"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Corinthians 2:9).
The Apostle Paul gives us a Scripture to encourage us to think possibility in 2011. The word, "possibility" is a noun. My dictionary, The American Heritage College dic - tion - ar -y, gives this definition for the word "possibility": The fact or state of being possible. Something that is possible. Potentiality for favorable or interesting results.
In this Scripture, Paul offers us hope for the present as well as the future. So often I hear people saying, "I could not believe that." What that statement points out is that we must guard what we say, and think of better ways to express in words our faith that something can happen.How would you change that negative statement?
The mother of Jesus believed that her Son, Jesus could somehow take care of a problem at a wedding feast when they ran out of wine. Although it appears that Jesus pushed the problem away by His statement to His mother, "Woman, what have I to do with you? Mine hour has not come" (KJV). Eugene H. Peterson in his paraphrase of this verse renders our Lord's response, "Jesus said, 'Is that any of our business, Mother—yours or mine? This isn't my time. Don't push me.'"
Jesus was keenly aware of His purpose and His mission on the earth, and that factor seems to dominate His thinking--not the need for wine.
Meanwhile, Mary, still concerned about the lack of wine at the wedding feast, said to the servants standing by,"Whatsoever He says to you, do it." Apparently, she knew that Jesus would offer a solution to a social problem. She had no idea what He would offer, but she trusted Him to change the situation that would have been an embarrassment for the bridegroom, his family, and friends, notwithstanding the bride, her family, and friends.
Here is the first recorded miracle of Jesus. He instructed the servants to fill the waterpots with water, and bring to the governor of the feast.
The governor knew that men will usually present the best wine first, then, after men have drunk freely, they will tend to serve a less desirable wine. He declared that they had reserved the good or best wine for the end when he tasted of the water that was made wine by Jesus.
As I think of this new year, I am saying "The best is yet to come."
Over the holidays, my family and I went to see the movie "Secretariat." I was greatly impressed by the will and determination on Penny Chenery's possibility statement: "I’m not giving up . . . I will not live my life in regret. We are going to win and we’ll live rejoicing everyday."
In this outstanding movie, Penny Chenery, a mother and housewife agrees to take over her ailing father’s Virginia-based Meadow Stables, despite her lack of horse-racing knowledge. Against all odds, Chenery—with the help of veteran trainer Lucien Laurin—manages to navigate the male-dominated business, ultimately fostering the first Triple Crown winner in twenty-five years.
You and I can be winners in 2011. We can do that with the help of Almighty God as we place our trust in Him and His Word.
"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Posted on
Mon, January 3, 2011
by Hugh Morgan