You Already Have What You Need
09/01/2026
There are times when following Jesus feels like standing in front of a job that is bigger than the tools we have. We know the kind of person we want to be. We know there are attitudes that need to change, habits that need to go, relationships that need some work, and places where our faith needs to grow. And sometimes we quietly think, I just don’t know if I have what it takes. Peter gives us an answer that might surprise us: God has already supplied what we need.
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.”
- 2 Peter 1:3 — ESV
There are two very different ways to live the Christian life.
One is constantly asking God to give us something we think we’re missing.
God, give me more strength.
Give me more patience.
Give me what I need to forgive.
Give me the courage to do what You’re asking me to do.
There’s nothing wrong with asking God for help. We should. But Peter reminds us of something we can easily forget: God isn’t sending us into life spiritually empty-handed.
His divine power has already given us what we need for “life and godliness.”
That word all matters.
Not some things.
Not enough to get started and then we’re on our own.
All things.
That doesn’t mean God has given us everything we want. He hasn’t promised an easy life, a trouble-free family, financial comfort, perfect health, or circumstances that always make sense.
He has promised something better.
Whatever we face, He will provide what we need to live faithfully through it.
Think about the difference.
Sometimes we’re asking God to remove the difficult person when He’s giving us the patience to love them.
We’re asking Him to eliminate the problem when He’s developing perseverance in us.
We’re asking Him to make the decision obvious when He’s teaching us to trust Him.
We’re asking Him to change our circumstances while He’s working on changing us.
And that can be frustrating because we usually prefer God to fix what’s around us before He starts working on what’s inside us.
Peter doesn’t say this power comes from trying harder either. He says it comes “through the knowledge of Him.”
Christian growth isn’t primarily about becoming more disciplined at religious behavior. It grows out of knowing Jesus.
The closer I walk with Him, the more His character begins showing up in me.
That’s why the verses immediately following this one are so practical. Peter starts talking about faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love.
In other words, God supplies the power, but we still have to participate in the growth.
You can have a garage full of tools and still never repair anything.
You can own a Bible and never open it.
You can have access to prayer and never pray.
You can have Christian friends willing to speak truth into your life and never listen.
You can have the Holy Spirit convicting you about something and keep saying, Maybe tomorrow.
God providing what we need doesn’t remove our responsibility to use what He has provided.
Maybe that’s where some of us get stuck.
We’re waiting for God to give us something new while He’s waiting for us to use what He has already given us.
You may already know the conversation you need to have.
You may already know what you need to stop doing.
You may already know the apology you need to make.
You may already know that you need to forgive someone.
You may already know that your Bible needs to be opened more often and your phone needs to be opened a little less.
Sometimes we don’t need another sign.
We need obedience.
And there’s something incredibly freeing about Peter’s words because they remove one of our favorite excuses:
“I can’t.”
Maybe you can’t on your own.
Actually, there are plenty of things you absolutely cannot do on your own.
But you aren’t on your own.
The same God who called you has given you His Spirit. His Word. His promises. His wisdom. His presence. His people.
So when God calls you toward something that requires courage, patience, forgiveness, integrity, generosity, purity, perseverance, or love, you don’t have to wonder whether He has given you enough.
He has.
The question becomes:
Am I using what He has already given me?
Action Steps
* Identify where you’ve been saying, “I can’t.” Ask yourself whether it truly means I can’t or whether sometimes it means I don’t want to, I’m afraid to, or I haven’t trusted God enough to try.
* Use one thing God has already provided. Open Scripture. Pray about the decision. Call the mature Christian friend. Extend forgiveness. Have the conversation. Take the next obedient step instead of waiting for another sign.
* Spend time knowing Jesus, not merely asking things from Jesus. Before bringing Him your list today, spend a few minutes simply thanking Him for who He is and what He has already given you.
Challenge for the Day
Stop asking God for something new long enough to ask, “What have You already given me that I’m not using?” Then act on the answer today.
Prayer
Father, thank You that You have not called me to follow You and then left me to figure it out by myself. You have given me what I need to live faithfully and become more like Jesus. Forgive me for the times I keep asking for more while ignoring what You have already placed in my hands. Show me where I need to trust You, obey You, and take the next step. Help me live today in the strength You provide instead of depending on my own. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
There are times when following Jesus feels like standing in front of a job that is bigger than the tools we have. We know the kind of person we want to be. We know there are attitudes that need to change, habits that need to go, relationships that need some work, and places where our faith needs to grow. And sometimes we quietly think, I just don’t know if I have what it takes. Peter gives us an answer that might surprise us: God has already supplied what we need.
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.”
- 2 Peter 1:3 — ESV
There are two very different ways to live the Christian life.
One is constantly asking God to give us something we think we’re missing.
God, give me more strength.
Give me more patience.
Give me what I need to forgive.
Give me the courage to do what You’re asking me to do.
There’s nothing wrong with asking God for help. We should. But Peter reminds us of something we can easily forget: God isn’t sending us into life spiritually empty-handed.
His divine power has already given us what we need for “life and godliness.”
That word all matters.
Not some things.
Not enough to get started and then we’re on our own.
All things.
That doesn’t mean God has given us everything we want. He hasn’t promised an easy life, a trouble-free family, financial comfort, perfect health, or circumstances that always make sense.
He has promised something better.
Whatever we face, He will provide what we need to live faithfully through it.
Think about the difference.
Sometimes we’re asking God to remove the difficult person when He’s giving us the patience to love them.
We’re asking Him to eliminate the problem when He’s developing perseverance in us.
We’re asking Him to make the decision obvious when He’s teaching us to trust Him.
We’re asking Him to change our circumstances while He’s working on changing us.
And that can be frustrating because we usually prefer God to fix what’s around us before He starts working on what’s inside us.
Peter doesn’t say this power comes from trying harder either. He says it comes “through the knowledge of Him.”
Christian growth isn’t primarily about becoming more disciplined at religious behavior. It grows out of knowing Jesus.
The closer I walk with Him, the more His character begins showing up in me.
That’s why the verses immediately following this one are so practical. Peter starts talking about faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love.
In other words, God supplies the power, but we still have to participate in the growth.
You can have a garage full of tools and still never repair anything.
You can own a Bible and never open it.
You can have access to prayer and never pray.
You can have Christian friends willing to speak truth into your life and never listen.
You can have the Holy Spirit convicting you about something and keep saying, Maybe tomorrow.
God providing what we need doesn’t remove our responsibility to use what He has provided.
Maybe that’s where some of us get stuck.
We’re waiting for God to give us something new while He’s waiting for us to use what He has already given us.
You may already know the conversation you need to have.
You may already know what you need to stop doing.
You may already know the apology you need to make.
You may already know that you need to forgive someone.
You may already know that your Bible needs to be opened more often and your phone needs to be opened a little less.
Sometimes we don’t need another sign.
We need obedience.
And there’s something incredibly freeing about Peter’s words because they remove one of our favorite excuses:
“I can’t.”
Maybe you can’t on your own.
Actually, there are plenty of things you absolutely cannot do on your own.
But you aren’t on your own.
The same God who called you has given you His Spirit. His Word. His promises. His wisdom. His presence. His people.
So when God calls you toward something that requires courage, patience, forgiveness, integrity, generosity, purity, perseverance, or love, you don’t have to wonder whether He has given you enough.
He has.
The question becomes:
Am I using what He has already given me?
Action Steps
* Identify where you’ve been saying, “I can’t.” Ask yourself whether it truly means I can’t or whether sometimes it means I don’t want to, I’m afraid to, or I haven’t trusted God enough to try.
* Use one thing God has already provided. Open Scripture. Pray about the decision. Call the mature Christian friend. Extend forgiveness. Have the conversation. Take the next obedient step instead of waiting for another sign.
* Spend time knowing Jesus, not merely asking things from Jesus. Before bringing Him your list today, spend a few minutes simply thanking Him for who He is and what He has already given you.
Challenge for the Day
Stop asking God for something new long enough to ask, “What have You already given me that I’m not using?” Then act on the answer today.
Prayer
Father, thank You that You have not called me to follow You and then left me to figure it out by myself. You have given me what I need to live faithfully and become more like Jesus. Forgive me for the times I keep asking for more while ignoring what You have already placed in my hands. Show me where I need to trust You, obey You, and take the next step. Help me live today in the strength You provide instead of depending on my own. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
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1 Comment
AMEN! Thank you for a wonderful message to start my day!