Sometimes I do this thing where I quote a verse from the bible because it's a good one and can apply to situations in my life or another person's life, and I don't read the verse in context. Don't get me wrong, there are so many verses that are to the point and can stand on their own, but when you start to read the verse in context, it starts to become so much more amazing than it already was on its own.
For example, a lot of people like to use Luke 1:37 to write on their basketball shoes, quote it before a baseball game, etc. It is a powerful verse-"For nothing will be impossible with God." People love this verse because it's uplifting and encouraging, and can used in any situation. But when I was reading all of Luke 1 last night, I realized why that sentence was said. And it made me realize how truly awesome God is, and how this verse means so much more than God giving us through sporting events, school, work, and other small day-to-day things.
If you go back to Luke 1:5, that starts the story of the "Birth of John the Baptist Foretold". In verses 5-25, a priest named Zechariah is in the temple when an angel of the Lord appears to him and tells him that his wife, Elizabeth (who is old and barren), will have a son and they will name him John. Zechariah asked the angel how this was possible since he and his wife were both old, and Gabriel tells him he was sent by God to bring this good news. He also tells Zechariah he will be unable to speak until John is born because he didn't believe him.
Verse 26 starts the story of the "Birth of Jesus Foretold". In these verses, Gabriel (the same angel) appears to Mary and tells her she will have a son and will name him Jesus. He then goes on to tell her in verse 36, "And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. ---and here's the kicker--- For nothing will be impossible with God."
She was barren. She is now pregnant. NOTHING is impossible with God.
I mean, obviously, I know God can do anything. He's God. But I've never seen this verse in this light, in its context. And it just amazed me. Yeah, God can help us through whatever struggles we face throughout the day. But he can place a baby in the womb of an old, barren woman and a virgin.
NOTHING is impossible.
Maybe some of you reading this aren't like me. Y'all probably read verses in context and grasp how truly awesome it is. But if you haven't read this verse like this, or read Jeremiah 29:11 in its context, I encourage you to do so, and I encourage you to read every "uplifting verse" in its full glory, in the full story. That's what I'm going to strive to do as I continue reading through the gospel of Jesus. I don't wanna miss ANYTHING.
Saturday, I'll be helping with a one-day mission trip. And I'm so nervous my stomach hurts. But after reading this and REALLY getting it, I know I'll be fine. If God is with me, nothing is impossible.
For example, a lot of people like to use Luke 1:37 to write on their basketball shoes, quote it before a baseball game, etc. It is a powerful verse-"For nothing will be impossible with God." People love this verse because it's uplifting and encouraging, and can used in any situation. But when I was reading all of Luke 1 last night, I realized why that sentence was said. And it made me realize how truly awesome God is, and how this verse means so much more than God giving us through sporting events, school, work, and other small day-to-day things.
If you go back to Luke 1:5, that starts the story of the "Birth of John the Baptist Foretold". In verses 5-25, a priest named Zechariah is in the temple when an angel of the Lord appears to him and tells him that his wife, Elizabeth (who is old and barren), will have a son and they will name him John. Zechariah asked the angel how this was possible since he and his wife were both old, and Gabriel tells him he was sent by God to bring this good news. He also tells Zechariah he will be unable to speak until John is born because he didn't believe him.
Verse 26 starts the story of the "Birth of Jesus Foretold". In these verses, Gabriel (the same angel) appears to Mary and tells her she will have a son and will name him Jesus. He then goes on to tell her in verse 36, "And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. ---and here's the kicker--- For nothing will be impossible with God."
She was barren. She is now pregnant. NOTHING is impossible with God.
I mean, obviously, I know God can do anything. He's God. But I've never seen this verse in this light, in its context. And it just amazed me. Yeah, God can help us through whatever struggles we face throughout the day. But he can place a baby in the womb of an old, barren woman and a virgin.
NOTHING is impossible.
Maybe some of you reading this aren't like me. Y'all probably read verses in context and grasp how truly awesome it is. But if you haven't read this verse like this, or read Jeremiah 29:11 in its context, I encourage you to do so, and I encourage you to read every "uplifting verse" in its full glory, in the full story. That's what I'm going to strive to do as I continue reading through the gospel of Jesus. I don't wanna miss ANYTHING.
Saturday, I'll be helping with a one-day mission trip. And I'm so nervous my stomach hurts. But after reading this and REALLY getting it, I know I'll be fine. If God is with me, nothing is impossible.