Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

Tsunami Ministries Devo by Steve Keaton

Wednesday, April 8^th, 2009

Title: Supernatural

Text: John 6:10-13 (NIV)

Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then too the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

Every since I was a young boy there have always been a few things that could really catch my attention and cause me to really give my undivided attention. The first is no shocker to those who know me. I love food, especially when I am about to dive into something that I really enjoy eating. The second thing that can captivate me is sports and probably more specifically the game of football. It doesn’t matter if it is little guy football or the professionals. I love football! And last but not least is any type of magic or illusions. Not because I necessarily believe in it, but more so due to the fact that it amazes me how with the simplest of tricks and a slight of hand a person can appear to do something supernatural.

Growing up, the top illusionist was David Copperfield. I can remember him doing things such as making the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower disappear. And once he even came to more hometown of Charlotte, NC and allowed his crew to strap him into some crazy box and then he had to escape the box and get out of a building before it was blown up. And in all of these cases, David Copperfield was successful.

Today there is a new breed of illusionist that gives the impression of possessing supernatural abilities. Criss Angel is an edgy, dark and young guy that just does some crazy things. He seems to read minds and levitates and on one occasion even attempted to stand on water, as a crowd of so called skeptics stood by in awe. People run around yelling and screaming and others simply stand in stunned silence. And it all appears to be supernatural and that these guys must obviously posses some special power. But even as much as I attentively watch these men do their tricks, I still can’t help but feel that they could never stand next to the power and Godly presence of Jesus Christ.

Throughout scripture the amazing miracles and acts of the risen savior are revealed. From turning water into wine at a wedding reception to strolling out to the boat load of disciples in the middle of the lake, Jesus never seems interested in making a spectacle of himself, or gathering a crowd of spectators and announcing, “Now, for my next trick…”. Even down to being filled with the compassion for healing the paralyzed, restoring sight to the blind, raising people from the dead and catering an entire dinner party for a crowd of thousands with just a couple of fish and a few loaves of bread, Jesus is less about the show, and more and the soul. That is being supernatural. That is other-worldly. That is the power or God.

In today’s world, we tend to find it very easy to allow the world to throw the smoke and mirrors at us that will cause us to begin to believe the way the world wants us to believe. But our faith is more than falling for some tricks or relying on the man behind the curtain that is flipping the switches and pulling the strings. Instead, we should long to draw closer to the creator, keep our eyes on the savior and then we will truly experience the eye-popping, jaw-dropping power of the Master. And that is something worth our undivided attention. That is something supernatural.

Something to Think About:

• Look at a couple of the miracles Jesus does. What is a common thread throughout them all?
• What is different about the reaction of Jesus after these supernatural acts that place than you see in the illusionist of today?
• In scripture, what does the reaction of the followers of Jesus tend to be during his miracles? Do they draw strength and inspiration from what they have witnessed?
• How can we draw strength from those same miracles?
• In what supernatural ways have you seen Jesus work in your life, or the lives of others you know?

A Few Minutes with God:

God, Thank you for your strength and power. Thank you for your love and your compassion. Thank you for sending your son to this world and the examples that Jesus set for all his followers. Help me to draw strength and encouragement from the mighty acts of service, healing and kindness that Jesus did many years ago, and enable that same supernatural power of love to flow through me to all I encounter. And through this, bring you all honor and glory. Amen.