Do we serve an ordinary God or an extraordinary God? Sometimes, I think many of us get so wrapped up in life that we put God on a shelf until we need Him. We might even treat our God like the Christmas Elf on the Shelf, keeping Him in the background of our daily living. But, when we focus every aspect of our life on loving, communicating, and serving our Heavenly Father, we discover the true extraordinary nature of Him.
Extraordinary God
The God who parted the Red Sea lives in us. And the same God who raised Jesus Christ from the grave lives within us. And when we made the commitment to follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit came into our lives and gave us all His power and strength. Too often, I think we forget the extraordinary power of God within us and how that can change our world and allow us to live extraordinary lives for Christ.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
Through Christ We Can Do All Things
Without Jesus Christ, I am nothing. But once I allow Him to rule in every aspect of life, I can see His extraordinary hand at work. On a recent trip to Kenya, I watched the Lord speak encouragement, hope, and love to people in desperate situations. So, God used the ordinary members of our team to give extraordinary strength to His children living in poverty. And we witnessed Him reinforce their amazing faith in dire circumstances.
“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.”
Matthew 10:8 (NIV)
Does God Still Do Extraordinary Things
Do we still believe Christ can heal the sick and raise the dead? Or did He only do those extraordinary things during Biblical times? If we have faith as small as a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20 NIV), we can still see God perform these miracles today. And as we prayed with our Kenyan family of Christ, God showed up with healing and restorative power mightily. God is at work all around us and He gives us the opportunity to take part in His work and when He extends His power to us, we can do mighty things in His name.
Many pull away from faith because they think we serve an ordinary God, one that does not differ from the wooden idols of olden days. So, we need to share our extraordinary God with those around us. Tell them how our God can take the ordinary and change the course of history. And as we give our lives completely to God, He takes our ordinary and makes it extraordinary. For He is an extraordinary God. And we can be a part of His work in the world. Don’t miss out on your chance to do something amazing for God.
Quotes
“All of God’s people are ordinary people who have been made extraordinary by the purpose He has given them.”
Oswald Chambers
“God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible—what a pity that we plan only the things that we can do by ourselves.”
A.W. Tozer
Grace and Peace to you,
Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
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Amen. God can do anything. I am thankful for His provisions, mercy, and love. Have a blessed day! 🙂
God can do anything and still does. Thanks Melissa and blessings to you.
Yes! Our God does extraordinary things–on a daily basis. When we take time to observe, reflect, and ponder on our God’s gifts to us, we cannot help but see the amazing acts He does for us on a regular basis. But we need reminders to be thankful and express our appreciation to Him. Thank you, Yvonne.
Yes, we must never take them or God for granted. We do that by expressing our humble gratitude. Thanks Katherine and blessings to you.
Your Kenya trip.sounds awesome. I enjoyed the pictures you posted on Facebook. What amazing testimonies that show us God will always be the same and never stopped healing and never will!
It was an amazing trip. And I love seeing God in action. We are blessed. Thanks Barbara
He is absolutely an extraordinary God, who makes the impossible achievable. As Creator of all, God holds dominion over all. I believe God does the extraordinary every day, but few look with expectant eyes to see His works. Another great post ma’am. Thank you!
Thanks JD. I love to watch with expectant eyes too all the things He is doing. He is an awesome God. Blessings to you.
I can imagine you there in Kenya learned such important lessons! How wonderful. Praise God that you got to go, and praise God, who is awesome beyond measure!
Thanks Jessica. It was so amazing. Blessings
Yvonne, I confess I sometimes forget how extraordinary our God is. I need to stay in His Word and His presence so my vision doesn’t dim. Thanks much for this reminder!
Yes, I think we all do at times. Keeping the connections to God open helps to keep our eyes open. Thanks Annie.
A prayer I heard and adopted is this: Thank You,Lord, for the work You’re doing that I can’t see. He still does wonderful things. God bless.
I love That simple prayer Nancy. It’s so perfect. He still does so many wonderful things. Blessings
Yvonne, this was so inspiring! Yes, God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He still works mighty wonders. What a great praise report to hear of the miraculous healings in Kenya! Thank you, Lord!
You are right, sometimes we put God on a shelf and think of Him as having no more power than a wooden idol. He is LORD of all! He still heals and does things only God can do! Thank you for your mission work and testifying of God’s great power!
Thank you for sharing your ministry with us and how so many things in your ministry bring in well-doing and other activities that increase unity among those affiliated with your work. You are always such an encouragement, Yvonne!
Thank you Melinda. I’m trying. You are an encouragement too. Blessings
Yvonne, your catchy title and Kenya story, along with the verses and quotes you shared, made this post powerful and enjoyable. Thank you for leading us to think about who God is.
Thanks so much Jeannie. He is an extraordinary God. Blessings
Simply beautiful, Yvonne. Makes me want to shout a thousand Hallelujahs! Our God is indeed extraordinary and lives in us. Our ordinary lives become extraordinary because of our great and powerful and miracle-working God living on the inside of us.
I love the our God uses ordinary people like us. We are blessed. Thanks Karen