“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17 NIV)

Everything around us seems to be continuously changing! But, God remains the same! Always! And His Words never change!

Look at what the Bible says about God’s steadfastness.

“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? Behold, I received a command to bless: he has blessed, and I cannot revoke it.” (Num. 23:19-20 ESV)

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8 NLT)

“The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.” (Psalms33:11 ESV)

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isa. 41:10 NIV)

Every day of the year!

God has said 365 times in the Bible “do not fear!” One for each day of the year! So, do you think He might want you to take it seriously? Yes He does! He is your God! He will strengthen you! He will help you! He will uphold you with His righteous right hand!

“With God all things are possible!” (Matt.19:26 NASB)

Over the years, I have heard people quote this verse exactly this way, out of context, therefore, I put it exactly that way on purpose to make a point. And that point is to say it is dangerous to quote only half or part of Bible verses because in doing so you could say or imply something that was not meant in its complete and proper context.

The statement, “With God all things are possible” is not factual!

There are some things that God is incapable of doing, such as lying or denying Himself (Hebrews 6:18; 2 Timothy 2:13; Titus 1:2). That’s why it’s always important to consider the context of scripture verses to understand what is actually being said.

A good principle to remember, “text out of context is pretext”

So, let’s look at this verse again with some earlier text and background added to it. Jesus had just finished talking to the rich young ruler who had just gone away sadly after Jesus had told him, “sell all you have, give it to the poor, and follow me.”

Jesus used the incident to teach his disciples. “And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” (Matt: 19:23-26 KJV)

So, it is best to remember that the context of this statement “but with God all things are possible” is in reference to salvation. God made a way when the way was impossible for us.

God does what is impossible for man

God’s omnipotence or power is unlimited (Job 11:7-11, 37:23; Revelation 4:8). That is, God can take the things that are impossible to man, and make them possible because His power is unlimited, while ours is limited. The context of Jesus’ statement in Matthew 19:26 is a perfect example of His unlimited power because, while it is possible for man to be saved, it is impossible for man to save himself by his own merits or for the law to grant eternal life. The grace offered only by Jesus Christ is necessary.

God may not “do all things” but He can and does do “impossible things”

Scripture is full of verses that portray God making the impossible possible. When Abraham and Sarah were awaiting the promise of a son, even after they were well past child bearing years, God told them, “Is anything too difficult for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14) In the book of Numbers when the Israelites were complaining to Moses about food, the Lord told Moses that he was going to feed over half a million people for an entire month.

Moses was skeptical, but God said, “Is the Lord’s power limited? Now you shall see whether My word will come true for you or not.” (Numbers 11:23 NASB)

In the book of Job, after forty-two chapters of trials, Job was able to answer God and say, “I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2 ESV)

The prophet Isaiah wrote, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear.” (Isaiah 59:1 NASB)

Jeremiah said, “Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You.” (Jeremiah 32:17 NASB)

Finally, in foretelling the birth of Jesus, the angel Gabriel told Mary, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37 NASB) And that statement, too, is understood best in its proper subject-matter context!

“Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy.” (Phil 1:3-4 NLT)

Have you ever had someone just pop into your thoughts? I have, many times, and I use it as a prompt from the Holy Spirit to say a prayer for them. This is what this verse is saying. “Every time I think of you …. I pray … I give thanks … I make requests for you …. with joy. Notice that there are five parts to this verse and it ends with joy! Think, pray, thank, request, and joy. It’s actually a great example to follow.

A type of ministry

This can be a very powerful and helpful ministry for any perceptive believer who puts this process of “remembering and praying” for others into practice! The Bible says, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16b NIV)

“Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:24 NKJV)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Rom. 15:13 NIV)

When I think of this verse I imagine a big rain barrel sitting under a waterspout receiving a steady stream of water causing it to overflow the brim and running over.

In the same way

Fill your mind with a steady stream of the Word of God until it simply overflows. The Bible says, “for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45b) Sounds like overflow to me!

“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Prov. 18:24 NKJV)

This is a simple biblical principle that works wonderfully! If you want to “have” friends you have to “show yourself” friendly. It’s an example of “reaping what you sow.” – Friendliness produces friendliness!

She was lonely, depressed and suicidal

Here is an old story about psychiatrist Dr. Milton Erickson, and his advice given to a reclusive woman who was lonely, depressed and suicidal, and what happened to her after taking his great advice.

The ailing 52-year-old spinster lived in a rambling Victorian house with the heavy draperies drawn and dust gathering on faded upholstered furniture. Now wheelchair bound due to illness, the woman rarely went to church, an activity which had been her only social and spiritual sustenance for many years. She’d become isolated and depressed, even suicidal.

The woman’s nephew was a client of Erickson’s, and knowing the doctor would soon be traveling to Milwaukee for a speaking engagement, asked him if he’d be willing to call on his beloved aunt who lived there. Dr. Erickson agreed.

When Erickson arrived, the aunt invited him in and showed him around her gloomy house, it appeared as if nothing had been changed for many years. The furniture and household decorations showed a faded glory, smelling of must. Erickson was struck by the fact that all the curtains were kept closed, making the house a depressing place to be in.

The aunt saved the very best for last, however, and finally ushered Erickson into her greenhouse nursery. This was her pride and joy; she had a green thumb and spent many happy hours working with the plants. She proudly showed him her latest project—taking cuttings from her African violets and starting new plants.

“Not a very good Christian”

Erickson told her that he thought depression was not really the problem. It was clear to him that her problem was that she was not being a very good Christian. She was taken aback by this and began to bristle, until he explained. “Here you are with all this money, time on your hands, and a green thumb. And it’s all going to waste! What I recommend is that you get a copy of your church membership list and then look in the latest church bulletin. You’ll find announcements of births, illnesses, graduations, engagements, and marriages in there—all the happy and sad events in the life of people in the congregation. Make a number of African violet cuttings and get them well established. Then repot them in gift pots and have your handyman drive you to the homes of people who are affected by these happy or sad events. Bring them a plant and your congratulations or condolences and comfort, whichever is appropriate to the situation.” Hearing this, the woman agreed that perhaps she had fallen down in her Christian duty and agreed to do more.

African Violet Queen

Twenty years later, in the Milwaukee Journal, a feature article appeared with a large headline that read “African Violet Queen of Milwaukee Dies, Mourned by Thousands.” The article detailed the life of this incredibly caring woman who had become famous for her trademark flowers and her charitable work with people in the community for many years preceding her death. Her last years were filled with many wonderful friends, a loving purpose, and much happiness! All because she had learned to reach out to others in need, and“show herself to be friendly” to them.

Closer than a brother

The last part of our promise verse (at the top) says, “and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.” And, that friend, of course is Jesus! Here is what He said about helping others: “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” (Luke 3:10-11 ESV)

Golden

And, the “golden rule” says the same thing: “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.” (Matt. 7:12 NLT)

The Law of Reciprocity

And finally, even though you must always give unselfishly without expecting anything in return when you do so, something very wonderful will begin to happen just the same. Social psychologists call it The Law of Reciprocity – and it basically says that when someone does something nice for you, you will have a deep-rooted psychological urge to do something nice in return. As a matter of fact, you may even reciprocate with a gesture far more generous than their original good deed. Obviously, that happened to the African Violet Queen in the story above. She got back more than she gave!

“Now the Berean Jews were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” (Acts 17:11)

When the apostle Paul spoke to the people of Berea they did two important things, first, they were very willing to receive God’s message, and second, they carefully examined the scriptures to make sure what Paul said was true!

They were “more noble-minded”

The passage said they were more noble-minded because they did this!

The word “noble” means righteous, virtuous, good, honorable, upright, decent, worthy, moral, ethical, and reputable.

And it had a positive affect!

According to the following verse, many became believers! “As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.” (Acts 17:12 NLT)

Want to be noble-minded?

Then receive God’s message willingly and then check the scriptures to make sure what is being said is true! It will change your life!

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. (Prov. 21:5 NASB)

Hard work with attention to detail pays off with success and positive benefits but laziness and shortcuts cause failure and poverty.

“Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.”

Diligence defined

The dictionary defines diligence as careful and persistent work or effort, application, concentration, care, industriousness, rigor, meticulousness, and thoroughness.

Benjamin Franklin stated it this way, “Haste makes waste.”

God rewards diligence

“… he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Heb. 11:6b NKJV)

“Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble.” (2 Peter 2:10 NASB)

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Heb. 4:16 NIV)

There was a king who was very powerful and severe!

No one dared approach him without first having acquired the proper prearranged permission to do so. Even so, if the king didn’t like the person who came before him for any reason at all, the person could be severely punished, imprisoned or even put to death. People in his kingdom were rightly terrified of him.

This King had a dearly beloved son who he greatly cherished!

One day the king’s son, who was with his mother in a different part of the castle, slipped away from her and began looking for his father. He soon heard his father’s voice and burst into the large room where the king was holding court. The child saw his father and cried aloud, “Daddy!” And he ran across the room, jumped onto the Kings lap, and threw his arms around him. The King, looked down at the child and gave him a big smile. He embraced his son and gave him his complete love and attention.

In the same way, today’s Bible promise tells us, we can “approach God’s throne of grace boldly, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Another verse says it all his way, “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” (Eph. 3:12 NIV)

We can do this without fear because He is our Heavenly Father and we can approach Him as such! And, He is always glad to hear from us!

“You have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” (Rom. 8:15 NASB)