Mark 9:23
‘If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth”
• DAILY READING – 1 Corinthians 12; 2 Kings 6:1-7:2; Jonah 1
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Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus is the man who discovered America, which was known then as the ‘New World,’. In 1492, he sailed from Europe to America. It was a voyage into the unknown. However after Columbus’ discovery, other Europeans began to explore and settle in America.
Before Columbus made his voyages, the Spaniards thought they had discovered all lands, and reached the outer limits of the earth. Thus their motto was “Ne Plus Ultra,” which means “No More Beyond.”
However with his discovery of new lands, Columbus changed all of that.
It is remarkable that without any prior knowledge of the existence of new lands, Christopher Columbus decided to set sail to go beyond where other men had gone. On his first expedition to the Americas, he sailed 33 continuous days into the unknown.
Historians have written about Columbus’ first voyage to America from many points of view. However what is importantly evident is the fact that Columbus was guided by the Spirit of God. It is amazing, that Christopher did not make a single false move in the entire voyage.
However on this first voyage, Columbus’ faith was greatly tested, because he was sailing into uncharted territory, relying only on divine guidance. He kept on going forward even though there seemed no sign of finding land. His crew who could not understand why he kept on sailing forward, instead of turning back after many days of not seeing land, threatened to kill him. The threatened mutiny took place on Wednesday, 10 October 1492, after they had been at sea for over 31 days without seeing land. The sailors, who had been concealing their discontent, now openly threatened insurrection. They had come to believe that Columbus, had deceived them; and was taking them on a journey from which they would never return. The sailors conspired to do away with their leader, and throw him into the sea. Yet, Columbus, by using gentle words, and holding out promises, sought to gain time. As he succeeded in calming their fears, he promised the men that they would return if they did not sight land within two or three days. Columbus’ faith in God remained strong.
Then just two days later, at about 2am in the morning on 12th October, the fleet sighted land for certain. The men excitedly shouted “Tierra! tierra!” meaning land!
One can only imagine the gratitude and relief they all must have felt, after more than a month of anxious days at sea, when their eyes first saw this obscure little island in the middle of the tropical Caribbean Sea. It goes without saying that the crews were ecstatic and their respect and admiration for the Columbus soared.
For Columbus, this historic sighting was a rendezvous with destiny. He had proven, in spite of mounting opposition and a lack of faith on the part of his crew, that it was possible to sail westward across the great Atlantic, and find the new lands beyond.
Due to his discovery of the new lands Christopher Columbus would enjoy great fame and worldwide acclaim.
Many years later after the death of Columbus in May 1506, in remembrance of the great explorer, the Spaniards erected a monument. The most interesting feature of the memorial is a statue of a lion destroying one of the Latin words that had been part of Spain’s motto for centuries. Their motto was “Ne Plus Ultra,” which means “No More Beyond.” The word being torn away by the lion is “ne” or “no,” making it read “Plus Ultra.” Meaning ‘more beyond’. This was to honor
Columbus who through his discovery of the new world , had proven indeed that there was “more beyond.’’
Indeed we should never come to the place where we draw a line and decide we have seen all there is to see. We cannot limit God.
God is always moving forward. And there is more beyond. God is able to do exceedingly above all we could ever ask or think.
According to human expectations men may think they have seen all there is to see about us and declared ‘no more beyond.’ But then with God , nothing is impossible. There is no limit to what God can still do with our lives.
Regardless of what you may have seen so far, the truth is- Your Greatest Days Are Ahead. You have not reached your full potential. The work God began in you He will finish. What God started in you He will complete!
When men think it is over that’s when God likes to take over.
Maybe you are in the middle of a trial, an affliction, or a setback that you cannot see any way out of. You may be in the midst of the greatest battle of your life. But always remember, that your destiny is greater than your disaster. There is more beyond.
What God has said He will do in your life, He will surely do. Do not allow men to place a limit or a seal over your destiny. Do not let them limit what your God can do. Do not let your situation or circumstances limit you. God is not man that He should lie, nether the son of man that He should repent.
Indeed there are greater things ahead. God is not through with you yet.
God didn’t bring you this far to forsake you. He has too much invested in you to give up on you now.
Hebrews 12:2 Says “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
To fulfill destiny we must despise present challenges and keep our eyes on Jesus. There is nothing impossible to God. If you want to live your life with your potential maximized to the fullness, you must not limit God.
Everything may be rising up against you. Yet do not limit God. He is able to deliver by many or by few. It doesn’t matter what may have happened, it is not over until God says so.
And if you have experienced a setback, it is only positioning you for a comeback! The road to destiny consists of endings and beginnings, setbacks, and comebacks. A door shut means a door is about to open. An ending only means that there is getting ready to be a new beginning. Indeed greater things are ahead.
We’re in the last days, the time of the latter glory and the days of the heavier glory. And in this season, God will be operating with divine speed in lifting his people. Therefore begin to believe God for great things. Whatever you believe is possible. In Mark 9:23, Jesus said ‘If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth”
We are serving the God of miracles to whom nothing is impossible. Therefore do not limit what God can do in your life. The path of the just shines brighter and brighter. Therefore there is a brighter future ahead for you. Indeed there is more beyond, waiting for you.
PRAYER: Father please enable me to believe You for great things in my life. Help me never to limit You, for indeed You can do exceedingly abundantly above all I could ever ask or imagine. Thank You Lord for the amazing things You have in store for me this year in Jesus name. .
QUOTE :
For you to enjoy victory in the Kingdom of God, you need to develop a Kingdom mindset, that thinks in line with the Word of God. – WORDBITE 222.
[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK TRIUMPH OF LIGHT OVER DARKNESS]