GOD CAN USE MIRACLES TO BLESS US AND FRIGHTEN OUR ENEMIES

Proclamation:

“Now when all the … kings along the coast heard how The Lord had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until they crossed over, their hearts melted in fear and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites.”  Joshua 5:1 (NIV)

Explanation:

These are the words of God which were written by Joshua under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  When the priests carrying The Arc of The Covenant stepped into the Jordan River, the water stopped flowing and they walked across on dry ground.  They stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground while all the Israelites walked around them into Canaan. (Joshua 3:17)  After the whole nation of Israel had crossed the Jordan, The Lord God told Joshua to send twelve men back to where the priest were standing and gather twelve stones.  These twelve large stones were carried back on their shoulders and set up, one on top of the other as a monument, where they made camp. (Joshua 4:1-9)  Then Joshua commanded the priest carrying The Arc of The Covenant to out of the Jordan and the waters returned to their place and resumed flowing. (Joshua 4:15-24)  When the people of Canaan heard how The Lord God had dried up the Jordan for the Israelites, they became afraid to face them. (Joshua 5:1)

Application:

The miracles that The Lord God preforms in our lives to make a way out of no way for us, can be the same miracles that strikes fear in the hearts of our enemies.  All we have to do is trust and obey Him, and our blessings will cause our enemies to become afraid.  The very blessing which The Lord God uses to encourage us, He can also use to discourage our enemies.  When we glorify Him and proclaim His goodness to us, we encourage the hearts of other believers, and The Holy Spirit of God can use that to cause non-believers to become upset and worried, or to become convicted, convinced, and converted.

FOR THE GLORY OF GOD

Proclamation:

“As He went along, He saw a man blind from birth.  His disciples asked Him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’  ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.’”  John 9:1-3 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the Apostle John under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Here, John records the events surrounding the fifth public miracle that Jesus performed, giving sight to a man who was born blind.  Jesus, The Christ, said that this man was born blind so that the works of God could be manifested in him. (John 9:3)  This situation occurred so that The Lord God could be glorified.  Jesus spat on the ground, made some mud with His saliva, and put it on the blind man’s eyes, then told him to go wash in the pool of Siloam. (John 9:6)  The blind man did this and gained sight in his eyes.  When the Pharisees learned of this they were upset because Jesus had again performed a miracle on the Sabbath. (John 9:14-16)

Application:

Sometimes bad things happen to good people, as part of God’s permissive will, that leave us helpless so that He can get the glory when He makes a way out for us when there appears to be no way.  We may at times be helpless but we are never without hope.  Our hope is in The Lord God. (Psalm 31:24 and 33:18)  We may not understand why some things happen, but we know that all things work together for our good. (Romans 8:28)  So, whatever happens, to God be the glory. (Jude 1:25)

THE WATER I GIVE WILL BECOME A SPRING IN THEM

Proclamation:

“Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’”  John 4:13-14 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the Apostle John under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter, John records the conversation between Jesus, The Christ, and a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well in the town of Sychar in Samaria. (John 4:1-26)  After He asked the woman for a drink, she questioned Him. (John 4:7-8)  Jesus replied to her that if she knew who He was, she would have asked Him and He would have given her “living water.” (John 4:10)  Here, Jesus makes it clear that He is not talking about the water in the well but about spiritual living water which is linked to eternal life.  When Jesus tells her about her life, her past five husbands and that she was living with a man whom she had not married, she wanted to change the subject and talk about religion. (John 4:16-19)  When Jesus told her that she did not know what she was worshiping, she replied that she knew that the Messiah was coming.  Then Jesus said, “I am He.” (John 4:25-26)  The woman left and brought the men in her life and many others to Jesus. (John 4:39-42)  The chapter ends with the second miracle of Jesus, the healing of the son of the nobleman in Capernaum. (John 4:46-54)  After his son was healed, the nobleman brought his whole family to Christ. (John 4:53)  Both of them shared the living water.

Application:

If we have the “living water” within us, it should spring forth and we should share it with others.  Many people will argue about religion but they do not want to live it.  There are many people who worship regularly but they do not know very much about that which they worship.  People all too often are quick to point out the sins of others but they want to change the subject when their own sins are uncovered.  You cannot come to Jesus, The Christ, hiding your sins and expect to receive eternal life.  We all must confess our sins, ask to be forgiven, and believe that He is who He says that He is. (Romans 10:9-10 and 1 John 1:9)  We must believe and have faith in Him.  Without faith it is impossible to please Him. (Hebrews 11:6)  Jesus responded to the nobleman’s faith when He healed his son.  We must have faith, and we must also turn from our sinful ways if we want Him to heal our situation. (2 Chronicles 7:14)  

THE FIRST PUBLIC MIRACLE OF JESUS THE CHRIST

Proclamation:

“Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’; so they filled them to the brim.  Then He said to them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.’  They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine…”  John 2:7-9 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle John.  Here, John records the first public miracle which Jesus, The Christ, performed. (John 2:11)  Jesus and His disciples had been invited to a wedding at Cana in Galilee.  His mother was also there. (John 2:1-2)  They ran out of wine and His mother told Him, “They have no more wine.”  Then she told the servants to do whatever Jesus told them to do. (John 2:3-5)  The servants filled the large stone jars with water and Jesus changed the water into wine.

Application:

The first point here is that the mother of Jesus gave the servants some very good advice, which would also apply to us today, “Do whatever He tells you.” (John 2:5)  The second point is that we are just like those large empty stone water jars; we need to be filled to the brim with The Word of God.  The third point is that the miracle did not occur until the servants drew out some “water” and gave it to the master of the banquet.  When we share The Word of God that we have been filled with, the miracle will happen in the lives of those who receive it.  We are not to keep The Word of God to ourselves; we are to share it with others so that they may benefit from its truth and its saving grace.  If we obey Him, The Lord God can use us to be a blessing to others.

JUST THINK OF HIS GOODNESS IN THE PAST

Proclamation:

“I will remember the deeds of The Lord; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago.  I will consider all Your works and meditate on all Your mighty deeds.”  Psalms 77:11-12 (NIV)

Explanation:

The words of this psalm were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Asaph, who was the director of music appointed by King David.  The psalmist begins by expressing his distress and his concern that caused him to question whether The Lord had forgotten him. (Psalm 77:1-9)  Then he said, this is my lot and I know how I will deal with it.  He said that he would remember the previous actions and miracles that the Lord had performed and meditate on them.

Application:

When we are feeling down or depressed and it seems that The Lord has forgotten us, we need to remember His word and His promise that He would never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)  We should reflect on the things that He has done for us, and for others, in the past and realize that He will make a way when there seems to be no way. (Isaiah 43:19)  We just need to trust in The Lord.  He will show us the way and provide a lamp unto our feet and a light on our pathway. (Psalm 119:105)  Remember, the wind and the waves of our storms obey His will. (Mark 4:39)  And, if He chooses not to calm the storms, He said that He would be with us and protect us through the storms of life.  Either way He does it, we win.

The Lord Will Make A Way

"This is what The LORD says, He who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick.  'Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.' "  Isaiah 43:16-19 (NIV)

The Old Testament Prophet, Isaiah, recorded these Holy Spirit inspired Words of God for the people of God as a message of hope.  He told them that The Lord God, who parted the Red Sea for their forefathers as they left bondage in Egypt, would also perform new miracles for them.  Even though they were disobedient and worshiped idols, even though they were conquered and captured, they were still His chosen people and He would deliver them and restore them.  He said that The Lord would direct their paths and provide for their needs.  

This message of hope applies to us today.  We also are disobedient and do not follow The Word of God.  We also are suffering through hard times and enduring the storms of life.  We are told in His Word not to dwell on the things of the past, The Lord will do a new thing for us.  We will be blessed in new and different ways.  He will guide us during our darkest hours and our difficult times, and He will provide that which we need.  No matter how bad things may become or appear, The Lord will make a way for us somehow.

He Has Done Great Things For Us

"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."  Psalms 126:3 (NIV)

The unknown author of this psalm recorded this statement, which was made by the children of Israel, after The Lord brought them out of Babylonian captivity and returned them to Zion. 

This statement was true for them and it is true for us today.  The people around them noticed that they had been delivered and they commented that God had done great things for them. (Psalms 3:2)  The people around us can tell when we have the favor of God upon us and when we enjoy His blessings.  When we share the events of our lives with others, they can see that God has His hand on us.  It is sometimes hard to appreciate the rain during the storm, until we see the plants bloom afterwards, or unless we have just gone through a long drought.  All things work together for good, for those of us who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)  So, no matter what happens, we are to count it all as joy because God is in control. (James 1:2)  From our formation in our mother's womb (Psalms 139:13-14), God has performed miracle after miracle in our lives.  In fact, in light of all the things that He has done for us, we ought to be grateful and we ought to be filled with joy.  Just think of what He has done for you.

Rejoice And Praise The Lord

"Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek The Lord rejoice. Look to The Lord and His strength; seek His face always. Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced." 1 Chronicles 16:10-12 (NIV)


After the ark of the covenant had been recovered, David gave thanks and praised The Lord, and he encouraged the people to do likewise. The ark represented the presence of God and they celebrated having it with them again.


The presence of The Lord is cause for celebration, and He is always with us so we should always be joyful. When the world tries to get us down, we should look to Him and His strength, remember what He has done for us in the past, remember all of the wonderful things that He has done, and remember His promise never to leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) For that we should give Him praise, honor, and glory, and always be joyful.

Miracles By Jesus Prophesied

Not only die the prophet Isaiah predict the conception and birth of Christ more than 400 years beforehand, he also prophesied that Jesus would perform miracles.

"... He will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame man shall leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing ..." Isaiah 35:4-6

The gospels of Matthew, Luke and John record that Jesus did perform miracles. He gave sight to the blind (Matthew 9:27-30 & Luke 9:1-7), gave hearing to the deaf (Luke 7:21-22), gave speech to the dumb ( Matthew 9:32-33), and made the lame to walk (Matthew 9:1-7, Luke 5:24-25, & John 5:8).

Jesus performed many other miracles, some of which were recorded within the gospels, and many of which were not (John 21:25). The miracles were performed so that the people would know that He was God (Matthew 9:6)

Jesus, The Christ, was, is, and always will be special. His conception and birth were special and so was His life, His teachings, His death, His resurrection, and His ascension.

He is worthy of all glory, honor, and praise everyday, and not just on Christmas, Easter, and on Sundays.

Have a Merry Day-After-Christmas and be blessed.