Faith = Miracles

I've read the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 countless times, but I saw something today I had never seen in that scripture. The people had gathered along the hillside because they heard Jesus was nearby. They followed him everywhere he went. Jesus couldn't seem to get away to a solitary place and rest. When he saw the crowd, the Bible says he had compassion on them and went to see them. By this point, the disciples are worried because it is getting late and the people won't leave. The disciples ask Jesus to make an "announcement" of sorts and tell them to go home to eat. Then in Matthew 14:16, "Jesus replied, 'They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.'" Jesus knew the disciples were lacking faith, but he wanted to give them a chance at exercising it anyway. But the disciples whine anyway and say in Matthew 14:17, "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish." Another words, they were telling Jesus that same old line little Arnold used to say on the hit 80s television show, "What you talkin' bout, Willis?" Jesus knew what they were thinking and in verse 18, Jesus tells the disciples, "Bring them here to me."

Some people say miracles don't happen anymore. I disagree. I've witnessed too many of them. Granted, there have been some miracles I've prayed for that God didn't see fit to perform. But in reading the above scripture, God wants us to exhibit our faith FIRST. When He sees our faith, He is more likely to answer our prayers.

Whatever God has brought your way today, show your faith FIRST, then just wait for the miracle.