Is there a limit to what God can do?

Psalm 125:1 (MSG) Those who trust in God are like Zion Mountain: Nothing can move it, a rock-solid mountain you can always depend on.

I was reminded this morning of God’s trustworthy character. He is sovereign and can accomplish more in 1 second than I can accomplish in my entire lifetime.

Throughout the Bible, I see God’s sovereignty and consistency time and time again. His desire is to prosper me and not harm me (Jeremiah 29:11). Story after story in the Bible displays this truth and His trustworthiness to follow through with His plan. He asked Abraham to give up all the comforts of his home and family and “go to a land that I will show you (Gen. 12:1).” He provided food and shelter for the Israelites in the desert for 40 years. While in captivity, God placed His chosen people in various positions for specific purposes (Nehemiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, Esther). When the appointed time came, He sent His one and only son to earth to show us how to live, love and be eternally reconciled to Him.

I sure needed to be reminded of God’s trustworthiness this morning. You see last night I got some news (good news actually). But…here’s where the trust part comes in. I have to come up with an initial contribution. Looking at this situation through “earthly lenses”, there is no way I can make it work. The thought of it seems impossible to me....but this morning, God spoke into my spirit... "Are you saying that I’m not big enough to provide in time?"

UMMMM. With all my heart I don’t want to believe that I am "limiting" God. I know with all my heart that God is BIGGER than any issue I have. But the truth is I allowed a little shred of doubt to put a “limit” on God in this situation. For just a brief moment, I questioned "am I going to be able to do this?"

I had to repent of my doubting spirit. I know my God can and will provide. God is the very one who started this ball rolling…of course He's going to follow it through to fruition.

My faith was increased today when I remembered that God is true to His character. Where He has called me, He will make a way.

 

Father, forgive me when I allow doubt to creep in and cloud what I know in my heart you can do. I know you keep your promises. I can trust you to work out even the smallest detail. Amen

Facing giant odds with strength and confidence

I've been doing some thinking about the "stuff" going on around me....not only in my life but in the lives of my friends and family. Let's just face it, the issues we face from day to day can be down-right tough and can leave us overwhelmed by what seem to be "impossible odds." Wouldn't you agree? 

Pondering "impossible odds" I thought the time David stood up to Goliath. If ever there was a story about strength and courage while standing before "impossible odds" it's this one. David's encounter with Goliath is found in 1 Samuel 17. 

The Philistine army had come out prepared to do battle against Saul and the Israelites. The Philistines set up camp on one hill; the army of Israel on the other. For forty days Goliath, a 9 foot tall Philistine warrior taunted Saul and his men.

 "“Why have you taken positions for battle? I am a Philistine, and you are Saul’s servants! Choose a man and send him to fight me. If he can fight and kill me, we will be your servants. But if I can kill him, you will be our servants.” Then he said, “Today I stand and dare the army of Israel! Send one of your men to fight me!”  (1 Samuel 17: 8 - 10)

Whoa! The gauntlet was thrown. Saul and his men were afraid. In these days, armies would often avoid the high cost of battle by sending their strongest warrior to fight the strongest warrior of the other army. Saul knew if Goliath was "calling someone out" he was the tallest of the Israeli army.  He would have to be the one to face Goliath. I think I'd be sufficiently "afraid" if a 9 foot tall man dared me to a fight. Wouldn't you?

What was Saul to do?

Enter David. At the request of his father, David went to where his brothers were camped out with the Israeli army to give them food. It just so happened, he arrived at the exact time Goliath came out to taunt the Israelites once again. David heard Goliath's dare and then saw the men of Israel flee in fear. What would you do in this same situation?  Look at Goliath and run? Or would you see the situation from a different perspective?

David saw the situation completely different from everyone else. He saw a man defying the living God. Knowing this man was not a man who feared the Lord, David said with boldness and confidence "I will go and fight this Philistine!" (1 Samuel 17:32)

“Huh?” Can you just imagine the silence among the men of Israel? “You? But you’re just a boy. This guy is going to rip you to shreds.”

David knew God would protect him in the midst of the battle. After all, God had spared him from the paws of the bears and lions that tried to steal his sheep. He saw Goliath the same way and knew God would protect him.

David ignored the criticism of the crowd and stepped out knowing it wasn’t him doing the fighting…it was the almighty God of Israel. Sling in one hand stone in another, David quickly loaded the stone and chucked it at Goliath. Ok, I have to admit that this is the place in the scene where I would typically throw my hands up over my eyes and not watch what was going to happen next for fear the “good guy” was going to get squashed like a bug. I guess it’s just the girl in me. 

The stone landed in the middle of Goliath’s forehead. God used one confident heart and one smooth stone to knock the giant off of his feet and send the Philistine army packing. 

Isn’t it amazing how God can use the youngest, weakest, and/or smallest to accomplish His purposes? Even when the odds look impossible, God is at work to show us anything is possible (Luke 1:37) when we trust and choose to allow Him to fight for us.

What “impossible” odds are you facing in your life?

·         Job loss

·         Cheating spouse

·         Financial issues

·         Behavioral issues with your children

·         Poor choices

·         Sexual Sin/Pornography/Lust

·         Addiction

·         Depression

·         Divorce

·         Death of a loved one

·         Incurable disease

Whatever it is, our God is stronger, bigger, and higher than any “giant” we will ever face. My I encourage you today to surround yourself with people who will pray with you, provide Godly wisdom, support you, encourage  you, show you the love of Christ and the truth and promises of God’s word.

Remember, you are not facing "impossible odds" by yourself....GOD...the same God who shaped the earth, hung the stars, led Israel through the desert, and formed you in your mother's womb....is with you.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NCV) Be strong and brave. Don't be afraid of "the giants in your life" [paraphrase mine] because the Lord your God will go with you. He will not leave you or forget you.

Finding "bread" in the valley

John 6:35 (NCV) Then Jesus said, “I am the bread that gives life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."
   
I've come to this place again where I have given FEAR a foothold and allowed it to dictate my actions.So frustrated with myself this morning, I cried out to God "Lord what is WRONG with me? I don't want to be this person... I so desire to be in your word and in fellowship with you.  Why am I struggling?"

In the quietness I heard his voice.. "You're not getting alone with me... your now allowing me to sustain you through this valley."

As much as I hate to admit it...  I haven't been having a good quiet time lately. I am going through a period of change in my life. For me change is difficult. I'm stepping out of corporate America to put my family first. I need the time to focus on getting myself and my entire family healthy. While I am looking forward to the opportunity to fully concentrate on my family, I worry about the finances.  I don't know why I'm worried. My husband is the one who handles the bills and he says we're fine. He told me "money should be the last thing you're worried about, just relax and take a break." 

Ok, there you have it. This is another opportunity for me to trust God with everything... my family, our finances, my next move...  Yet I worry.   When I worry or stress, I tend to shut down completely. I become too afraid to move. Reading through the gospel of John this morning, I was reminded of why I felt like this in the first place. It isn't because I'm worried; It's because I haven't been handing my worry over to Jesus and trusting Him to provide.

Jesus is the only one who can sustain us and provide for every need we have. In times like this, I shouldn't run and hide from the world around me. I should RUN to CHRIST and cling to him for every thirst, hunger and need. It shouldn't matter that I am not going to be working outside of the home after this month. I should be talking to Him about helping me through whatever is next. He already knows my heart and my circumstance, it's up to me to talk to Him about it....and lay it down at His feet.

He is the bread of life....and I can find nourishment and refreshment for my soul through Him. I don't have to waste away in the middle of this valley, I can feast at the table of the Lord because He not will only satisfy my physical needs...but my spiritual needs as well.

God is greater than any problem I have.  He will provide. 

Finding nourishment in a dry and desert land

Matthew 6:11 (NIV) Give us today our daily bread.

I was up earlier than normal this morning and went about my normal morning routine; made my coffee, let the dog out, and finally settled into my quiet time with the Lord. My quiet mornings with the Lord, spending time in his word and prayer, have become essential to my day. Ask anyone who truly knows me – they know when I’ve spent my morning with Jesus and when I haven’t. It’s like something that day is missing – my attitude, the way I carry myself, or the words I choose to speak.

This morning, I read the story of God’s provision for the Israelites during their time in the wilderness. The story is found in Exodus 16. They were leaving the land of Elim, where there were springs of water and palm trees, and came into the wilderness of Sin. Whoa… they left the “country club” and ended up in the desert. Of course they weren’t comfortable…there was absolutely nothing there to provide shelter from the sun or to nourish them. Under these circumstances what would you do?  Honestly, I’d probably do the same thing they did…complain about their circumstances.

When faced with dangers and shortages in the wilderness they grumbled and longed to be back in Egypt. Really? They had been slaves in Egypt. They wanted to go back to that? Ok, this is a little drastic don’t you think?  I don’t think I’d want to go back to a place of slavery…even if food and water were abundantly flowing. The Israelites probably didn’t want to go back to Egypt either; they were miserable and wanted their lives to be easier. Okay, ouch.  Isn’t the same true for us? I know it is for me. When I go through times of struggle, I just want it to be over so I can go on my little merry way.

In the wilderness, the Israelites took their focus off of God and put it squarely on their circumstance. Hummm. “There’s nothing to eat or drink! We’re all going to die!” [my paraphrase] Can you hear their griping? I think I have a pretty good visual. They lacked trust/faith in God to get them through their “wilderness.” Hummm. In Exodus 16:4 the Lord speaks to Moses “I am going to rain down food each day for you to eat.” As I continued to read through the next few verses, God told Moses exactly what He was going to do and how He wanted the Israelites to respond.

God provided manna (bread) and quail daily. The people were only to take enough food for that day. On the 6^th day they were to gather double; half the portion would feed them that day and the other half would feed them on the 7^th day. They were also instructed on the 6^th day to pre-prepare the food for the 7^th day (the Sabbath). They were not to work on the Sabbath…even it was to cook. God created the Sabbath after He had spent 6 days creating the universe and everything therein. On day 7, He rested. He knows we need that type of rest too. God met their need for food in the wilderness. But did the Israelites obey his detailed instructions?

In verse 27, some of the people went out to gather manna and found nothing. Ummm did they not hear God’s instructions? I’m sure by the 7^th day they trusted God to provide for their needs…but they really didn’t obey what He said did they?  Hummm.

We see through this story in Exodus, that God would meet their daily need. He wanted a part of the Israelite’s day; going out and gathering “food.” He also wanted them to set-aside a day to worship Him and rest.  He wants to be a part of our day too. In Matthew 6:11, Jesus taught us to pray for our daily provision. “Give us today our daily bread.”

For us to receive our manna from Heaven we need to spend time with the Lord on a daily basis through prayer and the reading of His word, the Bible. It is so easy to let work, family, recreation and other responsibilities crowd our schedules so much we “forget” or “don’t have time to spend with God.” He promises to meet our daily needs just like He did for the Israelites.  It’s up to us to trust Him for provision and then obey (spend time with Him, worship Him and rest.)

Surviving relentless waves in a dollar store raft

Psalm 18:16-19 (MSG) But me he caught—reached all the way from sky to sea; he pulled me out of that ocean of hate, that enemy chaos, the void in which I was drowning. They hit me when I was down, but God stuck by me. He stood me up on a wide-open field; I stood there saved—surprised to be loved!

Psalm 18 is a song of victory David sang to the Lord when the Lord saved him from King Saul and his other enemies. While reading through these verses in the Message paraphrases I could certainly relate to a few of the words David used to describe what God had him through. Did you notice the same words I did?  

Ocean, Chaos, Void and Drowning

Let’s just face it, sometimes the "stuff" of life gets overwhelming. Situations or events can seem like you are drowning in an ocean of chaos and you can't find your way out of the dark void surrounding you. 

Anyone relating yet?

There have been times in my life when I have felt like a dollar-store raft being tossed out of control by the relentless waves of a raging sea during a category five hurricane. While circumstances around me rage, I convince myself the storm will eventually chew me up and spit me out. 

But that's not the truth of God's word is it?  NOPE! It's a lie of the enemy. 

the truth is God rescues me; just like He rescued David from his enemies, and just like He will rescue you from whatever storm you're facing.

At this moment are there any “life-storms” threatening to chew you up? Are you so consumed by them that it’s nearly impossible for you to see past them? There is ONLY ONE way to find hope, healing and protection from the battering sea...His name is Jesus! 

Yes… the “calmer of the storm” (Matthew 8: 23 - 27) wants to help us navigate through the treacherous waters we find ourselves in at times. We never have to question or be surprised by that truth. Jesus cares so deeply for us. If Jesus had a cell phone or a computer monitor, our face would be His background image. He cherishes us. He delights in us. Jesus doesn’t want us to be consumed and torn apart by the storms of life. He wants to give us the abundant life He promises in John 10:10 (MSG) “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”

Did you know that our life-storms can bring honor and glory to God? It’s true by the way we choose to handle them. How do you react when you're in an "uncontrollable" life-storm? Do you tend to cling to the sides of your little dollar store raft OR do you raise your hands in the midst of the fury and cry out to the ONLY God who can provide calmness and peace? 

I know I've learned something through each storm in my life and as a result my faith is increased and my relationship with Christ deepened. Though the waves may crash around me I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, I will never facing their fury alone. Christ is using His word and the prayer covering of my spiritual family to encourage me to hang on and trust even if I can't see calm waters ahead.  

Whether you're facing a "storm" right now or your life waters are calm, know that you are never alone. When storms rage, God will NEVER leave you nor forsaken you (Deut. 31:6,8; Joshua 1:5). 

Call out to Jesus and HE WILL keep you from falling.

“Storm calming" stories Matthew 14:22 – 32, Matthew 8: 24 - 26

Believing just won't do...it's a matter of trust!

Romans 1:17 (MSG) “God's way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith, confirming what Scripture has said all along: "The person in right standing before God by trusting him really lives."”

I like the Message paraphrase of Romans 1:17 – especially the first few words “Gods way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith.” When we come to Christ and accept His redeeming work on Calvary, He gives us a gift. Not only does He give us salvation (eternal life), He also gives us the gift of faith.

Faith is total dependence on God and a willingness to trust Him and do life His way. Faith is complete and humble obedience to live our lives according to God’s word - no matter what. It encourages us to place our trust in the God who:

• created the world and everything in it
• knows the depths of our hearts and loves us unconditionally
• wants to comfort us in our times of struggle
•  and guides us into a deeper more intimate relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 3:5 – 6 says that we are to trust God completely with all our hearts, and try not to figure everything out on our own. In everything we do and everywhere we go we must listen for God’s voice. It is that still, gentle voice that keeps us on track.

Think that your problems are too big or little for God to handle? Think you can manage your circumstances on your own only to find out that things are getting worse and not better? Let me encourage you today with the following thoughts:

• There is nothing too difficult for God (Jeremiah 32:17).
• God is our refuge and strength when our circumstances get tough (Psalm 91:1-2) and can be trusted with everything. Besides, we can’t tell him anything he doesn’t already know.
• He has searched us and knows every detail about us (Psalm 139:1 – 4).
• He is always with us whether it’s in the deepest, darkest valley or on the highest mountain top (Isaiah 41:10).
• He IS the EVERLASTING GOD. The Alpha and Omega. (Rev. 22:13)
• He does not grow tired or weary (Isaiah 40:28).
• He is our solid rock (Isaiah 26:4).

As we put our trust in him by exercising the gift of faith, we will find rest for our souls in Him alone (Psalm 62: 5 – 8).