Nothing is Impossible with God
One summer, when I was nineteen, I went as a youth leader to our church’s youth camp. It was an incredible time. Several church youth groups came together, and we witnessed God move among youth and adults in such an extraordinary way. Lives were changed, and God spoke so profoundly.
I remember one day in particular we had a youth pastor/youth leader meeting in our hotel’s conference room led by our camp’s special speaker, a minister and evangelist from Oklahoma, Pastor Alan. Pastor Alan had a gift for preaching, but he also had the gift of prophecy and word of knowledge.
During the meeting, he spoke to different people in the group as the Lord led, sharing with them things God was placing on his heart. He spoke to one young couple in particular who was there with our church. Pastor Alan did not know this couple, their history, personal life, etc, but the Lord revealed to him that they were worried about not being able to conceive and have children. The Lord also revealed to him that the couple WOULD indeed be able to have children of their own.
It was very clear as he spoke, the word and prophecy resonated with the couple. Little did anyone know, the wife had a medical condition that would most likely prevent them from ever having children. God used Pastor Alan to reassure them and to tell them of the miracle God would perform. And how did it turn out? Well, they did indeed have children of their own—several in fact!
Why do I share this? I share this because nothing is impossible with God. God STILL moves and speaks and performs miracles. God is able to use one believer to speak into the life of another believer, giving them hope and encouragement…and even telling them ahead of time what He will do and what miracles He will perform.
Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22, “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.” And in 1 Corinthians 14:1,3: “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy…But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.” Later in that chapter, Paul encourages, “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.”
This is not a “plug” for prophecy per se, but it does lead me to these questions: Are we willing to let God move and speak in ways that are biblical but may be outside of the box we’ve put Him in? Will we “allow” God to use prophecy, tongues, and ALL the gifts of the Spirit freely in our congregation…or just the ones we are comfortable with?
Today, let’s be strong and take courage! Let’s “allow” God to move! Let’s “allow” God to amaze us! Let’s “allow” the God of exceedingly, abundantly, more than we can ask or think, to transform us by the power and the strength of His Holy Spirit and let’s ask Him to move freely among us in whatever way HE chooses.
Katie Botello
FBC Aztec Member