When I Need a Miracle

Devotional for Kids

“That is what is happening here in this city today! For Herod the king, and Pontius Pilate the governor, and all the Romans – as well as the people of Israel – are united against Jesus, your anointed Son, your holy servant.
“They won’t stop at any thing that you in your wise power will let them do.
“And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and grant to your servants great boldness in their preaching,
“And send your healing power, and may miracles and wonders be done by the name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4: verses 27 to 30 [The Living Bible]

Do you ever wish God would just take care of your problem like magic? Let’s say you really want a Nintendo Wii but Mom and Dad say maybe for your birthday. You want it now. You wonder why God can’t just make it appear when you ask for it.

The answer is, He can, but He probably won’t. God is not our puppet. He cares about our needs and even our desires but we don’t go around directing Him what to do for us all day.

God did miracles all the time and He still does today. He wants us to have a relationship with Him so we get to know Him and do what He wants. That’s how we get to grow spiritually and be like Jesus.

Let me tell you about someone who just wanted to have magical powers from God. This man’s name was Simon. You can read about him in Acts chapter 8, starting at verse 9 to verse 25.It was not Simon Peter. It was Simon, the sorcerer, who was called this because he did magic.

People looked up to Simon because he did some amazing things. Some people even thought that he was the Messiah. But then Philip came along and told them about Jesus Christ and that He was the Messiah. The people believed Philip’s message and were baptized.

Even Simon believed and was baptized. He followed Philip wherever he went because he was amazed at the miracles God did through Philip.

Soon Peter and John came to visit these people and Simon. As Peter and John laid their hands on these people’s heads they would receive the Holy Spirit from God.

Simon the sorcerer was jealous of Peter and John. He offered them money to buy this power of laying his hands on people so they received the Holy Spirit.

Peter told him he could not buy God’s power with money. Simon’s heart was not right with God. He only wanted the power so he would be important and powerful.

Peter told him he needed to repent of the jealousy and sin in his heart. Simon now understood that God’s power was not like his magical tricks. He was sorry for his sin and asked Peter to pray for him.

When we choose God’s way and are loyal to Him, God comes into our life. He puts His desires into our minds and hearts so we want what He wants for us. He shows us how to work this out so He gets the honor and glory.

As we spend some time each day praying to him about our life and day, and read the Bible to see what He has to say to us, we develop a relationship with Him. It’s the same as when you spend a lot of time with your special friends. You get to know them and they get to know you and you are there for each other. God is there for you.

God wants us to come to Him with all our needs, even when we want a Wii. The Bible says that God supplies all our needs. God knows we need fun things in our lives also and wants to bless us with good things.

Memory Verse for this Week:
“And it is he who will supply all your needs from his riches in glory, because of what Christ Jesus has done for us.” Philippians 4: verse 19 [The Living Bible]

Going Deeper as Adults:

According to Wesley L. Duewel in his book, Touch the World Through Prayer, we have great power as Christians to touch the world through prayer.

He advocates that we stay close to the Lord so His power can rest upon us. He says that this was the secret of the Apostle Paul’s ministry and we too must let God clothe us daily with His Spirit.

We need to pray as the early church did that Christ will be shown in His miracle power. Our prayers help shake numbers of people and places for Christ. God still performs miracles today especially in the hearts of those we pray for and in the lives of people.

Ruth Willms

Author: The Lion Tree
http://ruthwillms.com
ruth.willms@gmail.com

Want to know more about how God can help you every day? Check out my new book The Lion Tree at http://ruthwillms.com

Look for my new unpublished story, An Anniversary Surprise, at http://ruthwillms.com