I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to.
I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
God over the seemingly impossible
It might feel unlikely that God will show up in your impossible situation: your diagnosis, your infertility, your broken relationship, your disobedient kid, your inconsistent character, your anxiety, your financial struggles, your grief.
Thankfully, God is not limited or bound by the natural world.
Growing up in a Jewish family, Mary would have known about the prophesied Messiah; the long-awaited Savior of the world. But she probably never imagined that those age-old predictions would be fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of her son—who was somehow fully God, yet also fully man.
But as the angel Gabriel explained to Mary:
“For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Luke 1:37 ESV
Not only did God plan these events long ago, He also declared them ahead of time through Old Testament prophets and writers.
Jesus’ life: This God-man would come from the lineage of David (Isaiah 9:7), and be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). He’d make the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, and the mute sing (Isaiah 35:5-6). He’d proclaim good news to the poor, comfort the brokenhearted, and set the captive free (Isaiah 61:1).
Jesus’ death: Though innocent (Isaiah 53:9), he’d be betrayed by a close friend (Psalm 41:9) for thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12). He’d be despised and rejected (Isaiah 53:3), beaten and spit on (Isaiah 50:6), pierced in both the hands and feet (Psalm 22:16), and ultimately killed (Daniel 9:26).
Jesus’ resurrection: He would be raised to life again (Psalm 16:10-11) and establish a never-ending covenant with God’s people (Jeremiah 31:31-34). Because He’d be willing to bear the sins of many and intercede for rebels (Isaiah 53:12), many would be counted as righteous (Isaiah 53:11) and He’d be a light to all nations (Isaiah 11:10).
Everything about Jesus seemed impossible, but God is able to do beyond what we could imagine. So remember the God you serve, and be encouraged: God is surprised by nothing. He already knows the end from the beginning. His purposes can’t be derailed. His character will never change.
Nothing is impossible for Him.
Reordering Our Priorities
The northern tribes of Israel in Amos' time seemed like they were doing all the right things. They offered sacrifices to God and were exact in their religious observations. And yet, the book of Amos is written to them as a warning—a warning that destruction that would befall them if they refused to change?
Why?
Because they had neglected the true heart of loving and worshiping God.
While they were doing many of the "right" things, it's what they weren't doing that God wanted to address. They failed to take care of the poor and needy. They turned their eyes away from injustice. Many had turned to idols for help and prayer.
Through Amos, God told the people of Israel that it is just as important to be righteous inwardly as it is outwardly. We cannot say we love God and others when we fail to help people who are within our power to help.
Just as James 1:27 tells us, true religion includes helping orphans, widows, and those who are in distress. James goes on to write ...
