In First Corinthians, chapter 12, we see a list of the “gifts”, or manifestations, of the Holy Spirit. In the list, there are three gifts related to power. They are faith, healing, and the working of miracles. Note the difference. Miracles are a work to do. When Jesus did miracles on the Sabbath, the religious leaders accused Him of working on the Holy Day. Jesus’ response was that He was just being obedient to the Father. He wasn’t making money, He was just doing good. It is amazing the result of a simple act of obedience. Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit would come, we will be able do the works He did and even greater ones than He did. (John 14:12) This is amazing to think about. Well, good news, the Holy Spirit has come. To do these “greater works” we must follow Jesus’ example, which is to hear and obey what the Holy Spirit is saying.
I have found that obedience needs to be a way of life if we are going to see the supernatural manifestations of the Holy Spirit. But it is not a comfortable lifestyle. I think each one of us wants to be in control of our own life. We don’t want to have to depend on anyone, and if we are honest with ourselves, we also want to be in a place in which we even don’t need the Lord. That may seem harsh to say, but in practice it is what many of us do. We have our plan B, always ready, just in case the Lord doesn’t come through with the needed miracle.
The Lord as been very patient with me in teaching me this lesson. Miracles are definitely in the supernatural realm, and to operate in this arena one must fully trust the Lord with the results. When the Lord called us to leave our home and ministry in the U.S.A and move our family of seven to Portugal, it was a step of faith. We had all the confirmations and knew that God was leading us to make this move. We were not a part of a denomination nor had a mission agency to back us up. All we had was a clear Word from God that we were to go. We raised support from friends and local churches and felt confident that the Lord was with us on this new adventure.
After about a year into our time in Portugal, much of our support stopped. The “out of sight, out of mind” syndrome kicked in, as well as changes of church leadership, that led many of those who supported us to stop. All we had was a clear Word from the Lord to be there. One Sunday, as we were on the way to the church we were helping plant, our van broke down. We coasted to a stop in front of the door, but how would we get back home? I had some money, but not enough for a taxi, and definitely not enough to pay for the towing and repairing of our van. I thought to myself: “I’m sure Helen and our oldest daughter Sara have money.” (that was my plan B) During the meeting, the preacher exhorted the congregation to give sacrificially and in faith. I felt the Holy Spirit telling me to give all I had. I decided to obey, thinking that Helen and Sara had the money we needed to get home. But, to my surprise, the Lord was telling them to do the same. After the meeting, I asked them for money, and they had none. Then the miracle happened. A lady approached us and said the Lord had told her to pay for the repair of our car. Another gave us money for transport home, and it continued on from there. At another time, a check for $1000 was left in our post box from an unknown source. Over and over again we have seen supernatural provision that has provided what we have needed to minister in Portugal and around the world. Whereas faith is more passive, to work miracles is active. It is actively responding in obedience to the will of God.
Scriptures to meditate on:
1 Corinthians 12:10; John 14:12; Galatians 3:5; Acts 10:38