you lead and whatever the cost I'm ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Anyway. Whatever it takes, Lord; whatever it takes! I want to be used by you in such a way, that on that final day I'll hear you say, 'Well done, thou good and faithful one. Come on in, and let the eternal party begin!'"