The movie The Blind Side tells the true story of Michael Oher, a homeless, quiet teen from a broken home. He flourished into an All-American college football player and first-round National Football League draft pick with the help of a compassionate woman and her family.
The movie included two quick shots of what appears to be an arch entering the private Christian school that Oher attended. Inscribed over the arch were the following words, “With men this is possible, but with God all things are possible.” The phrase over the arch is clearly based on Jesus’ words in Matthew 19:26, but it’s not entirely accurate. Here’s what Jesus actually said: “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”
It’s anybody’s guess as to why the words were changed, but I would like to believe it was a deliberate attempt to acknowledge that while man is able to do some great things, only God can do the impossible.
There are certain things that look absolutely impossible that only God can accomplish. That was Jesus’ point (Luke 18:27). Remember, He was referring to the rich young ruler who was unwilling to sell his possessions and give up his identity as a man of great wealth in order to follow Him (Luke 18:22). On the surface it seemed like an impossible sacrifice, like a camel walking through the eye of a needle (Luke 18:25). But with God all things are possible.
All of us are in the same situation as the rich young ruler was. While our issues may be different, we all have things we cling to that, with God’s help, we can lay down in order to follow Jesus and become all He intends for us to be. It can be costly to follow Jesus, but it’s so worth the cost! (Luke 18:29-30).
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Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).
Next:
What is God asking you to lay down that seems impossible to surrender? How does Jesus’ example inspire you?
pampauley65 on January 8, 2011 at 8:33 am
This is excellent. I found this site through “Our Daily Bread” and read it everyday. Today it hit me right between the eyes and reconfirmed what I had been praying about just minutes earlier. Isn’t it funny how God works?
eppistle on January 8, 2011 at 9:24 am
Dead in our sins we would never choose God’s way. But a merciful God through His grace makes us alive with Christ so that we can do the works God prepared for us in advance to do.
eppistle on January 8, 2011 at 11:40 am
Ephesians 2:1-10
opeyemi on January 8, 2011 at 11:33 am
while i was praying today, God ministered somethings to me. I felt it was impossible, but reading this I’m reassured that all things are possible with God
sonalim on January 8, 2011 at 7:19 pm
It is funny how God has used a single passage to confirm the thoughts and prayers of many…and I am yet another!
Just yesterday we as a family were talking about some decisions we have to make and if this would be the will of God and today seems like conformation! God can do the impossible and is in absolute control of everything and like psalm 121 say ” He will not let our foot slip”
Mr_Firstman on January 8, 2011 at 9:16 pm
To God be the Glory! Let us praise Him for doing all these miracles!..
I am already on the 3rd day of my 7-day of prayer and fasting. However, last night, i cried out to the Lord twice. my first cry, i said:” Lord, i am not hungry but my physical body wants to eat something”.. i closed the door of my room and had few minutes of silence. then I felt that he told me that i should have a strong control over the desires of my body. and i was also thinking of people who i would let down if they knew that i ate something on the second day.
so, i went downstairs and watched a television program. but then after an hour, i cried out again to the Lord. i said:”Lord, i really couldn’t. please help me out.” and then i went upstairs to get money. my spirit was crying i could feel and it transcended to my face. i asked God one more time i said ” if You really don’t want me to eat, pls. make a way. Let the food store i am going be closed.” so i went out to buy something to eat. from a far i saw the food store open and then a verse from the bible popped into my head “the spirit is willing but the body is weak”. when i got from the food store i had this in mind ” if your son is asking you for something twice crying wouldn’t you give what he’s asking?” i believe it was God talking to me because i had a sad face all through out.i felt that it was His way of relieving me
when i came back home, i put the food down and prayed. i said ” i eat this food to remember the death and resurrection of Christ. i will maintain my heart in prayer and fasting mode.” i turned on the T.V and i heard the term “second chance” i stopped eating for a while because i felt it was God telling me that He’s giving me a second chance. before i went to bed, an impure thought (sexual impurity) came into my mind and then all of a sudden my eyes closed and then slept and woke up the next morning.
in the morning, i opened my eyes with A SOFT VOICE WHISPERING saying ” that’s why i didn’t want you eat because when you have physical strength, you may fall into a sinful behavior”.