"Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them." Acts 19:11-12,

      Miracles are normative to the church of Jesus Christ!  Christ gave us, His followers, delegated authority to "trample on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you," (Luke 10:19) and He empowered us to be "healers" in a generation of brokenness!  Matthew 10:1 charges us, "And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him. He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kind of disease."

       Miracles are the "dunamis" (miraculous) power, might, strength, manifestations of the Holy Spirit, showing forth His wonderful acts and glorious deeds, always pointing us to Jesus, the Christ!  Scripture calls the children of God, "arrows in the quiver of the Lord,” Psalm 127:4, "Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth." And you and I know that arrows are not profitable unless they are sharp!  It's a time shape-up and sharpen for Jesus! 

        Discernment is needed, more than ever, to know the way we are to go!  It is a gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:10) and we can walk in God's wisdom and avert the many pitfalls planned by the enemy.  Seek Jesus for discernment and wisdom in decision-making, avoiding impetuosity and haste! 

        The Old Testament is a book of "patterns and plans;" the New Testament is a book of "power and purpose!"  2 Timothy 4:2a encourages us to "Preach the word!  Be ready (instant) in season and out..."  Being "instant" or ready means that you stand upon the confidence that you have in Christ, the Great Miracle Worker!

        The challenges of 2009 and even now may appear to be insurmountable obstacles but can we now begin to consider that these times of testing as an opportunity to receive a miracle?  1 Peter 5:10, “And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 

        Oh, yes, we love the miracles, but what about the milestones, the signposts in the life of a goal, project and plan. They may entail a roughed-out schedule or timetable of actions that are desired to be accomplished within a timeframe or specified date. They are mile-markers to our progress in our walk with Jesus and each milestone, or mission accomplished, is a miracle to behold! 

       Here are some promises from His incomparable word to encourage us in our daily walk with Jesus!  How many would say, "I have suffered a little while..." but I have learned from the time of suffering, to trust in Jesus, "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross..." (Hebrews 12:2)
      
       Though we have been in a season of wrestling with God, let us say, "I am willing to take up my cross and follow Jesus!"  Mark 8:34 says it this way, “When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples, also, He said to them, ‘Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’”

        But, Jesus, "I am weak but I know that You are strong..." "Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, for Christ's sake.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
(2 Corinthians 12:10)  When I lean on the strength of the Savior, then His dunamis, miraculous power, can be seen in Me!

       And so, your life and your circumstances are a "miracle in the making!" Beloved ones release the tensions of life into the hands of the True Life-giver, our Lord Jesus Christ, who breathes upon the issues of our lives, availing noteworthy milestones!  This is a true miracle, indeed! 

In His love and grace,
Pastor Lorraine D. Coconato