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Welcome to Day 14 of our Bible based, Christ focused devotional.
Purpose: With so many people suffering during these tough economic times, I wanted to create a daily devotional which would promote faith in God as a solution to overcoming anger and fear.
Each devotional will provide a daily passage of Scripture for you to reflect on throughout the day. In addition, an “Action Item” will assign a daily, simple task to help you address your fears with faith and move forward with God's plans for you.
Thank you and God bless you for reading this devotional--please share it with others!
Steve Kendall
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DAY 14: IS ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR GOD?
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE FOR REFLECTION:
Then the LORD said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son."
Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him.
Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing.
So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, "After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?"
Then the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really have a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son." Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, "I did not laugh." But he said, "Yes, you did laugh." Genesis 18: 10-15 (New International Version)
Read Genesis Chapter 18 for the full context of the story.
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OPENING PRAYER: In your opening prayer, in addition to anything else you want to pray about, ask God to strengthen your faith so that He can handle your problems.
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Is Anything Too Hard For God?
Earlier this week, I listened carefully to a recent sermon on CD given by my pastor, Dr. Lucius M. Dalton of Mount Moriah Baptist Church. I actually listen carefully to each and every sermon given by the pastor as I have the honor of preparing and posting them online for the world to hear.
The title of his sermon, "Nothing Is Too Hard For God," resonated with me all during the week. Pastor Dalton discussed the story in Genesis chapter 18, verses 9-15, in which Abraham and his wife Sarah initially doubted God when He told them that despite their advanced age, Sarah would have a child. (Abraham was 100 years old, and Sarah was 90 when their son Isaac was born).
Dr. Dalton recounted how Sarah laughed to herself in verse 12 when told she would have a son--then she lied about laughing! But God, like many parents, knows when His children are lying! : )
Sometimes, we too are like Sarah and Abraham. We doubt God and don't take the promise seriously that He can do all things and nothing is too hard for God.
If we don't get into the habit of reading God's Word and growing closer to Him through His son, Jesus, we will attempt to solve problems without first consulting Him.
Because of that sermon, I'm making an effort to pray before even the smallest things that I believe I can handle on my own.
When it comes to larger problems, we have to believe that nothing is too hard for God. He may not solve all of our problems, and we may not get answers to all of our questions for Him while we're still here on Earth.
Remember, our home is in Heaven. I'm hopeful we'll learn the reasons behind why God operated in certain ways while we were in flesh and blood form. Then again, the "whys" and "hows" of God's will may not matter when we live and glorify Him in Heaven for eternity.
Click Here to listen to Dr. Dalton’s message, “Nothing Is Too Hard for God”)
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ACTION ITEM:
Remember that list of "concerns" (we don't use "w___ies" or "f__r" anymore to describe our problems) we wrote down during the early days of this devotion? We threw those away, but do you feel that some of those problems are still lingering? Perhaps you have new problems?
If not, congrats, continue to read on as you'll help somebody with this exercise:
1. If you have problems you are still concerned about, get a piece of paper and along the left column, write down all of them.
2. Next, after you've read each one, ask yourself, "Is this too hard for God?"
From now on, when you think about a problem, ask yourself, "Is this too hard for God?" Okay, now throw that piece of paper away--we don't want you dwelling on problems. : )
If you did not write down any problems:
1) Congrats!
2) Write down problems that folks in your life are struggling with. The next time you see that person discuss each problem and ask, "Is that too hard for God?" This will prayerfully open a discussion where you can tell that person about how God is working in your life and this will hopefully encourage them.
Until tomorrow, have a blessed, peaceful, problem-free day!
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CLOSING PRAYER: For the remainder of our devotions, please pray about whatever the Lord places in your heart and mind. I also ask that you pray for me as well. I pray daily for everyone who comes in contact with these devotions and need your prayers.
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STAY IN TOUCH:
You are cordially invited to share how things are going with you and our devotions thus far. I welcome comments and suggestions as well. You can reach me via Facebook or my personal email address: Steve@BibleStudyCafe.com
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FREE STUFF FOR YOU!
Stop by sometime soon to visit my ministry Web site, Bible Study Café, and download free stuff including a prayer journal.
Join Bible Study Café on Facebook and follow my twitches and tweets on Twitter.
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A TRUE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD:
If you would like a relationship with God, the only way to do it is through His son, Jesus Christ. This is supported in the Bible: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. --John 14:6 (King James Version)
We begin this relationship by first accepting Jesus. Click Here for a link to more info.
