I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below...Acts 2:19
Fellow Israelites, listen to this:
Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God
to you by miracles, wonders and signs,
which God did among you through him,
as you yourselves know. Acts 2:22
to you by miracles, wonders and signs,
which God did among you through him,
as you yourselves know. Acts 2:22
Miracles
Do you believe in Miracles? Wonders? Signs?
Or in Greek:
Do you believe in Miracles? Wonders? Signs?
Or in Greek:
Semeion? A sign, a mark, a token, an unusual occurrence.
Thaumasios? Wonderful, Marvelous, Wonderful deeds.
Dunamis? Power for performing miracles.
I think that most Americans in today's society are skeptical and pessimistic about miracles. Take any collection of people that you know. Describe to them a miraculous event about which you heard, or experienced personally, and watch their reactions. Even when observed before their own eyes, people doubt, rationalize, and seek logical explanations. Everyone desires to believe in miracles yet refuse to acknowledge them when wonders and signs actually happen.
Why is it so easy for Christians to believe that God flooded the earth and the only humans He saved were Noah's family, or to believe that Jesus was born of a virgin, crucified, and raised from the dead, yet extremely hard for them to accept miracles, signs, and wonders performed in the 21st century? We see the beauty of creation all around us. We confess that God is alive and active in this world. We credit Satan with nearly every evil we encounter. So why can we not admit that God is performing miracles every day?
Jesus even told us to expect amazing works.
For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. John 5:20
Miracles are for God's authentication and glory. Men and women acknowledge His power and sovereignty through the witnessing of marvelous phenomenon. God takes charge in certain situations to remind us that we are not in control, He is; that it is not by our efforts that wondrous changes in people or in nature occur, rather by God alone. Still many doubters (and non-believers) struggle with acceptance of God's mighty works.
Be A Kid Again
I watched a wonderful video today that clarified in my mind why most Americans do not believe in miracles. The reason is: they are too old! Yes, Girlfriends, the older we get, the more experience we have; the more knowledge we possess; and definitely the more pride we exhibit. We can grow so full of ourselves that no room remains for awe and reverence.
"Oh, I can explain that."
"Well, of course I know why that happens or how that works."
"Oh, those things happen all the time."
Ladies, we grow into "know-it-alls." And if by some chance we do not understand, well, shucks, Wikipedia knows someone who does. Or Google can find us an expert to educate us. Obviously we are too blinded by our own brilliance and expertise to see the obvious signs and wonders of divine intelligence right before our eyes.
Jesus warned us about this process and its effects.
And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3
Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4
The video
Please take a few minutes now to watch the video to which I referred. After viewing, I think you will clearly envision my reasoning here.
I think that most Americans in today's society are skeptical and pessimistic about miracles. Take any collection of people that you know. Describe to them a miraculous event about which you heard, or experienced personally, and watch their reactions. Even when observed before their own eyes, people doubt, rationalize, and seek logical explanations. Everyone desires to believe in miracles yet refuse to acknowledge them when wonders and signs actually happen.
Why is it so easy for Christians to believe that God flooded the earth and the only humans He saved were Noah's family, or to believe that Jesus was born of a virgin, crucified, and raised from the dead, yet extremely hard for them to accept miracles, signs, and wonders performed in the 21st century? We see the beauty of creation all around us. We confess that God is alive and active in this world. We credit Satan with nearly every evil we encounter. So why can we not admit that God is performing miracles every day?
Jesus even told us to expect amazing works.
For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. John 5:20
Miracles are for God's authentication and glory. Men and women acknowledge His power and sovereignty through the witnessing of marvelous phenomenon. God takes charge in certain situations to remind us that we are not in control, He is; that it is not by our efforts that wondrous changes in people or in nature occur, rather by God alone. Still many doubters (and non-believers) struggle with acceptance of God's mighty works.
Be A Kid Again
I watched a wonderful video today that clarified in my mind why most Americans do not believe in miracles. The reason is: they are too old! Yes, Girlfriends, the older we get, the more experience we have; the more knowledge we possess; and definitely the more pride we exhibit. We can grow so full of ourselves that no room remains for awe and reverence.
"Oh, I can explain that."
"Well, of course I know why that happens or how that works."
"Oh, those things happen all the time."
Ladies, we grow into "know-it-alls." And if by some chance we do not understand, well, shucks, Wikipedia knows someone who does. Or Google can find us an expert to educate us. Obviously we are too blinded by our own brilliance and expertise to see the obvious signs and wonders of divine intelligence right before our eyes.
Jesus warned us about this process and its effects.
And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3
Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4
The video
Please take a few minutes now to watch the video to which I referred. After viewing, I think you will clearly envision my reasoning here.
The Challenge
Girlfriends, I challenge you to pick up a camera (or video camera) this week. Rediscover your youth; find your child-like eyes and recognize the miracles, signs, and wonders all around you. Capture them, ladies, as these children did, and please share your remarkable findings--with me, or with someone who needs to encounter God's mighty presence in this world He created.
I pray you will humble yourselves before the Lord; lay down your pride, your education, your competency, and your reliance upon yourself. Seek Jesus; ask for revelation and discernment. And, my friends, be amazed!
P.S. Never forget, YOU are a miracle!
Girlfriends, I challenge you to pick up a camera (or video camera) this week. Rediscover your youth; find your child-like eyes and recognize the miracles, signs, and wonders all around you. Capture them, ladies, as these children did, and please share your remarkable findings--with me, or with someone who needs to encounter God's mighty presence in this world He created.
I pray you will humble yourselves before the Lord; lay down your pride, your education, your competency, and your reliance upon yourself. Seek Jesus; ask for revelation and discernment. And, my friends, be amazed!
P.S. Never forget, YOU are a miracle!
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