Embracing Supernatural Living

Trusting God for the Possible and Impossible

Two stories have been on my mind this week; they both include elements of doing the impossible. One is from Mark 3, the other is from Acts 3. In the story from Mark, there is a man with a withered hand, whom Jesus makes the center of attention. In Acts 3, a man who cannot walk gets the attention of Peter and John.

Jesus said to the man with the withered hand, "Stretch out your hand." The Bible doesn't say what the man thought, only what he did. He stretched out his hand, something previously impossible to him, and discovered that his hand was healed.

Peter said to the lame man, "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." Then he took the man's right hand and lifted him to his feet... and the man stayed on them.

Both of these are stories of natural actions made supernatural because they were undertaken with confidence in God.

Supernatural Living is For Everyone

As marvelous as these stories may sound, this kind of life is available for all who put their trust in Jesus Christ. We were made to live constantly receiving energy from God. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).

The words that proceed from God's mouth are the very things that call us into a kind of living that is supernatural in its essence. Not only to work miracles like those recorded in Scripture but also to live with Christlike character; lives characterized by the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23; Titus 2:11-12).

To live such a life requires one to constantly look to God for provision, in much the same way we look to food for substance and energy.

Why This Life Eludes Many

Why then is this type of life abnormal among Christians? Why are the majority of our lives characterized by our constant failures instead of victories?

The reason is not that we do not have the same Spirit as they do, but that we do not interact with the Spirit in the same way as they learned to do.

Unfortunately, we have become experts in self-sufficiency, and our faith in Christ is not a faith for today, but a faith that will kick in after we die and approach the gates of heaven. With this kind of faith, acting with Christ now is an impossibility.

A Faith for Today

We must see that those people who encountered Jesus knew him to be a person who could deliver them from problems they were currently facing. He was a "very present help in trouble!" This is something that we must grasp if we will be gripped by a faith that impacts our lives now. It’s the kind of faith present in the stories referenced earlier.

When the man with the withered hand attempted to stretch out his hand, he did so at the command of Jesus. When Peter grasped the hand of the lame man and pulled him up, he did so trusting that the power of Jesus would strengthen his legs. This is the way all of life with God was meant to be lived.

When we tell the truth, for instance, we do so trusting that we will receive grace to do so. When we ask for forgiveness, give generously, study Scripture, worship in church... "whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:17).

You can do this!

If you're not used to acting with confidence that God will act with you, choose one thing you will do today. Begin small, no need to be heroic. Mother Teresa often advised people to start living harmoniously with God by beginning their day with a "Good morning, God." You should try it.

From there, go on to make breakfast with God, prepare coffee with him, trust him to provide energy during your morning exercise.

My Experience of Supernatural Living

I don't write this as one who has perfected grace-filled living, but I have experienced God's sustaining and enabling grace enough to know of its sufficiency, and I lament the number of graceless days I spend.

I vividly remember the time I felt led to trust that God would provide lunch for me. I was attending a leadership conference and had no money for lunch. I had a credit card, but I’d been reading a lot of George Müller* and wanted to practice trusting in the Lord to provide. Long story short, after everyone else finished eating lunch, I spotted a friend who arrived at the conference late. He asked me if I’d catch him up on what happened in the morning sessions while he grabbed his lunch. I agreed.

When we went to the cafeteria, he handed the lady his ticket, and she gave him a boxed lunch. She turned to me and said, “Did you eat yet?”

“No,” I replied.

“Well,” she said, “he was the last ticket we were waiting on, and there’s an extra box here. Do you want it?”

It’s not as flashy as a withered hand being healed or a man being strengthened to walk again, but that day God provided my lunch; it was a supernatural moment that I will never forget.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the stories of the man with the withered hand and the lame man in the Bible serve as powerful reminders of the possibilities that exist when we place our trust in God. These stories demonstrate that a life of faith, characterized by supernatural actions, is available to all who trust in Christ.

Living a life rooted in constant dependence on God requires us to seek His provision and guidance in every aspect of our lives. It means trusting in His power and grace to enable us to do what seems possible and impossible. Just as the man with the withered hand stretched out his hand at Jesus' command and experienced healing, and as Peter lifted up the lame man with confidence in Jesus' strength, we too can live in alignment with God's will and experience supernatural moments in our daily lives.

While self-sufficiency and a limited view of faith may hinder us from experiencing the fullness of God's power, we can break free from these constraints. By cultivating a faith that embraces God's presence and seeks His guidance in every word and action, we open ourselves to a life marked by victory, supernatural encounters, and Christlike character.

So, begin today. Start with a small act of obedience and confidence in God. Seek His provision, engage in honest communication with Him, and trust Him to guide your steps.

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📖 George Müller: https://amzn.to/3oX36KJ

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links to the book(s) referenced. Should you choose to use these links, I may earn affiliate commissions at no additional cost to you.

Thank you for reading; I appreciate you!