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 Ephesians 1:6 Accepted in the beloved.What a state of privilege! It includes our justification before God, but the term "acceptance" in the Greek means more than that. It signifies that we are the objects of divine complacency, nay, even of divine delight. How marvellous that we, worms, mortals, sinners, should be the objects of divine love! But it is only "in the beloved." Some Christians seem to be accepted in their own experience, at least, that is their apprehension. When their spirit is lively, and their hopes bright, they think God accepts them, for they feel so high, so heavenly-minded, so drawn above the earth! But when their souls cleave to the dust, they are the victims of the fear that they are no longer accepted. If they could but see that all their high joys do not exalt them, and all their low despondencies do not really depress them in their Father's sight, but that they stand accepted in One who never alters, in One who is always the beloved of God, always perfect, always without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, how much happier they would be, and how much more they would honor the Saviour! Rejoice then, believer, in this: thou art accepted "in the beloved." Thou lookest within, and thou sayest, "There is nothing acceptable here!" But look at Christ, and see if there is not everything acceptable there. Thy sins trouble thee; but God has cast thy sins behind his back, and thou art accepted in the Righteous One. Thou hast to fight with corruption, and to wrestle with temptation, but thou art already accepted in him who has overcome the powers of evil. The devil tempts thee; be of good cheer, he cannot destroy thee, for thou art accepted in him who has broken Satan's head. Know by full assurance thy glorious standing. Even glorified souls are not more accepted than thou art. They are only accepted in heaven "in the beloved," and thou art even now accepted in Christ after the same manner. Daily Light on the Daily Path Ezra 9:9 "For we are slaves; yet in our bondage our God has not forsaken us, but has extended lovingkindness to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us reviving to raise up the house of our God, to restore its ruins and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem.1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; Hebrews 12:7,8 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? • But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Deuteronomy 13:3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the LORD your God is testing you to find out if you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 1 Samuel 12:22 "For the LORD will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the LORD has been pleased to make you a people for Himself. Isaiah 49:15 "Can a woman forget her nursing child And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Psalm 146:5 How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, Whose hope is in the LORD his God, Luke 18:7,8 now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? • "I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" 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. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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