Faith

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I have asked myself often lately why the church world has seen such a decline in the miraculous moves of God as they had in the past generations. I read of countless miracles in the Bible and have heard many stories of yesteryear and the amazing revivals of old, such as the mighty move of God during the Azusa Street revival that started in 1906. I have read about the shadow of the Apostle Peter passing by the sick and them being healed instantly and of people such as Smith Wigglesworth’s extreme faith and operating in the gift of miracles! I have witnessed miracles and experienced miracles personally and within my family, but it does seem to be occurring less frequently throughout the body of Christ, and I have been seeking an explanation. What has happened?

I know God hasn’t changed so why are we seeing fewer miraculous acts? I honestly believe it is a combination of lack that is causing a decline in the miraculous. It is apparent that the church has corporately changed over time showing less interest in holiness, becoming less passionate and hungry for mighty moves of the Holy Spirit, personal and corporate revivals, and operations in the gifts of the Spirit. People seem to worry more and trust less because of economic decline, higher expenses, increased stresses in multiple areas, not to mention the fact that people in general don’t have a strong relationship with the Lord because of one thing or another. The body of believers has to some degree become more dignified, less emotional, more ritualistic and less motivated. We may pray as obligation or routine sometimes rather than with love, urgency, genuine concern, and desire. We lack in fervent prayer! We say we want to see people changed and delivered, healed, and filled with the Spirit, but we spend such a miniscule amount of time praying with passion, sincerely making supplication and intercession. We don’t pray in the Spirit as much. We don’t weep from the porch to the altar. We don’t help people pray through. When people in general, both saint and sinner, come to the church and/or to the believer, hurting and with whatever need, hopeful of help and positive change, they desire to see miracles occur in their situation. Faith is wavered when their outcome isn’t what is anticipated and expected. Unbelief is increased and faith declines…which snowballs into negativity and doubt, which in turns leads to more unbelief, and even less faith.

I recently heard an area preacher mention that God moves according to faith not need. This resonated within me. It has impacted the way I pray and believe. God knows we have many needs and He is faithful and just to meet those needs. The needs throughout the world will forever be abundant but those who experience the miracles of God will have to truly believe and have real, confident assurance that God is not only capable, but willing to answer and supply according to OUR FAITH!

Mark 6:4-6 confirms that unbelief will limit the works of God. In this portion of Scripture, Jesus is rejected in His hometown. The people looked at Him as a man, recalling reasons not to believe in Him. They refused to believe! Because of the people’s gross unbelief, Jesus was limited to healing only a few sick people. This is the Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and He was surrounded with such a lack of faith and unbelief that even His ministry was hindered. Jesus even said that He was amazed at their unbelief. I know nothing happens by chance but is in God’s perfect plan. God knew that this would prove the importance of faith and the hindrance of unbelief, no matter who you are, or where you are, or what abilities and gifts God has placed within you. Faith must be present for miracles to happen!

Knowing that faith is an absolute necessity for miracles to occur, we can be assured that unbelief will hinder or even stop the move of God, which will result in an expensive loss. What is the hefty cost of unbelief? The loss of valuable miracles!

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