Natural, Supernatural, Miraculous

The difference is emphasis. Natural law is normal, which is expected. Supernatural is beyond normal. Miraculous is also beyond normal with an emphasis upon unexpected. Natural law is supported by the scientific method of reproducibility, which both secular and sacred admit. Supernatural is beyond the scope of science, at least until the discovery of consistent, reproducible natural law explanations. Miraculous is beyond the scope of physics with an emphasis upon unexpected. Creation can only be miraculous, since a supernatural Creator speaks the world into existence. “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Hebrews 11:3 KJV). Natural laws are the rules to which nature must comply; however, supernatural interaction with the natural world can modify outcomes, when applied. Miracles are directed from the supernatural often unexpectedly with unexpected outcomes. Humanity irrespective of religious or philosophical persuasion is subject to natural law. Supernatural beings both of the Creator and against the Creator may interact with the natural world, but subject to the Creator and conforming to the necessities of their being. Miracles also may interact with the natural realm, but especially are subject to the will of the Creator. “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:11p-12). 

Heart Opened By God

God opens hearts. “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul” (Acts 16:14 KJV). We may not know the intricacies of your particular situation, but God opening a human heart — including our own — is able to transform any situation. We need to give God the opportunity to do what He is capable of doing. When our hearts are in a good place, He can teach us. “Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures” (Luke 24:45). We may prefer a more dramatic miracle, but a heart opened to the LORD can accomplish all that is needed. We were made to walk with God and obey Him. Father, may Your Spirit fill us and reveal to us Jesus that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Do all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Shoot the Hostage?

Bomber Howard Payne (Dennis Hopper) is holding SWAT team member Harry Temple (Jeff Daniels) hostage, when Harry mouths the words, “Shoot the hostage,” to Jack Traven (Keanu Reeves), his fellow SWAT team member. Unexpected to Payne, Jack shoots Harry in the leg, forcing Payne to free his hostage in the action film “Speed” (1994). Moral clarity comes from understanding a higher perspective than our own. Yahweh must overcome Satan. Humanity must return to God. The Holy Spirit must somehow bring this all about. Each of us must do whatever the Spirit directs. God will masterfully render the Gordian Knot untied, for He alone has the best understanding and power. Hostages were taken from Israel (2023). Gaza suffers from Israeli bombardment of Hamas. The world community outcries against the unprecedented suffering of Gaza. Does the US simply give Israel a blank check against Hamas in Gaza? Suffering of Gaza alone argues for an immediate end of hostilities, but if Israel can be forced to let Hamas survive, can any free nation defend itself against terrorists? “For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass” (Ezekiel 12:25 KJV). “Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children” (Isaiah 66:8). LORD, we all need a miracle. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen. 

Dead Reckoning

Dead reckoning is an expression in aeronautical navigation of determining your current location based upon speed, heading, and elapsed time from a previous position. “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:11 KJV). Christians are held captive by entangling sin simply because they do not reckon, consider, picture, or imagine themselves as anything but chained to the necessity or reality of that sin. Paul showed us the beginning of our solution. Reckon yourselves dead to that sin and alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Some do it easier than others, but all must actively admit, confess, believe, imagine, see, and reckon that it’s so, for it to be so. How is this miracle accomplished? Through Jesus, who is God’s empowerment. It is simply God’s work in us to make it so.

Our “CATEGORIES” Index Is ‘Food for Thought’ for Thinkers

The prophet Haggai presented the LORD’s case for the returned Jews from the Babylonian Captivity to start again rebuilding the Temple. “Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways” (Haggai 1:5 KJV). In particular, Jehovah asked them to think carefully about what they were doing. We may not be building the Second Temple, but thinking carefully about our current circumstances is good advice before we are drawn into even more complications for our daily life. The pages of WeNeedAMiracle.net have  a “CATEGORIES” index to suggest topics of interest to biblically address your thinking. As much as the Body of Christ needs a Daily Bible Reading, our famine of not understanding Scripture stems from not studying and thinking about what we have read. Of course, internalizing and personally applying the Word of God is the necessary, concluding step. READ to familiarize. STUDY to understand. MEDITATE to apply.