True Miracles Rising – Part 3

Just like with the early disciples, God sets us up to watch others receive miracles for our training and the development of our faith in Him (Jn 9:3). But He also has miracles for us personally.

One way He delivers us out of self-reliance into trusting Him more to work His grace on our behalves is to experience His powerful Presence. He watches us and knows where and when we especially need Him. He will invite us to come away from our work to simply praise and worship Him. When He calls us away, His timing is perfect. It may not feel convenient in the moment to those of us who are focused and efficiency-minded, but God’s invitation is not to be regarded as a distraction or a waste of time. But rather as our miraculous solution to ultimately excel at our assignments and expand His Kingdom by His Spirit as He presents Himself (1 Co 14:22 TPT). In this way, God humbles us and resets our focus on Him as the Mighty One, who is higher than our struggles. He reminds us that He loves us and is our all-powerful, enthroned King—our burden-bearer and solution giver—the only One who can lift us beyond our limitations. In these praise and worship breaks, God’s Glory invades our present circumstances and brings our much-needed change miraculously.

Saint Paul, through whom God did many miracles, experienced a physical jail break; and those around him spiritual conversions when the Spirit of Salvation visited Him while praising God (Ac 16:24-36, 19:11).

Believing in God is everything (Matt 13:58 TPT).

Jesus says in John 14:12 TPT, “I tell you this timeless truth: The person who follows me in faith, believing in me, will do the same mighty miracles that I do—even greater miracles than these because I go to be with my Father!”

Saint Peter miraculously heal a paralyzed man and raise a dead woman back to life, like Jesus did, as Holy Spirit worked through him (Ac 9:32-41).

“Jesus, the Anointed One, is always the same—yesterday, today, and forever” (He 13:8 TPT). Therefore, He can work through us in the power of creative miracles when we as His disciple-learners walk closely with Him.

Miracles are purposed to expand God’s Kingdom—inwardly to strengthen His people in Him and outwardly to expand reach, as news of miracles travels fast (Lk 7:17). The working of miracles results in the uniting of believers and the multiplying of them.

Acts 5:12-16 TPT says:

The apostles performed many signs, wonders, and miracles among the people. And the believers were wonderfully united as they met regularly in the temple courts in the area known as Solomon’s Porch. No one dared harm them, for everyone held them in high regard. Continually more and more people believed in the Lord and were added to their number—great crowds of both men and women. In fact, when people knew Peter was going to walk by, they carried the sick out to the streets and laid them down on cots and mats, knowing the incredible power emanating from him would overshadow them and heal them. Great numbers of people swarmed into Jerusalem from the nearby villages. They brought with them the sick and those troubled by demons—and everyone was healed!

God’s love for us is everlasting. His merciful miracles are rich. “Everything he does is full of splendor and beauty! Each miracle demonstrates his eternal perfection” (Ps 111:3 TPT). Even His “marvelous words are living miracles” (Ps 119:129 TPT). This is why we must speak life-giving words. It’s why we long to obey Him, to align with His way (Jn 14:15 TPT).

In fact, we will never fulfill our destinies without God’s miraculous intervention in our lives. Psalm 71:6 TPT says, “It was you who supported me from the day I was born, loving me, helping me through my life’s journey. You’ve made me into a miracle; no wonder I trust you and praise you forever! Many marvel at my success, but I know it is all because of you, my mighty protector!”

Friends, we are to “Praise him for his mighty miracles! Praise him for his magnificent greatness” (Ps 150:2 TPT)! Who could ever praise Him enough (Ps 106:2 TPT)?

So, pray with me if you will…

Dear Lord,

“…You are my soul’s celebration. How could I ever forget the miracles of kindness you’ve done for me” (Ps 103:2 (TPT)? I “give thanks to the only miracle-working God” (Ps 136:4 TPT)! “Open my eyes to see the miracle-wonders hidden in Scripture” (Ps 119:18 TPT). May “I remember all your wonders of old” (Ps 77:11 TPT). Empower me to be a miracle-worker by Your Spirit for Your glory. “Let us see your miracles again, and let the rising generation see the glorious wonders you’re famous for” (Ps 90:16 TPT).

In Jesus’ Mighty Name,

Amen.

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.

Beautiful Life – Part 3

I am seeing God turn ashes to beauty in my life in every facet big and small as He brings us out of the Coronavirus cocoon. And it’s happening swiftly!

Oppressive weights have lifted. New doors have opened. New beginnings are manifesting. All as beauty.

Even some old things are made new…with more to come!

Are you experiencing this, too?

Recently, God showed me the Word “Distribute” in a Word-vision. He revealed to me that we have entered into a stage of “distribution.” 

About a week later, I was reading 1 Corinthians 12 in the TPT version as part of a homework assignment from my new church. And there, I saw the Word “distribute” four times. So, I dug deeper.

According to Helps Word Study, “distribute” in 1 Corinthians 12 means to “apportion (assign), by the choice of a superior; to divide” spiritual gifts for the purpose of confirming the Word of God, expanding His Kingdom and establishing His righteousness—on earth (1 Co 12:7 TPT study note).

1 Corinthians 12 verses 6 and 11 TPT say, “The same God distributes different kinds of miracles that accomplish different results through each believer’s gift and ministry as he energizes and activates them. Remember, it is the same Holy Spirit who distributes, activates, and operates these different gifts as he chooses for each believer.”

So, we see here that to “distribute” is the first step in Holy Spirit’s empowerment process to accomplish His three-fold purpose of making beautiful Him known in the world in a variety of ways.

This brings us to another definition of the Word “distribute” in regards to the miracle Jesus did (after thanksgiving) in John 6:11, when He distributed the loaves and fishes to those who were seated. 

In this verse, according to Strong’s (# 1239), the Word “distribute” means to divide, to offer, to give throughout a crowd, to hand over, to deliver over as to a successor.

Doesn’t this remind you of Jesus offering Himself up to be our greatest gift, as well as delivering His Word and Spirit to us to become His living, empowered successors?

Psalms 111:3 TPT says, “Everything he does is full of splendor and beauty! Each miracle demonstrates his eternal perfection.”

Titus 2:14 TPT says, “He sacrificed himself for us that he might purchase our freedom from every lawless deed and to purify for himself a people who are his very own, passionate to do what is beautiful in his eyes.”

So, the message is clear: our Lord is inviting us to be empowered as conduits of His miraculous provision to then go and do what He did and even greater exploits as we trust and obey Him.  

1 Corinthians 12:31 TPT says, “…now I will show you a superior way to live that is beyond comparison!”

The Amplified Classic version expands this by commanding us to “…earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts and graces (the higher gifts and the choicest graces). And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one that is better by far and the highest of them all–love].”

Ironically, our Lord led me to this very scripture the morning before He led me to church, where I received my homework assignment. 

God has an intentional plan to work against division as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:25 by setting us up to “look after…others with mutual concern.”

So, as we go to serve others, according to His leading, He will continue to take care of what concerns us and also reward us.

Holy Spirit is bringing us out of hibernation more empowered and setting is us on a new trajectory that leads to an explosive convergence—the manifestations of His big promises to us—the fruit of dreams come true (Pr 21:21 TPT). 

Big ones. 

Ones for which He has prepared us over time.

Not only will this happen for us but also for those He reaches through us by His Spirit.

Are you ready for His manifest miracles?

Ephesians 5:27 TPT reminds us “All that he does in us is designed to make us a mature church for his pleasure, until we become a source of praise to him—glorious and radiant, beautiful and holy, without fault or flaw.”

So, no matter what’s going on in our lives, we can choose to move toward His beauty—His justice, honor and praise—and express it outwardly. Remaining in intimacy with Him is key.

We can experience His Glory-Presence and offer, activate and operate in miracles for Kingdom purposes as He leads—all by His Spirit and for His Glory.

Psalms 149:4 TPT says, “For he enjoys his faithful lovers. He adorns the humble with his beauty, and he loves to give them victory.”

Jesus lives a victorious life that He extends to us and through us. So, His greatest beauty is found in the true life of victory-salvation He has offered to us. When we walk in it, we will experience a more beautiful reality. There is no greater adventure. 

Colossians 4:12 TPT encourages us to “…grow and mature, standing complete and perfect in the beauty of God’s plan for your lives…”

1 Corinthians 13:13 TPT reminds us that ” above all else, let love be the beautiful prize for which you run.”

Pray with me if you will…

Dear Lord, 

Thank You for making us complete in Christ (Co 2:10). Thank You that we can lift up our “heads [in joy], because [suffering ends as]” our “redemption is drawing near” (Lk 21:28). Thank You for being our Spirit of Justice, who works on our behalf to bring beauty out of ashes (Is 28). I invite you to equip and empower me in any way that delights You. Thank You for activating Your gifts in me and for operating them through me. Thank You for teaching us Your Word and ways (Ps 119:68, Ep 4:29, 2 Th 2:17, Pr 10:29). Fill our hearts with your “beautiful intentions” (1 Jn 3:22). Here I am, Lord. Send me for Your glory. I trust in You.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name,

Amen.

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.