Is there someone out there who wants you to be a miracle worker? You are not alone. Jesus knows all about that.
We might say, 'Well, He was a miracle worker wasn't He?'. This is what He has to say about that... keep in mind that the day before over 5,000 people got fed from a few loaves and fish...
"Then they said to him, 'What must we do, to be doing the works of God?' Jesus answered them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.' So they said to him, 'Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' Jesus then said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.' They said to him, 'Sir, give us this bread always.' Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe...' " - John 6:28-36 ESV
Jesus gave glory to His Father in Heaven. He was a reflection of the Father. He was the 'finger of God'.
I believe God will use you and i in people's lives if we step into a position where we can be used but part of this is knowing we are not the miracle workers.
Jesus said this before going to the cross...
"So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." - John 16:22-24 ESV
His name Is His nature. It isn't just adding, '...in Jesus' name.' at the end of the request. We ask knowing who the real miracle worker is.
Our spouse, our parent, our child... they are not the answer. It is the Father. No world or local leader is going to work miracles. Our hope is in God. If we look at people expecting what only God can give we will be disappointed and eventually resentful.
" 'And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!' " - Luke 2:12-14 ESV
Yes. All glory to the Father who sent us His Son. He Is please with those who believe in Him by faith. He delights to have a relationship with them and give them true joy.
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Showing posts with label Miracles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Miracles. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 1, 2018
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Always Invite This Person
This is such a great account of an event and it is only found in one book. Some stories are retold in different ways in different books but not this one. I love Jesus' anonymous standoffishness...
"On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, 'They have no wine.' And Jesus said to her, 'Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.' His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.' Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, 'Fill the jars with water.' And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, 'Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.' So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, 'Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.' This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him." - John 2:1-11 ESV
Inviting Jesus is always a good idea is one thought I got from this.
Another is that the host seems to know that there won't be enough wine but invites Jesus and His disciples anyway. This is Jesus' first recorded miracle so there is no way they could have thought He would help them but they wanted Him there because He was there in the time of need joy was manifested. Wine often represents joy in the scriptures.
Perhaps we think, 'If we are going to have people over we must have more than enough food and get extra so there will be enough.' That isn't a bad thought. It is very practical but Church life often seems more like a potluck affair. Everyone brings something and Jesus is there so whatever might be lacking emotionally is provided for. Jesus makes the joy in the vessels designed for sanctification.
Lastly. Jesus had disciples and even though He did what He did in a very incognito fashion so that the master of the feasts attention was on the bridegroom these disciples knew who was really responsible. I want to be the person who looks and sees what Jesus does. It is easy to evaluate based on sight and sound and perhaps criticize the details but I want to be the one who recognizes God in the room. It really isn't about the quality of the party people throw. Is God in attendance? Yes. God is everywhere present but He also shows up in special ways at special times when people ask Him to or when a life-changing event or celebration is about to happen and He is invited.
A church is like this sometimes I think. We have invited 100 people but we only have 30 packets of saltine crackers. Jesus and His disciples are coming so we know there will be enough for everyone in the end.
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"On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, 'They have no wine.' And Jesus said to her, 'Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.' His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.' Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, 'Fill the jars with water.' And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, 'Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.' So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, 'Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.' This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him." - John 2:1-11 ESV
Inviting Jesus is always a good idea is one thought I got from this.
Another is that the host seems to know that there won't be enough wine but invites Jesus and His disciples anyway. This is Jesus' first recorded miracle so there is no way they could have thought He would help them but they wanted Him there because He was there in the time of need joy was manifested. Wine often represents joy in the scriptures.
Perhaps we think, 'If we are going to have people over we must have more than enough food and get extra so there will be enough.' That isn't a bad thought. It is very practical but Church life often seems more like a potluck affair. Everyone brings something and Jesus is there so whatever might be lacking emotionally is provided for. Jesus makes the joy in the vessels designed for sanctification.
Lastly. Jesus had disciples and even though He did what He did in a very incognito fashion so that the master of the feasts attention was on the bridegroom these disciples knew who was really responsible. I want to be the person who looks and sees what Jesus does. It is easy to evaluate based on sight and sound and perhaps criticize the details but I want to be the one who recognizes God in the room. It really isn't about the quality of the party people throw. Is God in attendance? Yes. God is everywhere present but He also shows up in special ways at special times when people ask Him to or when a life-changing event or celebration is about to happen and He is invited.
A church is like this sometimes I think. We have invited 100 people but we only have 30 packets of saltine crackers. Jesus and His disciples are coming so we know there will be enough for everyone in the end.
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Monday, September 16, 2013
Look At Us
"And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, 'Look at us.' And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, 'I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!' And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God." Acts 3:2-8 ESV
Peter said, 'Look at us.' Then he made a very clear defined faith statement.
Here we are. This is what a have. It isn't what you expect. It is a miracle.
I roll this around in my mind and almost tremble at the words and reality of it. I dare not make it a formula of some kind. What a travesty to take a miracle and turn it into some religious action.
"And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him." Acts 3:9-10 ESV
The miracle produced great joy but there is more.
"While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's. And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: 'Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?... But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And his name - by faith in his name - has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus' " Acts 3:11-12, 14-20 ESV
What did Peter and John have? Peter had it together with John. He had the Gospel and a ready mind to share it to a person or to a group. He had a ready mind. It is something to think about.
What do I have today? What could I give someone?
If I spend time with a person like John what happens then? If we go out on purpose with the Gospel what will that mean? Can there be an 'us' to look at for needy person trapped in the grim small reality of their limited existence?
I'm not knocking silver and gold. I need it. I will leave my house today looking for some of it. Thank God I have had the ability to make some and it assists me in many things... but what about the miracle?
I want the miracle. It is that simple.
God has given me many things by His grace and I can sit on them and enjoy them.
'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.' John 12:24-26 ESV
It is grace so we are free to do that but just as wheat was made to multiply we can multiply.
It was the father that honored Peter and John. The Father made that lame man walk.
We want miracles in our cities and on our street where we live. We want miracles in our families and places far away.
My life alone... or the miracle together. Help God. Today we need your help. Guide us in proactive faith. Give us a John to call if we don't have one. Lead us where we would not go ourselves and fill the space with joy and great amazement.
Peter said, 'Look at us.' Then he made a very clear defined faith statement.
Here we are. This is what a have. It isn't what you expect. It is a miracle.
I roll this around in my mind and almost tremble at the words and reality of it. I dare not make it a formula of some kind. What a travesty to take a miracle and turn it into some religious action.
"And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him." Acts 3:9-10 ESV
The miracle produced great joy but there is more.
"While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's. And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: 'Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?... But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And his name - by faith in his name - has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus' " Acts 3:11-12, 14-20 ESV
What did Peter and John have? Peter had it together with John. He had the Gospel and a ready mind to share it to a person or to a group. He had a ready mind. It is something to think about.
What do I have today? What could I give someone?
If I spend time with a person like John what happens then? If we go out on purpose with the Gospel what will that mean? Can there be an 'us' to look at for needy person trapped in the grim small reality of their limited existence?
I'm not knocking silver and gold. I need it. I will leave my house today looking for some of it. Thank God I have had the ability to make some and it assists me in many things... but what about the miracle?
I want the miracle. It is that simple.
God has given me many things by His grace and I can sit on them and enjoy them.
'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.' John 12:24-26 ESV
It is grace so we are free to do that but just as wheat was made to multiply we can multiply.
It was the father that honored Peter and John. The Father made that lame man walk.
We want miracles in our cities and on our street where we live. We want miracles in our families and places far away.
My life alone... or the miracle together. Help God. Today we need your help. Guide us in proactive faith. Give us a John to call if we don't have one. Lead us where we would not go ourselves and fill the space with joy and great amazement.
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