30 Days - Day 10

Day 10

Acts 4:30

30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”

The believers continue their prayer and following “that with all boldness they may speak Your word”, the very next thing they ask for is healing, signs and wonders to be done in the name of Jesus. In essence, they are asking that what has just happened will happen again. After all it was a healing that brought about this whole series of events. We also see the effectiveness of this miraculous sign. At the beginning of the chapter we are told that a great number of people that had believed. The number of believers has increased from “about 3000” in chapter 2 to “about 5000 men” in chapter 4.

I think that many of us would like to see more miracles. We would like to see the things that we have read about in the Bible all our lives. We would like to see a burning bush with a “thus sayeth the Lord” experience or experience a walk through the sea on dry ground (no scuba please). No doubt God’s miracles have been, in so many ways, in our own lives but sometimes there is that desire for something a little more, a little bigger...of Biblical proportions! Then unbelievers will come to Christ! Then there will be no doubt...or is it my doubt that is the question?

But are we missing something? Why do the believers ask for healings and signs and wonders? They only ask for them for the possibility of speaking and proclaiming God’s word. In fact, it is doubtful that most of the people at the temple saw the miracle that was performed. They only heard about it. They only saw a man running and jumping and praising God. It was the preaching of the word that convinced them (v.4). As we look back through the trial with the elders and leaders we see that even they have to admit that a notable miracle has been done. It doesn’t produce belief in them. Many people say, “if I would just see a miracle, then I would believe”! However, those that can’t believe without a miracle often won’t believe even with one. We can point to numerous examples from scripture and beyond.

Should we pray for miracles? I believe that we should. God is ready and able to do wonderful things in our lives and the lives of other. He tells us in James that we don’t have because we do not ask, but also warns that we need to be careful of our reasons for asking. The motive of the believers was only one, that the gospel be preached. It was their motive that through this little miracle of healing that an even greater miracle would take place. They wanted hearts to be cleansed from sin. They wanted lives to be made completely new. Of all the miracles that Jesus did, what was His greatest? It was of course that He removed our sins from us, that He restored us to a right relationship with God. As we pray for God’s wonders let us be careful not to forget to expect answers that will allow the gospel to be proclaimed, people to be saved and the name of God to be glorified.

Prayer Requests Day 10

1) We are traveling today to Vienna, Austria to pick up Julia's resident permit - pray for safe travel there and back again.
2) Phil Brewer - healing for back and other hurts
3) Brewer's to obtain their resident permits quickly (could take up to 30 days)
4) Open doors to teach God's word and preach the gospel (especially University and young families)