It's funny the lengths some people will go to when they try to discount miracles. They'll rationalize them or look for some natural explanation. But what they come up with is oftentimes pretty humorous. I've heard this explanation of the parting of the Red Sea: "It wasn't the Red Sea, it was the Sea of Reeds, and it's only 18 inches deep, and so the children of Israel only had to wade through 18 inches of water. No big miracle." Actually, that would be a bigger miracle—for the whole Egyptian army to be drowned in 18 inches of water! It's a lot easier just to look at it the way it's written.

The truth is that whenever God enters an impossible situation, you're dealing with Someone who has no limitations. Is it impossible? Yes. But is it impossible with God? No, with God all things are possible (see Matthew 19:26). If you can believe Genesis chapter 1, verse 1, the rest is easy: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."

Miracles are based on God's sovereign will. Look at the healing of the lame beggar in Acts 3. No doubt there were other cripples and beggars by the gates of the temple that day. But God, in His sovereign will, wanted this one healed. Miracles are never done capriciously. God has a purpose behind them that He orchestrates. So what is their purpose?

This man was healed so that Peter could present the gospel to the people, and they would come to faith in Jesus Christ. Throughout the book of Acts, God did miraculous signs to get the attention of the crowd so that the gospel could be preached. Even Jesus Christ didn't perform miracles just so people would say, "Wow!" He did it to teach them a truth. In the miracle of the loaves and fishes in John chapter 6, His message was "I am the bread of life." When He raised Lazarus, He did it to demonstrate that "I am the resurrection and the life" (see John 11).

You might say "Nothing could be greater than a physical miracle." I beg to differ. The greatest miracle is a person going to heaven. Jesus said, "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" (Matthew 16:26).

I don't discount miracles. I've seen them. I believe in them. I invite them. And today if you're praying for someone's healing, don't negate the miraculous, invite it. God can do anything, at any time. But remember, their greatest need is the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ. Know the salvation message. If you do, God will make sure you get an opportunity to use it.