July 2014 Devotional

Ordinary People ~ Othniel

March 1

Bible Reading: Judges 3:1-11Key Verse: Verse 10 - And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim.Key Words: And the spirit of the Lord came upon him

If you were asked who the first judge of Israel was before you read Judges 3, would you have known?

Othniel was the son of Kenaz who was the younger brother of Caleb, thus making Caleb Uncle Caleb to Othniel. But Othniel was just an ordinary person that God used in an extraordinary way to deliver Israel from the oppression of the king of Mesopotamia. For forty years Israel lived in peace under the leadership of Othniel.

The key to his extraordinary leadership was that the Spirit of the Lord came upon him.

You as well can accomplish extraordinary things for God if you will submit yourself to the Spirit of God.

In a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push. After pondering his problem, he devised a plan. He went to the school near his home, got permission to take some children out of class, and had them push his car off. As he made his rounds, he would either park on a hill or leave the engine running. He used this ingenious procedure for two years.

Ill health forced the Jackson family to leave, and a new missionary came to that station. When Jackson proudly began to explain his arrangement for getting the car started, the new man began looking under the hood. Before the explanation was complete, the new missionary interrupted, "Why, Dr. Jackson, I believe the only trouble is this loose cable." He gave the cable a twist, stepped into the car, pushed the switch, and to Jackson's astonishment, the engine roared to life. For two years needless trouble had become routine. The power was there all the time. Only a loose connection kept Jackson from putting that power to work.

So it is in our livesordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things, but only as their spiritual life is connected to the Spirit.

What to do:Dont be ordinary, be extraordinarynot by your own strength, but by the Spirit of the Lord.

********************Ordinary People ~ Gideon

March 2

Bible Reading: Judges 7:1-8

Key Verse: Verse 7 And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place.

Key Words: will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine handGideon is an ordinary man that God will use in an extraordinary way. Its easy to see from Judges 6:36-40 just how ordinary Gideon was. He needed reassurance that God would do as He promised. But Gideon accomplished the extraordinary by having a submissive spirit (Judges 7:15).

Roger Staubach, who led the Dallas Cowboys to the World Championship in 1971, admitted that his position as a quarterback who didnt call his own signals was a source of trial for him. Coach Landry sent in every play. He told Roger when to pass, when to run, and only in emergency situations could he change the play (and he had better be right!). Even though Roger considered coach Landry to have a genius mind when it came to football strategy, pride said that he should be able to run his own team. Roger later said, I faced up to the issue of obedience. Once I learned to obey there was harmony, fulfillment, and victory.

Ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things but only as they submit to the Lord.What to do:Dont be content with being ordinarysubmit.********************

Ordinary People ~ Ehud

March 3

Bible Reading: Judges 3:12-30

Key Verse: Verse 15 But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab.

Key Words: a man lefthandedEhud, the second judge of Israel, was and is not a well-known Bible character. From all we can tell, he was an ordinary man who accomplished an extraordinary feat.

Heres what we know about Ehud. We know he was left-handed; we know he made a dagger; and we know that he slew Eglon, the king of the Moabites, who was opposing Israel. He was an ordinary man and God uses ordinary people who are willing to be used to accomplish the extraordinary.

When I was in college there was a young lady we simply knew as Nubbins. She was called Nubbins because she was born with no arms from the elbows down and no legs from her knees down. But Nubbins loved the Lord and loved children so she applied to work in the bus ministry of her church, and after much debate among the church staff, was given a bus route that no one else had been able to build. On Nubbins first Sunday she had over sixty children and never ran under eighty-five children riding her bus each and every Sunday morning. She was a hard worker; she was a prayer warrior; and she was determined to reach those kids. In other words, she was an ordinary person who accomplished extraordinary things because she was willing and relied upon the Lord.

Again, I repeat, God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary feats. May we all be willing to be used by God to accomplish His will.

What to do:Pray for a sincere heart, Lord, I am just an ordinary person but I am willing to do Your will.

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Ordinary People ~ Shamgar

March 4

Bible Reading: Judges 3:31 and 5:1-7

Key Verse: Judges 3:31 And after him was Shamgar

the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six

hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered

Israel.

Key Words: slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goadGod takes ordinary men and what they have and uses it in an extraordinary way.

God used Moses and his rod, and the water became blood.

God used David and a sling with a stone and took down Goliath.

God took Dorcas with a needle and thread and touched the hearts of people.

God took Shamgar and his ox goad, and six hundred Philistines lost their lives because an ordinary man overcame fear and took a people from defeat to victory.

Pro wrestling is staged. Before the wrestler even goes out and gets in the ring, it has been pre-determined who will win. The contenders go through the battle for entertainment purposes but the point of the battle is not to decide who will win but to put on a good show for the crowd. The winner of the match does not battle for victory but from victory. He already knows he is going to win.

So it was with Shamgar. He didnt battle for victory; he battled from victory. He was an ordinary man that God used in an ordinary way.

Today you can be victorious as well by living by faith because you are just an ordinary person, not battling for victory but from victory. To God be the glory!!What to do:Remember, God can use you because He uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.********************

Ordinary People ~ Jael

March 5

Bible Reading: Judges 4:14-22Key Verse: Verse 21 Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died.Key Words: then Jael Hebers wife took a nail of the tentHeres what we know about Jael. She was the wife of the patriarch Heber. She invited Sisera, the captain of the Canaanite army, into her tent. We know she gave him milk to drink as he fled from the army of Israel. We also know as Sisera napped in Jaels tent, she drove a peg from the tent through his temple (ouch!) and became the hero of the war. She was an ordinary woman who did an extraordinary thing because of her courage.

If we are to accomplish anything for God, it will take the courage to stand, and yes, often stand, act, and even speak up.In the operating room of a large hospital, a young nurse was completing her first full day of responsibilities. Youve only removed 11 sponges, doctor, she said to the surgeon. We used 12. I removed them all, the doctor declared. Well close the incision now. No, the nurse objected. We used 12 sponges. Ill take full responsibility, the surgeon said grimly. Suture! You cant do that! blazed the nurse. Think of the patient. The surgeon smiled, lifted his foot, and showed the nurse the 12th sponge. Youll do, he said.

What to do:

Be of good courage. Anyone can faint during tough times. Dont be ordinary; be extraordinary!

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Ordinary People ~ Naomi

March 6

Bible Reading: Ruth 1:1-18

Key Verse: Verse 2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

Key Words: and the name of his wife NaomiNaomi was an ordinary woman who faced some extraordinary challenges. Both her husband and her sons had died. Her place of living (Moab) was in a famine. Naomi was forced to move to Israel. Her daughter-in-law, Ruth, went with her. But Naomi was up to the task and here, an ordinary woman, mentored Ruth through all of her adversity; and it was through Naomis guidance that God brought about the lineage of Jesus Christ.

Naomi, an ordinary woman, accomplished an extraordinary feat because of her steadfastness.William Carey, the father of modern missions, wanted to translate the Bible into as many Indian languages as possible. He established a large print-shop in Serampore where translation work was continually being done. Carey spent hours each day translating Scripture, while his insane wife ranted and raved in the next room. Then one night his print-shop, where the Bibles were being printed, burned to the ground. Yet Carey persevered, and went forward and accomplished his goal. The secret to Careys success is found in his steadfast determination. He once wrote, There are grave difficulties on every hand, and more are looming ahead. Therefore we must go forward. What to do:

Be extraordinary; be steadfast.Ordinary People ~ Elijah

March 7

Bible Reading: I Kings 17:1-7

Key Verse: Verse 1 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

Key Words: Elijah the TishbiteHow much do you really know about Elijah? Truth is very little is known about the early years of his life. We do know he was from a place called in the Hebrew Tishbi, believed to be around Galilee. While we know he was a prophet of God, in reality all we know is that the last few years of his life Elijah went from being ordinary to extraordinary because of his stand against King Ahab and the prophets of Baal.

Elijah was extraordinary for a number of reasons but none were greater than his conviction for the true worship of the true and living God. We know from his word found in I Kings 19:10, And I only am left, that he felt as though it was Elijah versus the world.

Athanasius, early bishop of Alexandria, stoutly opposed the teachings of Arius, who declared that Christ was not the eternal Son of God, but a subordinate being. Hounded through five exiles, he was finally summoned before emperor Theodosius, who demanded he cease his opposition to Arius. The emperor reproved him and asked, Do you not realize that all the world is against you? Athanasius quickly answered, Then I am against all the world.

Elijah was an ordinary person who was willing to stand alone.

What to do:

We can make a difference by being different (from the world).Ordinary People ~ A Little Maid

March 8

Bible Reading: II Kings 5:1-7

Key Verse: Verse 2 And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife.

Key Words: a little maidIt was a little maid who had no doubt been taken as spoil from one of Naamans victories who made a difference in the life of Naaman, his wife and his soldiers. She told him about the prophet of God in Samaria who could cure his leprosy. She was an ordinary person who helped to accomplish an extraordinary thing by not being bitter about her servitude.

One day, two monks were walking through the countryside. They were on their way to another village to help bring in the crops. As they walked, they spied an old woman sitting at the edge of a river. She was upset because there was no bridge, and she could not get across on her own. The first monk kindly offered, "We will carry you across if you would like." "Thank you," she said gratefully, accepting their help. So the two men joined hands, lifted her between them and carried her across the river. When they got to the other side, they set her down, and she went on her way.

After they had walked another mile or so, the second monk began to complain. "Look at my clothes," he said. "They are filthy from carrying that woman across the river. And my back still hurts from lifting her. I can feel it getting stiff." The first monk just smiled and nodded his head.A few more miles up the road, the second monk griped again, "My back is hurting me so badly, and it is all because we had to carry that silly woman across the river! I cannot go any farther because of the pain." The first monk looked down at his partner, now lying on the ground, moaning. "Have you wondered why I am not complaining?" he asked. "Your back hurts because you are still carrying the woman. But I set her down five miles ago."That is what many of us are like in dealing with our families. We are that second monk who cannot let go. We hold the pain of the past over our loved ones heads like a club, or we remind them every once in a while, when we want to get the upper hand, of the burden we still carry because of something they did years ago.

What to do: You will never accomplish the extraordinary by carrying around a load of bitterness.

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Ordinary People ~ EstherMarch 9

Bible Reading: Esther 2:1-11

Key Verse: Verse 8 So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. Key Words: that Esther was brought also unto the kings houseIs there anyone who doesnt know that Esther was an ordinary person that God used in an extraordinary way?

She won a beauty contest of King Ahasuerus after Vashti refused to be used as a showgirl for the kings party-goers. All of this, though, was in Gods plan for protecting Mordecai and the Jewish people from the wicked lynch man Haman.

It was Esther who put her life on the line to save her uncle and her people. Esther was an ordinary person who did an extraordinary thing by having the courage to confront the king about Hamans plan to destroy the Jewish people.

Being extraordinary takes courage.

As Ray Blankenship was preparing his breakfast, he gazed out the window, and saw a small girl being swept along in the rain-flooded drainage ditch beside his Andover, Ohio, home. Blankenship knew that farther downstream, the ditch disappeared with a roar underneath a road and then emptied into the main culvert. Ray dashed out the door and raced along the ditch, trying to get ahead of the floundering child. Then he hurled himself into the deep, churning water. Blankenship surfaced and was able to grab the childs arm. They tumbled end over end. Within about three feet of the culvert, he pulled the girl to safety. On April 12, 1989, Ray Blankenship was awarded the Coast Guards Silver Lifesaving Medal. The award was amazing considering Blankenship couldnt swim.

What to do:

You can live your life being ordinary or you can have the courage to accomplish things through God you could never do otherwise.********************

Ordinary People ~ The Unnamed ProphetMarch 10

Bible Reading: II Kings 9:1-13

Key Verse: Verse 1 - And Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets, and said unto him, Gird up thy loins, and take this box of oil in thine hand, and go to Ramothgilead:Key Words: one of the children of the prophetsThis young prophet is called a child, meaning in all likelihood, he had not even reached the age of adulthood. So Elisha sends a young child prophet to anoint Jehu as the king of Israel. This would have been highly unusual. Remember, it was Samuel who anointed David so you would think that Elisha would anoint Jehu.

This young child prophet was so far as we know the only child to anoint a new king into his kingly office. He was an ordinary person who did an extraordinary thing.

This young prophet had learned at an early age that God could use him. Its amazing what we can learn from this.

Robert Fulghum wrote in theKansas City Times, "Most of what I really need to know about how to live, and what to do, and how to be, I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandbox at nursery school.

"These are the things I learned: Share everything. Play fair. Don't hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don't take things that aren't yours. Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody . . . When you go out into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands, and stick together."

The early formative years are important if our ordinary children are to accomplish extraordinary things for God.

What to do: Train up a child in the way he should go.

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Ordinary People ~ Hanani

March 11

Bible Reading: Nehemiah 1

Key Verse: Verse 2 That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.

Key Words: Hanani, one of my brethrenHanani was no ordinary person for a couple of reasons. First, he was the blood brother of Nehemiah, and secondly, he was forthright. It was his words of the condition of Jerusalem that smote Nehemiahs heart, just a few words, not a lengthy message or lecturejust a few honest words. You can read them in verse 3.

It was those words that took Hanani from the ordinary to the extraordinary.

Our words as well are important. What we say, how we say it, and when we say it can be the difference between being ordinary and extraordinary.

Our words do make a difference.

When Rehoboam spoke, he divided a nation.

When Jobs wife spoke, she lacked integrity.

When Philip spoke, people were greatly convicted.

Our words make us ordinary or extraordinary.

As a husband and wife were riding together down the highway, they noticed a mule on the side of the road. The husband said to the wife, Look! One of your relatives! She replied, Yes, I know! By marriage!

Our words are important.

What to do:

Let your words make you extraordinary for Gods glory.*******************

Ordinary People ~ Gedaliah

March 12

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 39:1-14

Key Verse: Verse 14 Even they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison, and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home: so he dwelt among the people.Key Words: Gedaliah the son of AhikamYou may never have heard of Gedaliah, so let me give you some interesting tidbits about him.1. He respected Jeremiah because of his fathers respect for Jeremiah.2. He was made governor by Nebuchadnezzar. He was not in line to be governor but became governor because of the way he handled matters.

3. It was Gods will that the people obey the king of Babylon. Jeremiah preached this to the people continually, but the Jewish leadership refused to accept his message, all except Gedaliah who was a continual comfort and friend to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 40:6).

Gedaliah stood against the masses and stood with Gods man, Jeremiah. He was an ordinary man who did an extraordinary thing because God had him where he needed him the most.

Extraordinary people understand its not because of their greatness that things are accomplished, but because of the great God Who uses them!

Alex Haley, the author ofRoots, had an unusual picture hanging on his office wall. It was a picture of a turtle on top of a fence post. When asked, Why is that there? Alex Haley answered, Every time I write something significant, every time I read my words and think that they are wonderful and begin to feel proud of myself, I look at the turtle on top of the fence post and remember that he didnt get there on his own. He had help. Every time I am tempted to think about the things I have been able to achieve in my life time, I am reminded of this quote and that it is not because of me but because of Christ and what He has done. ~ Lou Nicholes, Missionary

What to do: Extraordinary people understand its not about them but the Lord Who uses them.

Ordinary People ~ Daniel

March 13

Bible Reading: Daniel 1:1-7

Key Verse: Verse 4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

Key Words: Children in whom was no blemishUngers Bible Dictionary says of Daniel, nothing is known of his parentage or family. It does appear though that Daniel may have been born into a family of nobility according to verse 3.

But this we do know that heredity does not guarantee extraordinary ability. Daniel, we know based upon chapter 1, had an extraordinary Godly attitude. We also know that he had great wisdom (Daniel, chapters 1 and 6). Daniel in adverse situations displayed an extraordinary attitude.

David Redding writes, Orville Kelly was informed two years ago that he had terminal cancer. He and his wife went home to cry to die. Should they keep it a secret? They prayed. The answer was that they should play about it. So they decided to give a big party. They invited all their friends. During the festivities, Orville held up his hand to make an announcement: You may have wondered why I called you all together. This is a cancer party. I have been told I have terminal cancer. Then my wife and I realized we are all terminal. We decided to start a new organization. It is called the M.T.C. Make Today Count. You are all charter members.

Since that time the organization has grown across the country. Orville has been too busy to die, pointing out the way we Christians are to play into the jaws of death singing, loving, not losing a minute from the joy the world cannot give nor take away.

Extraordinary people have an extraordinary attitude inthe midst of very trying situations. To God be the glory!

What to do: Its always good to remember attitude is a choice so make the right choice.*******************

Ordinary People ~ Shadrach, Meshach, Abednigo

March 14

Bible Reading: Daniel 3:1-18Key Verse: Verse 18 - But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.Key Words: be it knownJust like Daniel, not much is known about these three Hebrew young men, other than they were taken to be servants in the kings palace. We also know that they showed extraordinary courage and took an extraordinary stand in their worship of God.

While we applaud these three Hebrew young men for their courage of worship, today many men worship other men. Let me explain using the following illustration.

A question to ask ourselves is, Who Are You Worshiping? During the tenure of the great orator Henry Ward Beecher, a visiting minister (Beechers brother) once substituted for the popular pastor. A large audience had already assembled to hear Beecher, and when the substitute pastor stepped into the pulpit, several disappointed listeners began to move toward the exits. Thats when the minister stood and said loudly, All who have come here today to worship Henry Ward Beecher may now withdraw from the church. All who have come to worship God keep your seats! Today, let us be extraordinary and have the courage to truly worship the only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

What to do:

Dont be ordinary in your worship, but extraordinary.*******************

Ordinary People ~ The Centurion

March 15

Bible Reading: Matthew 8:1-13

Key Verse: Verse 10 - When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in IsraelKey Words: I have not found so great faith

Here is what we know of the centurion.

Obviously, he was a centurion.

He was a Gentile (Roman).

He had heard of Jesus.

He came to Jesus on behalf of a servant, probably a young child who had the palsy and was grievously tormented.

While all of this is good that thing that takes him from being ordinary to extraordinary was his faith, which was greater than any faith Jesus had seen. Faith in God takes us from the ordinary to being extraordinary.

Sir Wilfred Grenfell, medical missionary in Labrador, found himself adrift on an ice flow, headed out to sea. He mercifully killed his dogs, made a coat out of their hides, put up a distress flag, and lay down and slept. Later he said, There was nothing to fear. I had done all I could, the rest lay in Gods hands. Now, that is faith!

Edna Butterfield writes: My husband, Ron, once taught a class of mentally impaired teenagers. Looking at his students capabilities rather than their limitations, Ron got them to play chess, restore furniture and repair electrical appliances. Most important, he taught them to believe in themselves. Young Bobby soon proved how well he had learned that last lesson. One day he brought in a broken toaster to repair. He carried the toaster tucked under one arm, and a half-loaf of bread under the other. Now, thats faith!

Today, you can be ordinary or by faith in God, be extraordinary.

What to do: Remember, when faith goes to the market, it carries a basket.

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Ordinary People ~ Four Men and A Bed

March 16

Bible Reading: Mark 2:1-12Key Verse: Verse 3 - And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

Key Words: which was borne of four

We dont know who these four men were that carried the man with the palsy to Jesus. We do know they were persistent. They didnt give up because of the crowd. We also know they were determined. They took the roof off the house in order to get the palsied man to Jesus.

I have discovered in life that not everyone is that determined. I have found that having no determination to serve God, no determination to be in the house of God, no determination to tell others of Jesus is ordinary in todays churches.

Its those determined people that are accomplishing things for God and are faithful to the house of God. They are the extraordinary ones.Everyone recognizes that Ludwig van Beethoven was a musical genius. But few realize the adversity he had to overcome to achieve greatness. In his twenties, Beethoven began to lose his hearing. Because he couldnt feel the music as he once had, on one occasion he said his fingers became thick. His hearing problems haunted him into the middle years of his life, but he kept it a guarded secret. By the time he reached his fifties, Beethoven was completely deaf. But he refused to give up. He was once overheard shouting at the top of his voice, I will take life by the throat! Many of his biographers believe the only reason Beethoven remained productive for so long was this determination.

What to do:

Remember the snail: One cold February day a snail started climbing an apple tree. As he inched slowly upward, a worm stuck its head from a crevice in the bark to offer some advice. Youre wasting your energy, there isnt a single apple up there. There will be when I get there, the snail replied.Ordinary People ~ The Widow at Nain

March 17

Bible Reading: Luke 7:11-17

Key Verse: Verse 13 - And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

Key Words: Weep notThis widow and her deceased son are unnamed. We really dont know who they were; but we do know that God took a dead son and a weeping mother and used them to accomplish something extraordinary (verse 16).

I believe that when Christ told her to weep not, she stopped weeping. Why? Because her faith in Jesus was that strong. She trusted Him explicitly.

She was an ordinary mother who wept over her deceased son but became an extraordinary mother because of her faith in Jesus.

Tim Hansel tells us about a day when he and his son, Zac, were out in the country, climbing around in some cliffs. Suddenly he heard a voice from above him yell, "Hey Dad! Catch me!" He turned around to see Zac joyfully jumping off a rock straight at him. He had jumped and then yelled "Hey Dad!" He said, I became an instant circus act, catching him. We both fell to the ground. For a moment after I caught him I could hardly talk. When I found my voice again I gasped in exasperation: "Zac! Can you give me one good reason why you did that???"

He responded with remarkable calmness: "Sure...because you're my Dad." His whole assurance was based in the fact that his father was trustworthy. Zac could live life to the hilt because he could be trusted. Isn't this even more true for a Christian?

What to do:

We will never be extraordinary until we trust the Lord explicitly. (Proverbs 3:5-6)Ordinary People ~ The Leper

March 18

Bible Reading: Luke 17:11-19

Key Verse: Verse 15 - And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

Key Words: with a loud voice glorified GodTen were healed; only one glorified Godso it is in life. So many are so ungrateful for what God has done and is doing in their lives. How often we fail to show our thankfulness to God by glorifying Him. The leper was not like the other nine who were ordinary. He was extraordinary because of his grateful spirit.

In his autobiography,Breaking Barriers, syndicated columnist Carl Rowan tells about a teacher who greatly influenced his life. Rowan relates: Miss Thompson reached into her desk drawer and pulled out a piece of paper containing a quote attributed to Chicago architect Daniel Burnham. I listened intently as she read: "Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans, aim high in hope and work. Remember that our sons and grandsons are going to do things that would stagger us."

More than 30 years later, I gave a speech in which I said that Frances Thompson had given me a desperately needed belief in myself. A newspaper printed the story, and someone mailed the clipping to my beloved teacher. She wrote me: "You have no idea what that newspaper story meant to me. For years, I endured my brother's arguments that I had wasted my life. That I should have married and had a family. When I read that you gave me credit for helping to launch a marvelous career, I put the clipping in front of my brother. After he'd read it, I said, 'You see, I didn't really waste my life, did I?'"What to do:

Dont be ordinary. Be extraordinary by thanking those who have been a blessing to you, not just one day but at least one each week.********************

Ordinary People ~ A Young Lad

March 19

Bible Reading: John 6:1-13

Key Verse: Verses 9 - There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

Key Words: there is a lad hereThis lad gave what he had to Jesus so others could have. If that isnt extraordinary, I dont know what is! He willingly gave and he willingly gave all.

In his book of sermons The Living Faith, Lloyd C. Douglas tells the story of Thomas Hearne, who, in his journey to the mouth of the Coppermine River, wrote that a few days after they had started on their expedition, a party of Indians stole most of their supplies. His comment on the apparent misfortune was: The weight of our baggage being so much lightened, our next days journey was more swift and pleasant.

Hearne was en route to something very interesting and important; and the loss of a few sides of bacon and a couple of bags of flour meant nothing more than an easing of the load. Had Hearne been hole in somewhere, in a cabin, resolved to spend his last days eking out an existence, and living on capital previously collected, the loss of some of his stores by plunder would probably have worried him almost to death.

How we respond to losing some of our resources for Gods work depends upon whether we are on the move or waiting for our last stand.

When Gods work is done in Gods way for Gods glory, it will never lack for God will supply. ~ Hudson TaylorWhat to do:

God can take what you have and meet the needs of others, but you must be willing to give it up which will take you from being ordinary to extraordinary.

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Ordinary People ~ The Lame Man

March 20

Bible Reading: Acts 3:1-10

Key Verse: Verse 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

Key Words: and all the people saw him walking and praising God

It was a miracle that the lame man was able to walk again. God uses the unusual so others can see His power and glory. This lame man knew why he was able to walk.because of who he was praising. It was his healing that allowed Peter and John to witness to the religious leaders of Jerusalem. It was the lame mans healing that led to a revival (Acts 4:31).

While the miracle itself took only moments, God had it in His plan for years.

In a recent number of the "Sunday School Times" a story is told of an Eastern king which illustrates at once our delusion respecting natural processes, and also God's work and presence in them. The king was seated in a garden, and one of his counselors was speaking of the wonderful works of God.

"Show me a sign," said the king, "and I will believe."

"Here are four acorns," said the counselor, "will you, Majesty, plant them in the ground, and then stoop down for a moment and look into this clear pool of water?"

The king did so, "Now," said the other, "look up."

The king looked up and saw four oak-trees where he had planted the acorns. "Wonderful!" he exclaimed, "this is indeed the work of God."

"How long were you looking into the water?" asked the counselor.

"Only a second," said the king. "Eighty years have passed as a second," said the other. The king looked at his garments; they were threadbare. He looked at his reflection in the water; he had become an old man. "There is no miracle here, then," he said angrily.

"Yes," said the other, "it is God's work, whether he did it in one second or in eighty years."

An alcoholic became a believer, was asked how he could possibly believe all the nonsense in the Bible about miracles. You dont believe that Jesus changed the water into wine, do you? I sure do, because in our house Jesus changed the whiskey into furniture.

What to do:

You are a miracle of God. Show it and let others see Jesus praised through you. Dont be an ordinary miracle; be an extraordinary one.

********************Ordinary People ~ Dorcas

March 21

Bible Reading: Acts 9:36-43

Key Verse: Verse 36 - Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

Key Words: which by interpretation is called DorcasThe name Dorcas means an emblem of beauty. There are several things that we know about Dorcas. First of all, she was full of good deeds (verse 36). We also know that she was saved. We are told in verse 36 that she was a disciple. A fourth thing we know is that she was greatly loved. At her death, they sent for the Apostle Peter, no doubt to help comfort those who were distraught because of her passing. When Peter arrived, he found all the widows weeping over her. A fifth thing we know is that the resurrection from her death brought a revival. The widows were looking to be comforted, but what they got was new life and a revival as God raised Dorcas back to life.

Dorcas pointed others to Christ, both in her life by her good deeds, and in her death by her resurrection.

We have all heard the saying, A picture is worth a thousand words, and I do believe that is true. We can hear of thousands starving to death in the countries of Africa, but when we turn on the television and see that precious child starving stomach swollen, eyes bulging, bones protruding, flies crawling all over his little starving, helpless body it touches our heart, and a picture has accomplished more than words ever could.

So it is with our life. We need to carry the Gospel. We need to witness to others. But I do believe that others need to see a picture of Christ working in and through us that reaches out and touches their hearts so they will desire the Gospel we are preaching.

What to do:

Do not just carry the Gospel -- live it. Be a picture of what Gods love really is. That takes you from being ordinary to extraordinary.

Ordinary People ~ The Philippian Jailer

March 22

Bible Reading: Acts 16:16-34

Key Verse: Verse 33 - And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

Key Words: washed their stripesThe Philippian jailer was an ordinary man until one night the Holy Spirit visited the jail where he worked and shook the place and opened the doors for him to be saved and go from being ordinary to extraordinary. The man took Paul and Silas and washed their stripes, took them to his house and fed them. Im sure this was against company policy, but he didnt care. He went from being ordinary to extraordinary because he wanted not only Paul and Silas to be free, but his family to be saved. He was no ordinary man, for sure!

George Atley was killed while serving with the Central African Mission. There were no witnesses, but the evidence indicates that Atley was confronted by a band of hostile tribesmen. He was carrying a fully loaded, ten-chamber Winchester rifle and had to choose either to shoot his attacker and run the risk of negating the work of the mission in that area, or not to defend himself and be killed.

When his body was found later in a nearby stream, it was evident that he had chosen the latter. Nearby lay his rifle and all ten chambers were still loaded. He had made the supreme sacrifice, motivated by his love for lost souls.

So it was with the Philippian jailer. While he did not die, he did put his life on the line when he freed Paul and Silas, washed their stripes and fed them. This was no ordinary man; he was extraordinary.

What to do:

Be extraordinary for the Lord for it will be worth it all when we see Jesus. Ordinary People ~ Paul

March 23Bible Reading: Acts 23:1-11

Key Verse: Verse 11 - And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

Key Words: Be of good cheerPaul was anything but ordinary. He is the poster child for modern-day missions. He started or played a role in starting dozens of New Testament churches. He was stoned and left for dead, he was beaten and imprisoned, but he never quit. Moments before his death, he said, The time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.

Paul was one of the most cheerful people you could have ever known. We see his cheerfulness in Acts 27:22, 25, 36; II Corinthians 9:7; Acts 24:10; and Romans 12:8.

Have you ever given any thought to the fact that a little cheer goes a long way for God? The Sunday School Times records the following.

At a mission hall in London a wealthy lady, who was unfortunately deaf, made good use of her riches by providing for the poor some excellent Gospel services. On one occasion a celebrated preacher said to her, "And what part do you take in this noble work?" "Oh," she answered quietly, "I smile them in, and I smile them out again."

Soon after this the preacher saw the good result ofher sympathy as a crowd of working menenteredthe hall looking delighted to get a smile from her. The Bread of Life and the Water of Life cannot be recommended to people by those who look as if that food and drink disagreedwith them.

What to do:

Paul is remembered for a number of things and in all of them he was of good cheer. What about you? Dont be ordinary with gloom and doom, but be extraordinary with good cheer.

********************

Ordinary People ~ Phebe

March 24

Bible Reading: Romans 16:1-10Key Verse: Verse 1 - I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:

Key Words: I commend unto you PhebePhoebe, what a blessing she must have been to many (verse 2) as she ministered comfort to those who were in need and hurting. Its these people who do not see themselves as being anything more than ordinary that by their kind and comforting spirit they become extraordinary servants for God.

Douglas Maurer, 15, of Creve Coeur, Missouri, had been feeling bad for several days. His temperature was ranging between 103 and 105 degrees, and he was suffering from severe flu-like symptoms. Finally, his mother took him to the hospital in St. Louis. Douglas Maurer was diagnosed as having leukemia. The doctors told him in frank terms about his disease. They said that for the next three years, he would have to undergo chemotherapy. They didnt sugarcoat the side effects. They told Douglas he would go bald and that his body would most likely bloat. Upon learning this, he went into a deep depression. His aunt called a floral shop to send Douglas an arrangement of flowers. She told the clerk that it was for her teenage nephew who has leukemia.

When the flowers arrived at the hospital, they were beautiful. Douglas read the card from his aunt. Then he saw a second card. It said: DouglasI took your order. I work at Brix florist. I had leukemia when I was 7 years old. Im 22 years old now. Good luck. My heart goes out to you. Sincerely, Laura Bradley. His face lit up. He said, Oh!

Its funny: Douglas Maurer was in a hospital filled with millions of dollars of the most sophisticated medical equipment. He was being treated by expert doctors and nurses with medical training totaling in the hundreds of years. But it was a salesclerk in a flower shop, a woman making $170 a week, whoby taking the time to care, and by being willing to go with what her heart told her to dogave Douglas hope and the will to carry on.

Today, you may think you have no talents or abilities; but if you have a kind heart and willing spirit, and you put them into action, you become more than ordinary you become extraordinary to others.

What to do:

Dont be ordinary; be extraordinary.********************

Ordinary People ~ Priscilla and Aquila

March 25

Bible Reading: Romans 16:3 and Acts 18:1-7

Key Verse: Romans 16:3 - Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

Key Words: Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpersPriscilla and Aquila were tent-makers and had fled from Rome to Corinth where Paul met them. They later accompanied Paul to Asia. Paul thought much of them because of their aid to him. They are two people Paul salutes while in prison in Rome. They were ordinary people who aided Paul in doing extraordinary things. Those who aid us and stand with us during both the good and bad times are extraordinary people.

People need people. Laurie was about three when one night she requested my aid in getting undressed. I was downstairs and she was upstairs, and well, You know how to undress yourself, I reminded. Yes, she explained, but sometimes people need people anyway, even if they do know how to do things by themselves.

The soldiers first article of faith is summed up nowhere more eloquently than in an 1865 letter from William Tecumseh Sherman to U. S. Grant: I knew wherever I was that you thought of me, and if I got in a tight place you would come if alive.

This is no doubt how Paul felt about Priscilla and Aquila. What a blessing they must have been!

What to do:

You can be more than ordinary, you can be extraordinary just by being an aid to others.********************

Ordinary People ~ Tertius

March 26

Bible Reading: Romans 16:17-27

Key Verse: Verse 22 - I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.

Key Words: I Tertius, who wrote this epistleTertius was evidently, at least for the book of Romans, Pauls amanuensis (a person who writes what another dictates), no doubt a blessing to Paul. It may seem like a small thing but when one is willing to use his or her abilities for God, small becomes very large.

Once upon a time, the animals decided they should do something meaningful to meet the problems of the new world. So they organized a school.

They adopted an activity curriculum of running, climbing, swimming and flying. To make it easier to administer the curriculum, all the animals took all the subjects.

Theduckwas excellent at swimming; in fact, better than his instructor. But he made only passing grades in flying, and was very poor at running. Since he was slow in running, he had to drop swimming and stay after school to practice running. This caused his web feet to be badly worn, so that he was only average in swimming. But average was quite acceptable so nobody worried about that--except the duck.

Therabbitstarted at the top of his class in running, but developed a nervous twitch in his leg muscles because of so much make-up work in swimming.

Thesquirrelwas excellent in climbing, but he encountered constant frustration in flying class because his teacher made him start from the ground up instead of from the treetop down. He developed "charlie horses" from overexertion, and so only got a C in climbing and a D in running.

Theeaglewas a problem child and was severely disciplined for being a non-conformist. In climbing, he beat all the others to the top of the tree, but insisted on using his way to get there.

The obvious moral of the story is a simple one: Each creature has its own set of capabilities in which it will naturally excel unless it is expected or forced to fill a mold that doesnt fit. What is true of creatures of the forest is true of Christians in the family. God has not made all of us the same. Its OK to be you so relax. Enjoy your own capabilities, cultivate your own style. Appreciate the members of your family or fellowship for who they are, even though their outlook or style may be miles different from yours. Rabbits dont fly. Eagles dont swim. Ducks look funny trying to climb. Squirrels dont have feathers. Stop comparing!

What to do:

You become extraordinary for Gods glory when you do what you can with the abilities God has given you.********************

Ordinary People ~ Lois & Eunice

March 27

Bible Reading: II Timothy 1:1-7

Key Verse: Verse 5 - When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

Key Words: When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice.Ordinary grandmothers and moms become extraordinary when they live their faith and become an example to their grandchildren and children. Such were the lives of Lois and Eunice.

We often hear of the fathers influence upon the son, such as David and Solomon, and Solomon and Jeroboam; but as you read about Timothy in the Scriptures, it was his mother and grandmother who influenced him by their faith. Paul calls it unfeigned faith. It was a real faith, not an artificial faith. It was not just for show; it was a faith that saw them through the hard times as well. Timothy caught that. Faith is not just taught, it is often caught. Unfeigned faith carries us even during the storms of life, and the result of an unfeigned faith is dynamic.

It was a stormy night in Birmingham, England; and Hudson Taylor was to speak at a meeting at the Severn Street schoolroom. His hostess assured him that nobody would attend on such a stormy night, but Taylor insisted on going. I must go even if there is no one there but the doorkeeper. Less than a dozen people showed up, but the meeting was marked with unusual spiritual power. Half of those present either became missionaries or gave their children as missionaries; and the rest were faithful supporters of the China Inland Mission for years to come.

Let me encourage you to carry on during the trials of life, because that is the faith that impacts others for Gods glory.What to do:

Dont be ordinary but be extraordinary for being an example of Godliness to your family.

********************

Ordinary People ~ Philemon

March 28

Bible Reading: Philemon

Key Verse: Verse 17 - If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.Key Words: a partnerPhilemon was no ordinary person he held church services in his house.

He evidently was well off. He had servants.

He had a forgiving spirit.

He, according to Paul, was a partner in the ministry, no doubt working with and helping aid Paul financially.

Paul writes to Philemon on behalf of a run-away servant named Onesimus. Paul requests Philemon to forgive him and restore him back into his old position not an easy thing to do, to restore one who has run away.

Author and teacher, Dr. Howard Hendricks, tells the story of a young man who strayed from the Lord but was finally brought back by the help of a friend who really loved him. When there was full repentance and restoration, Dr. Hendricks asked this Christian how it felt away from the Lord. The young man said it seemed like he was out at sea, in deep water, deep trouble, and all his friends were on the shore hurling Biblical accusations at him about justice, penalty, and wrong. But, there was one Christian brother who actually swam out to get me and would not let me go. I fought him, but he pushed aside my fighting, grasped me, put a life jacket around me, and took me to shore. By the grace of God, he was the reason I was restored. He would not let me go.

The thing that made Philemon extraordinary was his willingness to restore Onesimus. May God grant us that same Spirit!!

What to do:

Dont be ordinary; be extraordinary by being a restorer of the brethren.********************

Ordinary People ~ Rahab

March 29

Bible Reading: Hebrews 11:31-40

Key Verse: Verse 31 - By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

Key Words: By faith the harlot Rahab Rahab was an ordinary woman who lived within the walled city of Jericho. It was Rahab who did an extraordinary thing by protecting the spies. She put her life and the lives of her family on the line because she had faith in God.

Sir Robert Anderson, the Irish pastor and writer who lived in the early 19th century, says in regard to Rahab: Those who seek for proofs of the divine authorship of Scripture may find one here. Was there ever an Israelite who would have thought of preferring that womans name to the names of David and Samuel and the prophets, and of coupling it with the name of the great apostle and prophet of the Jewish faith, whom the Lord knew face to face, and to whom He spoke as a man speaketh unto his friend! And what Jew would have dared to give expression to such a thought? But Gods thoughts are not our thoughts. And He Who immortalized the devotion of the widow who threw her last two mites into the Temple treasury has decreed that the faith of Rahab took sides with the people of God and shall never be forgotten.

Trying times do not make us extraordinary, but they do reveal if we are.What to do:

Be extraordinary during the trying times of life.********************

Ordinary People ~ The Meek Wife

March 30

Bible Reading: I Peter 3:1-7

Key Verse: Verse 4- But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

Key Words: But let it be the hidden man of the heartWhen a wife decides she wants to reach her husband and she applies Gods Word to her life, she goes from being ordinary to extraordinary. Such is the meek wife.

Our text verse advises us that God prefers inward beauty to outward glamour. I read recently about a young officer who was blinded during the war. He met and married one of the nurses who took care of him in the Army hospital. One day he overheard someone speaking about himself and his wife, and they said, It was lucky for her that he was blind since he never would have married such a homely woman if he had his sight.

He rose to his feet and walked toward the voices saying, I overheard what you said, and I thank God from the depths of my heart for blindness of eyes that might have kept me from seeing the marvelous worth of the soul of the woman who is my wife. She is the most noble character I have ever known. If the conformation of her features is such that it might have masked her inward beauty to my soul, then I am the great gainer by having lost my sight.

The Bible teaches us that man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart (I Samuel 16:7). If a man or woman possesses physical beauty, they should be thankful to God for it, but they should realize its really inward beauty that matters to God.

What to do:

Dont be ordinary; be extraordinary through a meek spirit.

********************

Ordinary People ~ The Elect Lady ~ Gaius ~ Demetrius

March 31

Bible Reading: II John 1-4; III John 1-4, 12

Key Verse: II John 4 - I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

III John 4, 12 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.

Key Words: truthWhen you dont know who to choose as being extraordinary and youve come to the last devotion, just choose all three: the elect lady, Gaius and Demetrius. These three are extraordinary because they lived and walked by the truth and in the truth.

In a world which wouldnt know the truth if it slapped them in the face, there is a need for those who do know the truth to love it. Now, when you live the truth, the world will think youre crazybut live it anyway. Thats what the elect lady, Gaius, and Demetrius did.

A womans red station wagon was crushed by an elephant at a circus. The owners of the animal apologized, explaining that the animal, for some reason, simply liked to sit on red cars. In spite of the damage, the womans car was still drivable. But on the way to the garage she was stopped short by an accident involving two other cars just ahead of her. When the ambulance arrived a few minutes later the attendants took one look at her car, then ran over to assist her. Oh, I wasnt involved in this accident, she explained. An elephant sat on my car. The ambulance attendants quickly bundled her off to the hospital for possible shock and head injuries, despite the ladys vehement protests.

When you live the truth and tell the truth, you will never be ordinary. You will be extraordinary. Now, the world will look at you as being a little differentwhich you are. You are not ordinary; you are extraordinary.

What to do:

Live the truth, walk in truth, be extraordinary!

Notes:

I deeply appreciate the help ofMary Parsons

Glenda Myrick

And my lovely wife, LindaWithout God using these people to help, this devotional would not have been possible.Dr. Mike Rouse

is a ministry of

SHAPE

Refreshing Daily

in Gods Word

Emphasis on

Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary things

March 2015

5568 Chalkville Mountain Road

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God Moves Mountains

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You can move that mountain,you can scale that obstacleyou can get over that barrier . . .for with God, all things are possible.

Youll need to have plenty of faith,on your own, you will only quit . . .you have to believe that it is Godwho will get you up and over it.

There can be no doubting,no thinking, this cant be doneGod will give you His strengththrough, Jesus Christ, His Son.

You will need to keep on praying,if His power, you want to receiveasking God for all of His might . . .then you have to trust and believe.

Gods good at moving mountains,Hes moved plenty of them beforeand now He wants to give you . . .the strength and power to move yours!

by Deborah Ann

Mark 11:22-24