Over much opposition from members of the community a man opened a large night club. One of the local churches came to the logical conclusion that the most important responsibility they had in the matter was to ask God to intervene and close the club. They called an all-night prayer meeting and asked God to honor their request.

During the prayer meeting, lightning struck the club and it burned to the ground. The club owner, learning of the church’s prayer meeting, became angry and sued the church. In the response to the law suit, the church denied all responsibility.

After hearing the case, the judge said, “Wherever the guilt may lie, the night club owner believes in prayer but the church, obviously, does not.”

What at first may appear to be humorous may be an indictment on our faith and trust in the power of God. In His teaching on prayer, Jesus said, to ask Him for “anything” and “everything” – two all-inclusive words that when taken literally and seriously, give us the right and responsibility to ask for “whatever” is within the will of God.

Could it be that we do not believe that God can and will answer our prayers? Do we really believe that God is listening and is willing and is able to respond if we truly believe?

Prayer: Dear Jesus, You clearly and convincingly said that “everything is possible with God” if only we believe! In Your name, please remove any and all of our doubts. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Mark 10:27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

One day a grief-stricken man prayed, “Dear Lord, I’m at the end of all my resources. I have nothing left.”

“My child,” answered the Lord, “when you come to the end of your resources, you are just at the beginning of mine.”

One of God’s great gifts is allowing us to come to the place of hopelessness and helplessness. When we realize that we have nothing left to cling to and no one else to depend on, we will realize how much we need the Lord. There are many times in our lives when we are convinced that we are brave or strong, energetic or invincible only to have the “rug pulled out from under us.” We are left feeling alone or abandoned, deserted or defeated.

It has been said that it is easier for someone to stand adversity with God than prosperity without Him. We learn in times of trouble and trials that “my grace is sufficient” or “Lo, I am with you always.” In times of plenty we may be forced to realize that “life does not consist in the abundance of things.”

Eventually, we as Christians may come to the place where we realize that all things are possible with and through Christ. But rarely do we realize this until we get to the other side of whatever may have brought us to the “end of our resources.” Thank God for “ends.”

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for those times in life when we grow in Your grace and stand in Your strength. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Mark 10:27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

His chin was resting on his chest and his hands gently folded in his lap. He sat quietly for several moments. Finally he said, “I’m at the end of my rope. I have no idea what to do next or where to go for help.”

“How wonderful,” replied his pastor with optimism in his voice. “Now you are ready for God to take control of your life!”

How blest we are when we finally come to the end of our resources and realize what we have in God!

Need courage? “Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and uphold you with my victorious right hand.”

Feel weak? “Now glory be to God! By His power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would dare to ask!”

Want guidance? “And we can be confident that He will listen to us whenever we ask Him for anything in line within His will!”

Lack success? “Yet if I live, that means fruitful service for the Lord.”

Lost confidence? “It is better to trust the Lord than to put confidence in people.”

Enduring trials? “God blesses the people who patiently endure testing.”

Seeking rewards? “If we are faithful to the end…we will share in all that belongs to Christ!”

Prayer: Lord, how good it is to know that Your resources far exceed any need we may ever have. Your goodness and grace are beyond measure and always available. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Mark 10:27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

Shortly after a new nightclub was opened near a church, the members decided to call an all night prayer meeting. While they were praying a powerful thunderstorm engulfed the city and lightning struck the club and burned it to the ground.

The owner became angry and decided to sue the church. At the hearing, however, the church denied any and all responsibility for the destruction of the club.

Confused, the judge exclaimed, “I’m not sure where the guilt may lie. On one hand the nightclub owner believes in prayer but the members of the church don’t.”

On one occasion when Jesus was teaching His followers and disciples about eternal life someone asked, “But who can be saved?” He replied, “Humanly speaking, it is something man cannot do. But with God, all things are possible.”

Prayer is asking and receiving. It is not hoping or wishing or wondering. It is receiving. Yet, it is not unusual for Christians to be amazed, even surprised, when God answers a prayer that exceeds their faith. How interesting.

Perhaps that’s why Jesus made that statement when talking about salvation. Consider this: if God can redeem us from our sinful state and grant us eternal life, can He not do anything we ask in His name and for His glory?

Prayer: Help us, Father, to have a faith that is bigger than our problems, stronger than the attacks of Satan and larger than any doubt that would ever defeat us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Mark 10:27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

One day Sister Teresa went to her superior and said, “I have three pennies and I am going to build an orphanage.”

“What?” exclaimed her superior in disbelief. “You can't build an orphanage with just three pennies.”

“Oh, I know,” she replied with a twinkle in her eye and a broad smile. “But with God and three pennies, I can do anything.”

Jesus had a similar discussion with his disciples. Jesus had been describing the difficulty people had of getting into heaven. When He finished His lesson, they said to Him in amazement, “Then who in the world can be saved?” Calmly He replied to them, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”

When we face a seemingly impossible situation, we often turn to those around us seeking their advice or help, thinking that they can provide the solution or answer. Soon we realize that they have the same limitations that we have – being human. Even the most brilliant person has a limit to his knowledge and the wealthiest person has a limit to their riches. Christians, however, have the resources of the Creator always available. Our all-powerful Creator has whatever treasures we need to accomplish whatever He wants us to do for Him.

Prayer: Father, may we never fail to do what You want us to do for lack of faith but to always believe that with You as our God, all things are possible. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Mark 10:27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

Over much opposition from members of the community, a man opened a large night club. One of the local churches came to the logical conclusion that the most important responsibility they had in the matter was to ask God to intervene and close the club. They called an all night prayer meeting and asked God to honor their request.

During the prayer meeting, lightning struck the club and it burned to the ground. The club owner, learning of the church's prayer meeting, became angry and sued the church. In the response to the law suit, the church denied all responsibility.

After hearing the case, the judge said, "Wherever the guilt may lie, the night club owner believes in prayer but the church, obviously, does not!"

What at first may appear to be humorous, may be an indictment on our faith and trust in the power of God. In His teaching on prayer, Jesus said to ask Him for "anything" and "everything" – two all-inclusive words that when taken literally and seriously, give us the right and responsibility to ask for anything that is within the will of God.

Could it be that we do not believe that God can and will answer our prayers? Do we really believe that God is listening and is willing and able to respond?

Prayer: Dear Jesus, You clearly and convincingly say that "everything is possible with God" if only we believe! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture: Mark 10:27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

One day a grief-stricken man prayed, "Dear Lord, I'm at the end of all my resources. I have nothing left."

"My child," answered the Lord, "when you come to the end of your resources, you are just at the beginning of mine."

One of God's great gifts is allowing us to come to the place of hopelessness and helplessness. When we realize that we have nothing left to cling to and no one available to depend upon, we can begin to realize how much we need the Lord. There are many times in our lives when we are convinced that we are brave or strong, energetic or invincible only to have the "rug pulled out from under us." We are left feeling alone or abandoned, deserted or defeated.

It has been said that it is easier for someone to stand adversity with God than prosperity without Him. We learn in times of trouble and trials that "my grace is sufficient" or "Lo, I am with you always." In times of plenty, we may be fortunate enough to realize that "life does not consist in the abundance of things."

Eventually, we as Christians may come to the place where we realize that all things are possible with and through Christ. But rarely do we realize this until we get to the other side of whatever may have brought us to the "end of our resources." Thank God for "ends."

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for those times in life when we grow in Your grace and stand in Your strength. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture: Mark 10:27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

A tourist noticed a man sitting by the ruins of a home that had been blown away by the winds of a tornado. Puzzled he asked, “Was this your home?”

“Yep,” he said.

“Any of your family blown away with it?” the tourist continued.

“Yep. My wife and kids,” came the reply.

“My goodness, why aren’t you out looking for them?” the stranger wondered.

“Well, the wind is due to change in a moment,” he said, “so I might as well wait right here until it brings them back.”

For some, it is easier to wait than to work. It is more convenient to pause than to pursue. It is easier to ponder than to push.

God will not do for us what we can do for ourselves. He will never give His best if we sit and wait when He has given us skills and talents to use to His glory. We must work as though everything depended on us and pray as though everything depended on Him.

Prayer: We pray, Father, that we will take the initiative to use the skills that You have given us to solve our problems, enrich our lives and make Your world a better place: in Your Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Mark 10:27