The God of the Impossible-Part 1

Every day we face giants in our life. It could be the Giant of Temptation, the Giant of Finances, the Giant of Jealousy, the Giant of Pride, the Giant of Laziness, etc. I think you get the picture and would agree that there are many giants that we face in our life. We have two choices when faced with these giants.

1.Shrink into the shawdows while shaking in our armour

OR

2.Go out onto the battle field with a sling and God on our side.

Consider the well known story of David and Goliath.

"And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass. And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders. And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him. And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me." 1 Samuel 17:4-8

I want to stop there for now. The giant in this true story is Goliath. As you read that description you can understand the fear the army of Israel felt. He was a big guy, he was strong, and he seemed impossible to kill. He was confident in himself and boasting that he would win the battle. I think I would have been fearful of going out to fight him. The giants in our life today are the same. They seem huge and impossible to overcome. We look at the giants and we run away in fear. We shrink in the shadows just as the army of Israel did. We are shaking in our armour and not willing to fight the battle.
But there is Someone who can help us overcome the giants in our life and will fight the battle with us. This is what David experienced.

"And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee." I Samuel 17:32-37

What faith David had. He was just a young guy, probably in his teens, and yet he was willing to go fight this giant. Why? He had faith in God. He had experienced God's deliverance from a bear and a lion, so why should this be any different? What about us? What has God already delivered us from? If you have been saved then He has delivered you from death. Why is it so hard to have faith that He can help us fight the giants in our life?

"And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him. And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. Then said David to the Philistine, Thous comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's and he will give you into our hands. And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled." I Samuel 17:40-51

David ran to face the giant knowing that God was with him and would help him in the battle. The God who went to battle with David is the same God that we serve today. He is still able to help us conquer the giants in our life. He is still the God of the impossible. Are you willing to step out by faith and see God accomplish the impossible in your life?

" And He said, The things that are impossible with men are possible with God." Luke 18:27

The Power of Prayer

Growing up in church I heard how important prayer was and what a difference it could make. You've probably heard the saying "Seven days without prayer makes one week." Until recently I didn't realize what an amazing tool prayer is. I've taken it for granted but now that is changing.

I bought a book last week called "Praying for your Future Husband", written by Robin Jones Gunn. I finished it in two days. That book got me thinking about how important prayer is and how powerful it can be. When we pray we are literally going to battle as we bring our requests before the Lord. Satan doesn't want us to pray because he knows how powerful it is. Why do you think it's so easy for us to forget to pray before we eat or to take time to pray during the day? Why do you think prayer is always the last option? I believe that sometimes Satan prevents us from praying. We have to be diligent to pray. We have to give it our all.

"The prayer power has never been tried to its full capacity. If we want to see mighty wonders of divine power and grace wrought in the place of weakness, failure and disappointment, let us answer God's standing challenge, "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not!'" (J. Hudson Taylor)

"Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things 'above all that we ask or think'." Andrew Murray

When I finished reading the book I decided that I wanted to try prayer out. I wanted to see what God could do if I would dedicate myself to praying, believing that He would answer. And that is exactly what I have tried to do over the last week.

Some of my friends and I are going to Italy this Fall and we are working hard to earn the money to pay for our trip. Here we are 1 1/2 months before the final payment is due and we are all, at times, struggling to see how we will get it paid for. We are taking turns praying each week for 10 minutes a day asking God to help us accomplish this goal. This week is my week. :) I asked for it to be my week so I could really "try" prayer out. I have been praying for God to perform a miracle for each of us; something that would uniquely show each of us that God is able to help us go to Italy. Today I realized that God was answering that prayer for me specifically. I was able to get some overtime at work, babysit, dog sit, and I'm remembering to take my lunch to work. God also showed His sense of humor by letting me lose something. When I do my budget on payday I put my gas money on a 7-11 gas card and pay for gas at the pump. I used it last payday and had $20.99 left on it. When I went to put gas in my car the second time that pay period the card had no money! I had to spend $20 from my account on gas that I had not designated to anything in particular! I found the gas card that had money on it this payday. :) God provided during a paycheck that seemed like it wouldn't stretch far enough. How great is our God!!!

I challenge you to try prayer out!! God will answer you! It may not always be a yes but He is listening. Cry out to Him! He cares about even the smallest needs.

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

And in case you were wondering, I am praying for my future husband. I have a list of things I pray for. Not a list of what he should look like though! I'll leave that to God. I am praying first of all for him to be saved if he isn't already, for him to put God first and serve Him with his whole heart, and also for his daily struggles. I can't wait to see how God answers these prayers!! :)

Linda

Only One Life

Only One Life
By Charles Thomas Studd, Missionary to China, India, and Africa
Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life's busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in 'that day' my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life,' twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God's holy will to cleave;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e'er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I'll hear the call, I know I'll say 'twas worth it all”;
Only one life,' twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.



I have loved this quote for so long but I just read the entire poem for the first time today. What a message it holds. It reminds me of Matthew 6:33.

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

May we strive to always put Christ first in our lives and live each day as if it were our last.

Until next time,
Linda