Living in the Spirit
June 5, 2016

Scripture Reading: Luke 7:11-17

Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, ‘Young man, I say to you, rise!’ The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, ‘A great prophet has risen among us!’ and ‘God has looked favorably on his people!’ This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country. –Luke 7:14-17

What’s in a miracle? Is it a much desired result that was hoped for but deemed to be impossible? Is it mind over matter or coincidence? Is it real or a magic trick? What’s in a miracle?

We live in an interest, cynical time where we question everything in some instances demanding scientific proof and yet on the other hand accept as truth totally unverifiable happenings. I believe we are living in a time with far more ramifications than the industrial revolution had. Caught in the middle of it, we ride a tide of questions with no answers and answers with no roots.

My experience with God’s miracles are the small changes in my own being and behavior that could only have come from a divine and loving creator, parent, savior, advocate. John Newton, the former slave trader, probably said it best, Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me*. If God can change John’s heart and my heart, God can do anything.

I don’t think the miracles recorded in the gospels are only there to tell us of God’s grace and power through Jesus Christ. I think the stories were shared to help guide us in bringing about those much desired, but totally unexpected results on our journey to the Kingdom of God. Prevention of deadly disease and accidents is certainly one of those desires. Another is elimination of poverty.

Prayer: Lord, give us a heart for your desired outcomes for all your children and open doors of opportunity for us to pursue them. Amen.

*From Amazing Grace by John Newton see at http://www.constitution.org/col/amazing_grace.htm

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.