Miracles Happen

“Faith is an essential element for a miracle to happen.” ~ Joel Osteen

Today’s blog is the second in my miracles series. My inspiration comes from Joel Osteen’s book, Miracles Happen. Joel is the senior pastor of Lakewood in Houston, Texas, a large non-denominational evangelical Christian church. Joel and his wife, Victoria, preach positive messages of hope and encouragement. I do not share all of their religious beliefs, but Mister and I enjoy listening to the podcast. I hope, dear reader, the messages lift your spirits.

In his book, Joel highlights thirty biblical and five modern-day miracles. With each example, he sheds light on how the message guides us through our struggles and closes with an encouraging statement. I’ve chosen my top three inspirational takeaways from the New Testament and my favourite modern-day miracles from his book to share with you.

Before Jesus was crucified, he went up the Mount of Transfiguration with Peter, James, and John. He was feeling weary with the hardship of the coming crucifixion. God sent angels to lift his spirits and provide him with the strength he needed. Jesus’ appearance changed; his face shone, and his clothing dazzled white. I love this story because it shows us that during our most difficult times, God will provide us with the strength to endure. Few of us will have to suffer the pain and sacrifice Jesus did, but he was not forsaken in his time of need, and neither are we.

In the New Testament, there are numerous accounts of people who were healed because of their faith. In Acts, Paul heals a man in the crowd who had been crippled from birth. When Paul saw the look of expectancy on the man’s face, he said, “I can see you’re ready for a miracle. Stand up.” The man stood up and walked for the very first time. Jesus healed the woman who touched his robe, saying,” Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”

The power of faith is also demonstrated by Jesus performing miracles in the natural world. He calmed the seas of Galilee when his disciples were in a storm, he filled their nets to overflowing with fish, and he turned water into wine. One of my favourite references in Miracles Happen is when the Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples, empowering them with supernatural gifts. Joel writes, “This event marks the culmination of Jesus’ earthly ministry and the beginning of the disciples’ mission.” It’s clear to me— believers can grant miracles by the power of their faith.

Of the modern-day miracles Joel includes in his book, I find the one about his mother, Dodie, the most inspirational. She was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer in 1981. Her doctors said she only had a few weeks to live and to get her affairs in order. But Dodie didn’t accept their proclamation. She prayed and spoke in faith, “I will live and not die.” She didn’t see any changes for months, but she wasn’t moved. Instead, she kept thanking God for healing. Today, more than forty years later, Dodie is living an active life, spreading the word of God. She is 91 years old.

The last miracle I’m including in this blog is another modern-day testament from Joel’s book, Miracles Happen. Joel describes how his brother Paul had a dream when he was twelve years old to be a medical doctor and go on missions to Africa. He fulfilled his ambition to become a doctor, the chief of surgery in Arkansas, and tried several times to take mission trips, but they didn’t work out. Years later, long after being out of medicine, a friend asked Paul to join him and a group of doctors who were traveling to South Africa. Paul unexpectedly came out of retirement and started operating again. He fulfilled his childhood dream, and now, at fifty-six years of age, he spends five months a year in Africa operating in remote villages.

The idea that believers can perform miracles is covered in great detail in A Course in Miracles. I haven’t finished the course; still a work in progress. But like Joel’s brother Paul and his mother Dodie, I believe that through my faith, all things are possible. Thought and belief combine into a power surge that can move mountains. I take the words of the Psalmist to heart, “You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.”

My prayer today is that the seed of faith is planted in your heart, dear reader. My hope is for these stories of miracles happening to inspire you to become a miracle worker. My goal is to join the forces of light and be someone who encourages others to do the same. Together we are better. Together we can create a better world for tomorrow, beginning today.

COMING UP…

Books & Projects:

·      All four of my books are available online at Amazon, Chapters-Indigo, and Barnes & Noble. You can also find them at select Chapters-Indigo and El Hombre de la Mancha bookstores.

·      I am pursuing representation from a traditional publisher for my fifth literary fiction, a psychological drama that explores the complexities of mental illness and trauma. Stay in touch by signing up for my blog or following me on social media to find out when it will be published.

Reviews & Interviews:

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·      Watch The Rogue Scorpion trailer.

·      Watch The Holding trailer.

Watch The Healing trailer.