Thoughts about Miracles

For a long time I was under the impression that if we were in need of a miracle that we had to find a way to get God’s attention. I thought that when we prayed, what we were really doing was trying to get God to notice us and to notice our need. But I am finding that in many ways I have been wrong about this.

Yesterday, as Lori was sharing about the miracles that God was doing in the healing of Landon, I started to come to terms with the idea that God knows we need a miracle because He allows us to be put in that place. But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. --Genesis 50:20. Joseph made this insightful statement to his brothers who had sold him into slavery to Egypt – their intention was to destroy him because of their jealousy. But God had another plan, a plan to use the evil that was done in order to do something amazing for Joseph and also for the people of Egypt. So when things happen to me God can take those negative things and use them to do something remarkable through me, to me, and to those in my life. Don’t get me wrong I don’t want bad things to happen to me or to those I love, but I do want miraculous things to happen. As I surrender my life to God and let Him lead me I get to live an interesting, if not extraordinary life!

One more thing, I am always humbled that I get to pray for people and their needs, thank you so much for trusting me to pray for your needs. But most of all thank you for letting me pray for you, because it allows me to fulfill what God has called me to do!

When Jesus Seeks Faith

In my message yesterday we looked at a question Jesus was asked, “will there be few saved?” And Jesus gives this answer, He says, “Strive to enter though the narrow door.” And then He goes on to talk about people who think they are saved but must not be after all. So on the way home I always ask Gloria how I did and she said what she almost always says, “it was good.” (OK, I need to put this answer in some kind of context because reading it doesn’t give you the true flavor of her answer, she didn’t say, “It was GOOD.” It was more like, it was good, like it was just above being boring.) But Aaron said, “Dad, I like it when you talk to us about the rapture.” Wow, my 12 year old likes hear about the rapture. So I want to share just a couple things that I didn’t get a chance to say.

There is a verse in the Bible that says this -"I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8) So here we have Jesus Himself, the One who will return essentially asking when He comes back will He find anyone to rapture. Of course He will because what He is telling us in the passage is to be vigilant about the things of God…especially prayer. Is the church really praying for Him to return? Imagine wanting to go somewhere to do something totally amazing – like take people to heaven to live eternally, but finding, that as much as Jesus wants to return, the church isn’t all that sure. I will say this, the older I get the more ready I am to go. I’d like to stay here for a long time, but if Jesus takes me I am fine with that because I have been able to live a pretty good life. But the older I get the more ready I am to let go. But truthfully, I can’t remember the last time I prayed for Jesus to return.

One more thing, you don’t have to wait to until death to find the assurance of salvation. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) The good news is that Jesus not only wants to return, but he really does want to find people waiting for Him and He has set everything up for us to succeed if we really want to. I want to leave you with one more scripture. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9). He is giving us enough time to get right with Him before He returns. Oh, He is definitely going to find faith, the question is will it be YOU?