Where Are the Signs and Wonders?

More than almost any other question of faith, I hear this one from so many believers... Where are the signs and wonders?  With so many apostles and prophets, where are the miracles?  With my increased understanding of the Scriptures and chasing of faith, where are the wondrous works of God?

We live in a society filled with entitlement.  The church is not exempt.  Even our Christian culture demands a response to every iota of sacrifice we offer.  If we give, we expect God to bless us "one hundred fold."  If we forgive, we expect to be forgiven.  I'm not saying this is all negative.  Nevertheless, we need to learn and understand that that Kingdom of God is not a one-dimensional business plan.  God is sovereign.  He will do what He wants to do when He desires to do it.  Here is, however, the great thing about God.  He doesn't leave us guessing!  In fact, His word is clear, if we would only meditate upon it.  He desires that we know His heart, so He has laid it out for us, in His word!

First, we must acknowledge that our seeking of signs and wonders, as born-again believers, is not optimal.  After Jesus was resurrected and seen of the Apostles, He said "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."

In our search for signs and wonders, have we lost the true foundation of faith?  Have be begun to seek miracles more than God?  Certainly, we have forgotten that signs and wonders are for the unbelieving.  Those of us who know the Father must, like Jeremiah, recall to our minds the great works of God.  It is in this that we have hope (Lamentations 3:21-23).  In His word, our faith is renewed.  Certainly, God should not have to prove Himself, by our own standards, to His own children!

Nevertheless, back to the original premise... Where are the signs and wonders?  The word of God does promise they will follow those who believe, right?

Mark 15:15-18 says, "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;  They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

We all know and understand that obedience is better than sacrifice.  In fact, obedience is arguably the foundation of worship.  With that, those who believe and are truly sons of God will first be obedient to His word.  How is it, then, that we expect the fruit of obedience without actually obeying God's word?

In verse 15 of this passage, a very clear directive is given to us as disciples of Christ.  That instruction is to GO and PREACH the GOSPEL!  Given that the original text of Scripture was not delineated by chapter and verse, we can deduct that within context, only those who obey this command can expect to see the signs and wonders following.  Of course, that makes sense, as we've already established that signs and wonders are indeed for those who do not believe.

Where are the signs and wonders?  They are exactly where they are supposed to be... following the ministry of reconciliation in the earth.  If you are not seeing them, examine yourself.  Where have you gone to win the lost?  Especially for those who are apostles or prophets, are you sure?  To what uncharted places have you been sent and before what great men have you been invited?  What did you preach when you got there: your latest revelation or the unadulterated Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Selah.

My Mic Sounds Nice!

This message is a clarion call to all of God's ministers and leaders.  Do you truly understand the power of a microphone?  Do you realize the gravity of responsibility that rests on your life whenever you speak into the mic?

A microphone is defined as "an instrument for converting sound waves into electrical energy variations, which may then be amplified."  Literally, this small and seemingly insignificant device adds ENERGY to your words and amplifies them, or makes them great.  God does not take an amplified voice lightly.

Joel 2:1 declares, "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand."  God's prophet was given instruction to cause an alarm... to amplify a sound of warning to God's people.

In like manner, Isaiah 58:1 instructs "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins."

The point is this - God has always commanded that the voice of WARNING be amplified.  Yet, so many in the Body of Christ have diminished the privilege of a magnified voice down to an opportunity to entertain and encourage empty religious practice.

Today's modern microphone can be likened to a trumpet or ram's horn - a tool used to amplify and bring attention for the purpose of delivering God's message to His people.

In this season, we must be mindful of the amplified voice.  Is God amplifying us, or are we amplifying ourselves?  Have we assumed that the loudest voice is the most anointed, without exercising discernment?  Do we chase the desire to have our own agendas amplified for vain glory, or are we prepared to loudly proclaim the Gospel, which must include the word of warning?

We cannot become seduced by the amplified sound of our own voices.  Instead, whenever given the opportunity, we must amplify only the heart and mind of God, that He and He alone be glorified.

The next time you are presented with a microphone, whether to sing or speak, remember the heaviness that comes with that assignment.  You have, at that point, gained access and the attention of God's precious people.  Make every second count!

2 Timothy 4:2 "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine."

Selah.

Paul, Peter is Coming Back

Please hear God!

This is the season of the PRODIGAL son, daughter, sister, brother, friend, etc. in the Body of Christ.  As time winds up, God is restoring many covenant relationships that were severed due to offense and other devices of the enemy.

Will you receive them when they return?  Will you humble yourself and return?

We must be prayerful and wise, putting discernment to use.  The Lord revealed that many of us provide more trust and faith in strangers than we do those who have walked with us for years, but committed one transgression.  This is certainly to our shame.  Which is more important... the manifestation of God's power, or your feelings and ego?

The Kingdom of God is not in word, clicks or bonds.  Mature saints understand we are called to walk in power with our brothers and sisters, even if we can't agree on a favorite color or the split for the offering.  We can no longer allow trivial disagreements or misunderstandings to break up relationships God has put in place for the work of the ministry.  We are interrupting the strategy and progress of the Kingdom in doing so.

Let me be clear... In this case, I am not addressing merely church membership.  This is in regard to leaders who are working to build the Church, the Body of Christ.

Godly relationships are based on covenant.  Therefore, we cannot be quick to walk away from one another.  We need to work through disagreements and restore these relationships unless God, who established the covenant in the first place, announces is has been fulfilled.

Like a marriage, Kingdom covenants will have problems and disagreement.  That is not an excuse to simply walk away.  Gifts must work together to feed God's people and nurture them appropriately.  As leaders, we cannot do this alone.  The Kingdom is God is not an upward tier of power and authority, but a web of interdependent relationships.  When we shun God's gifts from our presence, we affect those we are leading.

Humility is in order.  Let's humble ourselves and restore all that God set in place.

Paul, Peter is coming back.  Though he didn't do things your way, he has completed God's work and remained faithful.  Can you receive him?  Selah.