Believing in Miracles: Part IV; Types

One thing about being a Folder, life is never dull.

My wrist is healing, but my elbow is on fire. The doctor is sending me to a specialist. This all sounds fine and dandy except that: I have to attend a minimum of two physical therapies a week and see the doctor. I don't receive pay for this, so I am losing some of my already small weekly cache. If I don't meet those requirements, I lose the benefits.  The struggle at work is frustrating - and I always end up doing too much, which, by the way, could cause me to violate the doctor's orders and release the store from it's financial obligation. I've been pondering the irritating Christian adage: When God closes a door, He opens the window. Brother, sister, my cell has neither, so I'm praying that God will blast the roof off this work situation. The doctor, in his careful, "I can't say too much" way said, "Have you thought of another line of work?" Hmmm, does applying for over 100 jobs, and trying to network with every customer who comes to my department count?  The bottom line, I believe that a breakthrough is near and I will be so excited to share the news with my faithful few!

My Mom had her gallbladder out last week and she is recovery slowly. The sibs didn't call to see how she was, send her flowers, card, etc...This makes my heart so heavy, as I know how much pain it causes Mom.  Then we received news three nights ago that my brother suffered another severe stroke and Mom is so distraught. Isn't a Mother's love amazing? Her kids don't give her the time of day, and she still cares so much. I took the day off from work, washed and styled her hair, and drove her to the hospital where she struggled to walk to the ICU.  Did God know what He was doing when He moved me out here or what?  God is Good!

I've been attending a Bible Study with some ladies that I met last spring. It is such a huge blessing to be able to spend time with such sweet, dedicated Christians. My leader is from my hometown and we have mutual acquaintances - coincidence? I think not. The teaching is basic, but I am praying to understand God's direction in bringing me to the group. I've always been so self-focused, I sometimes forget to consider what "younger" Christians may need. This article by David Wilkerson really shouted at me when I read it, perhaps it may be an encouragement to you, too.

Oddly enough, the topic of the Bible Study is "Spiritual Gifts Discovery." I completed a questionnaire, as did three of my friends regarding their observations of my past ministry involvement, and the results were all very similar! Gifts from the Holy Spirit are assigned by God, but we are encouraged to eagerly desire the greater gifts (I Corinthians 12:31, 14:1). The gifts my friends observed, while accurate, don't exclude additional gifts, as God is always on the move and each season may require other gifts to serve the body.

Today I wanted to talk about the types of miracles (also referred to as signs and wonders). As previously mentioned, popular Apologists have broken down the types of miracles in to 74 easy steps (ugh) and during my research it became disheartening to read ANY of the commentaries attached to the various scriptures and Greek/Hebrew definitions. I cannot understand why some Christian people are so bent on taking the word of God, the glory of His wonders, and dissecting them into unbelief or unempowered happenstance.

Miracles cover a broad range of supernatural experiences. Controlling nature, including weather, planets, land, and animals are attributes of miracles. Some Biblical examples are: Parting the Red Sea; the Nile turning to blood and the other plagues in Egypt; withholding rain; famines; and darkness covering the land when Jesus was crucified (not to mention the simultaneous ripping of the veil in the temple). Involvement in our everyday needs such as food, money, and care. Examples include:  Elijah providing oil (money) for the widow at Zarephath; Jesus multiplying bread and fish to feed thousands; and tax money found in the mouth of the fish.

Here's what I finnd interesting: Miracles seem to umbrella the gifts of healing and deliverance. Paul's healing handkerchief was referred to as a miracle. When Jesus' visited his hometown, Mark states that the only miracles that Jesus could perform were a few healings because of the lack of faith by the hometown folk. I Corithinians 12 lists the gifts of miracles and healing separately, so I conclude that if one embodies the gift of miracles, it includes anything supernatural that changes the laws of nature: Animal, vegetable, mineral, and the human body and spirit.

As to the types of miracles that are to appear during the times of the two witnesses, my pea brain cannot imagine what they might be, I know they are only to give God the glory and serve others for the common good. Additionally, if they are administered without love, they not only resemble a resounding gong or clanging cymbal (annoying), but God may decide He never knew those who performed them (this will be covered in the last two sections).

David Wilkerson believes there are two types of miracles: Instantaneous and progressive. Instantaneous is the immediate recognition of the miracle, such as a sudden healing or rain immediately stopping. The progressive is the more challenging miracle and that is why many Christians keep a journal. We ask for a miracle but God takes time setting all the chess pieces into place so that by the time it occurs, we often  forget it's a miraculous answer to prayer! Remember when God withheld rain for three years, only to have Elijah pray for its return? I have been the recipient of both types, and will share them in the final installment.

Much to my delight, my daughter told me she really enjoyed the way I write my blog. Balancing solid scriptural information in an easy to read format is my goal. I've surfed other sites, and while I can easily follow their line of thought, my blog is intended for those who know their Bible well and are looking for Biblical support and camaraderie for their end-time lives. This was confirmed while trying to wade through the threads on a topical Biblical site. Bless their souls, quoting so much scripture without living through the American fiery trials to back them up - dead.

I want to encourage you to make time for prayer and earnestly desire God's gifts. I write that as much to myself as to you. If God's words are written on our hearts, and the time comes when we are without our Bibles, we can still cling to His promises through prayer, faith, and the operation of His gifts. Last year I mentioned a disturbing dream I had suggesting the intensifying persecution headed to America will, in part, come from other "Christians." As I've been reading the writings of other Christians, the Lord has chillingly confirmed this (as does Revelations!). Let's continue in repentance and the enemy will not have toe-hold on our lives. That doesn't mean we will escape the trouble, but we will come through it and hear the glorious words, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

Believing in Miracles: Part III; Why Miracles?

I am fairly addicted to SermonIndex.com and should have had this up sooner, but you know where I live and can come and check back every so often....

It's amazing to listen to Tozar, Wurmbrand, Wilkerson, Ravenhill, and many other Powerhouses for God. The site includes a discussion forum, and while I don't visit often, it's such a comfort to know that there are so many dedicated Christians in cyberland. Sometimes one can feel like Elijah (I Kings 19), sitting in a chair, feeling like a failure (forgetting great victories), saying, "God, no one cares that I'm here, I don't fit in anywhere, and there are no churches preaching Biblical Truths. I've given you my life and yet I feel hopeless." God told him that 7,000 godly people were scattered around, Elijah just hadn't met them. Disclaimer: Some contributors love their doctrine, and some are long-winded, but it's heartening to read about their passion for God.

Speaking about Elijah, who was foremost a prophet, we also know he performed amazing miracles prior to his time of depression and exhaustion mentioned above. Why does God allow miracles, first through the prophets, then through Christ and the apostles, and, finally, the body of Christ? Psalm 77:14 states that it is to display God's power among the people, and Psalm 106:7 equates them with God's kindness to His people. Jesus taught that miracles asked for in His name would be granted "so that the Son may bring glory to the Father" (John 14:13). Further, God authorized Christ to do miracles, wonders, and signs to prove Jesus, His Son, was accredited by God (Acts 2:22).

Hebrews 2:4 tells us that God uses miracles as a testament to His Salvation through Christ - according to His Will. Apparently, all sources of miracles begin with the Will of God. This can be confusing for Fellow Folders. Should I pray for Aunt Marge's healing, what if it's not God's will, even though He forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases" (Psalm 103:3)? I like the way S.D. Gordon views this conundrum, "Prayer surely does influence God. It does not influence His purpose. It does influence His action." I agree, and I think to help understand this we should turn to 2 Kings 20.

King Hezekiah was very ill, and the prophet, Isaiah, confirmed his death was imminent. Leaving the castle, God instructs Isaiah to turn back and heal Hezekiah. God had heard the King's cries, and decided to use Isaiah to heal him, adding another 15 years to a life that had been dedicated to restoring proper worship of the Lord throughout Judah. Was that God's will, or purpose? Yes, just unfolding differently. It was His will, and he used Hezekiah's developing pride and arrogance as a last straw that brought down judgment on his kingdom.  The miracle created a small butterfly effect for their world, but did not change God's long-term plans for Israel and the preparation of His Son's appearance. His extended life revealed pride and arrogance in Hezekiah's previously righteous heart. If Hezekiah had said, "Not my will but Thine but be done," and had died, I wonder what would have been different? II Chronicles 32:26 said he eventually did repent, which postponed the Babylonian invasion during Hezekiah's lifetime, and God's Will was still accomplished. Kind of heavy thinking for my soft gray matter.

Miracles are glorious and they are intended to increase our faith in God and Christ, not to dazzle us with the supernatural.  Jesus admonishes the people, "Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves" (John 14:11). The implication here is that God uses miracles for those weaker in faith, to testify on behalf of Christ and confirm His authority. Miracles are used to encourage new believers. In I Corinthians 12, Paul says spiritual gifts are used to contrast the mute pagan idols, that didn't do or say anything for their followers in response to their "worship." Remember the lather that Ahab and Jezebel's "priests" worked themselves into trying to incite the idol Baal to send down fire (I Kings 18)? Elijah taunted them, "Maybe he's out of town or taken a Tylenol PM - shout a little louder!"

Having mentioned the "will" conflict before,  I usually pray before I pray, because I only want God's best, the best for others, and don't want to interfere with God's Will. I have to be honest, I don't always "sense" God's will, so I will pray to the request but, in addition, that God's Will be done. Or, if I discern something about that particular person, I pray what I discern rather than the actual request. During the great tribulation, those gifted (the spirit of the Two Witnesses) will be doing miracles that we can't imagine! Revelations 11 speaks of them, but their end will be gruesome. Those miracles will be for the saints who are hanging on to their faith by a thread, perhaps hungry, sick, or persecuted. Hopefully, they will cause many to believe and turn to the Lord.

This is a rough sketch, but I'll summarize the "why" of miracles: They are to bring glory to the Father; God uses selected saints, filled with the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus, to perform miracles for the common good of believers (I Corinthians 12:7,11); to implement His Will (Hebrews 2:4); and as evidence so that all might believe. The bottom line is that if we are living in God's Will, living a repentant life (lest we, too, be deceived, Matthew 24:24), are gifted with miracles, we are to to represent Jesus here on earth by performing the same miracles, and in the future, greater miracles - remembering and trusting that God's plans and purpose will never change.

It's astounding how writers, Apologists, preachers, and teachers can complicate this topic. Working two jobs, and being a layman, I'm trying to keep it succinct, but in doing so, I know I'm missing examples. Please forgive me. Further, I have been perusing writing websites, and apologize for past, present, and future grammatical errors :).

Please pray and ask God to show you your gift(s). As the times continue to darken, we Fellow Folders need to be operating in the gifts - for each other and for the lost and dying world. There are pitfalls, but I will address them in the next installment.

Interesting sidebar: I sprained my wrist, pulled a ligament, and broke the surrounding blood vessels at work, so I had to leave and see a workman's comp doctor. My elbow hurts so bad that I wake up at night from the pain (that was an on-going work related injury that I had not reported for fear of losing my job). Interestingly, I've prayed for the elbow before and it never healed. I've been thinking about the many ways God's Will or purpose could play out by not healing the elbow immediately:

1. I go to work, with restrictions, while everything heals over time, irritating my coworkers because I can't lift.

2. They assign me to another task, realize that I have half a brain, and transfer me over to a better, more interesting job requiring less physical work.

3.  I am punished for reducing their annual bonuses and made to door greet eight hours a day (they receive substantial bonuses and injury $ is deducted from that pool). The managers have been a little cold the last few days. Hopefully, it's just a misperception. But, there are ways to drive an employee to quit.

4. The doctor says I can't lift for an extended period of time and I go on disability.

5. Another job opens up that doesn't cause permanent damage to my elbow or wrist. 

I trust God, He may have something planned that I haven't even thought of - let's see what happens!

PS: Still waiting to hear from that 11 year old's family.........

Believing in Miracles: Part II; Live and in Color

Crazy "coincidence." I have recently spent 20 or so hours formally studying miracles, I post part one of results, and then last night happened. See, I'm already rearranging my outline :).

I was working at my Big Box store, and a frustrated Dad and son came in needing wall patch repair supplies and paint. To determine the patch size, he showed me pictures on his phone of the holes, and, having done this for three years, I looked up at him and asked what the heck happened. His 11 year old boy, standing a few feet away, looking like any other 11 year old, apparently had kicked multiple holes in the walls, with great force. I asked, "What's going on?" While I gathered the appropriate supplies, the Dad tells me about a year ago the son started exhibiting strange and aggressive behavior, resulting in costly repairs in their home and in the community.  Dad was at his wits' end, saying, "I can't do this anymore."

Not even knowing if they were Christians, I told him that it doesn't have to be this way, and that his boy can be healed.  I asked if his church elders had prayed for the boy. Not only has his church prayed, but he drove the boy to some fancy schmancy Christian who has a healing ministry (you know me, I didn't recognize the name, but apparently he is BIG in healing circles). No deliverance. They've taken him to doctors, who can't decide if it's bi-polar, or a myriad of other issues, and medicines aren't relieving the symptoms.

I "saw" in the boy's eyes that something was wrong with him, but I "saw" that his heart was good, and I asked God what the issue was while I was mixing their paint. I didn't get a clear response, but I did believe that the boy could be healed (or, delivered) and that God wanted me to pray for him. There were other customers milling about, but obedience to God always makes a way. Just at that time, the Dad received a phone call and walked away to chat. I leaned across the counter, and asked the boy how he felt. He said, "I feel like crap." I asked him if he wanted to be different, and would he like me to pray - twice. Both times he responded, "Yes." I held his hand, and prayed a short simple prayer. Then I put my hand on his head and asked God to be with him all the days of his life. My heart was aching for the pain he lived with, and a few tears spilled out, but I had to keep it together so I could be professional for other customers. Interestingly, no other person approached the desk while I prayed.

As they were leaving, the Dad thanked me for praying for his boy, and I said, "No problem, he has a good heart." The healing may be just as much for Dad as for the son, as I suspect he is contemplating ways of escape. Nonetheless, if they come back with a good report, I shall let you know. I believe God heard and answered my prayer, but I've always been concerned about others attributing a healing or answer to prayer to me. I never want people to be confused about who the real healer is - God through Christ. Years ago I prayed that God would "tag" these situations. You know how a shirt has a tag sewn into the back of the neck, indicating who made the shirt? I want God to tag these answers to prayer, "Made by God through Christ." When I was younger, I read a book entitled, "God's Generals," which, by the way is fantastic. Story after story reveals the pitfalls of putting God's gifts into earthen vessels. I don't want to be a casualty, and while many of my prayers have been answered, I've enjoyed anonymity. For a men-pleaser, who battles with pride, you understand the potential for deception. I continue to repent anytime I notice these devils showing up, because I never want to disappoint my Father.

My first experience with praying for healing was 23 years ago. I was at McDonalds with my 2 year old and infant. They had just installed the swivel-type of chairs, prior to that they were stationary. My daughter stood on the chair, propped her hands on the table, and twisted back and forth. I firmly told her to sit properly because she was going to fall. She couldn't resist one more twist, and fell to the ground.  I heard a "crack" sound as her head hit the tile. Immediately a large, egg-like purple bump formed. I was so scared. Their Dad was out of town, we didn't have health insurance, and I imagined the worst possible head trauma problems. I sat her on my lap, and put my hand over the egg-bump. I prayed that God would heal her head. It was amazing, the bump slowly receded, until her forehead was smooth, leaving only a slight bruise mark. She was repentant (mostly because she saw her Mommy so distressed), and continued on as if nothing had happened.

I plan to share stories at the end of the Miracle Series, being on the receiving end, but I wanted to share this one while it was fresh. Partly, as a testimony to God, but also, I have a tendency to forget the wonderful things that God has done (that pesky PTSD that I was diagnosed with five years ago), and I have decided to start recording them - stones of remembrance. Also, I am hoping that the family will come back and let me know what changes their son has exhibited, which I will then pass on to you as an encouragement!

In the past, I would have prayed silently for the boy. But, I told God that I wanted to work for Him, and if it means while I'm mixing paint - so be it. We'll see if any of the customers complain to the manager, I live in an area that has both staunch patriotic believers and long-time atheistic people.

Back to work....