Many have claimed that miracles died out with Jesus' resurrection, with the First Century Church, or never existed at all. How incredibly sad that is for them. Not only are they missing out on all the daily miracles that are all around us, but as well the miracles God sometimes performs that aren't meant for a big audience.
He loves us so very much, He doesn't mind giving a private viewing of His great love for the benefit of just a few-- or even one person. Yet even the big miracles are meant to impact not only the big, but also the small audiences.
I am here literally to verify that miracles indeed do exist and should be expected.
(1) When I was born, my spine was in the radical shape of the letter "S." This was back in 1949. Given the state of medical science then, the doctors had given up hope and told my parents that they should expect little physical functionality from their little boy. I was propped up on pillows most of the time.
My parents responded in a way that was not common for country Baptists then: they called family and the church to lay hands on me and pray in faith. At nine months, touching nothing I stood up and began walking on my own. The muscles of my back had alternately and spontaneously expanded and contracted to bring my spine into perfect alignment. I have been defying the laws of nature ever since.
(2) My mother in later years developed breast cancer. By the time she let anyone know (she wanted to focus her attention on my father and his physical needs) the tumor was the size of a man's fist and had sent tendrils inward toward the bone.
As surgeons removed the tumor she died on the table. They closed her up too quickly to be neat about it and attempted to revive her. Receiving no response, they gave up. She returned! What a rare thing to see medical professionals leave the OR laughing, crying and singing, for they knew it was not they who did it. For the next twelve years there was no sign of cancer in her body. She basically passed of age.
(3) My oldest son was a heavy smoker. At 27 he had a double cardiac, with the second on the way to the hospital. In the ER the doctors gave up on him. Knowing he did not have a relationship with Jesus, I commanded in Jesus' Name that he be brought back. A few seconds later his vitals returned to normal.
The professionals stated he would never have over 10% use of his heart, would never go back to work, and would die by the age of 50. At six months he was released without conditions to return to work. Such is the power of the prayer of faith.
(4) Returning from church one Sunday, without warning the battery in our sedan died. We were in relatively heavy traffic on a curved and hilly two-lane mountain highway. Without the battery we had no signals, limited steering, brakes and no engine operation. On our side of the highway was a sharp drop-off. My wife and I said possibly the shortest prayer of our lives.
As if on cue, the traffic behind us backed off, and the oncoming traffic slowed, enabling me to manhandle the car into the first parking lot on the left. That lot was a car parts store that was open. The clerk was busy with customers, yet stopped everything to emplace a new battery, re-set the computer and test the system for us. We were out and on our way home in less than 20 minutes!
(5) On another occasion I was driving to work in Joplin, MO after a heavy ice storm that had left the streets as slick as greased glass.
Coming atop a steep hill on one of the main "drags," I saw a patrol car at the bottom assisting the only other motorist in sight. In an effort not to strike them I instead lost control, sliding repeatedly across all four lanes. Another very short prayer and the car slid to a stop against the curb on a side street.
Then I heard a voice inside of me: "John, what about that little button next to your shift handle?" There was something I had not considered with a car that was new to us-- an ice and snow button. The rest of the way to work it was like driving on a dry pavement.
(6) Driving home from work on a two-lane with no shoulder and ditches on each side I found myself and my Malibu between two large SUVs with heavy oncoming traffic. The first stopped abruptly. I knew I could stop in time, but the SUV in the rear could not possibly. This time I only had time to get out half of His Name: "Jes..."
Before I could bat an eye I was ahead of the first SUV. In my rear-view mirror I saw the driver's mouth wide open in shock at what had just transpired.
So you see, I have experiential cause to believe in miracles, healings and all the other promises God gives in His word for those who love Him, have a relationship with Him, and are obedient to Him. The Word is trustworthy and true. All of the blessings promised in Deuteronomy 27-28 and none of the curses are the inheritance of His children, and we have a right to claim them as being in His will.
Before I pray for a thing, I make certain it is His will by studying the Bible. Rather than lift (cherry-pick) a phrase or verse, I study it in context. I make sure that I go with the plain sense, seeking no other sense, so that I do not end up with nonsense. Then properly armed I can pray in faith, confident that I have that for which I pray.
I thereafter go out seeking the answer He has already made ready for me. When I find it, I get off dead center and go "knock" for it.
Don't believe in it? Then you most likely "ain't gonna see it."
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