So, what do you think of miracles? This sort of thing. (wasn't sure if this was the right place to put this, sorry if wrong).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Fátima
The deceiver will come and do miracles.
Rev 13;13,14 " He performed impressive signs, making fire come down from heaven to earth in sight of everyone;
and by the signs he was allowed to perform on behalf of the beast, he deceived those who live on the earth."
Matt 24;17 " For false messiahs, and false prophets will appear, and they will perform great signs and wonders so as to lead astray,
if that were possible, even the elect."
A little key differentiating between faith and signs seems to be what Christ talks about earlier in Matt;
Matt 12;39,40 " But He answered them and said;
'An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet.
For just as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so also will the Son of man
be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights."
Paul also points this out;
1 Cor 1;22,23 " For Jews demand signs, and Greeks are looking for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified;
a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Gentiles."
Seems to be emphasizing faith without the need for signs and wonders.
I.M.O there are still some miracles on the personal scale to people who are earnestly led on the path; just that it is not like they are needed to be convinced about there being a God, they just know about His grace and provision without the boundaries imposed by fellow man.
Just another scripture which seems applicable;
Col 2;18-23 " let no one, however wishful, be arbitrating against you in respect of lowliness of mind and observance of the messengers;
puffed up by his carnal mind,
taking his stand in vain upon what things he has seen and not holding fast the head;
from which all the body receiving supply through means of its joints and uniting bands and connecting itself together,
grows with the growth of God.
If you have died together with Christ from the principles of the world, why are you submitting to decrees as though
alive in the world?
Do not touch, nor handle, nor taste- which things are all for decay in the using up-
according to the commandments and teachings of men.
Indeed which things, though they have the appearance of wisdom in self-devised religious observance and lowliness
of mind and ill-treatment of the body,
are in no honourable way unto a satisfying of the flesh."
:cloud9: Personally, I don't consider all the supposed virgin Mary sightings, a "miracle", more like an angel of light. My :2c: Blessings...
:iagree:
I think, when all is said and done, miracles are made of the faith of a person, with a sincere and trusting heart.
Wherever they are; whatever they encounter, if they come seeking God, then God will meet them there.
Think of the miracles Jesus did, while he walked with us. All different types of people and circumstances, but when He saw or felt their sincerity and earnestness, great things would happen.
Miracles must be experienced, one person at a time, whether they are alone or in a crowd of thousands, the miracle comes to each of us, directly from God.
I don't think the miracle is what is seen with the eye or heard with the ear, necessarily. Miracles happen inside of us. We might see results of our faith, in a concrete way, like someone walking, who hadn't walked in years, but the real miracle was God reaching down and changing usual human circumstances, because of faith. It is what is found in the faith of the soul. God gives us miracles, to help us to know and trust Him more. Miracles are God's way of reaffirming that we must walk by faith and not by sight, and that He is still here with us, and has not forgotten about us, or abandoned us.
And, if it is not from God, it is obviously not a miracle. And, I don't believe God ever will lead us astray, whatever the circumstances.
D.
Quote from: Dandelion on May 18, 2017, 07:31:12 AM
I think, when all is said and done, miracles are made of the faith of a person, with a sincere and trusting heart.
Wherever they are; whatever they encounter, if they come seeking God, then God will meet them there.
Think of the miracles Jesus did, while he walked with us. All different types of people and circumstances, but when He saw or felt their sincerity and earnestness, great things would happen.
Miracles must be experienced, one person at a time, whether they are alone or in a crowd of thousands, the miracle comes to each of us, directly from God.
I don't think the miracle is what is seen with the eye or heard with the ear, necessarily. Miracles happen inside of us. We might see results of our faith, in a concrete way, like someone walking, who hadn't walked in years, but the real miracle was God reaching down and changing usual human circumstances, because of faith. It is what is found in the faith of the soul. God gives us miracles, to help us to know and trust Him more. Miracles are God's way of reaffirming that we must walk by faith and not by sight, and that He is still here with us, and has not forgotten about us, or abandoned us.
And, if it is not from God, it is obviously not a miracle. And, I don't believe God ever will lead us astray, whatever the circumstances.
D.
:thumbsup: