Over the years I’ve listened to the stories of miracles recounted by wonderful Christian members and pastors. I’ve watched as my parents experienced exciting miracles. Those miracles were things that could NOT have happened on their own and took place against all odds.
On a world wide missionary trip Dad saw blind eyes open and a leg grew 5 inches while the 2,000 person crowd wildly praised God. A man’s hearing was healed, a toddler walked away from his death bed and dad faced Satan in VooDoo country.
More importantly to my own faith, I know I wouldn’t be here if God had not answered prayers with a miracle. When I was six I was healed of Scarlet Fever because mom and dad prayed all night for me. My first pregnancy was twins. The doctor told mom it was me or them. My parents and the church prayed and we all three were fine. As an adult God healed my hand and prevented amputation. I was dying after another surgery. I had a near death experience and came back to perfect health. I almost bled to death after my last child. The doctor said I was one pint from death. Mom prayed and I was healed.
Yes, I believe in Miracles! We are not in this life alone. We are not without a way of escape, help for the hard times or God’s mercy when we need it.
No matter what you are praying for today. God hears your prayers. Never forget that! He is all powerful, all knowing and He can do anything. He doesn’t always answer “yes” every time we pray – but when it falls within His will – God works miracles!
One of the most powerful miracles of all happened with my Grandmother, Rev. Lula Craft. She was preaching at a country church in Alabama. A drunk came to the Saturday evening service. He heckled her sermon until she decided to put a stop to it. She walked to the back of the church and preached to him. She insisted that he stop in Jesus name and give his heart to God. He swore at her and ran out he back door.
After the Sunday morning service, my grandfather and two deacons of the church wanted Grandmother to go out the back door and sneak away. She was horrified. “God’s people do not sneak. What is going on!” They explained that the drunk had returned. He was calling for her to come out. He had a gun and said he was going to kill her. “No he’s not!” Grandmother clinched her fists. She marched to the front of the church and out the door. The three men followed her, and begged for her to stop.
She saw the man behind the hood of his car. “In Jesus name,” She yelled. “I command that you drop that gun and get right with God!” A shot hit a sign beside the sidewalk. She stepped onto the grass and marched toward him, shouting that God would protect her. Another shot whizzed by her head. As she walked three more shots barely missed her. Finally she stood within six feet of him. With both hands on the gun he yelled, “Die Woman!” He shot again and missed.
His mouth flew open. Grandmother pointed her finger at him and said, “God is here to claim your soul. Today you will believe that He is God.”
The man fell at grandmother’s feet and cried like a baby. “I do. I do. Please forgive me. I’m so sorry.”
Of course everyone was glad that Grandmother was okay and that the man gave his heart to God. But it was later that they found out the great miracle God had performed. The man was not drunk. He was completely sober. He told Grandmother and the amazed deacons that he had a military shirt full of awards and ribbons for his accurate shooting. He was a sharpshooter and had taken men down when others couldn’t. Tears ran down his face as he told grandmother that there was no way he could have missed. He had her in his sights every time. God must have been protecting her.
I can still see the tears running down grandmother’s face as she told me that story. She didn’t know why she was so brave that day except that she had been fasting and praying all week. She knew God was on her side and she knew God would protect her. And He Did!
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
Dear Jesus, we all have problems in our lives. We are frightened. We are anxious. We are worried. Forgive us of our sins. Help us to leave our wrong doing, bad attitudes and faults at the foot of the cross.
Please give us the strength to trust you. Give us the power to be bold for you. Help us to center in on your power and your wisdom. Help us to not be afraid but to trust you completely.
Please heal America. Please give us one more chance to have revival and to see this country turn back to you.
God Bless America!
See you tomorrow