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Become Extraordinary

By: Thomas Bartel


With God nothing will be impossible. Luke 1:37

Did you know that God wants to use you to do the extraordinary? Throughout the Bible, God has used ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things for Him. People like Joseph, who was a dreamer, and despite being stuffed into a cistern and sold as a slave by his jealous brothers, became the Prime Minister of Egypt and saved both Egypt and the the nation of Israel from starvation and obsolescence.

How does something that powerful happen? It takes the faith of an ordinary man like Joseph, to overcome the difficulties that others cause in their life, to have God empower them to accomplish the amazing things that they otherwise might never happen been able to do. Another example is Paul. Did you know that Paul was one of the biggest enemies of Christianity before he himself became one?

Paul traveled all over the cities around Israel seeking out Christians and having them jailed and killed, until he met God one day on his way to Damascus. God literally knocked him off of his horse. As Paul fell to the ground wondering what was happening, God asked him why he was persecuting and killing His people. Paul was blinded for the moment and was so frightened by the thought that God was actually speaking to him, immediately confessed his sin and accepted God's challenge to begin starting building churches. Paul ended up starting more churches than any of the apostles.

One of God's favorite words is impossible. Why? Because God is so good at making what looks impossible become the possible in our lives. All He asks is that we believe in Him and that He has the power to do that for ordinary people who have big faith. So, become extraordinary. Be available and willing to do whatever God wants you to accomplish, knowing that He has the power to do it. All He wants from us is to have faith, trust in Him and believe He will do it.

Inside Out or Outside In?

Cindy Jackson (no relation to Michael) has quite a record of elective plastic surgery. She’s had 27 operations in nine years. Remember, this is elective plastic surgery. No, she wasn’t in an accident or born with any kind of disfigurement. She was born on a pig farm in Ohio and has had three full face lifts, thigh liposuction, two nose jobs, abdomen work, breast reduction and augmentation, jaw line surgery, knee work and permanent makeup. Cindy has spent approximately $100,000 changing her looks and trying to feel better about herself.

Erik Sprague has spent 450 hours getting tattooed, has pierced several parts of his body, and has placed himself on a strict diet of bugs and pizza. He’s also had his tongue surgically split to give a forked look and has had horned ridges implanted above his eyes.

His teeth have been filed into fangs, and his tattoos are green to give him the appearance of a lizard. He calls himself Lizard Man and slithers around the country performing a live stomach-pumping routine on himself at various side shows.

It’s obvious that Erik Sprague and Cindy Jackson are determined to change who they are by altering their outer appearance. Too bad they’ve never heard that real change comes from the inside. They’re assuming by altering their outer appearance, they’ll actually change themselves. But genuine change doesn’t happen outside in. It always occurs inside out.

Once you’ve experienced a change on the inside, it will eventually be reflected on the outside. There’s a legend about a popular clown named Grimaldi. Each night he bought laughter to hundreds of people who came to see his performances at the town circus. A physician had taken his family to see the show, and they were ecstatic. Their trip home was filled with laughter as they recalled what the clown had done on stage.

The next day, a stranger came to see the physician in his office. “Doctor, I need help,” the man said. “I’m falling apart inside. I can’t sleep, I have no reason to live, and I haven’t laughed in months.”

The physician quickly recommended the man attend that evening’s circus performance. “It will do you wonders!” he said. “In fact, I’m making that my prescription for you. Go to the circus and be entertained by the wonderful Grimaldi. He’ll make you forget your troubles as you laugh the night away.”

The man left the physician’s office even more devastated than when he entered . . . for you see, that man was Grimaldi!

Know It!
God dreams BIG dreams for you! He offers you a life of fulfillment, joy and peace. And a smaller nose, bigger muscles, tattoos, jokes, laughter or popularity won’t bring happiness. Allow Christ to transform your heart and your mind. Those around you will definitely notice the difference!

Read It!
Proverbs 14:13; Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 3:20-21; Philippians 4:6-7.

Pray It!
Ask God to change you from the inside-out. Seek His help in refusing to believe the lie that your worth comes from outward appearance.

Is Your Baggage Labeled?

Just as you’d never consider running a race while wearing an overcoat, or entering a swimming event wearing sweats, hopefully you won’t carry unnecessary baggage in your relationship with Christ. What kinds of luggage do Christians hold onto that effects their walk with Jesus?

Go through the following packing list and mark any items you may have in your baggage collection.

— Bundle of bitterness. Someone hurt you, and you’re holding onto the hurt. It’s packed deep inside your heart, and it’s keeping you from experiencing the joy God wants you to have.

— Bag of anger. Something happened, and you’re so angry you can’t think straight. Instead of living out God’s love, you’re trapped within a cave of paralyzing anger.

— Box of jealousy. Someone else has what you want. You’re feeling insecure and jealous. It’s preventing you from sharing laughter, smiles and happiness.

— Briefcase of inferiority. You’re self-conscious about your weight, your face, your hair, your grades, etc. Instead of living with confidence, you’re battling self-esteem issues and have trouble believing you’re valuable.

— Bunches of unforgiveness. Let it go. You’re right—it shouldn’t have happened, but it did. Dad left the family. Someone broke up with you. Rumors were spread. Whatever the situation, you feel rejected . . . and you’ve become spiritually crippled because you haven’t forgiven. Release it. (As in right now!)

— Batches of the past. You blew it. Failed big time. You feel terrible about it and have never gotten over it. If only you’d never. . . but you did, and you’d give anything in the world to walk without this cloud over your life. Guess what! God will gladly trade you the sun for your cloud. And His Sonshine is brighter than any other sun in the galaxy. Know that He’s forgiven your past; He died for it. Accept His forgiveness and move on.

But I’m not sure what baggage I’m carrying. God knows. So instead of trying to read the labels yourself, ask Him to identify your baggage for you. And when He does? Thank Him. Seek His forgiveness. And get rid of your luggage by checking with Him forever!

Know It!
God wants you to experience spiritual victory—not spiritual depression. You can be victorious, and remain victorious, by refusing to carry baggage that gets in the way of your relationship with Him.

Read It!
Galatians 5:19-23; Colossians 3:1-5; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-5; 2 Peter 1:2-11.

Pray It!
Ask God to remove anything in your life that’s slowing you down in becoming all He wants for you.

Are You Really Listening?
During their formative years, children sometimes hear phrases from popular songs incorrectly. Do any of the following sound familiar?

• “Olive, the other reindeer . . .”
• “Oh beautiful, for spaceship guys . . .”
• “He is exhausted; the King is exhausted on high . . .”
• “Sue and Mary Lou, they are goin’ to see the King . . .”
• “On the first day of Christmas, my tulip gave to me . . .”

It’s understandable why children would misunderstand the above phrases from well-known songs. If a child hasn’t learned to read yet, all he has to rely on for learning is his auditory senses.

But the older we get, we learn by reading and hearing. Still, we often listen with one ear and don’t truly hear what’s being said.

In our relationship with Christ, it’s important that we read His love letter to us (the Bible), and that we listen with both ears, our heart and our mind. If we fail to listen to God’s leading in our lives, we soon find ourselves living in disobedience to Him.

The Bible tells us that one quick way to measure our love for Christ is to examine our obedience to Him. If we really love Him, we’ll obey Him. And to obey Him requires listening very carefully. Do you remember the story of Samuel? He was a young boy living with Eli, an elderly priest.

One night, after Samuel had gone to bed, a voice calling his name woke him from his sleep. He rushed into Eli’s room asking what the priest wanted. But Eli responded he hadn’t called him. Samuel assumed he must have dreamed hearing his name called.

After he crawled back into bed and fell asleep, he was again awakened by a voice calling, “Samuel, Samuel.” The boy rushed back to Eli’s side only to learn that Eli had also been asleep and hadn’t called him. The priest was a wise man though, and he knew Samuel had been anointed by God. So he instructed the boy to respond to the voice as if it were his heavenly Father — if he heard it again.

Sure enough, after Samuel had fallen asleep for the third time, he was awakened again by the voice. He knew it was God and responded in obedience.

Are you hearing God’s voice when He speaks to you? Or, like a child, are you confusing God’s conversation with bits and pieces of the world’s conversation around you? Guess what — they don’t mix!

Know It!
God has important stuff to tell you. So make time to read some of His letter to you on a daily basis. You’ll hear His voice through Scripture, and you’ll also hear His voice through your prayers, your spiritual leaders (pastor, Sunday school teacher, youth minister, parents) and your heart.

Read It!
1 Samuel 3; John 14:15; John 14:23-24; John 15:10.

Pray It!
Ask God for sensitive spiritual ears to hear and recognize His voice. And as you hear His voice, commit to responding in immediate obedience to what He says.

What Kind of Tator Are You?

If we compared human nature to vegetables—potatoes in particular—we might be able to categorize people this way:

• People who are bossy and enjoy telling others what to do, but don’t do much work themselves are called “d**k Tators.”

• And there are always a few people who say they’ll help. They intend on getting involved. But they never actually get around to doing anything. They’re called “Hezzie Tators.”

• Some people seem to love conflict. If there’s not any current controversy happening, they’ll create something! They’re called “Aggie Tators.”

• Other people never seem motivated to get involved. They’re content to simply watch while others do the work. They’re called “Speck Tators.”

• Some people try to act like someone they’re not by putting on a front. They’re called “Emma Tators.”

• Some people never actually offer a helping hand, but they constantly find fault with how others do things. They’re called “Comment Tators.”

• And then there are the people who are really genuine. They’re willing to get involved. They help others in need. They make a conscious effort to be a positive influence on those around them. They’re called “Sweet Tators.”

Which kind of tator are you? Are you known for having a critical spirit, or do people truly enjoy being around you? Think about that person everyone loves hanging out with. Chances are, that person knows how to make others feel good about themselves. He/she is an encourager and affirms others easily. That person isn’t a trouble-maker, rather he/she enjoys bringing unity and consensus to problems and tense situations. No wonder everyone loves being around him/her. This person is a “Sweet Tator”!

The Bible talks a lot about unity. Interestingly, the apostle Paul tells us in Galatians 5:9 that it only takes one wrong person to effect an entire group. God doesn’t spread a spirit of discord and argument. He instead, is the Author of peace and harmony. Think about your reputation. Are you known as a peacemaker? Someone who enjoys people and has a positive attitude? Or do others see you as a complainer; one who doesn’t keep his word; or someone who’s trying to something he’s not?

Know It!
God wants to use you to be a positive influence at your school, in your community, at your part-time job, in your family. He can do BIG things through a willing spirit. Are you willing to forget sitting on the sidelines? Ready to hang up a critical spirit? Will you be a “Sweet Tator”?

Read It!
Proverbs 17:22; Romans 15:5; Colossians 3:14; Philippians 2:1-2.

Pray It!
Tell God you’re willing to be molded in His Image. Allow Him to break you and reshape you . . . into a “Sweet Tator”!

What’s Missing?

The following announcements were found in church bulletins.

• Miss Charlene Mason sang, “I Will Not Pass This Way Again,” giving much pleasure to the congregation.

• Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don’t forget your husbands.

• The sermon this morning: “Jesus Walks on the Water.”

The sermon tonight: “Searching for Jesus.”

• For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

• Potluck supper Sunday at 5 p.m. Prayer and medication to follow.

Isn’t it interesting how misplaced punctuation, missing punctuation or a simple rewording of a sentence can change the entire meaning of its message? It’s obvious that something’s missing in the above statements found in church bulletins. But what may not be so obvious is what’s missing in your relationship with Christ.

If Christianity is starting to feel boring to you, or if you’re thinking something may be lacking, it may be time to take a spiritual examination. Answer the following questions:

1. Do I have a daily quiet time with my Savior?
2. Am I involved in church and plugged into a youth group?
3. Am I growing in a Bible study?
4. Is Jesus Christ as real to me as my hands and feet?
5. Do I know the sound of God’s voice?

If you can’t answer yes to all of the above questions, you may need to get more serious about the time you spend with God. If you’ve never disciplined yourself to having a daily devotional time with God, now’s the time to make some changes! Let’s take the next few days and chat more in-depth about how to establish a quiet time.

Know It!
Jesus Christ holds all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Does that sound like something you need? If you’ll make time to meet with Him on a daily basis — have fellowship with Him, learn from Him and allow Him to guide you — He’ll share that wisdom and knowledge with you!

Read It!
Colossians 2:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13; Titus 3:14; 1 Peter 3:12.

Pray It!
Ask God to share His wisdom and knowledge with you, and let Him know how excited you are about meeting with Him on a daily basis.