Do You Believe in Miracles?
By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.
06/14/2022
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20–21)
It is known worldwide as the “Miracle on Ice.” The year was 1980, and the United States hosted the Winter Olympic games in Lake Placid, NY. On February 22, the Americans faced the Russians in what would become one of the most iconic moments in sports history. At that time, professional athletes were prohibited from competing in the Olympic games. The United States brought a hockey team made up of hard-working, determined, upstart amateurs. The athletes representing the U.S.S.R., on the other hand, were de facto professionals, supported full-time in their training by the Russian government.
The U.S. and the Soviet Union met in a semi-final game. The Russians held a 3-2 lead going into the third and final period. The Americans rallied to tie the game at 3-3, and then with about ten minutes to play, team captain Mike Eruzione scored to put the United States ahead 4-3. There was a lot of time left, however. Yet, thanks to a relentless U.S. defense and the outstanding goal-tending of Jim Craig, the Russians were denied a tying goal again and again. With just eleven seconds left, ABC sportscaster Al Michaels made his now immortal call, “Eleven seconds….you’ve got ten seconds. The countdown going on right now! Morrow, up to Silk. Five seconds left in the game! Do you believe in miracles? YES!!”
Yes. Miracles do happen. Do you believe in miracles? The apostle Paul did. Many times, he experienced the miraculous hand of God in his life and ministry. In the fall of 60 AD, during his first Roman imprisonment, Paul penned these words to his friends in Ephesus, where he had spent nearly three years during his third missionary journey a few years prior. “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” (Ephesians 3:20)
What is it that you are believing God for today? What is it that only He can do? Is there something that you have always wanted or needed but you have given up on ever receiving it? Sometimes our faith is way too small. We are quick to settle for the ordinary instead of believing God for the extraordinary. We are content with our own routine expectations instead of believing, as one scholar put it, that “God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!”
Why not test God in your life today? Begin praying for something big. I mean, really big. Ask God for a miracle. Ask Him to do something so awesome and powerful and impossible that everyone will know it was a God-thing. Ask Him to do something that will cause you to spontaneously start singing, “To God be the glory, great things He hath done!” Only this time, when you sing it, you will really mean it.
Whatever it is you need…whatever your obstacle…whatever impossibility you are facing, God can handle it. Everyday holds the possibility of a miracle. Do you believe in miracles?
06/14/2022
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20–21)
It is known worldwide as the “Miracle on Ice.” The year was 1980, and the United States hosted the Winter Olympic games in Lake Placid, NY. On February 22, the Americans faced the Russians in what would become one of the most iconic moments in sports history. At that time, professional athletes were prohibited from competing in the Olympic games. The United States brought a hockey team made up of hard-working, determined, upstart amateurs. The athletes representing the U.S.S.R., on the other hand, were de facto professionals, supported full-time in their training by the Russian government.
The U.S. and the Soviet Union met in a semi-final game. The Russians held a 3-2 lead going into the third and final period. The Americans rallied to tie the game at 3-3, and then with about ten minutes to play, team captain Mike Eruzione scored to put the United States ahead 4-3. There was a lot of time left, however. Yet, thanks to a relentless U.S. defense and the outstanding goal-tending of Jim Craig, the Russians were denied a tying goal again and again. With just eleven seconds left, ABC sportscaster Al Michaels made his now immortal call, “Eleven seconds….you’ve got ten seconds. The countdown going on right now! Morrow, up to Silk. Five seconds left in the game! Do you believe in miracles? YES!!”
Yes. Miracles do happen. Do you believe in miracles? The apostle Paul did. Many times, he experienced the miraculous hand of God in his life and ministry. In the fall of 60 AD, during his first Roman imprisonment, Paul penned these words to his friends in Ephesus, where he had spent nearly three years during his third missionary journey a few years prior. “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” (Ephesians 3:20)
What is it that you are believing God for today? What is it that only He can do? Is there something that you have always wanted or needed but you have given up on ever receiving it? Sometimes our faith is way too small. We are quick to settle for the ordinary instead of believing God for the extraordinary. We are content with our own routine expectations instead of believing, as one scholar put it, that “God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!”
Why not test God in your life today? Begin praying for something big. I mean, really big. Ask God for a miracle. Ask Him to do something so awesome and powerful and impossible that everyone will know it was a God-thing. Ask Him to do something that will cause you to spontaneously start singing, “To God be the glory, great things He hath done!” Only this time, when you sing it, you will really mean it.
Whatever it is you need…whatever your obstacle…whatever impossibility you are facing, God can handle it. Everyday holds the possibility of a miracle. Do you believe in miracles?
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