God Uses Ordinary People

Have you ever wondered where life is taking you? What God has planned for your life? How can God use a person such as myself? At one time or another, we have all asked these questions. God uses ordinary people to accomplish His will. Just take a look at some of the people God used in the early days.

Exodus 2:11-15 tells the story of Moses, he had killed an Egyptian who was beating one of His people. Moses then fled to Midian, he knew what he had done was wrong. He was fearful of his life. Exodus 3:1-14 tells the story of Moses and the burning bush - God's calling on Moses. God had a plan for Moses and he was obedient to God's calling. God used him in a mighty way.

Matthew 4:18-20 tells the story of Peter being called as a disciple. Peter was a fisherman whom Jesus called to be a disciple. Peter left everything and followed him. Acts 2:1-4, 14-41 tells the story of Peter being filled on the day of Pentecost along with the other disciples. Peter then stood up and addressed the crowd. He spoke boldly about the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ. God used him as he was willing to be used.

Acts 9:1-19 tells the story of Paul. Saul, known as Paul, persecuted the believers of Jesus Christ. God called Saul while he was on the road to Damascus. Paul (then Saul) did as God commanded him and he was used in a mighty way.

If God can use a fisherman and make him a disciple, he can use you. If God can take a murderer and use him for his purposes, he can use you. If God can take a persecutor and use him, he can use you. We are no different than the people of the early church days.

God has a plan for each of us. We must do our part. It requires seeking God and developing a relationship with Christ, reading His Word, being faithful in prayer, obedience and being willing to be used by God. Think about how he used Moses, Peter and Paul and what God did through them. God can use you if you just let him work in you, you must be willing to be used. God uses ordinary people for His extraordinary purposes.

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Praising God in Difficult Times

We are living in a world that is slowly removing God. It is time we fall on our knees and begin praying for our nation. It seems we are living in times where jobs are scarce, people are losing their jobs, their homes, nothing seems to be secure at the moment. Storms and trials are everywhere and many people are facing them. My husband and I were going through some trials about a month before our Youth Missions Trip. God is so good and He has helped us through the storms. My mom was just recently diagnosed with stage 2 T cell Lymphoma (NonHodgkins) cancer. It is a very aggressive type of cancer, treatable with chemo, but has very high rate (80%) of coming back within 5 years. She is the only parent left from both sides. We are praying for a healing touch from God. We believe in miracles. We have put our trust in God and he will see us through this storm. You must praise God even in the difficult times. Even in our darkest times, we must rely on God and give him the praises for he has it all under control.

Philippians 4:4 says, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"

Acts 16:22-26 tells the story of Paul and Silas beaten and thrown into prison. While in prison, they began singing and praising God. They were going through a difficult time. Imagine how you would act if you were thrown in prison for something you didn't do, how would you react? Would you begin praising and singing praises to God? Would your reaction be a different story?

Luke 8:23-25 tells the story of Jesus calming the storm. A storm came and the disciples woke Jesus. Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters, the storm subsided and all was calm. In Luke 8:25, Jesus asked his disciples, "Where is your faith?" In the midst of a storm, it is Jesus Christ we must rely on. We must keep the faith in Jesus Christ. He will see us through the storm.

James 1:2-5 says,
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

In the midst of storms and trials, let us seek God and praise Him for He knows the outcome and He has it all under control. May we seek God and focus on Him to get us through the storms. May we look to God's Word and learn to praise Him even in the difficult times. God is truly in control and His timing is perfect.

James 1:12 says,
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."