When the Lord miraculously delivered my husband, Joe, from a large growth in his neck, we began hearing other people's "take" on the situation. Listening to others trying to reason this miracle away was sometimes frustrating and bewildering. I confess that there were times when my husband and I were tempted to fall victim to their skepticism and doubts. Knowing this, the Lord sent us some very special encouragement through our neighbor across the street. He stopped by one day to bring us fresh greens to feed our pet ducks. When I asked how his wife was doing, he said that she was recovering from surgery to remove a cancerous growth from her neck. His description of his wife's malady was almost identical to my husband's in every way. The only difference was that her growth did not miraculously disappear, but it remained and had become cancerous. I knew that this man's visit to my home at just the right time was not a coincidence. It was God's way of highlighting the wonders He worked on my husband's behalf in response to our praying in faith for a miracle, and standing on His Word.

The Bible says: "Call on Me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give Me glory." (Psalm 50:15 NLT) Unfortunately, many people--including Christians--act as though this verse reads: "Call upon Me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you shall rationalize away all My blessings." What amazes me most is that many of the believers who fervently prayed for Joe during his ordeal were suspicious and doubtful of the miracle that God performed on his behalf--partly in response to their own prayers! This not only grieves the heart of God, but it deeply offends Him, too. The Lord spoke through Isaiah the prophet saying, "I will not yield My glory to another." (Isaiah 48:11 NIV) God is not about to share His glory with anyone, and He expects to get the credit when He acts.

In the first chapter of Romans, the apostle Paul records some chilling descriptions of those who reject the one true God. Romans 1:21 (AMP) reads: "When they knew and recognized Him as God, they did not honor and glorify Him as God or give Him thanks. But instead they became futile and godless in their thinking [with vain imaginings, foolish reasoning, and stupid speculations] and their senseless minds were darkened." Notice that these people did not give God the glory due Him, and they refused to give Him the thanks He deserved. Instead, they engaged in "foolish reasoning." Sadly, there are many believers who do this very thing, when they let worldly mindsets and attitudes creep into their minds and hearts. The good news is that we don't have to give place to ungodly thoughts or beliefs. Instead, we can cast down "arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God." And we can "lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5 AMP) And that's exactly what God expects His children to do--every single time.

One of the best ways to cut off the flow of God's blessings into our lives is to reason away His blessings. On the other hand, giving God the thanks and the praise for every one of His gifts--both large and small--will keep the door open to His involvement in our lives. My husband's healing and deliverance had God's signature all over it, and no matter how others try to explain it away, I'm determined to give Him all the glory. What gift from above can YOU give Him thanks and praise for today?

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for all of the times You acted on my behalf in a time of need, and I failed to give You the glory. I confess it as sin, and I ask that You do a new work in me, so that I might recognize and acknowledge Your intimate involvement in my life from now on. Thank You for all that You've done for me in the past, and for all that You will do for me in the days to come!

- J. M. Farro