Impossible?

It’s mother’s day and what a fantastic day to celebrate some of those who have been stood out in the Bible because of their belief in God Almighty in the midst of impossible situations!

Let’s look at a couple of these great heroine’s of faith to stir YOUR faith to believe God!

Mary the Mother of Jesus:

Luke 1:34 NKJV

34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

Luke 1:38 NKJV

38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

An immaculate conception was something impossible that had NEVER happened before (or since) - Mary simply believed God & said, “Let’s Go!”.

Hannah:

Elkanah was married to Hannah & to Peninnah but Hannah could not conceive children. (1 Samuel 1:3-18)

1 Samuel 1:17–18 NKJV

17 Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” 18 And she said, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

One simple word from God changed Hannah’s entire demeanor and outlook from inside to out when nothing else had changed.

How do you allow God’s word to affect you?

How to respond in the midst of impossibilities:

When facing the impossible in life, as believers, we must wrestle with the question:

Is there anything too hard for God?

Genesis 18:14 NKJV

14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”

The situation:

Abraham’s body was not reproductively working & Sarah’s womb was dead.

God was going to have to do a double-miracle to bring His word & His will to pass

Do you know who asked the question: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” - God did.

God wants us to make up our mind about this question & settle the answer in our heart.

I believe we all know the answer intellectually, but what we don’t know is the answer in our heart - to the point where we never waver.

1 Kings 18:21 NKJV

21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word.

James 1:6–8 NKJV

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

2 Principles That We Can Rely on in Impossible Situations:

1. God is able AND willing to do His will.

This is why

We NEED to know God’s will, written in His word, & know God’s voice!

Fight for the clearly expressed will and promise of God & do not waver!

God is not double-minded or wishy-washy & His character is perfect.

Romans 4:19–21 NKJV

19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

There may have been no indication that anything changed, until Abraham and Sarah acted on the word of the Lord.

God always fulfills His promises & His words never return empty! (2 Peter 3:9 ;Isaiah 55:11)

Are you willing to allow God to work & to work WITH God?

2 Corinthians 8:12 NKJV

12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.

Instead of giving up on God, how about if we change our mind?!

Let’s give up on doubt!

2 Corinthians 1:18–20 NKJV

18 But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Timothy—was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. 20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

Job 13:15 NKJV

15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.

When it looks ugly - Trust God!

When it looks nasty - Trust God!

When it looks impossible - Trust God!

By the way:

Sometimes it doesn’t just seem impossible for God to change things, or others, sometimes it seems impossible for God to change US!

Don’t give up on God!

What looks impossible to you right now?

“There are three stages to every great work of God; first it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done.” - Hudson Taylor

Let’s give up on doubt and believe the God of the impossible!

2. Invite God In

God on the outside doesn’t change anything - “God with us” changes everything!

Matthew 14:31–32 NKJV

31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

John 1:5 NKJV

5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

My mom:

When I was simply serving the devil & all indications were that I would never turn my heart & life back towards God

She would not stop kneeling at the side of my vacant bed, 2,500 miles away from where I was living, & pray that I would have an encounter with God and turn back to Him!

Here I am, serving God and loving it!

Just One Thing:

There is nothing and no one too difficult or impossible for our God!

Let’s invite & let God into our impossibilities.

Discussion Questions:

What word do you always misspell?

What do you feel your biggest struggle is when facing a seemingly impossible situation? (Thoughts, emotions, knowledge, etc.)

Please read the account in Matthew 14:22-33 and share how this passage speaks to you about where Jesus is in your life & situations.

What is one thing that has been seemingly impossible to you, & where you really need to trust God and let Him in? Pray with your group for that impossibility to be possible if it is within the scope of God’s word.