adminPastor Hamandishe
Jesus walked on water not to prove to anyone that he is God. Actually when it happened he was alone. The only reason he walked on water was that all boats were gone and he had dismissed people away and left alone to pray.
What prompted Jesus to come walking on water was a need to rescue his disciples who were in the middle of the sea; their boat was troubled by the weaves.
It does not make sense to God to gather people around the lake to see you demonstrating that you can walk on water.
For what reason and which need you want God to meet through that supernatural performance?
The hunger to prove to people that one is anointed is misleading people and churches are turned into theatres. If Elijah was here today he would challenge some people on why they call fire from heaven or walk on water yet in their congregation is no conflict of faith. Elijah called fire from heaven because there was a need to prove that his God was the only true and living God.
There was a conflict between prophets of Baal and Jehovah hence a demonstration of power was necessary.
John 2:1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.5
His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast.
And they bare it.9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,10
And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now11
This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. JKV
In his first miracle, Jesus was even hesitant because his time had not yet come.
However, there was need since there was no wine; he had to perform a miracle. He did not perform to prove a point. The wedding ceremony was faced with a crisis.
There was a need of refreshments. It was done to avoid embarrassment because of lack of wine at the wedding.
We have a mis-presentation of the gospel of miracles in some sections of Christian community to the extent that some are forced to drink fuels turned apple juice just to prove that one is anointed.
Wrong motives caused some men of God to present fun miracles. Look at the approach of Jesus Christ, at first he wanted to refuse but later performed a miracle after considering a need.
Why then would one need to change petrol into juice with no reason? Miracles are performed through the supernatural power to meet the needs. Where there is no real need the house of God may be turned into a theatre or a show room of fun and questionable miracles.
The idea that God should be worshipped to get benefits has also misplaced him from the object of worship to be a Luck Charm.
It is true that God answers people through supernatural means but not through senseless ways of misleading people to have false expectations on prosperity neglecting other God given principle of working.
Resorting to a manna type of life that expects God to rain manna miracle everyday in the form of money and other provision is unbiblical way of trusting God for life time prosperity.
When Jesus was confronted by his opponents who wanted to trap him through paying of the tax, He only defeated his accusers by paying that tax. Since he had no money with him at that particular moment, the only thing that settled it all was a divine financial provision.
He sent Peter who caught a fish that provided their need.
He found money in a fish and they paid the tax. Jesus was not demonstrating anything to anyone but simply meeting the need to avoid unnecessary conflicts.
We cannot borrow that and go about commanding every living thing to vomit money unless one is practicing witchcraft.
Matt 17:27 “But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin.
Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.” NIV
I believe in miracles and I saw God performing miracles in my life and of others. However, people need to know that God is the God of order.
He performs miracles to meet specific needs. Some miracles that are being herald in different media are leaving people with questions than answers.
People ask why these miracle were performed and for what purpose?
Miracles do happen and we can not limit God is some cases.
However manipulating people with miracles that are not scripturally based is failing God.
When the real power is displayed by God, people end up not know what to take.
Some out there can agree with me that we are in the dispensation of the Holy Spirit, hence supernatural things are happening.
However, God is not in the business of displaying power, miracles or signs without a clear reason or need.
I urge those who go to church and even none church goers to read their bibles so that they cannot be misled in the matters of Faith.
When human’s hands and brains fail, surely we need supernatural intervention in the form of miracles, done through the order of God’s power. Above all understanding true Salvation surpasses mere display of miracles that can not transform your life. One should not worship God because of miracles but should be saved , commit his/ her life to God wholeheartedly and miracles will follow as benefits of his faith in him.
God bless you for reading this article.
Pastorocean@ Apostolic Word Foundations (Knowledge Series) Pastor Ocean Hamandishe is the Senior Pastor of Christian Walk Ministries. He oversees Churches in Zimbabwe & Mozambique. He holds a Diploma, B A in Theology and Master of Christian Counselling. He Can be contacted on +263 -772 602 471/ or [email protected] SUBMITED 18/12/2015
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