Let me open my heart a minute. I’m praying and asking God to change the heart of a great friend, and sometimes I have to work hard at trusting and believing. When I do, it’s helpful for me to remember these kinds of miracles I’ve seen as a pastor:
- Men freed from pornography. Some of us thought it would never happen, but it did.
- Adulterous marriages healed. They’ve sometimes been headed directly to divorce, and God turned them around.
- Angry men and women changed. I’ve seen them melted by the gospel in such a way that their anger becomes sweetness and joy.
- Atheists made whole. Somehow, God made Himself known to them, and they could no longer deny His existence.
- Shy, almost backward believers turned to strong preachers. Once they get to the pulpit, it’s clear the Spirit has worked and is working in their lives.
- Hardened hearts melted. Like my dad’s. We prayed for him for 36 years before God dramatically and completely saved him.
- “Religious” people given life. They’d been faithful to all they knew, and they assumed they were okay with God – until the gospel truly grabbed their heart.
- Rebellious teens following God’s call. They drove their parents crazy, but then they clearly sensed God’s hand on their lives. Everything changed.
- Drug and alcohol addicts released from their bondages. I’ve experienced this miracle in my own family. God is good.
- Hateful enemies turned to godly friends. It’s amazing whenever I see it. Two people who couldn’t stand each other are now united and working together under the call of the gospel.
- Neglectful, distant parents changed to loving, giving parents. I’ve seen them so changed that their kids almost didn’t recognize them.
- Fractured churches restored. The battles may have been going on for decades, but then the Spirit of God somehow overwhelmed them.
- Sick people unexpectedly made well. The doctors couldn’t explain it, but nor could they deny it.
- Senior adults become babies in Christ. Like my mom. We prayed for her for 47 before God saved her. She devoured the Bible for the first time in her life at age 79.
God works miracles. So, today, I need to keep praying for my friend and continue trusting God.