Where are the miracles today?

Ephesians 3:20-21

New International Version (NIV)

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

We don't see miracles today because we have not allowed the power of God to work within us.  Ephesians 3:20 says that God is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine!  What can you imagine, can you believe!  I have asked the question: why did that dying child not get healed?  The local church prayed for him.  The whole community prayed for him.  Churches across the south east prayed for him.  Yet he died.  Others are sick among us.  I do not believe it is God's will that anyone be sick in body. Yet, we are.  Can God heal us?  Yes He can.  He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.  So settle it now.  God is able and willing to do great things in our lives.  Further, I want to say that I believe the Church prayed with all the faith they could muster.  I would not go to say that the Church does not believe God can heal our infirmaries.  But the Church may have a problem believing in a full expression of God's power presently in our midst.

So why, then, are the miracles missing in our Churches today?  The miracles occur according to His power that is at work within us.  The Church as toned down our expectation of God and the presentation of His power.  I know God wants them to happen.  Verse 21 says that He wants to be glorified in His Church and in Christ Jesus.  Let's read:

1 Corinthians 2:3-5

New International Version (NIV)

³ I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. ⁴ My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, ⁵ so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

Paul spoke to the Corinthians that he did not use wise and persuasive words but presented the gospel with demonstration of the Spirit's power so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power.  God wants to demonstrate His power.  God wants your faith on His Power and not on great arguments from the pulpit.  But we have only heard great arguments from the pulpit.  We have been exposed to great oratory skills and it touched our hearts. We have faith.  Yes, even a saving faith.  But where is the faith for miracles?  Miracles are few and far between in today's American Churches.  And this is not God's will!  We have convinced ourselves that God does not want to do miracles within the Church.  I have heard a quote just the other day:  "God will not do something for you that you can do for yourself."  I might go with: "God will not do something for you that you should be doing for yourself."  The overall suggestion is that we have to depend on ourselves.  But I declare that we should be depending on God.  And yes, do for yourselves, and trust God.  In somethings we have found an alternative to God but the response we get is not as good or as complete as God's response.  So we find us trusting in things other than God and not trusting or depending on God at all.     

Let us talk about how we have or have not allowed the power of God to exist in our lives. Do you believe God to help you live a sin free life?  God has given us the power not to sin. Are you allowing that power to work in your life?  Are you chasing a life of the foolishness of sin and still expecting the other aspects of the power of God to work in you life?  God cannot do much in a Church that is not striving to be holy!  God is holy. His Spirit is holy. God cannot do great miracles in an unbelieving Church.  If we believe in God's holiness, we will desire to be like Him and strive for holiness also.  You know it is God's will that you live a holy life.  Yet I have run into so many folks that have accepted the sinful nature as fact and have quit striving to live sin free at least in certain areas of their life. 

Are we living by faith or by sight?  In other words: are you trusting God?  If we believe God and yet do not live a life showing that we actually trust God then what proof is there in our lives that we trust in the power of God?  We are in yet another way denying the power of God to fully exist in our lives. If we trust God, our actions will be of those that trust God.  Else, we will be withdrawn and hold back our love, our joy, our peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  For instance, if you don't trust God then how can you be a cheerful giver?  How can you pray for good for your enemy if you can't trust God to protect you?  But that is God's command!  Are your business tactics of faith?  Do you present your products in an honest way?  Do you go the extra mile to provide a quality completed product?  Or do you skim on the quality to get done quickly so that you don't actually provide the product you promised?

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Living by faith is demonstrated by obedience to Gods principles including:

Tithing – Do you give the first fruits of your income for the purposes of God?

Offerings – Do you give charity to the needy and for special causes?

Prayer – Are you developing a relationship with God?

Bible Study – Are you studying God's Word?  This is where you learn who God is.

Witnessing – Are you excited about God? Let the River of Life flow through you with energetic emotion?

Other Services – Are you fitting into the Body of Christ by performing a useful function within the Church?

In some of these areas I'm preaching to myself.  I'm not perfect but I'm submitting myself to God for his refining fire.  You should too. 

Finally, be baptized in the Spirit (filled with the Holy Spirit) - Have you received the baptism of the Holy Spirit?  God promised us a teacher, a comforter, one to give us insight, words to say when challenged.  In Acts chapter 2, God baptized all the disciples with the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is here for you.  Even Jesus declared that the miracles He performed were done through the Holy Spirit.  Give the Holy Spirit a place in your life.

If you find that you have allowed sin in your life you should repent and separate yourself from that lifestyle.  Second your life style should demonstrate your faith in the power of God. Become obedient to God in living a holy life.  Let God work in your life as you become obedient to his principles, commands and laws.  You know them, they are summarized in this:  Love God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind.  Love your neighbor as yourself.  And finally, the last but not least is to receive the Holy Spirit.  Miracles will come as we learn to allow God to express His power in our lives.