Mark 16:17-18 (NKJV) And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
The Bible speaks about seeing the sick recover, speaking in new languages, raising the dead, opening blind eyes, supernatural defense for the people of God, and so much more. Unfortunately, I believe that the church sees these things as exceptions to the rule, rather than the rule itself.
Very seldom will you come across a Christian that says “God CAN’T do those things.“ But it’s not a matter of believing whether God CAN do those things or not. Even demons believe that God can do those things. The problem is, we are not used to these things as a part of our inheritance (Isa. 54:17).
When trouble arises, we very often resort to thinking about the natural consequences of that trouble. We resort to thinking about the natural ways that people deal with that trouble. And therefore, we fear like the world, we cower like the world, and we hide away and take refuge in natural solutions.
Before I go any further, I am a huge advocate for any natural thing that gives you temporary help for your problem. Pray about it and go for it. But, the second we stop seeing these things as “temporary help“ and start thinking of these things as solutions, you’ve lost me.
The truth is, the miraculous things I mentioned in the first paragraph are not simply things that God CAN do. They are literally part of us now. They are part of our inheritance that Jesus died to give us. They’re inside of us and God wants all these things to work through us. But we have to get used to them!
We take every Sunday and Wednesday to teach about the miraculous, supernatural, heavenly things that Jesus has provided to us. And what use is all of that if we are going to cower in fear just like the world does? You either believe that you’ve got miracles inside of you or you don’t. If you do, then stop being afraid. If you don’t, then deal with trouble the way the world does.
The word “miracle“ is often used as if it denotes being rare or uncommon. People say, “It would take a miracle to fix this,” or “It’s nothing short of miraculous.” They use the word as if it means “rare or unexplainable.” If that’s the way you see the word miracle, then just stop using that word. Truthfully, the word miracle is an English word and isn’t really in the Bible. The word miracle in the New Testament is often just the word “power” or “work of power.” Miracles should not be perceived as something rare, uncommon, or for special occasions when God wants to show off. That’s not how it works. Miracles should not be perceived as “miraculous” in the way that people typically use the word.
Miracles (or works of power) are normal for every believer. They are commonplace. We carry them inside of us every day of our lives. They are special, in the sense of valuable, but these things are not special, in the sense of rarity. These things should not seem special to us in that sense. They should seem commonplace — ordinary and every day.
Jesus often rebuked His disciples when they were “shocked or surprised“ at a work of power. Jesus did not want them to be surprised at something that was rightfully theirs. Neither does He want that for us.
Jesus rose from the dead and they were shocked to see Him.
Luke 24:37-41 (NKJV) [When Jesus rose from the dead] …they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? …” …they still did not believe for joy, and marveled…
And again here, when they are “amazed and marvel” at Jesus’ walking on the sea, it calls that lack of understanding and hardness of heart.
Mark 6:49-52 (NKJV) And when they saw Him [Jesus] walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out… Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.
Unfortunately, this is where we find most of the church today. We are not used to our inheritance. It is supernatural and far exceeds anything earthly, but we’re not used to it. We would be just as shocked as the disciples were if someone was raised from the dead in front of us. We would be just as shocked if a believer calmed a storm or walked on water. We’re not used to it, people. We’re not used to it.
This is where the renewing of the mind comes in. Renewing your mind, just means thinking new thoughts (Rom. 12:2). Essentially, it means getting used to what you have.
In the past, you’ve been used to walking naturally and reaping natural results. You’ve been used to thinking carnally and expecting carnal things. But you’ve been given the power that created this entire universe — Life to restore dead things and the authority to use it. Just like Jesus (John 5:21). But you NEED to adjust your mind to it. That’s all that you need to do for these things to manifest in your life!
Romans 8:6 (NKJV) For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
It’s just your mind. It’s just your thinking. Start listening to Jesus regarding the infinite power and wisdom that He’s given you. Start getting used to it. Think like it’s normal because it is.
When you start seeking Him, the Lord starts teaching you, and your mind gets adjusted to what you have. That’s how miracles start flooding out.
Galatians 3:5 (NKJV) Therefore He who… works miracles [works of power] among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
You’ve got power to open blind eyes. You’ve got power to walk on water. You’ve got power to fly around the room if you wanted to. All things are possible to you (Mark 9:23). Stop expecting that the rest of your life needs to be like a natural, impotent person (1 Cor. 3:3). You’ve got miracles in you. Jesus paid the price and qualified you to use all of it.
Colossians 1:12 (NKJV) …giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance…
Stop fearing. Stop crying. You just need to get used to what you have. You’ve got more than you think you have. Jesus made you more than who you thought you were. There’s only good news for you. These things ARE in fact normal, but they need to be perceived as normal in your mind. And that only happens by the word of God.
Romans 10:17 (NKJV) So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
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