God is not asking you to do a miracle. He is simply asking you to be willing to step out and be obedient to His voice. Sometimes we have to take the initiative to see the miracle occur. The Lord could have parted the Red Sea in an instant, but He waited for Moses to hold up his staff in faith. Often, God is waiting for us to take initiative.

Key Scriptures:

• Exodus 14:13-16

13 But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. 14 The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” 15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! 16 Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground…” - Exodus 14:13-16

The Big Idea: When we take bold, faith-filled initiative, we are able to partner with God to change our world.

1. God’s power is always released through human initiative. 

It truly pleases the Lord when we have the opportunity to act in faith and choose to do so.  Exodus 14 says that “The Lord will fight for you.” Moses still had to raise his staff before God made the way open for the Israelites to pass through.

Question: Do you have a testimony you can share with the group of a time when God was faithful in your life as you were faithful to obey? 

2. Our initiative gives God something to multiply. 

In the book of 2 Kings, God made the footsteps of the four lepers sound like a giant army of men with chariots as they walked towards the camp of the Arameans. The enemy fled because they believed that they were completely overpowered and outnumbered. Even if it seems minuscule, we must be willing to give God what we have in order to see multiplication.

Question: What is something in your life that you would love to see multiplied? Have you taken the step of giving it to God?

3. Your world is changed through initiative and as a result, you will grow in boldness. 

The men in 1 Chronicles 12:8 were trained to handle a shield and a sword and the verse mentions that their faces were like those of lions. Not only had they practiced their craft diligently, but they were also bold as a result. 

Question: Maybe you desire to advance your career but need more education, or perhaps you want to grow in your knowledge of God’s word, but it requires some studying. What small steps can you take today to initiate small changes that will give you the boldness to ask for the promotion or even share your faith with someone else?

Challenge: 

Most of our inability to change simply comes from being paralyzed by indecision and a sense of feeling overwhelmed. Often times we just accept where we are as God’s plan but what if small steps made by us were the catalyst for God to move in our lives? This week is a great time to reflect on areas in our lives that we have just accepted as “the way they are.” and turn them into “Rais the Staff” moments. The Lord doesn’t need us to come up with the solution he is just waiting on us to lift our staff in faith!