While preparing one of my messages the Lord began to show me an amazing connection between Thanking God and Miracles. Like most human beings, we generally give “thanks” to God AFTER a prayer is answered or something good comes our way. During my research in the Bible the Lord showed me clearly in the scriptures how Jesus gave THANKS to God BEFORE the answer came or before the need materialized. Allow me to share with you one of the accounts where Jesus proved this to be true: “So they rolled the stone aside-then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, FATHER I THANK YOU for hearing me…You always hear me-but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me-then Jesus shouted “Lazarus come out!” and the dead man came out…” John 11:41.
Another account took place after Jesus teaching to a very large crowd of people. The disciples asked Jesus to send the people away so that they could go and get something to eat for their journey home. Jesus responded to them and said, “That isn’t necessary–you feed them” Then the disciples said to Jesus, “But we have only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish” Then Jesus said to them “Bring them here” Jesus took the 5 loaves and 2 fish, looked up toward heaven and blessed them (gave thanks) Then breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the loaves to the disciples who distributed them to the people. Then ALL ate as much as they wanted and afterward the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. About 5,000 men were fed that day in addition to all the women and children” Mathew 14:15-21. WOW! Another great example of the possibilities that can happen when we are thankful before we see the end result! It is so very important to realize that there is an amazing power at work when we learn to give thanks before we see the final outcome. Why? Because making the decision to be thankful before anything changes ignites our Faith...and from there the possibilities are endless!
For more go to PonceChurch.com and you can listen to my message titled “Giving Thanks and Miracles” by Pastor Nina