Ephesus had a dark side.

It was a centre of magic arts and home to sorcerers, charlatans and various cults. But God took the initiative and did extraordinary miracles through Paul (Acts 19:11).

Most people have never seen an ordinary miracle, let alone an extraordinary one.

Cure by contact was a dominant feature in the ministry of Jesus. Countless people were healed by touching the hem of His garment. Jesus promised His disciples that by faith they would do even greater works than His (John 14:12).

And so it happened. After Pentecost, healings and exorcisms occurred in Peter’s shadow (Acts 5:15-16). Bible Scholar CK Barrett considers this “the most astounding piece of miracle-working” in the New Testament.

Similarly, handkerchiefs and aprons carried from Paul’s body brought healing and deliverance to the sick and demon-possessed (Acts 19:12). It seems strange that God would use this form of miracle in a centre of magic like Ephesus. But God knows how to play His cards. When charlatans try to get in on the act, they are exposed and dismissed, while the name of Jesus is glorified (Acts 19:13-20).

Miracles point to Jesus. Miracles confirm the Message. It is about saving souls and so much more. The Incarnation demonstrates God’s absolute solidarity with the whole range of human misery, not just the spiritual part of us.

God does greater works through His servants, not just to upstage charlatans and sorcerers, but to heal broken hearts, minds and bodies.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) His healing touch is available to all who touch Him in faith and touch the sick with compassion.

John G Lake was one of the greatest healing evangelists of the 20th century. His Healing Rooms in Spokane, Washington saw more than 100,000 medically confirmed healings in five years. And in the ministry of Smith Wigglesworth, handkerchiefs taken from his body brought healing and deliverance to hundreds of people.

God does extraordinary miracles through ordinary people who trust in Him, abide in Him and reach out in compassion to those who are hurting.

Greater works than these shall you do (John 14:12).

Fast and pray

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. (World Health Organization)

• Health is wealth. Did you know that access to healthcare is a basic human right? Are you aware that this is one of the most critical issues facing humanity today?
  Singapore is blessed. We enjoy quality and affordable healthcare, thanks to our good government for doing a great job. There is more to be done and our government knows they cannot do it alone. Due to our global status as a travel and trade hub, we are extremely vulnerable to new infectious diseases. Due to ageing, dementia is on the rise and more will suffer chronic ailments. Due to bad habits and First World anxieties, many are sick or at risk. Diabetes, cancer, stroke, heart attack and depression are constant threats. More children today are thinking of suicide. (The New Paper, 30 May 2018)
  Are we not concerned?

• Will the Church help shoulder this national burden?
  Pray that we will go beyond the medical and usher in a new way from the Gospel perspective:
     1. Miracle healing is available in the name of Jesus.
     2. Access to miracle healing is a basic human right because Christ has paid the price for all.
     3. Miracle healing is the most under-utilised power available to the Church today.
     4. The ministry of healing is God’s universal health coverage to ensure that no one is left behind.
     5. The ministry of healing is people-centred care that should be restored as a priority in every local church.
  To what extent has the Singapore Church embraced or violated any or all the above?
  Pray for strong convictions that lead to strong action. Lord, make Singapore Your oasis of healing in a world of sickness.

• Think biblically. Act rightly. The power-promises in the Gospels and Acts are almost always in the context of evangelism and missions (Study Matthew 10:1, 7-8; Luke 9:1-2; 10:1, 8-9; Matthew 28:18-19; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:47-49; Acts 1:8; John 20:21-22).
  “As you go, proclaim the good news. … Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons” (Matthew 10:7-8). Jesus promised power to go. But we want power to stay. We camp out in the upper room and bless each other with words and wonders.

• Pray: Lord, forgive us. We’ve been content to live without Your healing power. We’ve settled for less. Towards Celebration of Hope 2019, we want more. Make us Your healing evangelists everywhere to touch and reach the lost. Anoint every local church to be Your house of miracles. Make every extraordinary miracle a stunning headline, turning Singapore Godwards.
• Ponder this: It is not wrong for Christians to receive medical help if they fall sick. But we grieve God’s heart when we seek medical aid without first seeking Him for healing, either directly or through anointing with oil and prayer by the elders. Please read James 5:14-15 and 2 Chronicles 16:12. Pray.

Read the devotional from Day 22: Post-Pentecostal here.