Faith and Miracles
The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith [our ability to confidently trust in God and in His power]”.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (Luke 17:5 AMP, 2Tim 1:7 NLT)
I have lived long enough to see God’s wonders, let alone read them in the Bible and in people’s testimonies. I have also lived long enough to hear people testify of miraculous power and results after we prayed together – for physical healing, business breakthrough, relationship restoration, or even getting a child after many years in marriage. I have also lived long enough to experience God’s miraculous power in my own life and in my family. There is wonder-working power in the blood of the Lamb. When the disciples prayed to their Master to increase their faith, Jesus answered with a miracle-statement, that faith can move mountains. The apostles saw serious miracles: Philip was airborne on some of his mission trips long before aeroplanes were invented; Peter and John saw great healing power at the Beautiful Gate; Paul raised a dead boy and defeated a ship-wrecking raging sea and a venomous viper! There is wonder-working power in the blood of the Lamb!
Though wonders are wonderful and exciting, beware! Many times people are captivated by useless miracles: Addictive cartoons must have some super-man or super-girl or wonder-machine, while the addictive movie must have some wonder-working witch or movei-star; Is this the reason why the addictive pastor must work some miracles and advertise the same? Beware of exciting wonders! Beware of magic! Beware of meaningless miracles! This is a warning that our generation needs to hear over and over again, as the quest for instant promotions spreads like wild-fire; unfortunately, many monger lies of what will get us there miraculously – is it property, pleasure or power? Someone easily points you to a wonder working ‘pastor’ or ‘witch’ or ‘magic-stone’ or ‘magic-river’ to visit and many go down that road. Beware! Many go down that road and end up disappointed!
Two lessons are important: Pray the God will give you growth in faith (as the Apostles asked Jesus); and exercise due balance and self-discipline in your faith (as Paul preaches to Timothy: God has given us a spirit power, love, and self-discipline). There are areas in life that need God’s miraculous wonders, while some areas need our responsible hard work. Do not be tempted to replace work with wonders; for God has given us both as gifts. A mature faith is not only expectant of miracles but also resilient in adversity. In his own testimony, Paul express both self-discipline and deep faith:
“This is why I suffer as I do. Still, I am not ashamed; for I know Him [and I am personally acquainted with Him] whom I have believed [with absolute trust and confidence in Him and in the truth of His deity], and I am persuaded [beyond any doubt] that He is able to guard that which I have entrusted to Him until that day [when I stand before Him]. (2Tim 1:12 AMP).
May the Almighty God increase your faith. God bless you