Miracles

Miracles are the power of God working in the natural realm of mankind. Miracles occurred in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. In the Old Testament, miracles typically occurred at the hands and ministry of the prophets. However, in the New Testament, miracles occur at the hands of believers.

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus charged his followers to go to all nations with the good news. He said, as they go, signs would follow those who believe. He did not say signs would follow just the pastors or evangelists, or other ministers. He said signs would follow those who believe - ministers or lay people.

Types of Miracles

There are many types of miracles. There is a miracle sufficient to meet every need we have. There are many ways that miracles occur. God is powerful and creative.

Let's consider some specific kinds of miracles...

Healing

Leprosy was a dreaded disease for thousands of years. But leprosy was no problem for God. In the Old Testament, we read about General Naaman, commander of the army of Aram. Naaman suffered from leprosy. A Jewish servant girl in his household suggested he go to see the prophet in Samaria.

So Naaman went with his entourage, bearing gifts to the prophet. Elisha didn't even bother to come out and meet Naaman. His sent his servants with these instructions: "Tell Naaman to wash seven times in the Jordan river, and you will be cleansed."

Naaman was angry and offended. He was in a rage. He was ready to leave, when his servant intervened, and prevailed upon him to obey the prophet in such a simple thing. Naaman changed his mind, obeyed the prophet, and his flesh was restored like that of a young boy.

Jesus healed many lepers. One time, he healed ten men! Only one cam back to thank Jesus:

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus feet and thanked him - and he was a Samaritan.

Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" The he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."  Luke 17:15-19 (NIV)

Jesus healed the blind, deaf, dumb, lepers, invalid, and those suffering from various diseases. No matter the disease, sickness, or infirmity, Jesus healed, and heals, them all!

Supply / Provision

In the days of Elisha the prophet, a widow in Israel cried out to the prophet, "My husband is dead, and the creditor's are coming to take my two boys as slaves." Elisha inquired how he might help her. All she had was a small amount of oil.

Elisha instructed her ask her neighbors for empty jars - and not just a few. Put another way, she was to ask her neighbors for all of the empty jars they had. When she and her sons got the jars, the went into the house and being to fill every jar with oil. All from the "small amount of oil" she had.

When she filled every jar, the oil stopped flowing. Elisha then told her to sell the oil, pay off the debt, and live on what remained.

God supernaturally multiplied the oil to supply the women's need. God redeemed her from debt, and her sons from slavery. In the New Testament, Jesus multiplied the fish and the loaves to meet the needs of the people he ministered to. (See John 6)

Protection

One evening, Jesus and his disciples got in a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was asleep, as a furious squall came up. The waves broke over the boat, and it was nearly swamped. The disciples, many of whom were professional fisherman, woke Jesus up and cried, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

Jesus rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Peace! Be still!" The winds died down, and the sea was calm.

Every one of us can live with that same protection. Click here to learn how to live in safety.

Receiving Your Miracle

In these few examples, we see some important keys to receiving a miracle. First, we must realize that God is not holding back on us. He sacrificed His Son, Jesus, for us. He's wants us saved, healed, blessed, protected, and prospering.

Here's a starting point for receiving from God:

• Believe God's word.
• Trust in God.
• Obey God's instructions.
• Honor and praise God.

Working of Miracles

Jesus did not work a single miracle until the Holy Spirit came upon him. He was the first man baptized in the Holy Spirit. That brought dynamic (from the Greek dunamis) power into his life. With the Holy Spirit in him, Jesus raised the dead, healed the sick, cast out demons, multiplied the fish and loaves, and stilled the raging sea.

To have miracle power working in you, you need the Holy Spirit, just like Jesus.