The Impossible Made Possible

 Nothing is impossible for God! Luke 1:37

The seemingly impossible happened when hurricane-force winds changed the flow of the mighty Mississippi River. Hurricane Ida came ashore on the coast of Louisiana causing a "negative flow", meaning water acutally flowed upriver for several hours.

Experts estimate that over its life cycle a hurricane can expend energy equal to ten thousand nuclear bombs! This "negative flow" might explain Israel's experience at the Red Sea. While fleeing the Egyptians who'd enslaved them for centuries, the Israelites came to the edge of the Red Sea. In front of them was a wide body of water and behind them was the Egyptian army. In that seemingly impossible situation, "the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wide and turned it into dry land...and the Israelites went through the sea." Exodus 14:21-22.

Responding with awe is natural after experiencing the immensity of God's power. The result was Israel "put their trust" in Him. (vs 31) When we experience God's power in creation, we too can place our trust in Him.

One Is Powerful

 Only one life will soon be past, only what is done for Christ will last...C T Studd

You would think that in such a big world with so many people; one person would have very little influence, wouldn't you? Well, you couldn't be more wrong.

Just one man voting the right way saved the United States from having Aaron Burr as President of the United States.

Just one United States Senator, voting according to his conscience, saved President Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Abraham Lincoln, from being cast out of office.

Just one man, John Wilkes Booth, changed the course of history when he assassinated President Abraham Lincoln.

Because we hear so much of brave, great, and brilliant people, we start thinking that such persons as ourselves don't count.

Nothing is further from the truth. God depends on us—on you and me—for some specific task. Nobody else can or will do this one job. Our nation needs many thousands of high-school teachers, especially men teachers. Boys are actually going to jail because of a lack of good, interesting men teachers who can inspire and lead them to good lives instead of bad.

God depends on us—each one of us, not all of us at once. When Jesus called his disciples, he made each one feel as if much depended on him. Of the twelve only Judas failed. The other eleven were faithful to death.

Today, nearly two thousand years later, Jesus depends on us as he did on his twelve. Never forget—you are important. Just one person, but still one. A very wise man said, "I am just one person, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And what I can do, I will do."

Fear of Death

 He will swallow up death forever. Isaiah 25:8

Is the fear of death robbing your joy of life? It can. At the age of 37, Florence told her friends her life hung by a thread. So, she went to bed and stayed there for 53 years! She did die but at the age of ninety! Except for three years, Florence cowered before the giant of death. But during those 3 years, she made a name for herself, not as one who suffered but as a friend to those who did. Florence Nightingale lived as a slave of death.

What about you? Jesus Christ came to deliver us from the fear of dying. He has destroyed the power of death. 2 Timothy 2:10 says,: "But now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,"

For those who know Jesus Christ as their Savior, there is no need to fear death. 

What Does God Look Like?

  No one has ever seen God.... John 1:18

Mrs. Johnson, the Sunday School teacher, had given her class free time to create something of their own. She could not help but notice that 6-year-old Billy was very occupied with a picture he was drawing. She carefully looked over his shoulder and inquired what he was drawing.   Billy replied he was drawing a picture of God. Somewhat amused and yet not wanting to discourage him; she said, "But Billy no one knows what God looks like." Without looking up from his paper, replied, "They will when I am finished." 

No matter your age, we all have an idea of God. Maybe you don't have a mental picture of Him, but we all have a concept of God. Hollywood has come up with some interesting characters to depict God.  There's Morgan Freeman in Bruce Almighty.  There's George Burns in Oh God. Entertaining but not accurate. 

The theologian, Karl Barth, said that the true God is "wholly other" meanings far above all earthly deities and every concept that man can envision. 

one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.   Ephesians 4:6