my sermon notes, please forgive mistakes and/or omissions!

Speaker: Major Amy Kelly

Scripture:  James 1:2-12

"Did I Hear You Say Impossible?"

When they were in VA/DC area as DYS's they ran Camp Happyland. She was lucky enough to get to be in charge of the more difficult kids. A 7 year old named Moriah was in her charge and one afternoon while rocking on the porch, she asked Moriah, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Moriah replied, "Nothing." 

Emptiness... unfulfilled dreams... lack of hope.

Nothing can turn into SOMETHING with God!  NOTHING is impossible with GOD!! We have a Bible full of examples of God's might power, miracle after miracle is performs in seemingly impossible situations.

God hasn't lost track of you. You are not alone. Don't lose hope. Don't give up.

God is with us - He wants to be with us. Don't accept the fact that something is impossible. Believe and know that all things ARE possible with God.

James writes consider it JOY when we experience trials. Trials and suffering test our faith.  They produce patience.  We are being refined and purified through the process of these unpleasant circumstances.

Never interpret your situation as God's punishment - He is with us in the midst of our struggles and will be with us to see it through to the end!

Situations will happen in our lives to challenge our faith, testing our faith (v3). This testing of our faith is purging and refining us into mature Christians. It is essential for us to be complete. God is taking us to a place where we need to be. He is in control, He is allowing us to be refined.

* at this point we watched the video clip from "Facing the Giants" you can see it here:
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ec1ea7707220b1260bee

What if we lived like we really believed that nothing is impossible with God? What would our lives be like? What kind of witness would that be to those who are watching us?

HE CAN DO ANYTHING. He makes nothing in to something. He makes the impossible possible. You have to believe.

**my commentary: All through this message a song kept playing over and over in my head. It is a wonderful worship chorus:

Ah Lord God, Thou hast made the heavens
And the earth by Thy great power
Ah Lord God, Thou hast made the heavens
And the earth by Thine outstretched arm.
 

Nothing is too difficult for Thee
Nothing is too difficult for Thee
Great and mighty God
Great in counsel and mighty in deed

Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing
Nothing is too difficult for Thee

Words and Music by Kay Chance
© 1976