How God Can Turn Your Mess into a Message - II

The following message from Pastor Greg Laurie is made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God, you want to hear from you. Would you consider emailing me you can reach me at greg@harvest.org again that's Greg harvest.org and you can also make me one of your friends on Facebook and drop me a comment you know you must say I messed up so many things wrong.

What this is what the Lord is done for me that's turning your most everyone message concerning your trust and what testimony your life may seem like a little more than program today. Pastor Greg Laurie points out, the Lord you your broken and he was once again Jesus can think whatever wrong you've done.

Forgive yes you and be glorified in your life still in Japanese Suki means golden joinery broken ceramics are restored with the lacquer resident mixed with powdered goldfish over the repairs are obvious and beautiful. The Bible speaks about God's workmanship, you may have some cracks and ship. It was a beautiful way to make us vessels of honor today on a new beginning.

Pastor Greg Laurie explains how we can be for the Masters use no way nature.

I will admit it. I am a messy person. How many messy people do we have out there. Just own it if you got a messy live in clutter. Yet a lot of cats in your house, you how many of you are very tidy need people raise your hand up okay. How many of you who are messy are married to a tidy person or your tidy in your marriage or messy birthday so you all the birds. Kelsey know to write what you know. My desk is always cluttered. I have lots of books stacked up papers drawing so my grandchildren half eaten burritos, collection of powder puff girls figurines, though that's a joke, it actually hello Kitty figurines not really work, but so you know I live in clutter. Not clean it up, but listen I got good news for messy people, especially those who have made a mess of their lives as the Lord is really good at cleaning up our messes dry he can discern your mess will message that he can discern your test into a testimony. Talk about a guy who messed up his life. Moses really blew it big time taken in the court of Pharaoh being trained presumably to be the next Pharaoh of Egypt.

He knew this was the life he wanted to live in being a Jew himself.

He wanted to help us fellow Jews get out of the bondage of Egypt.

He senses destiny early on, but he had the right idea, but he certainly won about it in the wrong way and he went out one day looking at the treatment of the Jews, they saw an Egyptian taskmaster who is especially cruel meeting a Hebrew and he stepped in.

The Bible says he looked to the right you look to the left and he killed the guy get them in the sand. Just in the great idea you're trying to hide something to send shifts. It was quickly discovered Pharaoh found out effectively put a contract out on the life of Moses. Moses is now gone from the Prince of Egypt to being a fugitive from Egypt was our story opens, he's moved off to the wilderness and he's been there for 40 years and now the Lord comes and speaks to the 80-year-old Moses, let's read about it together. Exodus 3 starting the verse one. One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he went deep into the wilderness near Sinai, the mountain of God. Suddenly, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire in the bush. Moses was amazed because the bush was engulfed in flames. What it didn't burn up. Moses said to himself.

Amazing wires in this push burning up. I must go over and see this and when the Lord saw he had caught Moses attention God called to him from the bush.

Moses.

Moses here I am.

Moses replied God told him to not come any closer. Take off your sandals for your standing on holy ground stop there. God proceeds until Moses, he seen the suffering of his people and now is appointing Moses to go back to the Pharaoh demand the release of the Jewish people, and Moses was study and heard from God for 40 years. Now you what about the Moses would've fallen down on his face and said thank you Lord for second chances, but instead he becomes a human excuse machine. Though this may sound humble at first, like I'm not worthy, but in reality got a call and so it was an act of disobedience.

Let's look at his excuses because it these are the same excuses we offer as to why God would never work through us excuse number one Moses effectively says I'm not deserving to be used by God.

I don't deserve to be used by God. Exodus 311. Who am I to appear before Pharaoh. Moses asked God how can you expect me to lead the Israelites out of Egypt unit of a point if you were God, would you pick Moses is this guy that murdered the Egyptian the Lord seems to go out of his way to pick well flawed people. Maybe a social get the glory. Ultimately, God is not looking as I've said many times your ability. He's looking for availability. God does not call the qualified, he qualifies the call really what he wants is just for some of the civil Lord I I'm in all go do it if you want me to do it Moses as well. I'm not deserving will know were not deserving, but is not based on what we deserve the grace of God that he calls us by number two Moses effectively says but I don't have all the answers, researching Moses protested. If I go to the people of Israel and tell them the God of your ancestors has sent me to you they won't believe me. The last quote which god are you talking about what is his name.

So what should I tell them God replies.

I am who I am, just tell them I am has sent me to you. So Moses basically says go alive. God responds I am that I am in other words Moses thought about you it's about excuse number three.

The people won't believe me.

Exodus for over one chapter Exodus 4 Moses protested again. Look, they won't believe me they will do what I tell them, though, to say the Lord never appeared. You let me stop there for a moment say he has a point.

Because remember, after he killed the Egyptian. He saw two Hebrews arguing any tried to intervene in one of them said made you a prince and a ruler over us.

Are you going to kill us. As you killed the Egyptian so the point was, they were not initially responsive to his leadership. So I said I want to do that again.

I don't ever reject me again verse two Exodus for the Lord asked him what you have there in your hand. Moses replied what's a shepherd's staff throw it down on the ground the Lord told him so. Moses threw it down and it became a snake. Moses was terrified and he turned and ran away. That makes me laugh actually. Then the Lord told him not to call of its tail.

So Moses reached out and grabbed it and it became a shepherd's staff again perform this sign. The Lord says, and they will believe you and the Lord told him no realize that the Lord God of their ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has appeared.

So I see this is a somewhat comical thing. What is that a shepherd's staff throw down, throws it down turns into a snake. Probably a cobra. The cobra was the symbol of Egypt and a very venomous snake you get bit by a cobra, you may not be long for this world. So the Lord says to get up by the tail. One thing you never do with a snake is pick it up by its tail. I know because I used to collect snakes. Don't ask me why.

When I was a kid I have this great fascination with reptiles and snakes in particular that I used to catch them in the wild, as well as by them from pet shops and then when you catch us taking a sort of following it through it, slithering ahead of you and you can there's a little instrument you can use the pronged instrument. If you get it on the snake's neck. Not easy to do: the place reached on the pick him up or you can do with their foot and so we would step on the snake's head lightly and then reached out get him by the back of the head and then grab the rest of his body and throw him into a pillowcase and be bit by a probably four times in the process. For the reason you hold them at the back together so we can bite you. You pick a snake up by its tail sticking right back and strike and so Moses obeyed God for God to give them credit. He picks up the cobra probably, and now it turns back into a staff again now.

As I said, the serpent, the cobra was a symbol of Egypt. It's also a symbol of Satan's own event, the Lord is saying I want you to face your fears. Here's a symbol of Egypt take the snake by the tail resident expression states that take a tiger by the tail right go for. Don't be afraid to face your fears for Greg Laurie will have the second half of this message in just a moment we hear stories from listeners who experience tough times but also found a hole through the ministry of harvest cheer and darkness and gloom has been in a land far away from the discontented coming closer to him and I can even imagine weaving etiquette in our lives. Back to God through harvest home. We returned and I think God for your ministry so encouraging to hear the change lives through Harvest at Home experience harvest home for yourself and harvest.org. If you have a story to tell of how the studies touched your life with that of a family member. I hope you'll connect with us today. Call or special number 1-866-871-1144, 866-871-1144 today.

Pastor Greg is offering some important reassurance for our times of fear and uncertainty. We are studying the life of Moses and the serious water fire stone. I wonder what fears you're facing right now baby I'm talking to somebody that is an addict you're an addict to drugs.

Maybe it's math pot heroin. Some other drugs I don't know what it is. Maybe your an alcoholic, you drink every single day and you can break free from it. You try and you fail and have just given up. Okay, I'm telling you take the snake by the tail. Face your fears and know this God is bigger than your addiction, and he can deliver you from the power project to stop making the uses for and you have to stop blaming it on other people and only this is you, you need to be willing to change. You need to bring it into the light of day. Make yourself accountable to others.

They help me with this drapery.

Maybe you need to go to rehab or get some kind of treatment but they said and attack it and don't let it control you for another day. We know the story of David and Goliath and remembered they were the little shepherd boy based off with this 9'6" massive individual name.

Goliath was armed and body armor and had everything in David's double sling around, but how the Lord rather should I say the Lord had. I love how the story unfolds, Goliath is there and what is David Duke. He attacks up. David doesn't retreat that would make sense. He does even the whole ground. He runs toward his opponent whip and that sling around praying the whole time. Like a guided missile that implants itself in the forget of Goliath crashes forward to the ground than David, what is he do, he gets Goliath's sword and he cuts off his head. By the way, that dude had a big hit probably took about some serious, and afterwards he holds it up. By the way, that's one way to get ahead of Goliath. These are the jokes okay so here's how you face a giant you attack it you cut it set off to go.

This is gross. Would you even talking about how do you tackle in addiction. How do you tackle a problem you bring it out of the light of day you do it in the power of the Lord, and you cut up any opportunities to continue to live that way in the future, so he took the snake by the tail right on closing. One of the take away. Choose from. This message number one.

Ask God to forgive you if you messed up like Moses admit you've messed up and as I said in another message. Try to feel forward.

In other words, learn from your mistakes. You see Moses learn some important lesson first in the court of Pharaoh.

We were schooled in the ways of Egypt a new Egyptian culture Egyptian art Egyptian military strategies he knew about all the Egyptian deities.

This would all come in handy when he was facing up with the barrel in the wilderness. He learned how to deal with the wayward sheep that would come in handy as he led an army of people to the wilderness for 40 years, he learned why impulsiveness was a bad idea and he learn how to wait on the Lord number two if possible, ask for forgiveness from those you have hurt. So if you've heard people apologize, apologize to your parents apologize to your ex-spouse apologize to your children know you should never apologize to a job, you should if you hurt them if you been wrong will. I don't want them to see my flaws that they know your flaws.

Trust me to say you know what time that I did that thing I was wrong and I ask you to forgive me. You would be amazed at the healing power and seeing something like that because I see this happen a lot, you know fathers are going to pick on you but I will you know you mess up maybe walk out and your family. Or maybe your an absentee father.

But mom still it happens and then the children get older and you have no relationship with them and then you have no relationship with your grandchildren and it's this miserable scenario. Did it ever occur to you that you can go to your child. Even your adult child safe. I was in the father. I should. I wasn't the mother, I should have been and I am really sorry. Would you give me another chance you might be surprised will happen all of a sudden healing could start taking place all necessary apologize and listen to this, make restitution for such a word we don't hear much these days restitution so okay oh sorry I did that I didn't want to wreck your car sorry I read your car on purpose. Forgive me.

I forgive you to buy wait hold on buying a new car that's all restitution.

Zacchaeus was a man who took advantage of other people financially. He met Jesus in his life was changed and he came out and publicly announced. I will restore four times whatever I took from any person wrongfully. Jesus said truly salvation has come into this guys life today so we don't think of restitution well sorry well it's my sincere. Sorry.

Can you fix it. Let's say that you spread a rumor about someone that was not true even put it on social media was found to be false and wrong. Oh go to them. Sorry not let your repentance be as widely known as your sin, you spread the false message now spread the right message so we will do the will just apologize for the possible make restitution and listen to this now.

Your failure mistake or sin is a part of your story. Maybe you'll use it as an object lesson. Don't do this thing, because I did this thing that I face the consequences of it, and I wished I'd never done it and I don't want you to make the same state that scaling forward friend and that's turning your mess into a message for turning your test into a testimony say this is what the Lord is done for me. I messed up. I did so many things wrong, but the Lord did this for me.

Member the story of Malcolm is that guy who led the charge to arrest Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane and Simon Peter pulled out his sword took a swing off comes the guys here. So what is Jesus doing heals the man's ear. The ear of Malcolm Sue by the way, I found out the careful study focuses last name was van Gogh. Malka spent Google it later van Gogh cut his ear off or get a physical artist Dutch artist okay. I digress delayed reaction in the delayed reaction is I get it and it wasn't funny. So what's the point why we wasting time with you is just a little longer here.

Okay Jesus last miracle was covering up the blunder of a disciple of I would Jesus, I would heal that guy, Edison, Georgia) Jesus healed him. Jesus can take whatever wrong you've done in forgive and yes heal and be glorified in your life still. So in closing, maybe there somebody here that doesn't even have a relationship with Jesus Christ were talking about what it is to know the Lord is he living inside of you is your sins forgiven you tried to be a good person you try to live a good life.

You tried to change your life and you fail you need help. You need God. You need Christ who died on the cross for your sin and rose again from the dead three days later to come and live inside of you that I could close by giving an opportunity for you to pray and ask him to come into your life right now because he stands at the door of your life in the Knox and he says if you hear his voice, live inside of you, but you need to ask him to do that and I like the closing prayer by extending an invitation for you to put your faith in Jesus so he can turn your mess into a message. Let's pray not father I pray for any person, here it is not know you were ever they are to pray that your Holy Spirit will convict and convince them of their need for you that they would come to you and believe in Jesus name I pray a great glory with important closing prayer and if you like to make a change in your relationship with the Lord today.

Pastor Greg will help you do that in just a moment before today's addition of a new beginning. Concludes if you missed any part of the study.

You can hear what you missed by going online to harvest.org just look for the message called how God can turn your mess into a message if you like a CD copy, just call us at 1-800-821-3300. That's 1-800-821-3300 Pastor Greg, there's no doubt that somebody listening right now is going through a very tough challenge. Yeah, it may be the result of the pandemic, or maybe a marriage issue or financial problems.

What kind of help and encouragement can they find by way of the new DVD. I still believe that were making available right now will you know I think Dave that what we need to do is we need to turn to God during crisis. You know, one of my favorite Bible stories is when there was a storm in the sea of Galilee, and no season sailors began to despair of life they thought they were going to drown.

And suddenly they see of phantom -like figure approaching them on the water. Some even thought it was actually a ghost and suddenly they realize it wasn't a ghost. It was Jesus. And the reason they didn't recognize him is because while they were looking for him and a lot of times were not looking for Jesus in our times of difficulty but we need to. So here was Jesus walking on the water and they invited him on their boat.

You know it's interesting he might've walk right by. Had they not invited him in and we have a choice we face hardship.

We can try to face about our own we can invite Christ into our crisis, we can invite the Lord into the challenges were facing. Well I have a movie I want to send you you maybe have heard of it. It was a hit film is called.

I still believe amazing performances by top rate Hollywood actors expertly directed by the year when brothers telling a powerful story of hope during difficult circumstances affect the most difficult imaginable.

It's a story of how God can come to you in your times of difficulty as he came for Jeremy Melissa As they were facing cancer together, whatever. This is where it takes us and wish you every step, every moment so and nice to hear from him. We have a lot to talk about relationship. Pray about my son is. That's why my so order your copy of I still believe from us and listen to this. Will send it to you for your gift of any size. If you order from us to enable us to continue to bring the gospel to people and teach the word of God to people and will literally send it to you for your gift of any size whatever you send will take those resources and use them to touch more lives with the truth of God's word so order your own copy of I still believe the movie on DVD ready to send one to you.

And that's right it's the kind of movie you won't forget. And it really can change your life and you know your investment in this ministry can change a life as well. People are hurting their trapped in uncertainty, wondering what the future holds effect we read a moving post on social media the other day that said pastor Greg.

I'm almost 13 years old. I'm trying to be the best person I can be. Which means I have to be the best Christian I can be. I've been through a lot and I'm usually broken down, which is why your teaching helps me so much.

I have gotten stronger, more positive, more aware I only listen to you. Never stop preaching well when you invest in a new beginning. You're helping people find their security in Christ. So when you send a donation today.

Please ask for this new DVD. I still believe you can write us at a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300.

That's 1-800-821-3300 or just go online to harvest.org then the pastor Greg just before we go.

Would you mind praying with the person listening who wants to make a change today, and their relationship with the Lord. I'd be happy to Dave you know is you been listening to this today. Maybe you've heard another voice. By that I mean, you heard me say a few things, but you heard God's voice speak to you deep in the recesses of your heart and it suddenly dawned in you. This is what I need order stated more accurately. This is who I need I need Jesus. And I want Jesus, but maybe you don't know how to make that connection. Let me help you pray this after me right now if you want Jesus Christ to comedy your life Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I am sorry for my sin and I need your forgiveness right now. Would you come in to my heart, my life as Savior, as God as friend. I choose to follow you from this moment forward. Thank you for calling me and accepting me and for giving me an Jesus name I pray, amen.

I know there was a relatively short prayer.

Maybe you felt something as you prayed it.

Maybe you felt nothing, that doesn't really matter because God's word says these things we write to you that believe on the name of the son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

It doesn't say so. You may think you have it or you may hope you have it of gods in a good mood. No that you can know it and I want you to know if you pray that prayer and minute Jesus Christ, the son of God has come into your life. So congratulations, you're now a Christian now continue to follow the Lord and to help you as you follow the Lord would like to send you some resource materials recolor new believers growth packet it will answer many of the questions you might have and get you started in your new relationship with the Lord. So get in touch and asked for will send it free of charge. Again, it's the new believers growth packet.

Write a new beginning.

Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300. That's 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org and click on know God when next time pastor Greg brings insights on Moses dramatic confrontation with the Pharaoh of Egypt. More from the series water Firestone next time beginning and possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God sign up for pastor greats free daily email, devotions@harvest.org