I've been thinking about ordinary men whom God changed into extraordinary men. They are just like all of us but, like them, God can use YOU in ways you never imagined - because He's in you and He wants to reach through you and touch the world around you.
Moses parted the red sea Exodus 14:15 “And the LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it.” Can you imagine what an awesome sight that must have been?
Samuel anointed David 1Sam 16 “So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives." So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one." God chose the unlikeliest one.
Elijah said at Mount Carmel “He who answers with fire – he is God” 1 Kings 18:24 “The god who answers by fire—he is God." Fire fell the prophets of Baal were routed and God was worshipped. God answered Elijah's prayer.
Elisha had Jehu anointed in 2 Kings 9:1-3 “The prophet Elisha summoned a man from the company of the prophets and said to him, "Tuck your cloak into your belt, take this flask of oil with you and go to Ramoth Gilead. When you get there, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go to him, get him away from his companions and take him into an inner room. Then take the flask and pour the oil on his head and declare, 'This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.' Then open the door and run; don't delay!" What a fearsome man Jehu must have been?
Daniel in the furnace Daniel 3:22 “Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego.” The furnace killed ordinary men but God preserve His people.
Peter denies Christ church built on him Matthew 16:16-18 “He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Enough said ??
So who were all these (and other) wonderful people?
Moses – He was an ordinary man who heard from God, but he killed a man and became an outlaw, he was 80 years old before God could use him.
Elijah – He was an ordinary man who heard from God. He had his fears and worries. God sent ravens to feed him. He spoke to kings and leaders. Like Enoch, he didn’t die – he was taken up into heaven.
Elisha – He was an ordinary man who heard from God. He spoke to kings and leaders. Unlike Elijah - he died of an illness.
Daniel – He was an ordinary man who heard from God. He interpreted dreams. He rose to a very powerful position. God rescued him from 'certain death' twice.
Peter He was an ordinary man who denied Christ but who came back to lead the first church. He was the ‘rock’ on which Jesus built the first church
John Wesley – He was an ordinary man who heard from God. He walked and rode thousands of miles to preach the Gospel and he wrote hundreds of hymns.
William Booth – He was an ordinary man who heard from God and as a result he founded the Salvation Army.
John G Lake – He was an ordinary man who heard from God and God gave him and astonishing healing ministry.
Billy Graham - He is an ordinary man who hears from God and went on to preached to over 50 million people.
Reinhard Bonnke – He is an ordinary man who hears from God.He had 3Million+ peope in one meeting and 1Million+ came to the Lord that day
Benny Hinn – He is an ordinary man who hears from God. He leads a world wide miracle healing ministry.
This list is almost endless. These were all ordinary men whom God turned into extraordinary men. All of them were called to deeper relationship with God. All of them had that deeper visionary experience. ALL of them OBEYED gods call – and look how He used them.
All ordinary men who did or are doing extraordinary things for God because He chose them and they accepted His call. S what is the Lord showing you? Who wants to go deeper with God today? He is calling – will you answer? Will you say Yes Lord – I will pay the price. God is going to use YOU in ways you never imagined - because He's in you and He wants to reach through you and touch the world around you.
Don’t ask “Why me?” Rather ask “Why not me?”
© Chris Bennett 2009
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Of course, there are the men and women across time, and to this very day, who have faithfully served God in ways "great" and "small" (as the world measures greatness), and yet, their names will never become "famous". We all tend to pay attention to "famous Christians", some of whom have failed to keep the faith (anyone remember Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swiggart?), yet it's the "unsung heroes" who have also been "the light of the world".
ReplyDeleteIt is James,and it was more than likely an unsung hero or heroine who brought you and I to the Lord, Yet some of the more famous among us may yet inspire more and more unsung ones to greater and greater things and with no glory attached for them at all so it all goes to the Father. All I am trying to do is to inspire others to heed the call on their lives and to answer it more positively.
ReplyDelete:-))
We are on assignment and it is temporary. This is our only opportunity to bring Him the reward of His suffering.
ReplyDeleteThank you, my brother, for allowing God to use you to inspire us to a deeper, more intentional commitment to Him.