Episode 100

Delayed Miracles

Sunday, July 27, 202543 min

Join Pastor Greg as he continues his series titled "Strange Miracles".

Watch

Listen

0:000:00

Transcript

Devotionals from This Message

Five short reflections drawn from this message — Monday through Friday.

Daily devotion

Choose Your Company Carefully

Thursday

"He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly." - Mark 5:37-38

When Jesus arrived at Jairus's house to raise his daughter, He didn't invite everyone to witness the miracle. Instead, He selected only Peter, James, and John to accompany Him and the parents into the room. This selective approach teaches us a valuable lesson about faith journeys: not everyone belongs in your inner circle during seasons of waiting and believing.

Some people, though well-meaning, bring skepticism rather than support. Others may amplify your doubts instead of encouraging your faith. Still others might rush to pronounce your situation hopeless when God is just getting started.

During critical faith moments—when you're standing for healing, restoration, breakthrough, or provision—you need people who will believe with you, not just sympathize with you. You need companions who see God's possibilities when circumstances suggest impossibilities. You need voices that echo God's promises when reports contradict them.

This doesn't mean isolating yourself completely. Rather, it means being intentional about who has access to your deepest struggles and most vulnerable faith moments. Some people are equipped to journey with you through the valley; others are better met on the mountaintop of testimony after God has moved.

"You're not meant to go through it alone. You get somebody who will believe with you and take them with you on the journey. I need me a Peter. I need me a John. I need a James. I need. I need them with me on this."

Reflect: Who are the people in your life that strengthen your faith during difficult waiting seasons? Conversely, are there relationships that consistently undermine your trust in God's promises?

Prayer: Lord, grant me wisdom to discern who should journey closely with me during seasons of waiting and believing. Bring faith-filled companions who will stand with me when circumstances seem impossible. Help me to be gracious with those who cannot yet see what I'm believing for, while protecting the faith You've placed in my heart. In Jesus' name, amen.

Continue listening

More messages to help you grow in your walk with Christ.

Next episode

Episode 101Aug 3, 202527 min

Survival Mode

Join Micah Harvey as he continues the series titled "Strange Miracles".

Listen to sermon

Previous episode

Episode 99Jul 22, 202537 min

Walk On Water

Summary

Pastor preaches on the concept of 'delayed miracles,' emphasizing that a delay from God doesn't mean denial. Using the story from Mark 5 about Jairus and his daughter, alongside the woman with the issue of blood, the sermon illustrates how God's timing may not match our expectations. When Jairus sought Jesus to heal his dying daughter, a delay occurred when the woman with the issue of blood was healed, during which time Jairus's daughter died. Yet Jesus still performed the miracle, resurrecting her instead of merely healing her.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss Your perfect timing in our lives, we ask that You open our hearts to understand that Your delays are not denials. Help us to see beyond our frustrations and disappointments to recognize Your hand still moving on our behalf. Give us patience and strengthen our faith during seasons of waiting. May this discussion draw us closer to You and to each other as we learn to trust Your timing. In Jesus' name, amen.

Questions

How do you typically respond to delays in your life, especially when you've been praying for something specific?

In the sermon, the pastor says 'delayed does not mean denied.' How might this perspective change how you view God's timing in your life?

Jesus told Jairus, 'Don't be afraid, only believe.' How does fear impact our faith during times of waiting?

The sermon mentions limiting your circle during difficult times. Who are the 'Peter, James, and John' in your life that you can count on when facing challenges?

What 'tumult' (confusion, disorder, chaos, noise) might you need to remove from your life to better hear God and receive your miracle?

The pastor emphasized that God's answer is always 'yes' based on 2 Corinthians 1:19-20. How do you reconcile this with prayers that seem unanswered?

Share about a time when God's delay in answering your prayer actually resulted in something better than what you originally asked for.

What miracle or answer to prayer have you given up on that you need to start believing for again?

Life Application

This week, identify one area in your life where you've given up hope because of a delay. Write down this prayer request and God's promises that relate to it. Then, intentionally remove any 'tumult' (negative voices, distractions, or chaos) that might be hindering your faith. Each day, spend time thanking God in advance for His 'yes' to this request, even if you don't see the answer yet. Share your renewed hope with your 'inner circle' of trusted believers who can stand in faith with you.

Key Takeaways

A delay in God's answer doesn't mean He has denied your request; His timing is different from ours.

Fear can diminish our faith during delays; Jesus encourages us to 'not be afraid, only believe.'

During difficult times, we need to be selective about who we allow to speak into our situation.

We must remove the 'tumult' (confusion, chaos, and negative voices) from our lives to receive our miracle.

All of God's promises are 'yes' and 'amen' in Christ Jesus; He doesn't give 'no' answers to His promises.

Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for reminding us that Your delays are not denials. Forgive us for the times we've given up on prayers because they weren't answered according to our timeline. Restore our faith in Your promises and help us to trust Your perfect timing. Give us the courage to remove any tumult from our lives that hinders our faith. Surround us with believers who will stand with us during difficult seasons. We choose today to believe that Your answer to Your promises is always 'yes' and 'amen.' Thank You for being faithful even when we struggle to understand Your ways. In Jesus' name, amen.

Give online