Bible League: Living His Word "For with God nothing will be impossible."The angel Gabriel came to Mary, who was a virgin, and told her that the Holy Spirit would overshadow her and she would conceive and bear a son. Furthermore, the angel told her that her relative Elizabeth, who was barren and past childbearing years, was six months pregnant. The angel then concluded his message with our verse for today: "For with God nothing will be impossible." How can this be? How is it that with God nothing will be impossible? The reason is that God is the source and origin of all things. He designed, created, and sustains all things. He is the one who determined in the first place what is possible and impossible. He is the one who determined that virgins and women past a certain age cannot bear children. It is up to Him to determine what can be done and what cannot be done on the earth. Thus, with God, nothing is impossible. If He wants a virgin to bear a child, then a virgin will bear a child. If He wants an older woman to bear a child, then an older woman will bear a child. Since He is the source of the laws that govern possibility and impossibility, He can tweak the system whenever He wants in order to accomplish His purposes on the earth. That's how Philip, for example, suddenly disappeared before the Ethiopian eunuch's eyes and was transported by the Holy Spirit to a far-distant location (Acts 8:38-40). And that's how Elisha could make an iron axe-head float on water (II Kings 6:5-7). Since we are human beings that exist under God's governance of what is possible and impossible, we rely upon the regular and orderly patterns of life that He ordinarily maintains. We all too easily forget that all these patterns are in His hands and He can change them in a moment if He desires. We all too easily forget Jesus' words, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God" (Luke 18:27). Today, you may find yourself in a calling from God that seems impossible to fulfill, or you may find yourself in a bad situation that seems impossible to resolve. Despite the difficulties, the barriers, and the impossibilities, don't forget whom you serve. Don't forget that with the God you serve nothing will be impossible. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingSong of Solomon 6, 7, 8 Song of Solomon 6 -- Where has your beloved gone, you fairest among women? NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Song of Solomon 7 -- How beautiful are your feet in sandals, prince's daughter! NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Song of Solomon 8 -- Oh that you were like my brother NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Galatians 1 Galatians 1 -- Introduction; Galatians Deserting the Gospel; Paul's Ministry NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge. This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true.Insight In this letter, Paul wrote some strong words to the Corinthians, but he began on a positive note of thanksgiving. He affirmed their privilege of belonging to the Lord and receiving his grace, the power God gave them to speak out for him and understand his truth, and the reality of their spiritual gifts. Challenge When we must correct others, it helps to begin by affirming what God has already accomplished in them. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe.A certain man had a demoniac son, who was afflicted with a dumb spirit. The father, having seen the futility of the endeavours of the disciples to heal his child, had little or no faith in Christ, and therefore, when he was bidden to bring his son to him, he said to Jesus, "If thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us." Now there was an "if" in the question, but the poor trembling father had put the "if" in the wrong place: Jesus Christ, therefore, without commanding him to retract the "if," kindly puts it in its legitimate position. "Nay, verily," he seemed to say, "there should be no if' about my power, nor concerning my willingness, the if' lies somewhere else." "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." The man's trust was strengthened, he offered a humble prayer for an increase of faith, and instantly Jesus spoke the word, and the devil was cast out, with an injunction never to return. There is a lesson here which we need to learn. We, like this man, often see that there is an "if" somewhere, but we are perpetually blundering by putting it in the wrong place. "If" Jesus can help me--"if" he can give me grace to overcome temptation--"if" he can give me pardon--"if" he can make me successful? Nay, "if" you can believe, he both can and will. You have misplaced your "if." If you can confidently trust, even as all things are possible to Christ, so shall all things be possible to you. Faith standeth in God's power, and is robed in God's majesty; it weareth the royal apparel, and rideth on the King's horse, for it is the grace which the King delighteth to honor. Girding itself with the glorious might of the all-working Spirit, it becomes, in the omnipotence of God, mighty to do, to dare, and to suffer. All things, without limit, are possible to him that believeth. My soul, canst thou believe thy Lord tonight? Daily Light on the Daily Path Revelation 21:7 "He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.1 Corinthians 15:19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. Hebrews 11:16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. 1 Peter 1:4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 1 Corinthians 3:21,22 So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, • whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, 1 Corinthians 2:9,10 but just as it is written, "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM." • For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 2 John 1:8 Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. 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