Possible or Impossible

Almost daily, I get job offers from companies I've never heard of—and probably you do too. They say they liked my resume, which was obviously never posted for them to see. My starting salary would be generous—just for making a few phone calls from home. All I had to do was send my Social Security number and bank account information. Today, I received a text stating that I had won $5 million. All I had to do was send my bank account number and postage. Of course, they would steal my identity. These are outrageous scams, and it is impossible for them to turn out well. Sadly, many people fall for them and lose their life savings.

Only with the Lord are miracles possible. Often, we think things are impossible, but the Lord provides opportunities for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. He doesn't need our bank accounts or social security numbers; He only desires our love, obedience, faith, and trust. He wants us to know Him personally and follow His instructions. The First Commandment is: 

"Love the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” - Mark 12:30 NIV

When we know and love Him, we can trust His guidance. When we are obedient, God will use us to bless others—whether through an encouraging phone call or text that lifts someone's spirit, helping strangers, or leading others to the Lord. Before our salvation, you and I lived a life of sin and emptiness. Then we met Jesus, and He became our Lord and Savior. We don't need money or material possessions to fill our emptiness; He fills that void. It is God's grace that He sent Jesus to die for our sins. When we believe, we become heirs to His kingdom and joint heirs with Him. As humans, we often struggle to understand a love that is so deeply given to us, but it’s not impossible.

Yet, His love doesn’t end there. The King of the Universe desires a relationship with us, despite our flawed humanity. To help us along the way, He sent the Holy Spirit to reside in us. Yes, we continue to sin, but we have become righteous in His sight, and when we repent and move forward, He forgives us. He wants to be with us even in our ugliness of sin.

"The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you but will rejoice over you with singing.” – Zephaniah 3:17 NIV

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to do the same things Jesus did. We can forgive when it seems impossible, and we can love even those who are unloving. As believers, we receive spiritual gifts from Him to serve and minister to others. As He tells us: 

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father." - John 14:12 NASB

Through the Holy Spirit, we receive these gifts to use when directed by God. Some people believe that certain spiritual gifts are no longer relevant today, a concept known as cessationism. I challenge that reasoning. Why would all gifts be given to us, only to be taken away? It's impossible for the Lord to bless us and then take the blessings away.

Jesus healed the sick, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Lord can heal others through us. Once, I saw a man healed at our church. He had a very visible, cancerous brain tumor the size of a golf ball on the frontal lobe of his brain, and he had only weeks to live. The pastor called for people to come forward and pray for his healing. Weekly, we watched the tumor shrink, and the doctor declared him healed and cancer-free. The pastor obeyed God's voice and stepped out in faith. The Holy Spirit gets the glory, not anyone else. These divine interventions are not impossible, but possibilities only God can do. As Jesus tells us: 

"For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." - Matthew 10:20

One of my strongest gifts from the Holy Spirit is discernment. While on staff at a church, two people were hired for top positions. When I met them, I had a "check in my Spirit" that something was wrong and we shouldn't have hired them. As it turned out, both individuals lied and revealed their true nature, and they were subsequently fired. It was similar to the story in Acts 5:1-11, where Ananias and Sapphira lied to Peter, and God exposed their deception. Yes, it can be a little scary to do what God calls us to do, but when we obey His voice, He uses us for His glory. In the words of Paul: 

"For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” - Philippians 4:13

These incredible spiritual gifts must not be misused. Without care, the gift of exhortation can become people-pleasing; serving can lead to burnout; leadership can turn into pride; giving can become controlling; teaching can become manipulative; and administration can turn into control. Jesus used every gift in His ministry, never letting it become about Him. Why? Because His goal was always to glorify God. 

When the Holy Spirit works through our spiritual gifts, we also receive blessings. We must be ready to be used by God and have the courage to step out. Be aware of the Holy Spirit, and if it seems impossible, remember that if the Lord has called you, it is possible. This is not only through His gifts but also through prayer, obedience, and listening.

I encourage you to discover your strongest spiritual gift, but also know that God will use other gifts in you. Remember, the world presents impossibilities, but the Lord works within the realm of possibilities.

Let's pray

Lord, I trust You to use me through the Holy Spirit and my giftings. Help me step out in obedience when You call, even when I feel it is impossible. Remind me that You make all things possible. I know it is a blessing to be used by You to minister to others, but even more, it is a blessing to see You working through us. Thank You for every opportunity to witness Your work in our lives. I praise You for Your goodness.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.