SIGNS,WONDERS AND MIRACLES

By Jemima Rayan

Miracles are the 'the supernatural works of God that defies the laws of nature'. Even from the days of Moses, we see signs, wonders and miracles in the Bible. Peter said, '...Jesus of Nazareth. A Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst' (Acts 2:22).Peter said to the people that the credibility of Jesus was based on His miracle ministry.

Look at the early Church! Miracles, signs and wonders were given importance in the early church. They prayed and expected God to do miracles (Acts 4:30). And God always glorified His name by working through His church. 'The disciples went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word through the accompanying signs' (Mk 16:20). God gives witness to the message of salvation. Jesus said, 'Believe Me that I am in the father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the 'works' themselves' ( Jn 14:11).

We too can see those signs, wonders and miracles in our lives. Isaiah records the name of Jesus as "wonderful" (Is 9:6). Miracles are credence for the preaching of the gospel. Jesus always taught and signs and wonders followed. Jesus said, 'If you ask anything in My name I will do it' (Jn 14:14)

Expect the miracle:

The men of the city told Elisha that the water was bad and the ground was barren. Elisha asked them to bring a new bowl and put salt in it. Elisha went to the source of the water, and cast in the salt and the water was made good (2K 2:19-22). In this incident, it really didn't make any sense to put salt into the water in order for it to become good. But it was the word of the Lord and therefore it worked.

Jesus said, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, Be removed and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray believe that you receive them and you will have them (Mk 11:23,24).

We need to expect the miracle! We need to get filled with expectancy in order to see the miracle. The order is 'believe', 'pray' and then 'receive'. It doesn't work the other way.

Receive the miracle:

Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders (Ex 15:11). Our God is a God of miracles. He showed signs to his people. Unless we believe we will not be able to receive miracles.

The Bible says, 'who confirms the word of His servant, and performs the counsel of His messengers' (Is 44:26). God performs whatever His messengers say. Every believer is a 'messenger'. Then it becomes our responsibility to 'say' and He 'does' it.

There is nothing too hard for You (Jer 32:17). Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me? (Jer 32:27). Nothing means literally 'Nothing'. We are living in a time when we should talk the word for God and God performs it. He wants to work 'with' us.

Become the miracle

Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord (Deut 33:29). We are the most privileged people on planet earth. There can be none compared to the people who are saved by the Lord Jesus Christ. It is time we realize this and stop talking 'negative'. Cheer up! There is none like us and there is none like our GOD.

'I and the children whom the Lord has given me! We are for signs and wonders in Israel' (Is 8:18). You are blessed! Look at what God has done to us. 'God has made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus' (Eph 2:6). Isn't that awesome!

Release the miracle.

Jesus said, 'I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Mt 16:18). In this verse, 'Keys' represent 'authority'. Jesus passes on the authority that He had to His Church. That means, the Church can demonstrate what Jesus has released through His death and resurrection. "Binding" means preventing or forbidding. "Loosing" means releasing or permitting.

Jesus said, 'How can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house' (Matt 12:29). If someone is living in sin, the body of Christ can 'loose' that person by preaching the good news (Rom 6:14). If someone has opened a door for a demon to operate, the body of Christ can 'bind' the demon and command the demon to leave (Acts 16:18)

Jesus said, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father (Jn 14:12). 'God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul' (Acts 19: 11)

We, believers can do greater works than Jesus did. Believe that! Never let any man talk you out of God's word. You too can be used of God! You are a Chosen generation. God is counting on you while you are counting on Him. "Release that miracle in Jesus' name". We are created for such a time as this. I praise God for miracles, signs and wonders. To God be all the glory for the things He has done.

May the Lord work mighty miracles through us in Jesus' name. Amen.