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Miracles today
Cy:
They are great verses, I agree! I'm just trying to becareful to delineate between the greatness of spiritual wonder, physical miracles, and wanton imagination.
Let me be very clear that at no level am I trying to diminish the wonder and magnitude of the spiritual teachings and life, nor do i disagree with any of the responders to my post, of just how great a thing is the spiritual gift of life!!
But specifically, I'm referring to scripture and experience that ranks with the undeniable miracles, performed by Christ and His disciples, as opposed to what are called miracles by most christians.
Last year my wife needed heart surgery, and she recovered, was it a miracle? Hardly, God made bodies to be self-repairing and the medical team worked with that. My mom has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, but has slowly been improving as she submits to her magnum treatment package. Is that a miracle? I doubt Jesus would be impressed.
Don't get me wrong, I'd be so amazed and grateful if these physical problems could have been miraculously & instantly healed so that even critics could not have questioned it, but it didn't happen that way.
A good friend of mine lost his 12 years old daughter after 4 operations, though everyone prayed for a miracle for her physical body, there was none. She is dead for a couple years now.
I hope this makes my discussion target more clear.
Regards, to all you brethren that have taken the time to respond and offer you perspective, and do so in such a courteous manner.
-Cy
gmik:
Interesting topic. Being in the charismatic/pentecostal movement for years I always wanted to see miracles. We would have special speakers who would talk about miracles that happened....at his last meeting, but nothing would ever happen the night I was there. Seems like there is a lot of miracles in Africa-dead raising and blind eyes opening-we were told they are very receptive over there.
Now, this is the truth, one night in the car I was complaining about my hands and how it felt like i was wearing gloves they were so tight. Later that night after the sermon the pastors wife had a "word of knowledge" that some one needed prayer because their hands felt like they were wearing gloves. So I went forward and got prayed for. I quit taking artritis medicine. That was years ago but now little by little I feel it coming back.
My sister-in-law was diagnosed with lymphoma when she was in her twenties and given 3 months to live. We all attacked it with prayer and belief for 30 years! When she died at age 50 we were shell shocked-could not believe it.
A friend of mine finally dragged her husband to a healing service. He was high and didn't mind--well he instantly sobered up and "got saved" and never did drugs ever again. Still serving the Lord since the good ole 70's.
I know tons of these kinds of stories-many happened to me. HOWEVER, :D NOW I still pray for things and people to get well, but I know it is all of God, by God and Through God, so I don't have the same mind set as I did. It is His Will, and If He wills it I will get healed, not if I prayed enough or had "faith" enough.
PS even back then I could not bear the Benny Hinn stuff Oh,....I did get caught up in the 88 ways Jesus is coming back in 88!! :oops:
Cy:
:lol: LOL I never heard of the 88 in '88, that'll be something I must read up on, I wonder how it all worked out? :wink:
Thanks for the input!
lilitalienboi16:
Cy, and anyone interested. Someone once asked Ray this same question. The email is entititled "Are miracles for Today?"
Here is the email along with Rays reply - Its from the main page of this site.
--- Quote ---Hello Ray,
I have three questions:
I would like to know what you believe scripture to say on the subject of healing for today.
Do you think we are able to do the same miracles as Jesus? If so, why do we not see this more often?
The scripture in John 14: 13, 14. Why don't our petitions get answered like Jesus said?
Thank you for your time,
Cindy
[Ray Replies]
Dear Cindy:
Many assume that the statements that Jesus made to his eleven apostles on the evening of His arrest, were a blanket statement to all believers to follow, for all time. This is not so.
Jesus did do many miracles through His apostles after His death and resurrection. He promised them the gift of the Holy Spirit (Comforter), which would give them faith and power to spread His gospel message.
This came true fifty days later on the Day of Pentecost. The apostles were given the gift of tongues so that they could even speak in foreign languages which none of them had ever studied. They were able to heal the sick. And they even RAISED THE DEAD. Peter and Paul both RAISED THE DEAD.
These special miracle gifts did not follow all generations of the church. Even later in the ministry of the apostles, God began to withdraw these gifts. No one was raised from the dead in their later ministry. Paul said that "tongues would cease" in I Cor. 13. Only "faith, hope [expectation] and charity [love]" were to "NOW remain...." Some of Paul best friends and servants in spreading the gospel were sick and not healed. Paul told his dear friend Timothy, to "take a little wine for thy stomach's sake, and thine OFT [MANY] INFIRMITIES. God did NOT heal them. Do we think that Paul did not even ask?
Many in the charismatic church try to make a carnival exhibition of such gifts, but I am afraid all they do is deceive.
However, with that said, does God no longer perform miracles or healings? Yes, He does. I have seen and experienced them. Does He always heal? Does He always alleviate our problems and trials? NO. Why should we pray for God to TAKE AWAY all the things that are absolutely NECESSARY FOR OUR FAITH AND PERFECTION?
Don't neglect to ask God for EVERYTHING you feel you should have. But don't be disappointed if God allows you to CONTINUE IN YOUR TRIALS. Sometimes He removes certain trials after a period of time. We do not know when and how or even if God will do this that or the other thing, so we keep praying. I ask for STRENGTH AND FAITH to face my trials and OVERCOME my flesh. I no longer pray for God to make me HEALTHY, WEALTHY AND WISE, with absolutely no price to pay for such privileges.
This site is an answer to prayer. My understanding of the Scriptures is an answer to prayer. Everything I have is an answer to prayer. I pray for others and many times, GOD ANSWERS MY PRAYERS! But I do NOT always heal the sick through my prayers, I do not make people wealthy through my prayers, and I have NEVER raised the dead through my prayers. So don't stop praying!! And ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, thank God for all that you have.
And then, don't WORRY about anything. Phil. 4:6 is a terrible translation in the KJV. Instead of "Be careful in nothing..." it should read:
"DON'T WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING..."
God be with you,
Ray
--- End quote ---
I don't know if that helps anyone but i thought you might be interested. I found it interesting.
As for miracles IMO, im sure God works them all the time, wether they be small or great, but wether He does or not, shouldn't be the reason for our faith.
People always look for God to manifest Himself TOO His children, but what people don't realise is that God manifests Himself IN His children.
God bless,
Alex.
Chris R:
Hello,
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Why does Christ say "many" will say unto me? Is it beause there are so "few" miracles preformed today? Why not say the "few" will say to me?
Who are these people that have done many wonderful works, and have cast out devils. Aren't these miracles? I would say so.
Luk 9:49 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.
Luk 9:50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid [him] not: for he that is not against us is for us.
Yes there are miracles performed in the name of Jesus Christ even today, so that Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 2Cr 11:14
These miracles are from God, for Gods plan and purpose, and for no other reason. One must understand that this reason may not be to our liking.
Jhn 9:2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
Jhn 9:3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
Peace to you all
Chris R
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