Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Signs and wonders

"Katydid"
We can see His work in creation.

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

When I see katydids I can't deny there's a God.  And that He has a sense of humor.  These harmless critters camouflage themselves, by pretending to be leaves.  He's given us lots of signs and wonders.  We just need to notice.

I'm not sure if you've ever asked, "God if you're real show me a sign."


I have.  Sometimes He does and sometimes He doesn't.  Before I went to Grand Canyon College, I asked God for a sign.  Then I got a brochure in the mail saying that they were offering full financial aid packages.  My eyes popped and my heart started pounding.  I had to go to Phoenix.  I've asked for other signs along the way too.  


But, Jesus isn't a magician or show off.  He works out of compassion and love.  While He was on His journeys in Israel, He performed many miracles.  Soon the people were expecting it.


Maybe they murmured, "I wonder if He'll turn a loaf of bread into food for us all."


"Maybe He'll disappear or heal a blind man."


His message is about faith.  He longed for people to believe in Him and trust Him.  He still does.  It wasn't about what He could do.  It was how He loved.  Although sometimes my requests out list my praises and thanks even today.  Perhaps we're all a little guilty.


Here's a great song that fits with this story Your Name (link) .

John 4:46-54


46 So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.
I'm not sure if these words were meant just for the nobleman or those who doubted Him.  I'm thinking maybe for all in earshot.  Because Jesus didn't travel to Capernaum, He spoke.


49 The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!
The nobleman really wasn't looking for signs or wonders.  His focus was on his son.  Jesus wasn't a magician sent to do tricks, He is the Son of God sent to save the world.  If they had depended on what they saw alone, there would be no Church today.  Jesus was sent to bring faith, hope, and life.

50 Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. 51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!

52 Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, and his whole household.

54 This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.

His Word still speaks to us today.  When I pray, I know Jesus hears and says the word to heal and help.  Sometimes not as I plan, He is the Son of God.  He knows how things should go.


Jesus told Thomas,
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." 
John 20:29
We haven't seen what the disciples saw,  yet we believe.  I see His hand at work almost everyday, especially when I'm shooting.


Feel free to comment if something comes to mind : )


2 comments:

  1. Yeah it's so true that His message is about faith. Your post reminded me of this verse Numbers 23:19 - "God is not a man that He should lie nor a man that He should change His mind. Has He said and will He not do? Or has He spoken and will He not make it good?" I think for me I never once asked God, "God, if you're real..." that kind of statement then expecting for a sign because I want to believe in my heart that God is real and He is alive and working in me. But of course doubting in Him is also like making that kind of "God if you are real prayer", ultimately turning God into a liar. Being too dependent on signs will sometimes lead you to disappointment when what God wanted you to learn is to "fully trust in Him." God bless ya! :D

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  2. Good comment : ) So true, we do need to take a stand and choose to believe no matter what. Thanks! God bless you!

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