“God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. Acts 19:11-12.
Illnesses cured by the touch of handkerchiefs? An apron used to heal the sick? That is very extraordinary! Yet that is what was happening, as God was performing amazing miracles through Paul. Paul continued to live and minister in Ephesus for two years, and during that time, God did astounding things among the Jews and Greeks living in the surrounding province. Paul went about doing the things that he normally did upon entering a new town. Only this time, it was different. While Paul did his normal activities, God moved in miraculous ways! Nothing had changed with Paul, yet God moved in a very dramatic manner, much more than what usually occurred in his ministry.
There have been times when I wondered why God wasn’t moving like I thought He should. I was doing all the right things. I prayed. I read my Bible. I said all the right words (in the right order!). I even fasted….okay…maybe I didn’t fast, but I was working hard and was available to be used by God to do miraculous things. So why did God move sometimes and not move most of the time? What I discovered is that I need to live my life doing what I believe God wants me to do, and God will do whatever He desires to do, when He desires to do it. Paul wasn’t concerned about whether or not God was using him. He knew that God was using him, and left the results in His hands.
Questions to consider: Why do you suppose God sometimes did these amazing miracles through Paul but didn’t do them most of the time? Do you think that a person must achieve a certain level of spirituality in order to be used by God? Have you seen God do any “extraordinary miracles?” Why do you suppose they happened?
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your involvement in our lives. Thank You for loving us and for stepping into our world, especially most clearly in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment