The allure of the ‘supernatural’
Priests, prophets, and holy men from ages past to this day promise those who do something
(pray longer, be more holy, sing more fervently, give bigger offerings)
that they can make the supernatural happen. Their claims make it appear
that God can be put on retainer; that, at their will, He can be made to
rain down healing, renewal of youth, unfailing happiness, and
prosperity on true believers. It’s all very exciting and has an allure
that is nearly irresistible. Christians aren’t above yearning for lives
free from pain or problems, are we? And, in Christ, we do have amazing access to the Presence and Power of God. We are invited to "approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:16, NIV)
What
we can never forget is that for all our singing louder, calling down
angels, jumping up and down, or working up a fever, God is still God and
He acts to accomplish His plans, not ours. Prayer moves Him, to be
sure. This is the Scripture’s revelation. But, almost always the
supernatural is accomplished by the same processes He built into the
world He created. In a century, an open pasture can become a dense
woodland. A miracle right? Yes, but how does that forest come to
exist? Seedling take root, grow steadily - through storm, drought,
winter, and spring- one species flourishing, as another passes.
Similarly, we become the “planting of the Lord” (Isaiah 61:3) over time,
nurtured and guided by the Spirit, steadied by faith. And, His kingdom
is extended (a miracle indeed!) not in a moment, but over time.
Jesus went public with His mission describing His purpose like this- "The
Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the
brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from
darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and
the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide
for those who grieve in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment
of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of
righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long
devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated
for generations." (Isaiah 61:1-4, NIV) We are called to do what He
did! As much as I would like to say it can be done effortlessly or
magically, it cannot.
We
free captives, heal the broken, bring Light -not with a wave of a magic
wand - but through serving, praying, growing, and working together in
unity. Yes, we must be empowered by the Spirit but He uses our hands, head, heart - blisters and sweat - to do His work.
We,
Pentecostals, love the miracles of Acts. We point to the wondrous works
of the first generation of Christians and we rightly pray to see the
same in our day. Who does not want to see the Church defeat the reign
of evil? Who does not want to see Christ Jesus lifted up as broken lives
and darkened cultures are healed and restored? But, even as we lay
claim to being “New Testament Christians,” we cannot conveniently
forget that all the supernatural work of establishing the Church in
that generation was done at a high cost to those who took up the call.
They were full of the Holy Spirit but His power in them did not
exempt them from hardship. They left families, lived lonely lives in
itinerant ministry, and lived through persecution with most of the
prominent Christians dying as martyrs!
You
want to see miracles of God’s Kingdom happening in you and around you?
Then, prepare to die to Self, making room for the Spirit. Prepare to
have your life swallowed up in Him, overtaken by passionate love for the
Holy. It is a gloriously high calling. But, do not forget that
in the moment planting the seeds of His Kingdom does not appear all
that ‘supernatural.’ It looks like life, which it is. Planting
the seed, waiting the germination, cultivating the weeds, allowing for
maturity, and then ... only then, the harvest.
Discovery
of truth, growth in grace, and transformation into holiness! These are
the ‘signs and wonders’ that I pray for, that I desire in me and in the
world around me. Here's the word from the Word:
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:16-18 NIV)
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:16-18 NIV)
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Miracle In My Heart
We are called
To be prophets to this nation;
To be the word of God,
In ev'ry situation.
Change my heart,
Change my heart today.
Who'll be the salt,
If the salt should lose its flavor?
Who'll be the salt,
If the salt should lose its flavor?
Change my heart,
Change my heart today.
Lord, loose the chains of oppression!
Lord, set the captives free!
Lord, fill my heart with compassion!
Shine Your light, shine Your light,
Shine Your light through me.
Work a miracle in my heart.
Work a miracle in my heart.
Work a miracle in my heart,
O Lord, today.
Lord. take all my lies
And all of my greed,
Let me be a sacrifice
For those who are in need,
Change my heart,
Change my heart today.
Lord, without Your power
It's all just good intentions!
Lord, without Your grace
Who could find redemption?
Change my heart,
Change my heart today.
Work a miracle in my heart.
Work a miracle in my heart.
Work a miracle in my heart,
O Lord, today.
Brian Houston
© 1998, 1999 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
CCLI License # 810055
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