Supernatural things

Both are true statements.
Example of the second position: Peter and James going up to the Temple in Acts. There was a blind man there asking for alms. This man was not asking for healing nor did he know that it was within their power to do such. But Peter stated such as I have to give to you "rise up and walk" - and Peter picked him up.

 

Jesus healed people who had no idea who He was, they had no idea He was someone to have faith in for healing.

yes

yes

 

I would say no, supernatural things can occur in our lives if we have faith or not. (Matt 5:45)

But I do believe that without faith we may not see the supernatural things that occur in our lives.

 

I agree with NCT.

 

I agree.....

 

Obviously both can not be true. Since Scripture gives evidence of miracles(supernatural events) occuring where no faith is present. Then I would have to agree with the later. Supernatural events can happen when and where God desires. Scripture does give evidence that the presence of faith will make them more likely.

 

Sometimes it takes something supernatural to help us have faith.

 

How much faith did Lazurus have?

God allows supernatural things to happen, simply because he can.

He does it at his discretion.

I had a 1st cousin that had trouble walking growing up.
His parents took him to "healing" services.. where they constantly had him annointed with oil... thinking God would heal him...

When God didn't, they were told they didn't have faith enough!

BALONEY!

But because of this theory (false doctrine) that if there is enough people praying, and we have faith, God will move!

It is the junk, Benny Hinn, Pat Robinson, Joyce Meyers and all the other false teachers teach...
It is based on the Word/Faith Movement that says we have power to manipulate God.

Who is man (or woman) to think that we control God.

Faith is not a magic spell.
We do not use faith either to rub the magic lamp.

Many see God as a genie, granting our wishes as long as we have "enough" faith...

God is God...
I have seen miracles on unsaved people as well as those with "faith"

Blessings come from God because he is a gracious God.
Not because of something we do.

Here recently, there was a baby born in our community that was born mentally retarded... his parents and church started praying, his numbers are normal now... It was a miracle from God....

I have heard some praise God for it...
But I have also heard people praising prayer for it...

such as, "Because so many people were praying, God healed"..

Who got the credit in that... God, or the prayers...

Many treat prayer as an idol...

If only one person prayed, God would have healed.
If no one prayed God would have healed... God healed because HE is a gracious God.

Does that mean we shouldn't pray? Of course not.. but give God the credit not the people huddled around praying.

 

I have often said, The best prayer offered to God, is the one the person offers him/herself in secret. Then again, read my line below my name. I see that everyday....We pray, asking, and run before God speaks...

The finger of God is in every pie!

Cheers,

Jim

 

The the false doctrine you speak of turns God into a drive thru window...

"I'll have a #3.. a #6 Super sized.. a higher paying job, 3 healings, and a large bonus check please...

What's that?? Just pull to the next window to "Name it and claim it"...

Thank You.

 

The one supernatural event in the life of every Christian is regeneration, the rebirth. Otherwise I am afraid that there is a growing tendency to treat God as a Santa or genie. We ask and He delivers.

Some years ago in a study on prayer in Sunday School I presented the following as part of the study:

The following is an example of a prayer by the Apostle Paul, offered in faith, for a temporal need that was not granted.

2 Corinthians 12:8,9, NKJV
8. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
9. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Commenting on this passage a man named W. Bingham Hunter [The God Who Hears] writes:

“Paul’s experience highlights the simple but profound truth that prayer is not the means by which we get what we want, rather it is a means that God uses to give us what He wants.”

I believe this is the best definition of prayer I have ever heard.

 

Yeah, the name it claim it crowd...

Here is something funny... I know of a Church of God church that uses a closed down Pizza Hut... I have often teased the pastor (a good friend of mine) when he was going to open the drive thru window....
:laugh:

 

TinyTim

I enjoyed your remarks. I believe that a miracle is when God sets aside the natural law. Lots of things we say are miracles are not. We look at the birth of a child and say that it is a miracle when it is really only the natural consequence of conception. [Perhaps I misspoke here considering that one third of all conceptions are terminated by abortion.]

I believe that God performs a miracle only when it brings glory to Him, not Benny Hinn or some other kook.The following is a little off topic but I believe it presents something worthwhile.

I had a man in my Sunday School class some years back who was slightly charismatic. He was going to have surgery for lung cancer on a Monday. He had previously had surgery for cancer of the throat followed by radiation treatment which did considerable damage, some to his carotid arteries; but the cancer was cured. He also had experienced some other serious medical problems and had recovered. On Sunday before his surgery he spoke before the Church and listed each illness of which he had been cured rightly giving God the credit, though God had also used the medical profession. As He listed each one and the outcome he said "That's love" and I agreed. He had the surgery on Monday morning. The surgeon came out and told those of us waiting that there was no reason he should not live a normal life span. [He was about 65-67 at that time.] He stayed in the hospital one week and came home. That night or early the next morning he had a severe stroke that left him speechless and unmoving. Two weeks later he died and went home to be with the Lord. Now I call that LOVE! Jesus Christ died for us and conquered death.[1 Corinthians 15:54] We may not understand it but Scripture tells us:

Ps 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

 

The background I came from when I was saved using the words supernatural bothers me.