What
is a miracle? It can be explained as an act of God on behalf of
humans. It is also a testament of the power and reality of God's
unmatched authority. Miracles always have, and always WILL glorify
God. Miracles are performed by God, for God's purpose, according to
His compassion for us. Miracles have been performed by people, but
always as a result of GOD'S power being released through them. What
is a sign? It is a spiritual indicator, which often precedes an act
or revelation of God. It is an indicator which helps those who
doubt, to believe. It supports and fortifies the Truth of God's
Word. What is a wonder? Much like a sign or miracle it is an act of
God which illuminates and displays God's sovereign wisdom, power,
and authority. Miracles, signs, and wonders are throughout the
Bible. From the Garden of Eden to Revelation, the Bible is replete
with them. In the Gospels, we discover Jesus performing miracles,
signs, and wonders constantly, beginning with the wine episode at
the wedding feast. In the book of Acts 2:43, miracles, signs, and
wonders were the hallmark of a growing, vibrant church.
"...Many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now
all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and
sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as
anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple,
and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with
gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with
all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who
were being saved". Wonders and signs were done by God, through
His people. People who were in one accord. Believing together as ONE
body. Eating together. Sharing all things with one another.
Basically, loving one another according to the Holy Spirit of
God...without pride, prejudice, and vain deceit. Wow! What an
inspiring atmosphere that must have been! We should desire that same
atmosphere. We should seek the Lord for it. Notice, I didn't say,
"work for it". Why? Because, the Lord must be the ONE who
sets it up. He must be the ONE who does it...not us. Often, we as
Christians have a tendency to try to manufacture an atmosphere of
power and divine intervention, when in reality, the atmosphere
couldn't be more lack luster. The key to seeing signs and wonders
amongst us in evident in Acts 2:43-47. Let's take a look. 1.)
"All who believed were together..." UNITY! Being together
doesn't bring UNITY...a dying to self, single minded vision does!
2.) They had "all things in common..." SHARING (vision
& purpose). When preschoolers share, most often it's because
they HAVE to. The Body of Christ in Acts, WANTED to! Why? Because
they had already received the greatest gift...the love of Jesus, and
they knew there was plenty to go around. Jesus had shared HIS life,
and therefore, they were willing to share theirs. 3.) They
"sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all,
as anyone had need..." SELFLESS LOVE & AWARENESS! As we
discussed last week..."inasmuch as you did it to the least of
these my brethren, you did it to me". They were people who had
servant hearts. They knew that as they served one another, they were
serving Jesus! 4.) They were "continuing daily with one
accord..." CONSISTENT TEAMWORK and FOCUS ON GOD! They were
compelled by the Holy Spirit to stay in harmony with one another, in
their relentless pursuit of the Father heart of God! 5.) Their
attitudes were tempered by "gladness and simplicity of
heart..." CONTENTMENT, and GRATEFULNESS! They weren't concerned
about amassing earthly wealth, or building themselves up. They were
content to live in HIS presence and seek those eternal things money
cannot buy! 6.) "praising God..." ACKNOWLEDGING THE LORD
AS THEIR SOURCE! They resolved to praise the Lord, no matter what.
They knew in whom they believed! They loved HIM whole-heartedly. 7.)
They "were having favor with all of the people..."
EVERYONE RECOGNIZED GOD'S BLESSING ON THEM! No one could deny the
favor of God on His church! They, like all creation, had to
acknowledge the Spirit of God living within them! 8.) "the Lord
added to the church daily those who were being saved..." GOD
BROUGHT THE INCREASE! The lives of people who came in contact with
the New Testament church were changed forever! They saw in the
church what people should see in us...the UNCONDITIONAL LOVE of
JESUS! Let it be known...Jesus promised His disciples they
would do greater things than He, because He was going to His Father
in Heaven! We are His disciples too! We can do anything God wants us
to do through HIM! With God ALL things ARE possible! Some would try
to limit our Lord to only opening blind eyes, and making the lame to
walk, or even raising the dead...however, we must remember, there
are MANY types of miracles! Don't fail to see them as you go through
the day. Don't overlook what is surely a Divine intervention,
regarding it as mere chance, or a fluke! God is purposeful, and He
works all things for the good of those who love Him! You may
wonder...what does that mean? It means miracles, signs, and wonders
are for today! It means they are evident to those who are
looking...for those who are seeking...the GIVER...not just the gift!
Be blessed with GOD'S BEST! Hope to see you soon at the assembly of
the Saints...called Covenant LIFE Fellowship!
Seeking
To Glorify God @ ALL Cost,
Greg McCowen
P.S. - If possible, make it a point to go out to the property in
Wolfforth...walk it...pray over it...ask the Lord what your role in
the Body of Christ is...and then just do it.
Covenant Life Fellowship - Lubbock
Church - (806) 771-4244
