Believe in Miracles, Trust in Jesus

“And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, ‘Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ But Peter said to him, ‘Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!’” ACTS 8:18-20

 

PONDER THIS

We all need to know about the dangers of counterfeit Christianity because not all false religion is in the occult. Sometimes it moves right into the Church. Now remember Simon has been a sorcerer; he’s been practicing witchcraft. Philip had been preaching Jesus. Here is this sorcerer, this man full of demons who has been practicing witchcraft, and the Bible says, “Simon himself also believed” (Acts 8:13). He was beholding the miracles and the signs, and he saw how the people in Samaria were receiving the Holy Spirit as they did at Jerusalem, so he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:19).

It sounds good on the outside right? He wanted to see God’s power. But his faith was superficial, not real faith. He was not believing in the Master; he was believing in the miracles. He saw the power manifested there by the New Testament Church, and so he wanted to be a part of it. But he never had met the Lord Jesus Christ.

Believe in miracles but trust in Jesus. Never put your faith in miracles; put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

What is the difference between trusting miracles and trusting Jesus?

Where is your heart? Do you seek God for who He is or for what He can do for you? Explain.

PRACTICE THIS

Spend some time reading this passage and asking God to give you discernment for when these moments of deceit sneak into the Church.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Do You Believe in Miracles?

PRAY OVER THIS

“Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.’ Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth!’ And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Loose him, and let him go.’” John 11:41-44

 

PONDER THIS

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead to give us an illustration of the greater spiritual truth of eternal life. When He said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25), He shared the greatest truth we need to learn.

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, but He didn’t raise everybody from the dead in this life. So, what is the message in the miracle? Jesus is God’s answer to man’s death. “I am the resurrection and the life.” Miracles of glory speak of greater miracles of grace. We should believe in miracles but trust in Jesus. Do you understand what I’m saying? These miracles are not to have us put our faith in miracles. Our faith is to be in the Lord Jesus Christ. If you want a full and wonderful life, and the abundant life that we’ve been talking about, you must experience life in Jesus.

How has your relationship with Jesus changed your perspective on death?

Who is one person you know that you have seen experience life in Jesus?

PRACTICE THIS

Ask a mature Christian you know to share a testimony about experiencing life in Jesus. Consider some lessons you can use in your own life.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Jesus Turns Problems into Miracles

PRAY OVER THIS

“Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the water pots with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, ‘Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.’ And they took it. When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom.” John 2:7-9

 

PONDER THIS

The first miracle of Jesus took place at a wedding, a happy occasion. Jesus attended both weddings and funerals. Jesus never broke up a feast, but He often broke up a funeral. Jesus lived a life of great joy. This miracle He did at a wedding tells us that Jesus is not a cosmic killjoy, but He came that we might have abounding joy.

A little boy was setting the communion table at church, and he saw the cross on the communion table. He had just begun to go to school and learned addition and subtraction, and when he saw the cross on the communion table, he said, “Mother, what is that plus mark doing on that table up there?” Of course, that plus mark was a cross, but I remind you that the cross is a plus mark; it is not negative. Jesus has come so that we might have incredibly bright, beautiful, and joyful lives.

Jesus was present at the wedding in John 2 and turned what could have been a disaster into something delightful. Jesus has a way of turning the monotonous into the momentous. One of the most beautiful pictures in the Bible is when Jesus prepared breakfast for the disciples in John 21. He is the Lord who cares about the things—even the little things—that concern you.

How have you experienced joy in your relationship with Jesus?

How has God cared for the small things in your life?

PRACTICE THIS

Serve a friend today to remind him or her that God cares for the small things in his or her life.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Do You See Everyday Miracles?

PRAY OVER THIS

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

 

PONDER THIS

I was thinking about all the feasts and the meals that our Lord prepared for His disciples. The Lord Jesus Christ fed the five thousand. He prepared a table of replenishment when there was the enemy of inadequacy. And you know, He has done that for me so many times. I feel so inadequate, and I run out of resources, but the Lord just prepares a table before me. I can’t even explain how He meets my needs day by day.

And I’m not just talking about physical needs. I want to ask you a question. Is there any way you can explain the feeding of the five thousand? There’s not any way except God. What is there about your life that cannot be explained apart from God?

If your neighbor can explain everything, and you’re just like him, only you’re religious, that won’t convince him. But when he sees God supernaturally meeting your needs and preparing for you a table of replenishment in your greatest need, then you’ll be believable. God will not only provide a table of replenishment but also a table of restoration.

When have you seen God work in a way you could not explain?

What are some areas in which you feel inadequate? How does God meet you in those times?

PRACTICE THIS

Write out the ways God is providing for your needs right now. Praise Him and share with someone else how He is working in your life.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Did Jesus Do Miracles?

PRAY OVER THIS

Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” John 4:48

 

PONDER THIS

The Bible is clear that Jesus did many signs and wonders. Consider Acts 2:22: “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know.” We can neither take these signs out of the Word of God nor should we wish to.

But why did He do signs and wonders? In John 20:30-31, we read, “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” The purpose of Jesus’ miracles was to authenticate His ministry. The miracle was not for the miracle’s sake; the miracle was that we might believe on Jesus and have eternal life. We should not seek a miracle, but a Messiah; not a sign, but a Savior.

When was a time you might have sought a sign over a Savior?

How might we ask God for things like healing while also keeping our focus on Jesus?

PRACTICE THIS

Spend time in prayer today, seeking Jesus for His own sake and not for anything that He can give you.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

What Are You Asking Jesus For Today?

BIBLE MEDITATION

“…these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” John 20:31

 

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT

The same Jesus who turned water into wine can transform your home, your life, your family, and your future. This same Jesus is still in the miracle-working business. His business is the business of transformation.

And when we believe that Jesus is the Christ, we will receive life through His name. Someone has well said that nature forms us, sin deforms us, penitentiary reforms us, education informs us, the world conforms us, but only Jesus transforms us.

ACTION POINT

What are you asking Christ for today? A miracle? Or for more of Him? Your very next breath is a miracle. Ask Jesus for more of Himself.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Do you need a recipe for a miracle?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

I love the Lord, because He hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because He hath inclined His ear unto me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live.

Psalm 116:1-2

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Here’s the recipe for a miracle:

Take a problem

Transfer it to Christ

It will be transformed by Christ.

The ingredient most of us keep missing is transferring the problem to Christ.

ACTION POINT:

Have you given your all to Jesus Christ? This is not just rhetoric. Trying to get as serious and honest as we can within the confines of your daily calendar, the question is: Have you literally given everything to Jesus Christ? If not, do so today and you will begin to see God’s miracle-moving power transform your life.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

The Greater Miracle

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“I, even I, am the Lord; and beside Me there is no Savior.” Isaiah 43:11

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

It takes more of God’s power to save a soul through the cross of Jesus than it does to do any other thing. God had no difficulty creating the universe. The Bible tells us He spoke and it was so. But when God wrote salvation’s story, He went to great difficulty. Let me illustrate.

What if I held a service and had the power to straighten a cripple’s legs or to bring sight to the blind? The next service would be standing room only. Now I certainly want God to heal, but let me suggest a different scene. What if I held a service and a little girl walked down the aisle and gave her heart to Jesus? That is a greater miracle than opening the eyes of the blind, because the Son of God had to hang on a cross in agony and blood to purchase her salvation! Jesus did not come as a great healer or teacher, He came as a Savior.

ACTION POINT::

Ask God today to give you the heavenly view—for the angels in heaven rejoice each time one lost person receives eternal life. This is the greatest miracle.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers