Hear Believing Against All Odds (Windows Media Player) Hear Other Messages Home
Hear Believing Against All Odds (Real Player)
Requires either Windows Media Player or Real Player
(How to Get Back Full Screen After Audio Starts)
Believing Against All Odds
Genesis 15:6
In Luke’s Gospel, there is the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah, their prayers were heard after many, many years. In fact, the angel, Gabriel, shared this very wonderful news to the disbelief of Zechariah.
“Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.’ The angel replied, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.” Luke 1:18-19
Sorry Zechariah, but you couldn’t believe against all odds and therefore, “you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.” Luke 1:20. From that day until Elizabeth gave birth to John, Zechariah was unable to speak.
Persistence pays off:
- For 18 years, Christopher Columbus tramped around courts and the wealthy for funds to find a new way to India and he discovered America.
- Booker T. Washington wanted to go to college, heard of a school that would accept him. He walked 100 miles to get there only to discover that the enrollment was closed. He begged to stay and worked sweeping floors and washing windows. Finally, he was allowed to register. Years later, he worked on an experiment and he failed 700 times. On the 701st time, he found the right way.
- Once a mother and her three children were in a sailboat which capsized in a storm. All four clung to the boat for hours, the mother said she couldn’t hold on any longer. The oldest child said, “Hold on a little longer mother. Don’t let go now. Jesus walked on the water to save Peter. He may sure save us, too.” With the oldest daughter’s encouragement, the mother persisted, and eventually a rescue boat picked them up.
- Persistence pays off and prayer, too. Jesus, was on His way to Jerusalem for the last time, He passed through Jericho. There in Jericho lived this blind man. This man would sit by the roadway. There he is, clothe and filthy rags and a cup held in his bony hand begging for alms, wrinkled face, and with several teeth missing. When he heard that Jesus was passing his way, he made such a noise until the crowd waiting to see Jesus told him to be quiet. The man’s faith and not obeying the crowd allowed him to be healed by Jesus.
The story of Abraham and Sarah is not a story of good works. It is a story of faith and obedience. The Christian story is two fold. On one hand, there is faith, and on the other, there obedience.
God Himself counted Abraham and Sarah’s faith as righteous. God promised them a son, and if this were not enough, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. If we desire to see God’s blessings, than let us continue to live by faith. Abraham was not saved, nor blessed due to his good works, but through his believing in God. God Himself, justified Abraham. Faith saves sinners from sin.
- Like Abraham and Sarah, lets believe against the odds.
- Like Christopher Columbus, lets believe against the odds.
- Like Booker T. Washington, lets believe against the odds.
- Like the oldest daughter holding on the capsized boat, lets believe against the odds.
- Like blind Barntimaus, when told to be quiet, let us not, but raise our voices as faithful followers of Jesus.
- By faith it doesn’t appear to us now what Highlands shall be. But by faith, those that can believe can see it afar.
- Like Sarah, we might laugh, but God doesn’t make promises he doesn’t keep.
- Hillary Clinton is believing against the odds. That she will be America’s next president.
- Obama is believing against the odds. That he too will be America’s next president.
|
Windows Media Player should already be on your computer. A browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer that supports Windows Media Player is also required. Windows Media Player is used on many sites in addition to this one. If you do not have Windows Media Player or you would like to update to a later version, click Windows Media Player. Windows Media Player 10 Series for use with Microsoft Internet Explorer and Windows XP operating system has a total file size of 11.638 MB and downloading it over a 56.6 K modem takes about 28 minutes. Versions of the Windows Media Player for other operating systems and browsers are available at Windows Media Player. |
How to Get Back Full Screen After Audio Starts:
If no instructions, click refresh icon in bar at top of screen.
