Life often feels like a series of mountains—some we climb with ease, others seem impossible to scale. In moments of doubt, fear, or exhaustion, it’s easy to feel as though the challenges before us are too great. Yet, as believers, we are called to remember that faith is the key that unlocks divine possibilities. Acts 10:38 reminds us of this truth by pointing to Jesus’ ministry: anointed by the Holy Spirit and empowered by God, He brought healing and restoration to those in need. This same power is available to us today when we walk in faith.
Acts 10:38 The New International Version
38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
Let’s explore how faith transforms impossibilities into opportunities for God’s glory and how we can live out this truth in our daily lives.
The Power of Faith in Action
Acts 10:38 offers a glimpse into the heart of Jesus’ mission. He didn’t just preach about faith—He embodied it. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Jesus went about “doing good” and healing those who were oppressed. His ministry was a living testament to what happens when faith meets divine power.
Faith is not passive; it is active trust in God’s ability to work in and through us. It compels us to step out in obedience even when the outcome is uncertain. When we align our lives with God’s promises and power, we begin to see His hand at work in ways that defy human understanding. Faith doesn’t ignore the challenges before us—it acknowledges them while trusting that God is greater than any obstacle.
Faith Unlocks Divine Possibilities
The Bible consistently reminds us that nothing is beyond God’s reach. In Matthew 19:26, Jesus declares, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Similarly, Mark 9:23 assures us, “Everything is possible for one who believes.” These verses aren’t just comforting words; they are invitations to live boldly in the reality of God’s limitless power.
Faith shifts our perspective from what we lack to what God can provide. It allows us to see beyond our circumstances and trust in the unseen work of His Spirit. This doesn’t mean life will always be easy or that every prayer will be answered exactly as we hope—but it does mean that with faith, we can face any challenge with confidence in God’s sovereignty.
Lessons from Acts 10:38
- God’s Anointing Empowers Us
Just as Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit and power, believers are also equipped through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). This anointing isn’t reserved for extraordinary moments—it’s available for everyday challenges. When we rely on the Spirit’s guidance, we find strength beyond our own abilities. - Faith Leads to Action
Jesus didn’t wait for perfect conditions to begin His ministry—He stepped out in faith and met people where they were. Similarly, our faith should move us to action. Whether it’s offering kindness to a stranger or taking a leap of faith in a new direction, small acts of obedience can lead to profound impact. - God Is Always With Us
The verse concludes with a powerful reminder: “God was with Him.” This assurance extends to us as well. No matter what we face, we can trust that God’s presence goes before us, walks beside us, and strengthens us every step of the way.
Overcoming Oppression Through Faith
Acts 10:38 specifically mentions Jesus healing those “oppressed by the devil.” Oppression comes in many forms—fear, anxiety, addiction, hopelessness—but none of these are beyond God’s reach. Through faith in Christ, we can experience freedom from anything that seeks to hold us captive.
Jesus’ ministry wasn’t limited to physical healing; He restored souls and brought hope to the brokenhearted. This same restoration is available to us today when we place our trust in Him.
How to Cultivate Faith That Moves Mountains
Building a faith that embraces divine possibilities requires intentionality and perseverance. Here are some practical steps:
1. Meditate on God’s Promises
Scripture is filled with declarations of God’s power:
- “For nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37).
- “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20). Let these truths renew your mind and strengthen your spirit.
2. Pray Boldly
Prayer isn’t just a ritual—it’s an act of faith that invites God into our circumstances (Hebrews 4:16). Approach Him with confidence, knowing He hears you.
3. Walk in Obedience
Faith requires action. Take steps toward what God has called you to do, even if you don’t see the full picture yet.
4. Surround Yourself with Encouragement
Fellowship with other believers can inspire you during difficult seasons (Hebrews 10:24-25). Their stories of faith can remind you of God’s power at work.
5. Reflect on Past Victories
Remembering how God has worked in your life before can build confidence in His ability to do it again.
Encouragement for Today
If you’re facing a situation today that feels impossible—a health crisis, financial struggle, or emotional burden—know this: you are not alone. The same Spirit that empowered Jesus dwells within you (Romans 8:11). With even a mustard seed of faith (Matthew 17:20), you can move mountains because your faith connects you to a limitless God.
Take heart in Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Whatever you’re facing today, trust that God is working behind the scenes for your good.
A Prayer for Unshakable Faith
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your boundless love and power. Help me trust You fully when I face challenges that seem impossible.
Strengthen my faith so I can walk boldly into Your plans for my life.
Anoint me with Your Holy Spirit as You did Jesus so I may go about doing good and bringing hope to those around me.
Thank You for always being with me—guiding me, empowering me, and reminding me that nothing is impossible for You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Read More About This Devotional
Words of Wisdom: Impossible: A Word Redeemed by Faith
Quote of the Day: “To Experience God’s Full Plan for You, Learn to See with the Eyes of Faith”
Closing Thought
Faith transforms how we approach life—it shifts our focus from what we cannot do to what God can do through us. Acts 10:38 reminds us of the incredible power available when we live by faith: healing for broken hearts, freedom from oppression, and strength for every trial.
So today, whatever mountain stands before you—whether it’s fear or uncertainty—remember this truth: With faith in God’s power and presence, there are no limits. Step forward boldly into His promises!
Scripture Reading for the Day
Job 24 The New International Version
1 “Why does the Almighty not set times for judgment?
Why must those who know him look in vain for such days?
2 There are those who move boundary stones;
they pasture flocks they have stolen.
3 They drive away the orphan’s donkey
and take the widow’s ox in pledge.
4 They thrust the needy from the path
and force all the poor of the land into hiding.
5 Like wild donkeys in the desert,
the poor go about their labor of foraging food;
the wasteland provides food for their children.
6 They gather fodder in the fields
and glean in the vineyards of the wicked.
7 Lacking clothes, they spend the night naked;
they have nothing to cover themselves in the cold.
8 They are drenched by mountain rains
and hug the rocks for lack of shelter.
9 The fatherless child is snatched from the breast;
the infant of the poor is seized for a debt.
10 Lacking clothes, they go about naked;
they carry the sheaves, but still go hungry.
11 They crush olives among the terraces;
they tread the winepresses, yet suffer thirst.
12 The groans of the dying rise from the city,
and the souls of the wounded cry out for help.
But God charges no one with wrongdoing.13 “There are those who rebel against the light,
who do not know its ways
or stay in its paths.
14 When daylight is gone, the murderer rises up,
kills the poor and needy,
and in the night steals forth like a thief.
15 The eye of the adulterer watches for dusk;
he thinks, ‘No eye will see me,’
and he keeps his face concealed.
16 In the dark, thieves break into houses,
but by day they shut themselves in;
they want nothing to do with the light.
17 For all of them, midnight is their morning;
they make friends with the terrors of darkness.18 “Yet they are foam on the surface of the water;
their portion of the land is cursed,
so that no one goes to the vineyards.
19 As heat and drought snatch away the melted snow,
so the grave snatches away those who have sinned.
20 The womb forgets them,
the worm feasts on them;
the wicked are no longer remembered
but are broken like a tree.
21 They prey on the barren and childless woman,
and to the widow they show no kindness.
22 But God drags away the mighty by his power;
though they become established, they have no assurance of life.
23 He may let them rest in a feeling of security,
but his eyes are on their ways.
24 For a little while they are exalted, and then they are gone;
they are brought low and gathered up like all others;
they are cut off like heads of grain.25 “If this is not so, who can prove me false
and reduce my words to nothing?”
