"But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26
The fact is, there is so much that it is impossible for man to do- the list is endless. But with God nothing is impossible- the list of what He can do is endless. I can't create a world, but He did- just by the word of His mouth. I can't part a sea and make it stand up like a wall- but He can and did.
But when we read another passage it says: "And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." (Matthew 17:20) Here is says that nothing shall be impossible unto you. It almost sounds like a contradiction-- "with men it's impossible"; "nothing shall be impossible to you".
Whatever it is you are dealing with, in your own strength it is impossible- you aren't strong enough, wise enough, big enough. But the key is- "if you have faith". Faith in what, faith placed where? In the God with whom all things are possible. If you put your faith, trust and confidence in God, if you connect with Him, if you invite Him into your life, then because of Him, nothing shall be impossible for you. Let's look at a mountain for a moment. A mountain is a powerful thing. It's stationary, solid, unshakable. In order to move it or effect it at all you have to put a force against it that is greater than it is. The same when dealing with our "spiritual mountains", you have to put a force that is greater than it is in order to remove it. I am not a greater force than a mountain, I have no power, it is impossible for me to remove it.... but when I connect with a force that is greater, then it's not impossible any more for me to remove it. It will remove easily, all I have to do is "speak" to it. That greater force is the All Powerful, Almighty God, who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think.
Are you trying to move a mountain on your own- in your strength, in your wisdom, in your ability? You won't do it- it's impossible. But if you put your faith and trust in God and connect with Him, it's very possible. You can do all things through Christ which strengthens you.
Have a great day. What was once impossible for us is now possible when we put our faith in God.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
"The Sun Is Shining"
"Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10
We are all familiar with this passage of scripture, but did you read the one before it? A friend brought it to my attention because it had ministered to her during a situation that she was going through.
"And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law." (verse 9) "Mourn not, nor weep." One version says,"Don't cry, don't be sad."
I want to encourage you this morning- especially those who are facing insurmountable odds, enormous difficulties, disappointing situations, you're weeping over broken relationships, opportunities missed, you feel all is lost, you're wrestling with hopelessness, discouragement or depression. Let me tell you what these verses say- This is the Lord's day (He made it) so don't be sad, don't cry, don't be sorrowful, the Lord's joy is your strength. He will give you joy and that joy will be your strength- strength for the journey, strength to go on, strength to get up out of bed, strength to take up your bed and walk, strength to run through a troop and leap over a wall, strength to go through the fire, through the flood, through the darkest night, strength to take the bull by the horns, strength to climb the mountain, strength to swim the river, strength to hold your head up, strength to keep on keeping on.
You have His word, you have His promises, you have His Spirit, He is with you and He is still in control. When I have gone through these times, there is one thing that the Lord reminds me that I want to share with you. He reminds me when I look outside that the sun is shining- it came up this morning. Do you know what that means? It means that God is still in control. Because I have the assurance that He is in control I have peace, and that peace wipes my tears away and removes my doubts and fears. It turns my sorrow into joy, my mourning into gladness.
Have a great day. Look outside this morning. Do you see the sun? Then stop crying because His joy is your strength.
We are all familiar with this passage of scripture, but did you read the one before it? A friend brought it to my attention because it had ministered to her during a situation that she was going through.
"And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law." (verse 9) "Mourn not, nor weep." One version says,"Don't cry, don't be sad."
I want to encourage you this morning- especially those who are facing insurmountable odds, enormous difficulties, disappointing situations, you're weeping over broken relationships, opportunities missed, you feel all is lost, you're wrestling with hopelessness, discouragement or depression. Let me tell you what these verses say- This is the Lord's day (He made it) so don't be sad, don't cry, don't be sorrowful, the Lord's joy is your strength. He will give you joy and that joy will be your strength- strength for the journey, strength to go on, strength to get up out of bed, strength to take up your bed and walk, strength to run through a troop and leap over a wall, strength to go through the fire, through the flood, through the darkest night, strength to take the bull by the horns, strength to climb the mountain, strength to swim the river, strength to hold your head up, strength to keep on keeping on.
You have His word, you have His promises, you have His Spirit, He is with you and He is still in control. When I have gone through these times, there is one thing that the Lord reminds me that I want to share with you. He reminds me when I look outside that the sun is shining- it came up this morning. Do you know what that means? It means that God is still in control. Because I have the assurance that He is in control I have peace, and that peace wipes my tears away and removes my doubts and fears. It turns my sorrow into joy, my mourning into gladness.
Have a great day. Look outside this morning. Do you see the sun? Then stop crying because His joy is your strength.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
"It's A Big Deal"
"And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." Colossians 1:20
You don't hear as many preachers preach on the subject of sin now days- much less against it. It's almost "taboo" in most of our churches. I've even heard numerous preachers say that we should not "curse the darkness but light a candle instead". A lot of churches won't preach about sin because it's not a popular message, the people don't want to hear it, they are afraid people will stop coming, etc. It doesn't seem to be a matter of much importance to them, but to God it is a matter of great importance. Therefore, it is one that we must address more than we do.
Why is sin such a "big deal" to God? Let me give you a couple of reasons. Sin broke God's fellowship with mankind. God created man for fellowship- this was the greatest desire of God- to have someone to lavish His love upon. In the Garden of Eden Adam and God had a relationship that was so close that you and I can't even fathom. They walked and talked literally face to face each day in the cool of the evening, but sin put an end to that.
Secondly, sin cost God everything. We sinned but He had to pay the price for it. It cost the life of His only begotten Son Jesus. There was no other way that our relationship with God could be restored except through the shedding of blood, and the only blood that was able to pay such a high price was the blood of the spotless Lamb of God. Sin caused God to have to sacrifice His own Son so that our relationship with Him could be restored.
Lastly, sin is a much greater issue to God when it's in the life of those who have received Christ as Savior, whose sins have been forgiven, who are His children, washed in the blood of His Son. Why? The Bible lets us know that the blood has been applied to our lives- it's like a covering and a shield around us. When we sin, we do so by stepping through that blood that was applied to our lives and brought us salvation. You, literally- spiritually speaking- have to trod under foot the blood of Jesus in order to sin. On the night that the death angel went throughout Egypt, the Israelites were safe because the blood had been applied to the doorposts of their houses. If they had stepped outside they would have been killed like the Egyptians. In order to get outside they would have had to walk through the blood on the doors. In order to reach the place of sin, we have to step outside of the protection of the blood, and to do that we have to tread on the blood that has been applied to our lives.
If it's not serious to Him, why did He tell us over and over in His word that we have to confess it and repent of it? If it's not such a "big deal" than why is there a punishment for it and an eternal judgment because of it? So, yes, sin is a "big deal" to God. He had to pay the price for it, it cost Him everything and we should never take it lightly or for granted. "Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?"(Hebrews 10:29)
Have a great day. In order to sin, we have to step through the blood of Jesus- the same precious blood that saved us. That's a big deal to God.
You don't hear as many preachers preach on the subject of sin now days- much less against it. It's almost "taboo" in most of our churches. I've even heard numerous preachers say that we should not "curse the darkness but light a candle instead". A lot of churches won't preach about sin because it's not a popular message, the people don't want to hear it, they are afraid people will stop coming, etc. It doesn't seem to be a matter of much importance to them, but to God it is a matter of great importance. Therefore, it is one that we must address more than we do.
Why is sin such a "big deal" to God? Let me give you a couple of reasons. Sin broke God's fellowship with mankind. God created man for fellowship- this was the greatest desire of God- to have someone to lavish His love upon. In the Garden of Eden Adam and God had a relationship that was so close that you and I can't even fathom. They walked and talked literally face to face each day in the cool of the evening, but sin put an end to that.
Secondly, sin cost God everything. We sinned but He had to pay the price for it. It cost the life of His only begotten Son Jesus. There was no other way that our relationship with God could be restored except through the shedding of blood, and the only blood that was able to pay such a high price was the blood of the spotless Lamb of God. Sin caused God to have to sacrifice His own Son so that our relationship with Him could be restored.
Lastly, sin is a much greater issue to God when it's in the life of those who have received Christ as Savior, whose sins have been forgiven, who are His children, washed in the blood of His Son. Why? The Bible lets us know that the blood has been applied to our lives- it's like a covering and a shield around us. When we sin, we do so by stepping through that blood that was applied to our lives and brought us salvation. You, literally- spiritually speaking- have to trod under foot the blood of Jesus in order to sin. On the night that the death angel went throughout Egypt, the Israelites were safe because the blood had been applied to the doorposts of their houses. If they had stepped outside they would have been killed like the Egyptians. In order to get outside they would have had to walk through the blood on the doors. In order to reach the place of sin, we have to step outside of the protection of the blood, and to do that we have to tread on the blood that has been applied to our lives.
If it's not serious to Him, why did He tell us over and over in His word that we have to confess it and repent of it? If it's not such a "big deal" than why is there a punishment for it and an eternal judgment because of it? So, yes, sin is a "big deal" to God. He had to pay the price for it, it cost Him everything and we should never take it lightly or for granted. "Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?"(Hebrews 10:29)
Have a great day. In order to sin, we have to step through the blood of Jesus- the same precious blood that saved us. That's a big deal to God.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
"God's Wisdom Is Greater"
"Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee." Jeremiah 10:7
There is no doubt that there are some pretty wise people in the world- in each nation. For weeks- because of the election here in the United States- we have heard lots of learned people give their views, opinions and predictions. We have heard analysts, columnists, the financial savvy, professors and many many more each experts in their field. Some have had great wisdom, some just thought they were wise but their comments proved otherwise. The wisest man to ever live, the wisest head of any nation, the wisest king to ever rule was King Solomon. His wisdom was so great that even the Queen of Sheba said that only the half has been known.
All the wisdom of all the people on earth- who have lived, who are living or who will live in the future- their wisdom combined cannot compare to the wisdom of the Most High God. King Solomon recognized this, therefore, he prayed for God's wisdom in order to rule God's people. We must always remember- whether it is in the affairs of a nation, or a culture of people, or a certain sect of society, or in running a business, or in our own individual personal lives-- we must lean upon the wisdom of God. We can't look to man's wisdom to guide us, to direct us, to give us an answer or to provide what we need. James tells us that man's wisdom is "sensual"- fleeting, changing, of no value, it's even foolish compared to the wisdom of God.
This morning, I don't know what you may be experiencing, but you need wisdom to make the right choices, to go in the right direction, to know what to do and what not to do, to follow God's will, to get victory in the situation, but don't look to man's wisdom for your solution. "Forasmuch as among all the wise men in the world (paraphrase added)... there is none like unto God." God is your answer. His wisdom is endless, and it will always guide you in the right direction.
Have a great day. Trust in and lean upon God's wisdom... there is no one else who is as wise as He is.
There is no doubt that there are some pretty wise people in the world- in each nation. For weeks- because of the election here in the United States- we have heard lots of learned people give their views, opinions and predictions. We have heard analysts, columnists, the financial savvy, professors and many many more each experts in their field. Some have had great wisdom, some just thought they were wise but their comments proved otherwise. The wisest man to ever live, the wisest head of any nation, the wisest king to ever rule was King Solomon. His wisdom was so great that even the Queen of Sheba said that only the half has been known.
All the wisdom of all the people on earth- who have lived, who are living or who will live in the future- their wisdom combined cannot compare to the wisdom of the Most High God. King Solomon recognized this, therefore, he prayed for God's wisdom in order to rule God's people. We must always remember- whether it is in the affairs of a nation, or a culture of people, or a certain sect of society, or in running a business, or in our own individual personal lives-- we must lean upon the wisdom of God. We can't look to man's wisdom to guide us, to direct us, to give us an answer or to provide what we need. James tells us that man's wisdom is "sensual"- fleeting, changing, of no value, it's even foolish compared to the wisdom of God.
This morning, I don't know what you may be experiencing, but you need wisdom to make the right choices, to go in the right direction, to know what to do and what not to do, to follow God's will, to get victory in the situation, but don't look to man's wisdom for your solution. "Forasmuch as among all the wise men in the world (paraphrase added)... there is none like unto God." God is your answer. His wisdom is endless, and it will always guide you in the right direction.
Have a great day. Trust in and lean upon God's wisdom... there is no one else who is as wise as He is.
Monday, November 3, 2008
"God Has My Heart"
"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men." Acts 5:29
Tomorrow we have elections here in the United States. It has been said that this is the most important election in our nations history. If the liberal party is voted in and has the majority rule in this nation there is no doubt that we will lose so many of the freedoms that we have enjoyed since it's conception- especially our Christian freedoms. Therefore, the main issue is not who will win the election, but what will you do depending on the outcome.
As followers of Jesus we have to remember that we are "kingdom" people before we are "government" people. We have to remember that we are first and foremost answerable to God. That we are commanded to live according to His rule and authority over our lives. How does that play out in the reality of living in this natural world? It plays out in choice. You must choose from your heart who you are-- a Christian first.
Before you read any further, don't misunderstand, I am not talking about rebellion against authority or government, I am saying that when the laws of the land conflict with the laws of God you must make the choice that it is better to obey God, and when the laws of the land don't conflict with the laws of God you must still make the choice that it is better to obey God and not get complacent and "at ease in Zion".
Having said that, let me say, while I would love to live in a nation where I could continue to worship the Lord freely, pray to Him in public, testify of Jesus openly, continue to assemble with fellow Christians on the Lord's day, have laws to protect the unborn, know that marriage according to God's definition is upheld and be able to keep my hard earned money-- I have to decide that even if that is not the case, even if I lose those liberties, I will continue to praise the Lord, pray to Him, lift up His name, fellowship with other believers, continue to give tithes and offerings to the work of the Lord, etc.
The question that we have to ask ourselves is,"What will we do?" Are you still going to serve the Lord regardless of your surroundings, regardless of the direction against God that society is going, even if it is not popular, even if it brings persecution, even if the decree is given as it was in the day of Daniel (no prayer to God) and the three Hebrew children (worship the idol)? The answer should be... "I will continue to do the same thing I have been doing". My heart belonged to God before and it still belongs to God regardless of who is in office, regardless of majority rule, whether godly or evil men rule in the nation, whether I legally have the freedom to worship or not and I will continue to give Him my heart, devotion and service.
Have a great day. As followers of Jesus we must decide and determine that He has our hearts no matter what is going on around us.
Tomorrow we have elections here in the United States. It has been said that this is the most important election in our nations history. If the liberal party is voted in and has the majority rule in this nation there is no doubt that we will lose so many of the freedoms that we have enjoyed since it's conception- especially our Christian freedoms. Therefore, the main issue is not who will win the election, but what will you do depending on the outcome.
As followers of Jesus we have to remember that we are "kingdom" people before we are "government" people. We have to remember that we are first and foremost answerable to God. That we are commanded to live according to His rule and authority over our lives. How does that play out in the reality of living in this natural world? It plays out in choice. You must choose from your heart who you are-- a Christian first.
Before you read any further, don't misunderstand, I am not talking about rebellion against authority or government, I am saying that when the laws of the land conflict with the laws of God you must make the choice that it is better to obey God, and when the laws of the land don't conflict with the laws of God you must still make the choice that it is better to obey God and not get complacent and "at ease in Zion".
Having said that, let me say, while I would love to live in a nation where I could continue to worship the Lord freely, pray to Him in public, testify of Jesus openly, continue to assemble with fellow Christians on the Lord's day, have laws to protect the unborn, know that marriage according to God's definition is upheld and be able to keep my hard earned money-- I have to decide that even if that is not the case, even if I lose those liberties, I will continue to praise the Lord, pray to Him, lift up His name, fellowship with other believers, continue to give tithes and offerings to the work of the Lord, etc.
The question that we have to ask ourselves is,"What will we do?" Are you still going to serve the Lord regardless of your surroundings, regardless of the direction against God that society is going, even if it is not popular, even if it brings persecution, even if the decree is given as it was in the day of Daniel (no prayer to God) and the three Hebrew children (worship the idol)? The answer should be... "I will continue to do the same thing I have been doing". My heart belonged to God before and it still belongs to God regardless of who is in office, regardless of majority rule, whether godly or evil men rule in the nation, whether I legally have the freedom to worship or not and I will continue to give Him my heart, devotion and service.
Have a great day. As followers of Jesus we must decide and determine that He has our hearts no matter what is going on around us.
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