The Gift of the Sprit – Working of Miracles

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues.
_{1 Cor 12:7-10}

The gift of healing and the working of miracles are closely related, yet distinct. Healings are mostly a process (hours, days, weeks). Sometimes they are not visible to the eye because they are happening inside the body. Miracles are most often immediately visible, very rarely not immediately visible.

The gifts of the Spirit are like a rainbow, each of its own colour, which, however, also fits into the colour next to it. (D. Prince)

Healings are linked to miracles, and vice versa, and both gifts are also linked to the gift of faith. A person may have a shorter leg or arm that cannot be healed, but there is room for a miracle. For a miracle to happen, God’s power and action must be unleashed.

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. _{James 2:26} 

Faith must be demonstrated through action for this power to be unleashed.

And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, and said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
_{John 9:1-‬7} 

This was a miracle, not a healing, because the man had never been able to see. Jesus performed a strange action – made a clod of mud, smeared it, made the blind man wash, and then the power of miracle-working was unleashed through the mud on his eyes, through the OBEDIENCE of the blind man.

Why mud? It was the basic material when God formed man and breathed His breath into him, and living man was created.

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
_{Genesis 2:7} 

Jesus pointed out that the Creator is still with us, taking the original material of creation. Luke 17 shows how a miracle is unlocked by a very simple act of faith.

And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: and they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
_{Luke 17:11-‬14} 

Action is walking – OBEYING and doing it in faith – the supernatural power of God was unleashed and their bodies were RESTORED!

Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. 
_{Acts 3:1-‬8} 

It was a miracle, not a healing. His body members had not functioned from birth. Peter and John were spoken to by the Holy Spirit – in this ministry it is so IMPORTANT to respond to the prompting of God’s Holy Spirit. The man looked at them, hoping to get money. By faith Peter said – I have something – Jesus Christ! Through this action, when Peter grasped the crippled man’s hand, the power of God was unleashed. We see the action of the proclamation of faith – Arise! Walk! The gift of faith often unleashes miracles and healings. The man could have continued to sit there for the rest of his life, but faith in action unleashed a miracle.

Most miracles require an action. You can pray in faith, but very often we need a real incentive, such as getting up and taking steps. Most often, a miracle is unleashed through an action that requires faith and obedience.

How to receive the gift of the Spirit?

God gives himself as he wills.

But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
_{1 Cor 12:11} 

• Pursue this gift with zeal. But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.1 Cor 12:31 
• Pray for it in your prayer and believe. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Matthew 21:22 

pastor Gunta Grīna- Sologuba