Our Miracle

 by Chris Jones

Last week in church, there was a strong message encouraging us to tell stories of the prayers God has answered in our lives. They are evidence of God’s provision in our lives. Instead of just celebrating them in the moment, let us see them as monuments that tell others about the greatness of the God we serve. No matter the impact in our lives, whether big or small, the stories of these miracles represent our unwavering faith in God. This is the story of one of our little miracles.

Our Promise To God

As most young married couples do, many of my wife’s and my early conversations involved our desire to have a family.  Unfortunately, when we decided to pursue that dream, our efforts didn’t go as one might plan.  The initial result was three miscarriages in one year.  Doctor visits and confusion ensued.  Despite every attempt to find a cause, it alluded us.

I clearly remember several of my conversations with God during this time.  The frustration I felt as a husband unable to supply my wife’s deepest desire, overwhelmed me.  Why does God allow His children to endure such hardship?  I was reminded of the instance in John 9, when Jesus indicated that some obstacles are in place so God’s power may be demonstrated in our lives.

My wife and I decided to make a very specific request.  We prayed that God would lead the doctors to find something they previously overlooked.  Further, we prayed that the remedy be something simple, like taking one little pill.  We committed to making that our request.  I promised that, if He would answer our prayer, we’d be sure to share the story of our miracle with everyone.

We probably shouldn’t have been surprised to get a call from the doctor in the following days.  They requested an appointment, telling us they discovered something from an old test.  It was found that my wife had a condition that caused her blood to clot at an abnormally high rate.  That clotting kept the fetus from receiving an adequate blood supply, resulting in miscarriage.  The remedy: one baby aspirin a day.

We were blown away.  If you’ve been through miscarriages, you know we felt like we were given a second chance at life.  In reality, we were given a chance at two precious little lives.  From the moment she began taking one baby aspirin a day, she didn’t have any more miscarriages.  She had two flawless pregnancies and deliveries.  The Bible says, “the earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” (James 5:16 NLT)  You can be sure they do.

My Encouragement to You

I encourage you to share your story. Share it with us at info@witnessrunner.com so I can feature it in a post on Witness Runner, like I did with JB and baby Charlotte. You never know what a story can do.

Prepare For Multiplication

 by Chris Jones

Have you ever heard someone say that God is a God of multiplication? It’s a fair assessment. Throughout the Bible we see examples in which it proves to be true. Think about His promise to Abraham. Genesis 22:17 records God telling him, “I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore…” We also have examples like Matthew 15, where Jesus miraculously multiplies a boy’s small lunch to feed a crowd of thousands. Clearly, there’s precedence.

It’s important to know, however, that we represent no small part of the equation. If multiplication is the product of two or more variables, we must take caution to understand that each of us is in the position to limit the degree to which God can bring increase to our situation.

Imagine, for instance, that we brought nothing to the table. The product of that function would be exactly zero. It seems to ring true too. I can’t remember God ever coming through in a significant way in my life, in any situation where I was being unfaithful to what He was asking of me. It seems there’s also a consequence in always only bringing the minimum. Certainly, anything God allows to be released in our lives is good. Given the choice, however, I think anyone would prefer the maximum good, over the minimum. It provides proper encouragement to always bring your best, willing to yield it in service to God.

It’s fair to say, then, that multiplication doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the moment that obedience and preparation meet His timing and provision. It’s all according to His formula, but you’re a key factor.

Miracle For Baby Charlotte

 by Chris Jones

There’s undeniable evidence of God, for those who’ve experienced his miraculous power, especially when it comes as an answer to our prayers. I asked my friend, JB, if I could share the testimony of her daughter’s healing. This recent miracle is just one example of God at work in her life.

JB’s baby, Charlotte, was born with what her doctor described as a tracheoesophageal fistula, an abnormal connection between the esophagus and the trachea, which results in the aspiration of fluids. This caused her to breathe in milk instead of it traveling down her esophagus to her stomach during feedings. Basically, she was drowning every time she ate. Over time, this could result in chronic fluid in her lungs.

Not willing to wait for the doctors’ suggested plan of action, JB and her husband brought their request to God.  They met that Wednesday night before service, for their Pastor and friends to lay hands on baby Charlotte, and “boldly ask the Lord for no sign of a cleft or fistula.” In prayer, Pastor claimed that no abnormalities would be found when she went into surgery.

The next day, they handed Charlotte over to the doctors, believing that the Lord had restored the structure and function of the connection between her esophagus and trachea, and that repair, therapy, feeding tubes etc. would not be a part of their lives, and that the Lord completely restored their baby girl. After some time, the doctor emerged from surgery and said, verbatim, “well, what we saw Tuesday just isn’t there! There are no abnormalities and no further repair or surgery is necessary!”

Before they left, the radiologist asked, “when you talk to the Lord again, could you ask him to help out with a few of my other patients too? You guys get good results!”

Praise the Lord for what he has done, is doing and will do through those who truly believe in him! In an instant, Charlotte was healed and able to breathe and feed without a choking or drowning sensation. Mom and Dad say she’s one happy and alert little girl.

1 John 5:14-15 says, “we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.” Praise God, that his power is at work in our lives today!

New Blogger

Help me welcome a new blogger to Witness Runner.

Nick Koopalethes, Pastor of The Victory House in Purcellville VA, is joining us. He’s a good friend who I had the privilege of working with during his years as a Youth Pastor. I continue to be impacted by his infectious confidence in God’s faithfulness and ability to do what He promises.

I’ll let Nick tell you all about his new adventure. If you’re believing God for a miracle, I think you’ll be inspired by my friend. Follow Witness Runner on Facebook or Twitter to make sure you don’t miss a moment of what Nick shares from his journey to healing.

His Hands Extended

 by Chris Jones

How many times have you heard someone say, “we need to be Jesus’ hands extended.” Admittedly, It’s the sort of expression that has effectively become the background noise in the lives of many Christians. This past week, the Holy Spirit breathed new life into that concept for me.Consider the miracles recorded in the Bible. Changing water to wine is commonly considered to be the first miracle Jesus performed. Was it? Look at John 2 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%202&version=NLT)

Certainly, the credit for anything good we might accomplish belongs to God. Absolutely, it’s the first time Jesus’ glory was revealed. However, in simple terms of “Performance”, who “performed” this miracle? After Jesus clearly explains that it is not His time (for miracles), the disciples spring into action. At His command, they filled the jars with water. They drew from the pots, and took it to the Master of Ceremonies. The miracle at the wedding of Cana, though accomplished through the power of God, took place at the hands of His disciples.

What reason do we have to believe He can’t do that same today, through those who follow Him? Is there a stronger witness we could carry into the world than miraculous signs of His power? It’s all about obedience. As His hands extended, we need to move when He commands, giving God complete credit and glory for everything we do, no matter how miraculous or ordinary it might seem.