The basic problem we have in being human beings, is that we have sinful hearts. One person says it this way, "Our hearts are idol factories." (Calvin). By default, we love ourselves instead of loving God. The Bible says we can't love both at the same time!
When it comes to miracles and God answering prayers, we have to be careful. When Jesus was ministering to people, 2,000 years ago, many people asked Him for a 'sign'. The people, in essence, wanted to be God, and wanted to call the shots when it comes to miracles. Jesus did many signs and wonders among the people, but they wanted to be the ones to decide on making the miracles happen or take the credit for it.
We do the same thing today. We, if we are not careful, could want God to do miracles for a variety of reasons. One could be, because it would make us look important. Experiencing a miracle could cause us to become prideful. It could make us look powerful. Our friends would notice us and respect us in a new way. Sometimes, we want our problem to be solved, so we pray for God to meet our need. Or maybe we simply think that God's power belongs to us, for us to use at our discretion. Unless we have a deepening relationship with God, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and want to bring glory to God for what He does, we may not experience God's power in our lives. It is of utmost importance, that we respond to God with great, deep humility. No pride is allowed when we are serving God in truth.
Any time miracles take place, it is always with God's intent to minister to someone, or to a group of people. That is how the body of Christ works. That brings much glory to His name.
Richard Harvey is a man who is filled with faith and trusts in who God is. He is a conservative man who is not seeking to make a name for himself. He serves other people with the wisdom of God. In his book, '70 Years of Miracles', he tells of his everyday life, in his interactions with his family and those whom he was serving in the church, while he experienced not just an average life. He wrote about how God worked in many different situations that he was involved in. Some of them were simple, every day issues, like how his pregnant wife had a serious craving for watermelon, and after waiting all day, the watermelon finally came her way. This happened in another country where watermelons weren't readily available as they are in America. Or the lady who was dying from cancer. In her last days, she asked forgiveness for the person she was bitter toward. Just as she asked for the person to forgive her for her bitterness, she coughed up a huge glob. It was the cancer and it came out roots and all. It was really yucky, but she was healed after that.
God can work through us, and we can use the spiritual gifts, but unless we have a strong motivation to make sure God gets the glory, our ministry will bring dishonor to His name. We don't want that to happen! Let us be filled with the Holy Spirit and serve the true and living God with gladness and in the fear of the Lord!
If you can find this book anywhere (it is out of print) get it! I got mine for a couple of dollars on amazon.com. I went back a week later to get some more, but they were a little more expensive and not many were available. Check back often because the sellers could put it on their list any day. Or maybe it will be listed on Ebay or Yahoo's store. An internet search can help locate this book.
