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"Called to work miracles" by De Yarrison (CatholicMom.com) Image credit: By Denis Nevozhai (2017), Unsplash.com, CC0/PD[/caption] My heart was truly burning within me. Over the seven weeks between Easter and Pentecost, each morning began with a story from the book of Acts. Stories of unashamed faith, incredible boldness, and miraculous works.
  • Peter healing the lame beggar: “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” (Acts 3:6)
  • Philip following the Spirit’s promptings to teach and baptize the Eunuch from Ethiopia: “And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.” (Acts 8:39)
And imagine this scene … Paul and Silas had been stripped, beaten with wooden rods, and thrown into prison: actually, into the “inner dungeon” with their feet clamped in the stocks. And from the dungeon:
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone's chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!" The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Acts 16:25-30
Major chills!! Seriously divergent before and after snapshots of these men (before the Holy Spirit – after the Holy Spirit). Empowered with the Holy Spirit, the Lord used them to do His work of healing, conversion, and freedom. 

The spirit in you

That same Holy Spirit is alive within you and me! The same miracle-working power of God is available to us this very day. And boy, our world could sure use a few miracles today, huh? Let’s take an honest look around. These times are racked with abuse, addiction, violence, suicide, and confusion about such important things as gender, morals, and our very identity! If there were ever a time to pray for a release of the Holy Spirit through us, I’d say it is now! You might be thinking, “Yeah but, miracles? I can’t perform miracles.” Jesus thinks you can. He says to you and me:
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12)
We know that after Jesus had ascended to the Father, He sent us His Holy Spirit, saying, “it is better for you that I go, for if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you" (John 16:7). Jesus sent His Holy Spirit to empower and enlighten us, so that you and I would do the works Jesus did, and even greater works. That’s astounding, isn’t it? Jesus has a heck of a lot more faith in me than I have in myself!

The lie of “not enough”

My human mind wants to doubt that He could use me to do His mighty works, because there is a lie I am believing. I’m not smart enough, strong enough, holy enough. I don’t pray enough, go to daily Mass enough, read enough spiritual texts. That’s the voice of the Deceiver right there. Satan is the only being who doesn’t want me to know what I, through the Holy Spirit, am truly capable of. Being used by the Lord has nothing to do with my smarts or energy level and everything to do with my level of faith in Him. For He doesn’t call the equipped, but He always equips the called. And we are ALL called. Healing? Conversion? Freedom? Just like the original apostles? Yes. It’s true. The Lord has performed all three of those miracles through me numerous times, unprepared, unaware, imperfect sinner that I am. And I imagine He’s done the same through you, even if you haven’t recognized it as such.

The take-away

Now is the time. The Lord has chosen you and I to be here, now. He has work to do through us!  Are you willing? The Scriptures assure us that we have each received a gift(s) through the Holy Spirit, which we are to use to love, encourage, and comfort one another. So many of His children in these times are desperate for love, encouragement, and comfort! Let us pray for wisdom and discernment as we partner with Him to do our part for the Kingdom of God – right here where He has put us.

Prayer

Come Holy Spirit, come alive in me! I give You permission to flood my being with power and boldness that Your will be done in and through me. Speak to Your children through me. Pray for Your children through me. Comfort the afflicted through me. Pour Your Love upon them through me. Show your tender compassion and mercy through me. O Holy Spirit, give me the courage to step out of my front door each day ready to bring Your healing and conversion and freedom into the world around me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen! Saints Peter and Paul, pray for us!
Copyright 2019 De Yarrison

About the Author

De Yarrison

De Yarrison

De guides women along the journey to spiritual and emotional healing, through coaching, deliverance prayer, and healing retreats. At YouAreMadeNew.com, De walks alongside women as we grow, heal, and discover the abiding presence of Christ within our own hearts. De invites you to join the Catholic women’s community, Hope’s Garden, which she cofounded.