DAILY STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL - JUNE 21ST, 2016

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE IF YOU BELIEVE

(Day 2 of the 5-day fasting /prayers)

Scripture Reading: Mark 9:23

As we enter the second day of our five-day mid-year fasting/prayer programme, we are reminded that there is no impossibility in the life of a person of faith. According to St. Augustine, “faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” As we embark on this fasting you need faith to grasp your salvation, healing, deliverance, breakthrough, revival, miracles, etc. During His earthly ministry, Jesus repeatedly pronounced this statement of faith. In Mark 9:14-23, they brought a demon possessed boy to Jesus to be healed. The father of the boy asked Jesus if Jesus can heal his son. Jesus rebuked the father and said in verse 23, “What do you mean, “if I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” There is no other Biblical interpretation to Jesus’ statement. It is what it is. If you believe, anything is possible to you. Anything means all things, whatever things, etc.

Brethren, almost everybody would agree that nothing is impossible with God. However, when faced with difficult situation, people tend to struggle in believing God for the answer. In Luke 1:38, Mary believed every word of God regarding the birth of Christ. She believed that nothing is impossible with God. She believed in her heart that the promise of God shall come to pass. In her situation, common sense dictates that it is impossible to have a virgin birth. It was beyond logic, beyond reason, beyond science and the mind would only say that it will never happen considering all the natural laws. But Mary believed God in her heart, and the Word of God came to pass. You might say that Mary’s situation was unique and only applies with Mary and no one else. How about the healing of the demon possessed boy? How about the healing of a woman with the issue of blood? How about the healing of the blind man? They received their healings because they believed, because of their faith. Jesus has declared that nothing is impossible with God to those who believe.

I have encountered some ‘believers who got offended by the word of God especially when their needs were not met. They accuse the preacher/writer of giving out too much hope, that the preacher/writer sounded it too easy. But the truth is that the word of God literally says that there is nothing impossible with God for those who believe. Is there any other way to explain this scripture that if you believe you will receive? If you are in the midst of an extremely impossible situation, don’t give up because the word of God does not lie. Countless peoples and nations have seen the manifestation of God’s power and His miracles. Jesus said, “Only believe.” Do not listen to those who bring bad news. Listen to the word of faith, impossible things happen to those who believe they can happen. The Bible is full of the accounts of real people who were able to rise from the ashes of defeat or from completely insignificant backgrounds to make a success out of their lives. Let us conclude with the words of Hebrews 11:32-33 “And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets — who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.”

Prayer points:

1. Thank God for today’s reflection.
2. Confess your sins of faithlessness and fear.
3. Father, empower me to walk and live by faith in the name of Jesus Christ.
4. I confess with faith that every word of God is true. Every dead situation in my life, live again in the name of Jesus
5. Tell God to increase your faith.

Exercise: Pray for the success of the Cross-over program at the Holy Family Catholic Church, 22, Road, FESTAC, Lagos, holding Thursday June 23-Saturday 26^th June, 2016

Memory Verse: Luke 17:5