Before we begin our journey to the upper regions, the abode where celestial powers and fresh, green pastures dwell, we will gain understanding unto miracles. But first we must supernaturally believe in the wonders of God's great earth. Why supernatually? Because everything is Super-Natural with God, way beyond the natural. Miracles come from God's supernatural realm, the realm of Super Production, therefore we must believe supernaturally in the way that He expects. Everyone needs miracles, and without God's miracle manifestations there is no healing for the body, no prosperity for our well-being, no peace for our soul, no hope of good things to come.

Those who do not believe in supernatural events cannot believe in extraordinary manifestations, nor can they believe in unexpected Divine intervention or complete healing of the body and mind. They have not accepted the acts worked by Christ which reveal His divinity, therefore they cannot see beyond and into the truth of reality.

What is a miracle?

In Herbert Lockyer book, "All the Miracles of the Bible", he stated that a miracle is "some extraordinary work of deity transcending the ordinary powers of nature and wrought in connection with the ends of revelation."{1} Notice the three elements: miracles are supernatural, or the work of deity; they transcend or override natural law; and they are part of God's means of revealing His nature and purposes to us.

In Acts. 2:22, Peter speaks of the "miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Jesus". This reference to miracles can also be translated power. Miracles demonstrate the supernatural power of God over nature and evil forces. This power was seen in Jesus when healing the sick, calming the storm, and raising people from the dead. Such events occurred in opposition to the normal course of nature and could only be done by a supernatural power.

The word wonders refers to the response the miracles evoked in the observers, a response of astonishment and fear. Observers knew they had seen something out of the ordinary, something that in its greatness could even be threatening to them. Still a third word used by Peter in Acts 2:22 points to the revelatory purpose of miracles. There, Peter referred to the signs of Jesus. This word stresses that aspect of miracles which draws attention to the significance of the event. Signs point to or reveal something else. First, they indicated a relationship between the miracle worker and God. In John 5:36. Jesus said that His works were evidence that He had been sent by God. Second, they pointed to a fuller activity of God still to come. As one writer said: "The power Jesus exhibited was a foretaste of the power to be revealed at the end of the age."

Without warning miracles act as an equalizing compound by distributing elements to balance emotions. Wondrously, they correct disorders, compensate for defects, and bring great surprise and admiration. The grand and prophetic miracles are love which induce healing powers to eliminate sickness, disease, poverty, and lack.

Miracles are an effect that occur in the physical realm and go beyond human powers, for they belong to God's supernatural realm. Miracles cleanse and enlarge our inner self, which gives us the ability to serve as a vessel so God can work mighty acts through us. They are perceived to shift natures course of action, because they return the truth to reality. God is a God Who works miracles, Who goes beyond limits and makes all things possible.

"For in much human wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow" (Ecclesiastes 1:18). Miracles restore practical wisdom to discern the character of our madness and folly, and give us the ability to make reasonable decisions. They help us remember our Creator, and that we our not our own, but His property.

God created the entire universe with an intended purpose, so there is indeed an extraordinary purpose for you. But if great clouds of depression have broken the foundation of your spirit, your purpose will be shrouded by the rain of tears. Miracles wipe away the clouds of depression, rebuilds our foundation, and dries up the storm of tears so our wondrous purpose can be seen.

Miracles arouse awareness! They shock our spirit into a grand awakening of our true value which enables us to create in the affinity of God. Everyone can receive miracles through God's Divine influence, for He creates them through us with His love. Miracles reveal His love, and each one should be appreciated immensley.

Miracles are given so that we can have a Divine Encounter With God. They are desperately needed because they separate life from death, good from bad, and health from sickness. They dynamically heal, for God beholds our mournful cries and sends His miraculous powers forth to serve for His glory and Name Sake.

Miracles do not submit to fleshly desires, they submit only to the Spirit, through God's Words. They submit to God's laws, and they come when called upon naturally and by faith, void conscious control.

Miracles bare God's holy arm before our eyes, for revealing Himself as the One by Whose direction we should take. So shall He startle us with His amazing powers by removing walls, breaking down barriers, and taking away the limits that block progress. They melt down, by a natural process, the dividing wall that separates heaven from earth. Miracles are needed for breaking down the walls of confusion, distrust, emotional turmoil, and poverty.

Behind our door and doorposts, we set up idol symbols and deserted God. Now we are faint and heart sick. We are weary by the length of our ways in trying to find rest apart from our True God. But, because of His steadfast love, He bestows miracles to share for the removal of lack and misfortune so everyone can join in the richness of life's abundance. Sharing gives freedom to all, which exchanges our passion-inflamed images, for gratitude and true devotion.

Miracles are dynamic because they encourage, build confidence, and enlighten. They activate through love, excitement and positive thoughts. You see thoughts create feelings and produce effects by what we meet with, pleasant or unpleasant. They act as a magnet, one draws discouragement, the other encouragement, and good thoughts result in sudden increase.

Someone might ask, even if people won't accept miracles, might they not respond to the simple preaching of the cross? Remember that miracles were part of God's revelation of His redemptive activity. They were set in the context of the spoken message of Jesus. People who refused the spoken word also refused to accept the evidence of miracles. As Abraham said to the rich man in Jesus' parable, "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead." (Lk.16:31)

Can Miracles Bring People To Believe In Christ?
In answer to this question, they can if the deep-down knowledge of God that Paul said we all have (Rom.1:20) is first awakened. But for those who have deliberately shut God out of their lives and their worldview, miracles won't do any more to convince them than hearing the Scripture will.

Miracles provide evidence for the identity of Jesus and for the truth of the message He proclaimed, especially when paired with prophecy. They should thus be a part of the package of evidences we employ. We will not convince everyone of the truth of Jesus Christ, but if God chose miracles as confirming evidence, we should open up to receive them and not shun them.