Finding Your Destiny in Christ; Stories of the Miraculous

By VOBM

This book is a collection of true stories of how Jesus walks and teaches believers today as He did in the New Testament. There are stories of physical miracles including one in which a man's brain aneurysm disappeared and his circulatory system appeared to be that of someone 30 years younger. His physician had him give his testimony to a class of graduating medical students.

There is also the story of a woman in an asylum who was released shortly after prayer.

The lessons these stories teach are meant to inspire people to find their destiny in Christ through serving others.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Nov 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9780996759823

Book preview

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Introduction

This book is dedicated to helping you find your destiny in Christ. We were created for a specific God-designed purpose. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works; which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10. We were created to be part of something bigger than ourselves, to be part of something which will outlive us. We were created to be part of a picture only God sees in its entirety. We are part of that picture. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 1 Cor3:6.

Each part is important. A prophet once dreamed a pastor of a small homeless mission had died. He saw a great celebration in Heaven for the pastor. Angels were rejoicing for it was a hero’s welcome.

The Prophet called the man’s wife the next morning and was told the man had gone to be with the Lord.

The Prophet asked God, Why, the big celebration? This man never ministered to more than 13 people at a time.

God answered the Prophet. You don’t understand. This man did everything I ever requested of him.

Everything counts. Whether you are standing in front of one or thousands is not as important as finding your identity so that Jesus can live His life through you.

Finding your identity is not straight forward. You search for your natural strengths and learn to capitalize on them. There are any numbers of books to read and seminars to go to. Finding your way in the realm of the spirit is not simple. We look at the Apostles and see that. Though Jesus modeled being led by the Holy Spirit for three-and-a-half years they still needed time to understand. In the present day we are bombarded with overwhelming information and nonstop entertainment. It hinders our ability to see the spiritual. Man has struggled since Adam to get to a place of peace where we are still before God.

Elijah tried to go to Mount Horeb where Moses had such a powerful experience. Then he came there to a cave and lodged there; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, What are you doing here, Elijah? He said, I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. So He said, Go forth and stand on the mountain before the LORD. And behold, the LORD was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.… After the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, a voice came to him and said, What are you doing here, Elijah? Then he said, I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. 1 Kings 19:9-13.

In this passage God asks the same question twice. Elijah responds with the same answer. Jesus did the same thing when he asked Peter 3 times if he loved Him. If you have parented children this is a familiar interchange.

Did you see what the other kids did? You know I love you dad.

Finally, you get to the real reason.

Getting us to realize the truth is more powerful than telling us the truth. In each case God pointed these men to their destiny. In each case they were given things to do which required them to go beyond faith to a place of trust; a place where you go forward, not knowing what lies ahead. You only know God is with you.

God is not glorified when we do something we have the abilities to do. He is glorified when we walk into the impossible and depend on Him showing up. We walk into it depending on His reputation and who He is. We might obey someone who is in authority over us. We trust someone we love and who loves us.

This book will tell several stories of God’s miraculous intervention. The lessons learned from the miracles glorify God. These stories take place in hospitals, jails and even an asylum. There are several stories of physical miracles. Including one man whose brain aneurysm disappeared and In addition he received a new circulatory system. As a result his doctor had him give his testimony to a graduating class of medical doctors.

There are several stories of spiritual healing, including one of a woman in an asylum in full body restraints who regained her sanity.

There are two stories of God’s provision. There is one story of walking away from two thieves in Jerusalem on the Sabbath. Another of how my wife escaped drowning during Hurricane Katrina.

These stories emphasize the importance of the relationship God desires. When a father takes his son fishing the reason is not simply to catch fish. It is a time for the son to identify with the father. If the boy sat in a crowd and heard everything there was to know about fishing it would not be the same. The father-son relationship helps the boy find his identity.

Jesus modeled ministry for His disciples. He did it in an environment with changing circumstances and diverse people. The woman at the well, the lepers, and many others taught the disciples to love people they would not associate with normally. They watched Jesus ask their name, sit and talk with them, and often eat with them. You can drop money in a homeless man’s cup without knowing his name. You can hand him a sandwich without knowing his story. You can pray for him and never know him.

God has created each of us to be unique. My prayer is you would find your uniqueness and it would be used to reach the people only you can reach. Recently, I taught in a prison for 4 months. One of the inmates pulled up his shirt and showed me a deep scar stretching from the bottom of his throat to below his waist. He told me it took over a 100 stitches to close.

Why do you think you are still alive? I asked him. He looked puzzled. I don’t know, He answered.

Because God has kept you alive for a purpose. I told him. He requested prayer to receive freedom from something troubling him. The power of God fell on him as the prison guards watched. His countenance visibly changed as