God is still working in the midst of us. We must be careful, toeing the line between fanaticism and humble recognition of God’s working in our lives. But when I was 16, I was so amazed by what God was doing in my life that I started a “Miracle Journal.”
While He didn’t part the school buildings for me to get to class on time, He did work out many things that seemed well nigh impossible. And He healed my heart—only a loving, mighty God could do that.
I come from a line of miracles. At Christmas, I shared two meals with my dear Mimi and Papa. My Papa did ministry without ever raising support from churches, trusting wholly in God. He shared stories about moving vans that happened to be going to the exact place they were moving, so they moved his family for free; apartments that were vacant, waiting for them to call it home; and even the miracle of my mother’s birth, how my Mimi wasn’t supposed to have kids yet here’s my mother. And now, here’s me and my four siblings.
Tonight, I read from Acts 12 and took away a couple points that I hope you’ll carry with you today as you look for God’s hand in your life:
01.ASK for miracles.
Acts 12:5 — “So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.”
As I grow older, I’m trying to understand the line between acceptance of what God has, but also praying for a different outcome. I believe we are supposed to hold things with open hands. God loves to hear from us; He doesn’t push our prayers aside when we ask for things to be different. Yet I believe that, rooted in that request, there must be a heart that understands sometimes God will say, “No—this is what I want.”
Job 23:13-14 says, “…What he desires, that he does. For he will complete what he appoints for me, and many such things are in his mind.” See how even there, He has a beautiful promise for us?
So, it’s okay to ask for your parent to be healed. It’s okay to ask for healing in that relationship. It’s okay to ask for a trial to be removed. But all the while, remember: what he desires, that he does.
02. Recognize the miracles.
Acts 12:9, 11 — “…He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision…When Peter came to himself, he said, ‘Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me…”
In our modern-day lives, I believe we’re so distracted that we miss a lot of what God is doing. It’s in the moments when I’m unplugged from my phone and plugged into the Word that I tend to notice God’s miracles more. I am far more likely to attribute them to Him.
The other week, I was deep in the slogs of a giant print project. I was stressed beyond belief (I developed an eye twitch!). I was clinging to God, asking Him to double check all of my projects—because goodness’ knows, I’m a mess, always missing things or making mistakes.
I had sent the final files to print, ready to never see them again…when I got an email back from the printer. They needed printer marks. I was so irked as I reopened the file, for the 58th time, but as I was zooming in to fix the error...I noticed a mistake that four pairs of eyes had missed. Praise. God! I immediately knew it was directly related to the prayer I’d said that morning. Call it a miracle, don’t call it a miracle…to me, it was one.
Take time to start noticing these miracles in your life. The people you meet at the “perfect” time…the answered prayers…the healing…even the prime parking spot that gets you to the theater early. Psalm 147 says “Praise the LORD” REPEATEDLY, so he’s trying to get the message across that, if ever you don’t know what to do, praise God for what’s going on! There’s plenty to praise Him for.
03. Share the miracles.
Acts 12:17 – “He described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison.”
So, you’ve asked for a miracle. You recognized a miracle in your life. Now what? There is a preciousness to holding it close to your heart and thanking God. But it’s far more powerful to now tell others! That’s the point of miracles, anyway. It’s to bless you and remind you that God is with you, but also if you read the New Testament miracles were always used to prove to that God existed.
Miracles are meant to be shared and savored. See how peoples’ eyes light up when you say, “Hey! Guess what God did for me today.” Text it to your mom, to your grandma, to your pastor. Tell an unsaved coworker. This shares the praise-power, because now instead of just receiving praise from you, God receives praise from the other person who marvels with you at what He’s done in your life.
What everyday miracles have you seen God do for you this week? Start journaling them out. You think you’ll remember, but we are quick to forget God’s goodness! Keeping a log is great for when you’re feeling down and need a reminder of all God has done for you. You are beloved!
