What is a miracle? Irregular Events that are possible in this world

Exodus 34:10 "Then God said, “Behold, I am going to make a covenant. Before all your people I will perform miracles which have not been produced in all the earth nor among any of the nations; and all the people among whom you live will see the working of the Lord, for it is a fearful thing that I am going to perform with you."

Introduction:

How do we define the word "miracle"? This will be the aim of today's blog as we explore some of the major scriptures that speak on the subject of the miraculous. Below I will put forth some of the key scriptures that mention the miraculous and then propose headings that will aid in arriving at answering the question: What is a miracle? 

Miracles are irregular events

In the opening verse of today's post, God indicates that He is going to "perform miracles that have not been produced in all the earth nor among all the nations." The Hebrew word translated "miracle" is found over 70 times in the Old Testament and is defined by various Hebrew dictionaries as referring to something that is difficult to do, beyond one's ability or treated as a distinguished and separate activity. We could summarize this idea of "miracle" by noting that it is an extremely irregular event. This of course is only one facet of attempting to arrive at a Biblical definition of a miracle. Apologist Dr. Norman Geisler notes in his "Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics", page 472: "In addition to its dimensions, a true miracle has distinguishing marks. The most basic is that a true miracle is an exception to natural law. Natural laws are regular, predictable events, but miracles are special, unpredictable events." Geisler goes on in noting additional attributes of the miraculous that can be helpful in answering our question regarding the definition of a miracle: "a true miracle also produces results; always bring glory to God, bring good to the natural world" and "true miracles never fail." 

An example of how the reality of the miraculous can demonstrate God's existence
Another Christian apologist, Dr. William Lane Craig, refers to miracles as "naturally impossible events", meaning that no natural processes can bring about what is otherwise a miracle. Although I'll be using the phrase: "irregular event", Dr. Craig's idea communicates essentially the same idea as mine. In using Dr. William Lane Craig's discussions on miracles and their place in the course of naturally occurring events, we can propose a sample argument for God's existence. 

Take for example Jesus' resurrection from the dead. Known physical laws and processes describe for us a physical reality in which we should not expect dead men to rise from the dead. Yet Jesus' resurrection from the dead is among the most established events in all of human history. Thus, in noting the historical reality of Jesus' resurrection, we can only conclude that it is a miracle, and that in being a miracle, a non-natural, albeit a "Supernatural" cause is behind Jesus' resurrection- namely God Himself. The logic for this line of thinking may go something like this:

#1 Miracles are non-natural events that are naturally impossible events. Only natural events that are naturally possible can occur if in fact the God of the Bible does not exist

#2 History's task is to recount all events that occur, including naturally possible & naturally impossible events

#3 The Gospel records document Jesus' physical resurrection and have been shown under close scrutiny to be reliable documents

#4 Jesus resurrection was a miraculous event that could be classified as occurring as a result of non-natural causes

#5 Jesus resurrection from the dead is a miracle that did occur in history

Therefore, since non-natural events, as well as natural events do occur in our world, and being that non-natural events (such as Jesus resurrection) has been shown to occur, then it only stands to reason that the God of the Bible exists. 

Some further thoughts on "irregular events" and why miracles can be legitimately considered as part of our world This point about irregularity is important because so many skeptics will say that miracles are impossible, being that in the normal course of human experience, no such event can happen? However, if there are irregular events that can occur in history, which may not be experienced regularly by human beings, then does that rule out the miraculous?  

For instance, when I lived in central Florida, there was one year where the storm paths of three hurricanes in once season crisscrossed over the very neighborhood where we lived. For even one hurricane to make it that far inland into central Florida had not occurred in 40 years. Imagine the less likelihood of three hurricanes and their storm paths all crisscrossing one another in one season? 

Are we saying that this highly irregular pattern of hurricanes constitutes a definite miracle. Hardly. There are obviously other traits that need to be considered before saying something is a definite miracle. Consider the following logical statement:

#1 We see the possibility of irregular events occurring in the world; 

#2 and miracles are by definition irregular events 

Therefore, it can be rightly concluded that miracles can occur in this world. 

Closing thoughts for now
In beginning to answer the question: what is a miracle? We have proposed thus far that miracles by their essence are events that occur irregularly. This point establishes the possibility of miracles. Tomorrow's post will discuss a second trait that can be used in answering the question: what is a miracle?

More tomorrow....

A poem: We need the Bible

2 Timothy 3:15-16 "and that from childhood you have knownthe sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness."

We need the Bible

a poem

When I behold a Bible, aged and worn

With pages folded, marked and torn

I know the person that has read it much

With His Savior he keeps in touch

The binding may be loose, and edges frayed

The pages yellowed with colors that fade

Yet I know that faith has been bound

The vision of Christ is clear and sound

As the pages turned and underlines made

The reader found comfort, light and aid

Some may scoff at the frailty of the book

Its cover is cracked and not pretty to look

Yet God's Word is precious and never grows old

Its contents are power, more precious than gold

To read the Bible is to have it read you

It penetrates the soul with light that is true

I hear the words preached, and my heart melts away

The Spirit has won and gotten His way

The words of that book can overcome strife

The words are power, comfort and life

We need the Bible, for in it we see

Jesus who came for you and me

P2 - T.h.a.n.k you Jesus

1 Timothy 1:12a "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord...."

Introduction:

Can we ever thank Jesus enough for all He has done? Yesterday we considered three reasons to thank Jesus by using the acrostic t.h.a.n.k: 

1. Times of strengthening  
2. Heavenly calling
3. Awesome salvation

Point of Application: We noted yesterday the following main point of application: thanking Jesus will result in a lifestyle of worship. I get this thought from what Paul says in the closing part of this particular portion of 1 Timothy 1:12-17. Notice what he writes in verse 17 - "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God,be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." Today's post will suggest two more reasons to give thanks to Jesus. We will utilize the acrostic t.h.a.n.k in understanding how giving thanks to Jesus results in a life of worship to Him. In thanking Jesus for times of strengthening, heavenly calling and awesome salvation, we can note a fourth area to be thankful for, namely...

Need for the Bible. 1 Timothy 1:15-16
We read the following in 1 Timothy 1:15 "It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all." As Paul wrote these words, he was expressing how by the Spirit he was wrapping his arms around key truths of scripture. Being that the Holy Spirit of God was superintending these words, we could say that the term "a trustworthy statement" illustrates for us the truth of the Bible's infallibility - that is to say, the Bible's ability to lead us into all truth and to never fail (hence the term "trustworthy statement"). 

Now what is it that makes the Bible necessary? It is the only book in the word that can be classified as the very words of God. In 1 Timothy 1:15b and 1:16 we see Paul wrapping two spiritual arms around the heart of the Bible's revelation: namely Christ's achievement of redemption and then the application of salvation at saving faith. In perhaps the clearest verse possible regarding the necessity and divine authority of sacred scripture, 2 Timothy 3:16, we see 2 Timothy 3:15 with this preface: "and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." 

Other biblical writers saw the need to thank the Lord for His word, since they saw the need for it. King Solomon says in 1 Kings 8:56 "Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised; not one word has failed of all His good promise, which He promised through Moses His servant." In terms of thanking the Heavenly Father for the revealed word, no greater example can be found than Jesus Himself in Luke 10:21 "At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight."

We can thank Jesus for our need for the Bible because of salvation (Romans 10:17) and strengthening for the Christian life (1 Timothy 4:16; Hebrews 4:12). More could be said but we shall move onto our final point in today's post concerning giving thanks to Jesus, namely...

King Jesus Himself. 1 Timothy 1:16-17
We began this short blog series with the following main point of application: thanking Jesus will result in a lifestyle of worship. I cannot think of a greater reason to thank Jesus than Jesus Himself. Clearly Paul is reflecting back on the beginnings of his conversion to demonstrate the fact that not only did He witness the living Christ, but he has been experiencing him on a daily basis since his intial salvation encounter. Thanks to the Lord for all he has done is like putting fertilizer on the soil of a potted flower. The more consistently we apply and cultivate the soil of a potted flower, the richer the bloom will be and the more enjoyment will be experienced. Worship is impossible without thanksgiving to God. 

Notice what Paul writes in his explosion of worship in 1 Timothy 1:17 - "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God,be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." After expressing His thanksgiving to the King Jesus Christ, Paul then expresses this sudden burst of worship and praise to the Triune God in general. The Eternal Son, of whom He just gave thanks, shares in undiminished Deity with the Father and Spirit. When we are thankful people, the heart will after a while burst forth in worship to God, much like water building up behind a dam. Thanksgiving after thanksgiving builds up pressure behind the heart until the heart cannot contain it. Worship is in its purest expression the fullest manifestation of thanksgiving to God. Thanksgiving in our Christian life is a faucet that we must turn on throughout the week, moment by moment. The more thanksgiving we express, the greater intensity there will be in our worship. 

Closing thoughts:
We have for the past two days looked at giving thanks to Jesus. Our main point of application has been: thanking Jesus will result in a lifestyle of worship. As we looked at 1 Timothy 1:12-17, we saw the following five areas to thank Jesus for by noting the acrostic t.h.a.n.k:

1. Times of strengthening
2. Heavenly calling
3. Awesome salvation
4. Need for the Bible
5. King Jesus Himself

P1 T.h.a.n.k you Jesus

1 Timothy 1:12a "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord...."

Introduction:

Can we ever thank Jesus enough for all He has done? A few days ago I had blogged on this subject of giving thanks to the Lord. God's Word has this amazing property of yielding further riches after multiple times of study and reflection.  

Point of Application: Thanking Jesus will result in a lifestyle of worship. 

I get this thought from what Paul says in the closing part of this particular portion of 1 Timothy 1:12-17. Notice what he writes in verse 17 - "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God,be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." Today's post considers why we must t.h.a.n.k Jesus Christ. We will consider three reasons to thank Jesus today and then two more tomorrow. 

1. Times of strengthening. 1:12a

Paul begins by expressing to Timothy how awesome it was that Jesus Christ Himself was strengthening Him. Some of the false teachers who were confusing the Law and Gospel were "Johnny-Come-Latelys" who only wanted fame and notoriety among men. The well of strength that these false teachers were drawing from was their flesh and magnetic personalities. Paul's ministry on the other hand drew its strength from Jesus and His resurrection power. In Acts 9:22 we read of what took place following Paul's dramatic encounter: "But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ."

It was Jesus Himself who enabled Paul with the gifts and talent to begin serving him in the ministry. 

The strength that Jesus gives is not only for times of ministry, but throughout those seasons of the Christian life when we are at our weakest. After all, it is in those weakest of times that we learn His grace is sufficient. (2 Corinthians 12:9) Only when we have abandoned the mirage of self-sufficiency will we be able to say with the Apostle: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.' (Philippians 4:13) So let's thank Christ Jesus for times of strengthening and then secondly...

2. Heavenly calling. 1:12b-14
We read in the second part of 1 Timothy 1:12..."because He considered me faithful, putting me into service." It is in 1 Timothy 1:13-14 that Paul expands upon the significant circumstances surrounding His calling to ministry. Before the heavenly call of ministry, Paul's call to salvation came first. The point of these verses is to underscore the fact that out of all the people in the world who were least likely to be the greatest spokeman for Jesus Christ, it was Saul of Tarsus. As Paul relays in 1 Timothy 1:13a "even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor." I love the phrase "even though". Why? Because whatever will come after that "even though" phrase will totally overule whatever Paul had once done prior to his conversion.

You and I dear friend have done a lot of "even though's" in our lifetimes. When God's call of salvation comes to us, we are in an "even though" condition. This "even though" condition in my case would go something like this: "even though I was a sinner, a self-righteous little ten year old boy not worthy to be called by Jesus Christ unto His salvation, yet He found me". We were in the same predicament as all lost sinners. Paul was literally arch-enemy number one to both the early church and to Jesus Christ. 

With that said, the most powerful word in 1 Timothy 1:13 erases Paul's former identity: "yet". When I see the word "yet", that is usually a God word. God alone can take a no body and make them a somebody who can tell everybody about The Somebody who can save anybody. This is Paul's whole point in his fountain of thanksgiving in these verses. We read in 1 Timothy 1:14 "and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus."

The call of God makes nothing into something. 

I thank the Lord who called me unto Himself in 1984 and who called me into His service in 1991. Whatever station of life you are serving, whatever you are doing, give thanks to the Lord for His heavenly calling and times of strengthening. Now notice the third thing to thank Jesus for....

3. Awesome salvation. 1:13b-14a
We read in the latter part of 1 Timothy 1:13 and the beginning part of 1:14 "Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant...". Mercy is God not giving to us what we deserve. What is it that everybody deserves? As a Christian there are three things I deserve: death, hell and the grave. God chose me in His mercy. Because of God, the wrath that I deserved was spared. The Gospel is awesome because of God's choice to show mercy. Wrath being withheld from all who believe is awesome news. But now the Gospel is awesome for another reason - grace. Grace is God giving to us what we don't deserve. Grace cannot be earned, only received. Saul of Tarsus was not looking for Jesus, if anything, he was doing all he could to destroy Christianity. Nonethless on the way to hell, so-to-speak, the King from Heaven met Saul in physical, post-resurrected form and engaged him in grace. Thus we can thank Jesus for awesome salvation, heavenly calling and times of strengthening.

More tomorrow...

25 Riches of the Gospel

Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."

In this chief passage of the Apostle Paul's Epistle (or letter) to the Romans, we behold a statement regarding the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel must be heard or read at least once a day. Why? Because there are so many rich truths and benefits that are contained in it and explained by it. Like a brilliant multifaceted diamond, whenever we turn the Gospel diamond over and over in our minds and hearts, the Holy Spirit can shine His illuminating light upon its facets. As the Spirit of God illuminates the Gospel, we become more convinced of it being what it truly is - the power of God unto salvation. Below I have listed out some of the truths and benefits that are tied to the Good News of Jesus Christ. The reader may note that the headings correspond to each Person of the Trinity, being that the Triune God is the Architect, Achiever and Applier of salvation.  

God the Father's plans for each of His people described in the Gospel

1. Foreknown    Rom 8:29-31; 2 Pt 1:1

2. Predestined   Romans 8:29-30

3. Chosen  Ephesians 1:3-11

4. (incarnation), Son sent  John 3:16

5. (Pentecost) Holy Spirit sent Acts 2

6. Calling Rom 8:29-30; Ephesians 4:1

The Son's purchased achievement of salvation desribed by the Gospel

1. Reconciliation Rom 5; 2 Cor 5:15-21

2. Expiation or taking away of sin 1 John 2:2

3. Propitiation or satisfaction of God's wrath  Hebrews 8-10

4. Forgiveness of sins  Eph 1:7

5. Credited or imputed righteousness earned by His life and purchased by His death  Romans 4:24-25; 2 Cor 5:21

The Spirit's application of salvation described by the Gospel

1. Calling. John 16:8-12

2. Regeneration  1 Peter 1:23; James 1:18

3. Saving Faith. Eph 2:8-9

4. Repentance. 2 Tim 2:24-25

5. Conversion. Acts 3:19

6. Justification. Romans 4

7. Adoption. Romans 8:14-16

8. Sanctification. Romans 6:4-12

9. Preservation of our faith. Jude 24-25

10. Illumination of the scriptures Ps 119:105

11. His permanent indwelling. Eph 1:11-13

12. His filling ministry. Eph 5:18

13. Future glorification of believers. Romans 8:30-31

14. Raising believers at Christ's return

1 Thess 4:13-18

These listings are a sample of the richness of the Gospel. Each could be a blog post on its own. The point is to show the reader how wonderful the Gospel is and why we need to hear it, read it and tell it to ourselves everyday. By doing so, we as Christians will be reminded of who we are and Whose we are. By telling ourselves the Gospel, we will then desire to tell it to others.

Saturday 11/15 Give thanks to the Lord

1 Timothy 1:12 "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service."

Introduction

I like how Paul begins this section of 1 Timothy with the simple words: "I thank Christ Jesus". Too often we as God's people don't take the time to thank the Lord. Today's post aims to see how major figures in the Bible thanked the Lord. 

1. Jacob gave thanks the Lord. 

Genesis 32:10 "I am unworthy of all the lovingkindness and of all thef aithfulness which You have shown to Your servant; for with my staff only I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two companies."

Jacob had to flee for his life from his brother Esau for stealing his blessing. Twenty years had passed and Jacob was on the eve of meeting up with his brother again. God had been certainly good to Jacob in a way far more than he deserved. But in reality, cannot the same be said of us as Christians living in the 21st century. It is not until we are forced to slow down and reflect that we can look back and see all the good things God has done, even when circumstances were less than desirable.

2. King Solomon gave thanks the Lord.

1 Kings 8:56 “Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to His people Israel,according to all that He promised; not one word has failed of all His good promise, which He promised through Moses His servant."

King Solomon is recognizing God's faithfulness to his people, stretching all the way back to 480 years during the days of Moses. God's character and faithfulness are the lenses that enable us to see numerous reasons to thank the Lord. Solomon's statement of "not one Word of the Lord has failed" is one of the strongest affirmations in the Bible about the infallibility of scripture. To know that no one word of the Lord can ever fail is great cause for giving thanks to Him.

3. The Psalms gave thanks to the Lord

Psalm 136:1 "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,For His lovingkindness is everlasting."

This Psalm has to be among the most saturated Psalms that deals with the subject of giving thanks to the Lord. The entirety of redemptive history is rehearsed, with near continuous cries of thanksgiving to God for His provision, power and protection of His people. Should you and I not give thanks to the Lord for all those times he has demonstrated his power, protected us and provided?

4. Jesus gave thanks to the Lord. 

Luke 10:21 "At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight."

None give us a finer example of being thankful to the Lord than the Lord Himself - Jesus Christ. Jesus thanked the Lord for the illumination that was being experienced by His audience. We ought to give thanks to the Lord for those moments where clarity is obtained and where we see growth in our lives or in the lives of others. Certainly without the grace of God at work in the human heart, no one could believe nor understand the things of God. We have so much to be thankful for in this day and age. 

5. Paul gave thanks to the Lord

As we saw in the opening verse above in today's post, Paul was thanking the Lord Jesus Christ for calling him to the ministry and for the blessings bestowed upon him in salvation. As Paul wrote to Timothy and the church at Ephesus in this epistle, he was reminding them that our Christian lives and church lives ought to be constantly attended with thanksgiving to God.

Will you and I give thanks to the Lord?

So what about you and me? Are we giving thanks to the Lord? We ought. God has so blessed us in far more ways than we can think or imagine. Thank the Lord for the small things as well as the big things. Thank Him for the people in your lives - including those who rub you the wrong way. Why? They are heavenly sandpaper ordained by God to rid you and me of anything that is not likened unto Jesus Christ. Thank the Lord for His Word, prayer and even the fact we live in a free country. Most of all - thank the Lord for Himself. Give thanks to the Lord!

Sunday 11/16 Be thankful for God's calling

1 Timothy 1:12-14 "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer and apersecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with thefaith and love which are found in Christ Jesus."

Yesterday we considered the importance of giving thanks to the Lord. We considered key individuals in the Biblical record, and how they gave thanks to the Lord. Today we consider Paul's statements in 1 Timothy 1:12-14. As he wrote this epistle to the young Pastor at Ephesus, Timothy, Paul wanted to express to Timothy what it would take to excercise oneself properly in the church of God. A key trait of both pastor and church member alike is giving thanks to the Lord. Certainly the theme of God's calling is evident in these verses, being that without God's calling in ministry or even in salvation, no one could serve and no one could experience salvation.

Thank the Lord for the call to ministry

Paul begins by expressing to Timothy how awesome it was that Jesus Christ Himself had called Him to minister as an apostle. One of the motivations for sharing this trip down memory lane is to remind Timothy of the fact that he had been with the Lord from the beginnings of the Christian movement. Some of the false teachers who were confusing the Law and Gospel were "Johnny-Come-Latelys" who only wanted fame and noteriety among men. Paul's Divine encounter with the post-resurrected, post-ascended Jesus on the Damscus road can be reasonably dated to within less than two years of Jesus' ascension. In Acts 9:22 we read of what took place following Paul's dramatic encounter: "But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ."

Paul had been known as "Saul" in those early days, and Acts 9 explicitly states that he was "increasing in strength". The same word used by Luke in Acts 9:22 is the same word used by Paul here in 1 Timothy 1:12. It was Jesus Himself who enabled Paul with the gifts and talent to begin serving him in the ministry. Such an endument or "anointing" from on-high remained with Paul even to the writing of 1 Timothy. God's calling is remarkable in the fact that God's choosing and calling of people stems not from what they do but completely from God's own personal desire to use them. 

Thank the Lord for the call to salvation

It is in 1 Timothy 1:13-14 that Paul expands upon the significant circumstances surrounding His calling to ministry. Paul's call to salvation came first. The point of these verses is to underscore the fact that out of all the people in the world who were least likely to be the greatest spokeman for Jesus Christ the world-over, certainly that person could not had been Saul of Tarsus. As Paul relays in 1 Timothy 1:13a "even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor." I love the phrase "even though". Why? Because whatever will come after that "even though" phrase will totally overule whatever Paul had once done prior to his conversion.

You and I dear friend have done a lot of "even though's" in our lifetimes. We were not worthy to be called by Jesus Christ unto His salvation. We were in the same predicament as all lost sinners. Paul was literally arch-enemy number one to both the early church and to Jesus Christ. 

With that said, the most powerful word in 1 Timothy 1:13 erases Paul's former identity: "yet". "Yets" are awesome words in the scriptures. When I see the word "yet", that is usually a God word. God alone can take a no body and make them a somebody who can tell everybody about The Somebody who can save anybody. This is Paul's whole point in his fountain of thanksgiving in these verses. We read in 1 Timothy 1:14 "and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus."

Think about this: if Jesus had not called Paul in salvation, he would had continued on the road of destruction. Furthermore, if Jesus had not called Paul in salvation and then into ministry, we may not have had 2/3 of our New Testaments or at least we would not have the same Bibles that have survived for two millennia. The call of God makes nothing into something. 

May you and I today be thankful for God's calling. I thank the Lord who called me unto Himself in 1984 and who called me into His service in 1991. Whatever station of life you are serving, whatever you are doing, give thanks to the Lord. To think that the God of Eternity can be this Personal to call us by name to Himself and into His service is indeed cause of much thanksgiving!