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“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26

How many times have you said to yourself, “Well that will never happen!”

Oftentimes, it is easy to get discouraged in this life, to shelve our hopes and dreams and to keep our focus on what is instead of on what could be or what is promised to us in the Word.

I’ve been rereading the book of Genesis again this winter and have been struck once more with how God worked in the lives of Abraham and Sarah. In Genesis 18, the LORD told Abraham that in a year from that moment, he and Sarah would have a son.

“I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son,” he said (v. 10).

Now, children are great and all, but beyond the pink and the blue what was so meaningful to Abraham and Sarah about this promise of things to come? It was significant because to the human eye it seemed impossible. Yes, God had made a covenant with Abraham (Gen. 17:1-2) and told him he would have many descendants. But Abraham was now 99 years old, and Sarah was 90 and barren. That’s the end of life for most of us in today’s space-time continuum and way past the typical childbearing years. But in God’s economy, it was the perfect time for him to deliver upon the promise he had made. 

While Abraham was hearing this word and the exact timing of when God said it would come to pass, Sarah was also listening.

“So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, ‘After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?’” (v. 12).

I’m sure many of us have taken upon this “laughing attitude” as well in our own lives when considering what seems to be impossible in our current life circumstances. You’re probably thinking about whatever that is right now—a child, a soul mate, a dream job, a cure for your illness, no more debt . . . whatever.

You’ve also probably shed some tears over what seems impossible to you right now and you’ve moved on to laughter—or rather unbelief—like Sarah. Really, God ... how could this ever happen in my life at this point? It’s too unbelievable.

But the LORD heard her and 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?” (v. 13-14).

Ask yourself that same question. Is it? Is anything too hard for the Lord? What have you given up on in your own life? What are you “laughing” about today that signifies your unbelief?

In chapter 21, we see how God’s promise came to pass. He was “gracious to Sarah, as he had said,” and she bore a son to Abraham “at the very time God had promised him.” His name was Isaac, he was a miracle and he was—and is—a constant reminder of God’s faithfulness even when we laugh and don’t believe.

I believe stories like Abraham and Sarah’s are included in God’s Word so that we will better understand the nature of God. It’s about him and not us. It’s about what he has done, is doing and will do. It’s about the joy that only he can bring. It’s about trusting him along the journey and believing in the One who created all things, knows all things and can do all things—even the impossible.

Intersecting Faith & Life: 

What circumstances in your life require a mountain-sized miracle today? Thank God today for the ultimate miracle of making the impossible possible—that he saves us through HIS indescribable work and by HIS amazing grace.

Further Reading:

1 Kings 17:7-16

Job 38:4-38

Rev. 4:11

**To listen to the audio/podcast version of this Crosswalk Devotional, please click here.

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“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

John 14:1-3

This month marks twenty years since my dad went to be with the Lord.

I’ve been thinking about him a lot lately and wondering what life would have been like these past two decades had he still been living on earth. When he left here for “home,” I was just starting out in my career and I was still very much like who I am today: friendly, talkative, head-strong, independent, truth-seeking and bluntly honest.

I wonder if he would be proud of who I have become and the choices I have made in my life. I hope so. Our fathers play such important roles in our lives, whether we’re sons or daughters. They set the example, they can either buoy or crush our spirits, and they either undergird our lives with love, instruction and understanding or are distant and uninvolved.

Thankfully, I had a father who always let me know I was the apple of his eye. We had our own inside jokes, enjoyed talking about life together and always found unconditional support and love with one another. My dad was interested in me and was amused by me and my quirky antics. I will always cherish knowing that I was valued and adored in our earthly father-daughter relationship.

Because of that, it’s still hard for me to see a father and a young daughter together today, walking hand in hand or sharing a laugh or a special moment with each other. There are also certain movies I cannot watch because of the sweet father-daughter relationships depicted therein. It just hits too close to home.

But since I’ve loved and lost, I can definitely identify with anyone else who grieves someone precious and dear. That’s one blessing the Lord has given me over the years when I’ve been sad and have seen that I can still reach out to others through my tears. It’s a reminder to me that we were made not only to seek relationship with the Father but with others here on earth.

If you are missing someone, I hope you will consider Jesus’ words to his disciples found in John 14:1-3. He wanted to remind his closest, dearest friends that life on earth was not “it” in terms of the grand scheme of things, and that he was preparing something much more glorious and special for his own. He wanted them not to be troubled because of his separation from them.

After he was gone, he wanted them to continue living rich, full lives by telling others about him and spreading the word that one day we will be reunited with him in our heavenly home (Matt. 28:16-20). I can imagine my earthly father reminding me of this very same thing if he could come back and give me a message today.

No matter our circumstances, you and I are still here for a purpose. And our Heavenly Father wants us to continue making the most of our lives while living for him “meanwhile, back on earth” (2 Peter 3:11-12).

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Is your heart troubled? Are you mired in the throes of grief today? Set your thoughts on what awaits you in the life to come and ponder how God still wants to work in and through your life until you have reached your heavenly home.

Further Reading:

Luke 11:9-13

2 Peter 3:13

**To listen to the audio/podcast version of this Crosswalk Devotional, please click here.

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. . . He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Phil. 1:6, NIV

If you want to put up your Christmas tree one more time again this year, raise your hand.

I didn’t think so. And I didn’t want to put up my trusty, artificial Christmas tree again this year either, but I had to. You see, when I put up my first tree right after Thanksgiving, I knew that the rigging I had done to make sure the top half of the tree stayed in place was on its last leg and that I would need to break down and purchase a new tree next year.

But then something funny happened on the way to December 25. A couple of days later, the top half just fell off. As in, completely toppled over and onto my living room floor. For a second, I thought about just abandoning having a Christmas tree at all this year. I was frustrated and had already put in so much effort. Why go through this whole rigamarole again in the very same week?

But something in me wouldn’t give up. I WILL have a Christmas tree, I thought. And I’ll find a way and the time to get a replacement tree bought and decorated this week!

So I regrouped, purchased another tree and started all over again. Now, what I don’t enjoy about putting up my tree is the unfurling of all of the branches that have been smashed up in the tree’s box. And then even more unenjoyable than that is when I have to wrap the lights around the tree. The fake needles and branches scratch up my hands as I’m pushing lights into all of the nooks and crannies. It stings my skin, but I do it so that there’s a beautiful glowy backdrop for all of my ornaments.

Once I get past all of that, then I actually do enjoy putting up my Christmas tree. First, I put the tree skirt in its place. Next, I lace around the sparkly garland. And then, since I have multiples of many ornaments (glass icicles, dangling bells, painted balls, etc.), I strategically place them first so that not all of one type of ornament is having its own holiday gathering on one branch of the tree. After I’ve done all of that, then I can place the one-of-a-kind ornaments here and there, pop the tree topper on the tree top and Christmas is good to go.

So then, there was great rejoicing when the Christmas tree was completed (and no, that’s not a Bible verse). I just love looking at this beautiful creation. And to see it sparkle and glow . . . well, it makes for something glorious in my home.

Perhaps that’s how the Father feels when he looks at us, his divine creations. How many times has he had to pick us back up when we’ve toppled over our lives? Or unwind the tangled mess we’ve made because of our disobedience to him? Somehow, in his great love, he never gives up on us. Because Jesus made a way for us to come to the Father, God is faithful and continually works to make us radiant and pleasing to him.

I’m thankful God doesn’t tire of putting me back together each and every day of the year. In fact, if I know him, and I do, I think even if it took putting up a gazillion Christmas trees that he will never tire of working in our lives so that we might glorify him.

Intersecting Faith & Life: 

How has the Father shown you his kindness, his patience and the ways that he is long-suffering toward you this year? Thank him for the gift of his Son this Christmas and that because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed (Lam. 3:22).

Further Reading:

John 1:3-4, NIV

Rom. 2:4, MSG

Heb. 13:21, NIV
 

**To listen to the audio/podcast version of this Crossswalk Devotional, click here.

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Hear the snow crunch
See the kids bunch
This is Santa’s big scene
And above all this bustle
You’ll hear
Silver bells, silver bells
It’s Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing
Soon it will be Christmas Day

“Silver Bells”
Songwriters: Jay Livingston & Ray Evans

The beginning of December can certainly feel like “Santa’s big scene,” can it not? Especially as the real meaning of Christmas continues to be watered down like a fast-melting icicle.

When I focus on the hustle and bustle, the holiday concerts and the parties, the “what gift should I get for whom?” and so forth, I am quickly put into a “ho ho hum” state of mind. It can easily become the season of “how can I get through this?” instead of the season of “Emmanuel, God with us!”

But when I draw closer to Christ, then the meaning of Christmas become like an oasis of calm to me even though the snow may crunch or the kids may bunch. As the saying goes, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” And whether that sounds tired or gimmicky to you or not, I fully embrace it. Because it’s true!

The verse 1 John 4:19 so aptly reminds us that “we love because he first loved us.” And that’s it in a nutshell when it comes to Christmas, isn’t it? It’s a season about God’s love for his people. The incarnation of his son, Jesus Christ. When Light came to the world and gave us a way out of darkness.

Recently a wonderful reminder of what Christmas is all about came to me in the form of a gift catalog from Samaritan’s Purse. When I opened up my mail box and saw it, I wondered what types of gifts this international Christian relief and evangelism organization would be promoting to me. I had participated in their Operation Christmas Child shoe-box program before at my church, but had never seen a gift catalog. Perhaps there would be some really cool bracelets made by ladies in an African village or some woven ponchos from somewhere in South America. I was excited to flip through and see what I wanted to get.

But what I quickly learned was that the gift catalog was not for me. Not really. It was for others. As in, here were gifts that I could purchase to help other people all over the world at Christmastime and beyond.

For example, a gift of $45 will help save the lives of mothers and babies by training Christian birth attendants and providing them with equipment and medicine to provide crucial prenatal care. I flipped through some more pages and saw that $20 will give Gospel booklets to 40 children in their own languages with colorful pictures and a clear presentation of the story of our Savior. Near the middle of the catalog I found out that $150 will help build a church for suffering believers. The church pictured was one that had been built in Sudan to replace those destroyed during the civil war. And then I also discovered that for those who travel to preach the Gospel in the remotest of areas, a gift of $35 will provide audio/visual equipment, a month of Bible instruction or other resources to help reach people for Christ.

Well after taking in all of the many gifts that were available to be given, I set down the catalog. My heart was moved. And I couldn’t help but cry a little. This is what the season is all about.

And I tell you about this catalog today not because I’m being paid, nor did anyone from this organization ask me to do so. This is just an experience that helped to remind me that Christmas is not “Santa’s big scene.” And giving a gift through an organization like Samaritan’s Purse is just one way of giving to others because of a Savior who was given to us.

I pray that we will all be inspired, in whatever way God leads, to share the real meaning of Christmas today and in the days of Advent that are still ahead.  

Intersecting Faith & Life:

If you’re feeling “ho ho hum” today, why not take some of the funds you’ve earmarked for Christmas presents and give a gift to help others in honor of your friend or loved one? Imagine their faces when they see that a gift has been given to someone else in need in their honor!

Further Reading:

John 1:14

2 Cor. 9:15

“Emmanuel God with Us”
Songwriters: Amy Grant, Chris Eaton and Robert Hall
 

**To listen to the audio/podcast version of this Crosswalk Devotional, click here.