What 'Acts of God' Are—And What They're Not - BECKY DVORAK CHARISMA MAGAZINE

Christians are susceptible to the worldly idea of 'acts of God.' (Yosh Ginsu)

What 'Acts of God' Are—And What They're Not

11/4/2016 BECKY DVORAK  CHARISMA MAGAZINE

The SpiritLed Woman podcast is empowering women weekly to follow their purpose in Christ and boldly walk in faith. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.

---

Acts of God, what are they? We are accustomed to hearing the local newscaster declare a natural disaster as an act of God. But is it really? Is that an accurate forecast?

When society no longer believes that Satan exists or that hell is an actual place, then they would blame the Creator for these destructive events. When they say that there are many roads that lead to salvation then there is confusion about who God is. And therefore, humankind makes their own gods and anyone's description of the nature and character of their god is confused and accepted as the one, true God.

And sad to say, there are many Christians who do not study the Bible for themselves and do not know who God is or what His acts really are. So they blame the tragedy in life as God's will and turn bitter toward Him.

Is God responsible for tragedies? His Word tells us in John 10:10, "The thief does not come, except to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." The thief is Satan, and he comes to steal, to kill and to destroy us, and he causes tragedies to destroy us and our loved ones. I use John 10:10 to judge any situation that is before me. If the circumstance brings any form of destruction, then I know Satan is responsible. This verse helps to keep life simple, and truth also sets us free (John 8:32).

Jesus warns us in John 16:33, "I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world." He is forewarning us that in this fallen world we will pass through difficulties, but to be of good cheer. He's not making light of the situation, but instead reveals to us the safe place—in Him we will have peace.

In Luke 5:12-16, we read about a man that was full of a plague called leprosy. This plague was deadly, and incurable. And by the powers of faith, love and compassion, He cleansed the man and made Him whole again.

Today, there are many plagues in this world, especially as we are nearing closer to the return of Jesus. The enemy is fighting against humankind, lurking in every corner to bring destruction, but Jesus on the other hand, wills to make us whole by delivering us from plagues. Plagues are part of the curse, and Jesus delivered us from the effects of all forms of the curse, by transforming into the curse for us. Galatians 3:13, "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by being made a curse for us—as it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.'"

In Luke 8:43-48, we read about a woman that had a problem that no one knew how to cure. She was bleeding for 12 years and was slowly dying. But with Him all things are possible, including cures for the human body when the medical field does not know what to do.

First John 3:8 tells us why Jesus came to this earth, "Whoever practices sin is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was revealed, that He might destroy the works of the devil." By His blood, Jesus dissolved the power of Satan and all of his evil ways over us.

Matthew 8:23-27 recalls the amazing testimony of how Jesus calms the wind and the waves. And He wills to do the same for us and through us, whether the storms are spiritual, emotional or physical. He gives to us His authority over Satan and all of his wicked works in Luke 10:19: "Look, I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. And nothing shall by any means hurt you."

A few acts of God we can see through these verses are:

1. He is a life-giver and wills to give life to us in abundance.
2. He is a peace-giver even during difficult times.
3. He provides a safe place in Him during tribulations.
4. He wills to cleanse us from modern-day plagues.
5. He is able to cure the incurable.
6. He dissolves the power of Satan over us by the power of His blood.
7. He shares His authority with us over Satan and all of his wicked works.

Though the World and even some of God's people may falsely accuse God of being responsible for tragedies, sickness, disease, plagues and deadly weather, and call these tribulations "acts of God," we who choose to seek the truth of God's Word can see these accusations are false, and that in reality He is the giver of life, and gives life to us in abundance. 

Becky Dvorak is a prophetic healing evangelist and the Destiny Image author ofDARE to Believe, Greater Than Magic and, soon to be released, The Healing Creed.Visit her at authorbeckydvorak.com.

Draw closer to God. Experience the presence of the Holy Spirit every month as you read Charisma magazine. Sign up now to get Charisma for as low as $1 per issue.

Get to know the Holy Spirit and how to interact with Him on a daily basis. Learn to enter God's presence and hear His voice clearly for yourself! Go deeper in your faith with Life in the Spirit and change your life and destiny. Are you ready to start your journey?