The role of miracles in the life of a believer

Religion Zone
I recently watched a video clip from one of the “generals” in the army of the Lord, a man I have immense respect and admiration for because of his passion for the gospel of Christ, Archbishop Ezekiel Guti.

I recently watched a video clip from one of the “generals” in the army of the Lord, a man I have immense respect and admiration for because of his passion for the gospel of Christ, Archbishop Ezekiel Guti.

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He was talking about miracles and was warning his congregants that they need to seek discernment because there are many people who are involved in performing miracles and not all of these miracles are from God. The devil too can perform miracles. He gave the example of Exodus 8, where when Moses performed miracles, Pharaoh’s magicians came up with their own miracles.

So we shouldn’t just get excited about miracles without first checking the source and the spirit behind the miracle. We should take heed of what Archbishop Guti said because I believe that was very wise counsel from one of the most respected fathers in the body of Christ.

Miracles are important because they demonstrate the power of God, but we should be very careful about the source and the spirit behind the miracle. Indeed, not every miracle is from God. We should not just be preoccupied with chasing after miracles. Jesus once stated that “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign…” (Matthew 12:39). Let’s seek after the giver of these miracles, not the miracles.

However, miracles are an important part of our Christian lives provided we are certain that the source is God. We should open our eyes and have the spirit of discernment to authenticate the source of the miracles. It is so sad to see how some of us are so gullible. We just swallow anything that we hear from some of our preachers. Please search the scripture and validate some of these gimmicks.

Jesus prophesied in Matthew 24:11 that “…many false prophets will rise up and deceive many…” So be aware! There are dedicated men of God who are genuine pastors, evangelists and prophets, but you should also be aware of false prophets, pastors and evangelists.

A miracle is a supernatural intervention of God. All of us have needed a miracle in the past, need one now, or will need one in the future. The problem is that most Christians don’t know how to receive a miracle from God.

The best advice is don’t wait until a storm hits to learn how to believe God for a miracle. During a storm, emotions will cancel out your faith.

It’s good to clarify the difference between a blessing and a miracle. A miracle is a supernatural intervention by God in a crisis situation. A blessing is still God’s power, but it flows through natural channels. Blessings are better than miracles. If you live your life from one miracle to the next, you will live from crisis to crisis. It’s better to be blessed with good health than to always need divine healing. God’s will is for us to walk in blessing.

Most Christians believe that God does miracles, but simply believing God is able to do it is not enough. You must know how to receive it.

God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is forever faithful. We can still experience God’s miracles today.

“And these signs will follow those who believe: In my name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues, they will take up serpents and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them, they will lay hands on the sick and they will recover” (Mark 16: 17-18).

The miracles didn’t stop with the disciples. They are still happening even in our time.

Mark 16:20 states that “And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.”

It should be noted that the bible does not say confirming a personality, a preacher, evangelist, pastor, teacher or prophet, but confirming the word. The focus is on the word not an individual. God will never share His glory with anybody.

So, how do you receive a miracle from God? First, you must recognise that miracles are not just hit and miss. You can tap into a miracle. You learn the laws of God and how they work, and miracles will happen. I’m not saying you can push a button and God pops out or you can make God do whatever you want. I’m saying God is turned on all the time and any time you get turned on, you can see the power of God operate. God always wants to move on your behalf. God is for you — He is a good God.

God’s desire is for you to prosper (Psalm 35:27). God’s will is for you to be healthy (3 John 2). God’s will is for you to be above only and not beneath (Deuteronomy. 28:13).

You are the one who controls God’s ability in your life and you can limit God, like the children of Israel did (Psalm 78:41). It is God’s power and His ability, but it’s up to you.

The scripture says in Ephesians 3:20, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” Many people leave off that last phrase, “according to the power that works in us.” If there is no power in you, you can stop God’s intervention in your life. God has chosen to never violate your will. God has chosen to flow through you. Satan can’t stop God’s power, but you can. God wants you to have a miracle, but you have to stop waiting and start believing.

The most important miracle in the Bible is the virgin birth of Jesus. God came and lived in a physical body — now that’s a miracle. The account is found in Luke 1.

The angel came and spoke to Mary of this miracle. The miracle happened when Mary answered (in verse 38), “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” When God creates, He speaks it into existence by His Word.

God did all His miracles by the spoken word. In Genesis, He created the world by the spoken word. Hebrews 11 tells us, “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” The important point is that word of God is very powerful.

Many Christians put prayer above all and believe that if you pray, it will happen. Your prayer must be based on the word of God. Prayer not based on the word of God will not yield the desired results. Believing in God is believing in His word. You can’t believe more in God than you believe in His word.

Farmers believe that if they plant wheat, they get wheat. If they plant corn, they get corn. They don’t question it — they are simply laws. Everybody agrees with that in the natural; but when it comes to spiritual things, most people don’t believe that.

But the truth is, if you aren’t reaping what the word of God says, you haven’t planted what the word of God says to plant. You reap what you sow. If the word of God is primary in your life, you’re going to get the results of the word of God. That doesn’t mean Satan won’t fight you and you won’t have problems. The end-result will be you’re going to have what the word of God says. Satan may fight you, but you’ll win. Many of us know this intellectually, but in our hearts, there is fear or reservation. We don’t have the absolute confidence that God’s word is going to prevail in our lives.

We don’t just naturally grow up believing God. It takes renewing our minds. God’s word is the most important step to receive a miracle. Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” You can’t just know the word intellectually. You must meditate on it so it becomes living and active on the inside of you. Most of us don’t meditate on the word as we should. We are occupied and don’t have time, and we are upset with God when we don’t receive our miracle. That’s just as foolish as the man who didn’t plant his seed but was upset when he didn’t receive a crop.

If God’s word is planted in your heart, you’ll receive. It doesn’t matter what you feel — God’s word will produce a miracle.

Dr Doug Mamvura is a graduate of Charis Bible School. Feedback: [email protected] or Twitter @dougmamvura