Is anything too hard for God?

Gen. 18:14

The question was asked in response to Abraham’s doubt recognizing that both he and his wife Sarah were well beyond child bearing years,

My brothers and sisters in the short time that we have this morning I want to put this same question to you this morning, Is anything too hard for God? When we

have experienced, turmoil. lack, extreme and unexpected challenges, I

know its easy to forget the OMNIPOTENCE OR UNLIMITED POWER OF GOD-

‘I BELIEVE BECAUSE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE’ -SAID TERTULLIAN -SON OF A ROMAN CENTURION AND ONE OF THE FIRST TO CONVERT TO

CHRISTIANITY.

LET ME TAKE YOU ON A LITTLE JOURNEY THROUGH SCRIPTURE AND TESTIMONY TO RE-AFFIRM YOUR FAITH THAT NOTHING LIES BEYOND God’s ABILITY BEGINNING WITH-

Jeremiah 32:17 ASV

17 Ah Lord Jehovah! behold, thou hast made the heavens and the earth by thy great power and by thine outstretched arm; there is nothing too hard for thee,

Here Jeremiah -known as the young weeping prophet-recognizes the creation power of God…and God’s ability to bring forth life from chaos and to intervene in our circumstances —

such intervention was just what God did with him in his youth---thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” then I said Ah, Lord God behold I cannot speak; for I am a child, but the Lord said unto me, say not, I am a child, for thou shalt go to all that I send thee and whatsoever I command thee thou shall speak.

Jeremiah’s classic response Oh Lord, No. I’m just a boy fits in with Abraham and Sarah’s response, a man of nearly a hundred with a wife past eighty.

Why should we be surprised that Abraham disbelieved and Sarah laughed?

Why should we not understand why Moses stuttered....having fled Egypt some forty years ago and now well into his eighties and why should we not be just as troubled as Mary -a young virgin when delivered the Good News from the angel Gabriel that she would conceive and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

and behold thy cousin Elizabeth she hath also conceived a son in her old age and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren, for with God nothing shall be impossible!

With Jeremiah response comes God’s all encompassing power of the creation story...and God’s ability to bring something out of nothing…

For all he had to do was speak…”let their Be” and the world came into being. God’s ability to create something from nothing reminds us that no situation is beyond His reach.

So with Abraham and Sarah’s longing to have a child and now in their advanced years, they both thought it next to impossible, so they laughed.

I am not ashamed to admit —my own doubt…in 2003 I was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure…I had just decided to return to school and get a bachelor’s degree—I was on fire for the LORD and knew that the first important step toward Christian excellence was that bachelor’s degree…with this news How could I possibly fit dialysis in with college?

This was very troubling and I didn’t see it as a laughing matter...I couldn’t hold back the the tears of disappointment, my spirit dropped and I felt well I guess this means drop out of school again…But my dearest friends told me ....

oh No. No this is just a test, you take those treatments-- you arrange your schedule to get in your bed, pile those books beside you, order a long extension cord so that you will be able to walk back and forth to your little area where the computer is set up and don’t miss a beat!

Oh I remember the patience and faith that my doctor, family and friends had as they stood with me through five months of dialysis -then the glorious day -June 3, the kidney transplant and the rest is history. Today, despite heart surgery and the concerns of my current health, that kidney transplant was healthy over 20 years…I a a living breathing walking miracle —and I am not going to complain …ask me why? Because He is not finished with me yet…stay tuned---

You know that was just a test…and without a test you won’t have a testimony -that aha moment when you can sing and shout of how you made it over....

You too have a testimony. You have your own stories of resilience in the face of adversity,

strength that somehow came---to let you know... in the midst of it all…you are not alone. The kind of strength like those three Hebrew boys; Shadrack, Mishack and Obindego…who wouldn’t bow down to the pagan king, Nebeduchenezar. The king had them thrown in the fiery furnace and told the guard to turn the heat up to the max, expecting that they would burn…what happened…first he wanted to recant and withdraw his evil move, but it was too late…when he ran down to the furnace there he expected to see just the three inside, but to his shock he saw four -so he asked the guard, didn’t i just say three who is that fourth person with them…

Oh my friends God will show up -God does answer prayer and he will show up-to affirm his soveriengty…I am that I am…God will let you know…you are not alone...I am with you. I am with you through dangers seen and unseen…Matt 18:20, for where there are two or three gathered in my name...I am there in the midst of them.

I know how good God has been to us and I know he’s not through. God proved Himself faithful , He turned the power of that deadly tsunami in

India in 2004 where approximately 230,000 people died in the Indian Ocean -the news estimated that the energy released from that storm was equal to Hiroshima-type atomic bombs…and we’re still here!

I know how good God is that on September 11, when the terrorist attacked the World Trade Center killing approximately 2,996 people, and releasing another plane that came down right here in Scranton, PA, we are still here…God is still sitting high and looking low. Nothing is too hard for him!

We cry out to him as Jeremiah did not so much because he was defeated, no more so because of his humility and appreciation…knowing what others were plotting to do to bring him harm, knowing that no one wanted to admit that his message was meant for their good and not bad, knowing that this young man was anointed an appointed by God to the nations, yet they taunted, tormented and tried to kill him…Jeremiah’s testimony can be any one of ours, for God said, I know the thoughts that I have for you....to give you a future…and a hope.

The virgin Mary was confronted with a very similar story as Jeremiah’s and Abrahams…her laughter turned to joy. This young woman counted this precious news as a divine gift from God. She knew that she was not worthy of such a gift, an in her thanksgiving she began to sing God’s praises.

As I come to a close, my prayer for you is to practice patience -patience is the key…patience without doubting.

patience without to worrying,

For in waiting patiently Isaiah say’s your strength will be renewed…like eagles...you will find that you can run without fainting and testify to those anxious that his goodness and His mercy endures forever.

My beloved, in every consequence we are called to remember God’s great power goes from ever lasting to everlasting…Nothing is too hard for God.

No matter what you may be experiencing…God already knows. Let us move forward with renewed faith and a sense of courage that says -I will wait on Him. No matter what may come, I am going to trust God and wait on Him. For what I do know, God is no respect of person, if he did it for me, he’ll do it for you…

Thank you Lord for your unwavering Holy-ghost power and love... Father please help us to recognize that nothing is too hard for you and to put our trust in you —alone....grant Oh Lord ----that each person within the sound of my voice---recognized your omnipotent power bless them with the understanding that in you the world and all its creation was made by you and in you we have the victory over evil and death…Lord forgive and save…in Jesus’ name Amen.