Tag: AllThingsArePossible

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Divine Interruption

This morning, I woke up with these words on my heart, “but with God”. I’m not certain but I think God may be setting me up for a divine interruption.

Time for a brief English lesson. The word “but” is a conjunction and is defined liked this: “used to introduce a phrase or clause contrasting with what has already been mentioned: ‘he stumbled but didn’t fall'”.

But is used to join two contrasting ideas. I had my day planned but God…

I wrote in my journal “We seem to have it all planned, but God, Your plan is better. Thank You for interrupting my life”.

The Bible is filled with but God moments. That’s how it all starts.

“The earth was barren, with no form of life; it was under a roaring ocean covered with darkness. But the Spirit of God was moving over the water.” Genesis 1:2 CEV

And we all know what happened after that. A world with no form of life is a stark contrast to the Spirit of God who is the giver of life. From His interruption life thrived and covered the earth.

God had made a promise to Abraham and Sarah that they would have a son. Years passed with no heir so Sarah decided to take matters into her own hands and sent her maid to Abraham and a son was conceived. Man’s plan followed by God’s interruption.

“But God answered: No! You and Sarah will have a son. His name will be Isaac, and I will make an everlasting promise to him and his descendants.” Genesis 17:19 CEV

Young Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. He was falsely accused of molesting his master’s wife and then sent to prison. It seemed as if that would be the end for Joseph but God interrupted and used Joseph to save the lives of all his family.

“You tried to harm me, but God made it turn out for the best, so that he could save all these people, as he is now doing.” Genesis 50:20 CEV

The brothers had a plan to get rid of Joseph but God had an interruption. Joseph went from slave to second in command in Egypt.

A young Jewish girl had a plan of marrying the man of her dreams. She would have a wonderful life as a carpenter’s wife. It was all planned. We don’t have the words “but God” but this was definitely a divine interruption.

“and you will have a son. His name will be Jesus… 34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this happen? I am not even married!”… 37  Nothing is impossible for God!” Luke 1:31-37 CEV

When God makes the plan, nothing is impossible.

I have one final “but God” moment that involves each of us personally.

“No one is really willing to die for an honest person, though someone might be willing to die for a truly good person. 8 But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful. 9 But there is more! Now that God has accepted us because Christ sacrificed his life’s blood, we will also be kept safe from God’s anger.” Romans 5:7-9 CEV

Realizing the love that God has for each of us should be our “but God” moment. He reaches out to us. Our sinful lives are contrasted with His amazing love and forgiveness. When we recognize that God isn’t angry with us, that His plans for us are for our good, an abundant life, we can welcome His interruptions and confidently trust that He will work everything out for our good.

Welcome divine interruptions.

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Hard to Believe

Yesterday I shared with you some of the reasons I get up each morning and praise God!

I’m sure that at least a few of you read some of those verses and said in your heart “That’s hard to believe”, because at one time, I felt just like that. I would hear sermons and read verses and go “that’s really good, I wish it worked for me like that”.

I was thinking on that very line when I picked up my Bible this morning and began to read. Here’s the first verse in my reading: “All you say can be trusted; your teachings are true and will last forever.” Psalm 119:60 CEV

Then a few verses down there was this: “You give peace of mind to all who love your Law. Nothing can make them fall. 166 You are my only hope for being saved, Lord, and I do all you command. 167 I love and obey your laws with all my heart.” Psalm 119:165-167 CEV

Now wait, “Our Lord, you keep your word  and do everything you say. 14 When someone stumbles or falls, you give a helping hand. 15 Everyone depends on you, and when the time is right, you provide them with food.” Psalm 135:13-15 CEV

The more I went on in my reading, the more I realized that God was confirming the strength and power of His word in the lives of each of us who call ourselves Christians, those of us who believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God; the One who saves us from our sins.

If you are in the group, and hope and pray that you are I have a couple more verses to share with you that were in my morning reading.

“I pray that Christ Jesus and the church will forever bring praise to God. His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 CEV

But that wasn’t the last verse that I read, there are still a couple more.

“The demon has often tried to kill him by throwing him into a fire or into water. Please have pity and help us if you can!” 23 Jesus replied, ‘Why do you say ‘if you can’? Anything is possible for someone who has faith!” 24 At once the boy’s father shouted, “I do have faith! Please help me to have even more.” Mark 9:22-24 CEV

This man’s son was demon possessed. He came to Jesus asking for help. The father said, “help if you can”. So many times, we are like that father asking Lord, if you can. He can and He will; we need to believe that He not only has the ability but the willingness. He is God and He keeps His word.

“But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and rewards everyone who searches for him.” Hebrews 11:6 CEV

Now, just one more for good measure. “34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this happen? I am not even married!” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come down to you, and God’s power will come over you. So your child will be called the holy Son of God. 36 Your relative Elizabeth is also going to have a son, even though she is old. No one thought she could ever have a baby, but in three months she will have a son. 37  Nothing is impossible for God!” 38 Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant! Let it happen as you have said.” And the angel left her.” Luke 1:35-38 CEV

I know it’s hard to believe BUT God’s word does not fail – never has, never will!

There are so many more verses that I could direct you to that point to God’s faithfulness in keeping His word. He’s given all of them to us, so it won’t be hard to believe.

Just as the sun comes up every morning, the waves come to the shore, the earth spins on its axis, God’s word is infallible and is always true. The more we draw into relationship with Him, the more convinced (faith) we become that it’s “Hard to Believe” anything other than the Word of God.

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Great Joy

This was a weekend of great joy!

Our children blessed us with a 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration and it was wonderful! Our oldest daughter is quite the party planner and she saw to every little detail. It was the first time in years that all our family had been together. Kids, grandkids and great – my mother’s heart was full and running over.

Dave and I aren’t the same young couple that said I do 50 years ago but the meaning of those words has never been stronger. I do promise to love you, I do promise to be your support and strength, I do promise not to leave, I do promise to keep you in the center of my heart and my prayers.

Like all older married couples life has given us up’s and down’s. A few we wondered how we would ever get through but God’s grace and time saw things change. Never give up on God’s abundant, amazing, flood of grace! There are promises from His word that have strengthened us and given us hope when we our hearts were broken.

So let me ask you this, are there things in your life that appear to be impossible or nearly impossible to change? Maybe not impossible but highly unlikely? Give them to the Lord – place them under His control.

God has a way of changing the impossible!

“Nothing is impossible for God!” Luke 1:37 CEV

I’ve learned over the years that part of that changing process begins in me. I have to begin to see things differently and have to get past being offended or intimidated. I have to be willing to change. The Father wants my heart to conform to His.

A boy was brought to Jesus who needed to be healed. The father had some doubt. He knew Jesus could do it but he wasn’t sure Jesus would.

“Jesus said to the father, ‘Why did you say ‘if you can’? All things are possible for the one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father shouted, ‘I do believe. Help me to believe more!’” Mark 9:23-24 ERV

Sometimes we just need to be honest with God, recognize our own weakness and limitation and then say “Help me believe more”.

Jesus’ own disciples doubted on many occasions. There were storms to overcome. Jesus calmed the storms and brought peace. He wants to do the same in our lives. Whether you’re married 50 years or 5; unmarried and facing a new career or move – God is faithful!

With God all things are possible!

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Never Underestimate the Impossible

This morning’s title comes from a song sung by Joe Nichols, a country singer. These were the words I heard running through my mind this morning.

“I’ve learned to never underestimate, The impossible”

Seems this is the message the Lord has wanted me to bring the last week. A message of hope, of safety, provision, protection, salvation, a message of doing the impossible.

“Nothing is impossible for God!” Luke 1:37 CEV

Let God be true and every man a liar, that’s what the Bible tells us! God cannot lie.

Abraham believed God rather than looking at his own body or the body of his wife and they had a child when he was one hundred. Mary believed God and she conceived a son when she was a virgin. The disciples believed God and they cast our demons, healed the sick and raised the dead. The lame man believed God and took up his bed and walked.

I believe God and He has healed me many times, brought peace in the midst of physical and emotional storms, prosperity out of poverty, and life eternal. I believe the word when it says, “with God, all things are possible”. I believe the word when it says, “by his stripes we are healed”. And I believe the word of God when it says, “nothing is impossible to him who believes”.

When we pray the word of God, we are praying God’s will because His word is His will. We can be confident when we pray the Word of God over a situation.

“And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.” I John 5:14-15 NLT

“Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. 4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. 5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!” Psalm 103:1-5 NLT

“ The robber comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I came so they might have life, a great full life.” John 10:10 NLV

Let God be true and every man a liar. Always let God’s word have the final say in your circumstances.

“God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” Numbers 23:19 NLT

Never underestimate the impossible for with God all things are possible!

AMEN!

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I Do It Myself

It’s not uncommon to hear little kids say, “I do it myself”. They are growing and learning and many times don’t want to accept help. They want to be independent. What we, who are older and wiser, know is that most of the time that attitude leads to a mess.

But before we are too critical of the little ones we need to look at our own statements of independence and there consequences. Hating to admit we need help is an expression of pride. I hesitate to ask Dave to open a jar of pickles – I can do it myself. Our cabinets are tall and he will volunteer to put things up for me and sometimes I find myself saying, “no that’s fine, I’ve got it”.

Why? That’s just silly but I do it all the same. We offer our time and our help as a gift, not as a criticism or an assertion of inability.

The Lord offers to help us in every circumstance of life but many times we’re like that small child standing with our hands on our hips and declaring I’ll do it myself. Through the years I’ve gotten more comfortable receiving from the Lord.

I heard one teacher contrast the difference between receiving and getting.

Getting implies working hard, striving, manipulating, using your effort to obtain. Receiving, on the other hand, is opening yourself to accept what someone else can do. You receive a gift with gratitude. Receiving from the Lord is accepting what Jesus has already done – that’s faith!

We don’t “work” to “get” from the Lord we walk by faith and accept His gifts of grace.

“You have accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord. Now keep on following him. 7 Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful.” Colossians 2:6-7 CEV

Here is our truth to live by today.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13 KJV

…to break it out further, here is the Amplified version

“I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]” AMP

Self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency – I can’t do it myself but when He helps all things are possible!

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Getting God’s Perspective

A few weeks back I was reading the story of Gideon and how God used him, even when Gideon doubted his own worth.

Something in Gideon strikes a cord in me.

Meet Gideon. We find him threshing grain in a wine press, a very impractical endeavor. Part of winnowing the grain requires it to be thrown in the air, letting the chaff be blown away and the grain heads remain. But there is no breeze in a wine press. A counterproductive effort at best. Gideon was living in fear.

The Lord sent an angel to encourage Gideon and look what the angel says:

“The angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and said, “The Lord be with you, brave soldier.” 13 Then Gideon said, “Pardon me, sir, but if the Lord is with us, why are we having so many troubles?… 14 The Lord turned toward Gideon and said, “Then use your great power and go save the Israelites from the Midianites. I am sending you to save them.” Judges 6:12-14 ERV

The first thing the Lord did was give Gideon His perspective. Gideon saw himself as timid and afraid but God called him brave. Then the Lord commissioned Gideon to save the nation.

Much is said in Judges 6-7 between Gideon and the Lord. God proved to Gideon that He could be trusted and He would empower Gideon for whatever battle he faced.

Gideon started out with an army of 32,000 men and God reduced the size to 300. Gideon sent home everyone who was afraid to fight and also those who weren’t alert enough to watch for danger.

“The Lord said to Gideon, ‘I will use the 300 men who lapped the water like a dog. I will use them to save you, and I will allow you to defeat the Midianites. Let the other men go home.’” Judges 7:7 ERV

Greatly outnumbered and out skilled, Gideon and his small band of soldiers faced overwhelming odds but he had a promise. God had promised him victory.

“Then all three groups of Gideon’s men blew their trumpets and smashed their jars. The men held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands. As they blew their trumpets, they shouted, ‘A sword for the Lord and a sword for Gideon!’

21 Gideon’s men stayed where they were. But inside the camp, the men of Midian began shouting and running away. 22 When Gideon’s 300 men blew their trumpets, the Lord caused the men of Midian to kill each other with their swords.” Judges 7:20-22 ERV

Was Gideon someone special? Not in the natural. Gideon said of himself that he was the youngest son of the most insignificant family in his tribe. But, God saw someone who would trust Him.

“The Lord answered Gideon and said, ‘I will be with you, so you can defeat the Midianites as easily as if they were only one man.’” Judges 6:16 ERV

How do you see yourself? Do you doubt your value and abilities?

I’ve said it before but I will remind you again. The greatest ability that God is looking for is availability. God is still looking for those, like Gideon, who will trust Him in spite of their own shortcomings.

Let God give you His perspective!

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Begin Small

Have you ever felt small, insignificant or left out?

Yesterday our youngest daughter and her family came for lunch. We bar-b-qued hamburgers, I had made potato salad and we had homemade ice cream for dessert. It was a fun day.

Kaci and Stephen have blessed us with our three youngest grandchildren. On Sunday, we had taken the older two for an “adventure” to the ostrich ranch but the youngest had to stay home. When her brother and sister walked out the door without her, she cried. It broke my heart!

Yesterday we were getting ready to take a walk up to the mailboxes and she was going to need to stay home again. We felt the walk would have been too much for her little legs. But as we started to leave, she cried again at the thought of being left behind. We stopped and took her with us.

I carried her a bit; her mom carried her some and we let her walk on her own. It made for a longer walk timewise but it also created an atmosphere of acceptance and learning. We included her and that was what was important.

I am impressed by the significance of small gestures, small beginnings.

We sometimes make judgements of what is or isn’t important, what has value. Here the disciples judged the boy’s lunch as small or insignificant but what Jesus saw was the significance of a heart willing to share.

“But they said, “We have only five small loaves of bread and two fish.” 18 Jesus asked his disciples to bring the food to him, 19 and he told the crowd to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish. He looked up toward heaven and blessed the food. Then he broke the bread and handed it to his disciples, and they gave it to the people.” Matthew 14:17-19 CEV

A small lunch fed thousands. A small act of kindness changed Zacchaeus’ life. A small basket in the Nile River cradled Moses. A small seed of faith can move mountains. A small babe brought salvation to the world.

“Finally, Jesus said: What is God’s kingdom like? What story can I use to explain it? 31 It is like what happens when a mustard seed is planted in the ground. It is the smallest seed in all the world. 32 But once it is planted, it grows larger than any garden plant. It even puts out branches that are big enough for birds to nest in its shade.” Mark 4:30-32 CEV

We all can play a “small” part in God’s kingdom. The Father isn’t bothered by small. He takes what we offer and uses it for His glory. Never despise small beginnings!

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I Am Strong

Some mornings when I get up my body doesn’t want to work the way I want it to. Today is one of those days.

I am ever mindful of my loved ones who live with chronic pain and they are always in my prayers. As I get older I am reminded of what the Apostle Paul said about our bodies:

“We never give up. Our bodies are gradually dying, but we ourselves are being made stronger each day.” II Corinthians 4:16 CEV

That verse was part of my reading this morning. It is the one that will stay with me all day. Maybe you are one who feels like giving up today – don’t!

Give the weakness that you are experiencing over to the Lord. Have a sit down with the Father. Tell Him what you are experiencing and let Him show you that He is greater than your weakness.

“I asked the Lord three times to take it away from me. 9 He answered me, “I am all you need. I give you My loving-favor. My power works best in weak people.” I am happy to be weak and have troubles so I can have Christ’s power in me. 10 I receive joy when I am weak. I receive joy when people talk against me and make it hard for me and try to hurt me and make trouble for me. I receive joy when all these things come to me because of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” II Corinthians 12:8-10 NLV

Both of the Scriptures above are part of the same letter which Paul wrote to the christians in the church of Corinith. It is obvious that the Lord had a message for them and for us.

Our bodies will experience hardship and weariness. In all of it we aren’t to give up. When we feel weak we can and should draw on the strength that Christ gives us. When the Father says “I’m all you need” then we can be confident that He is and will be more than enough!

Do you feel weak? It may be physical, emotional or spiritual. Say with the Apostle Paul I am strong.

I know that those are the words I voiced this morning and I will be saying them throughout day – Father you are all I need and in You I find strength for my weakness.

I am strong in Christ!

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