As Simeon was waiting for the consolation of Israel (Luke 2), Christ was born in a lowly manger in Bethlehem of Judea. Jesus, our Savior, was the first sign of the New Testament. His birth was an answer to many prayers for many years. "But the Messiah will come", must have been the cry of desperation heard by many throughout the land.
Once again - we find ourselves at the crossroads - we are in dire need of the "Anointed One" to re-appear on the scene. Not only was the birth of Jesus the first sign and wonder of the New Testament era, He will also be the last. His "coming" will be as spectacular as His "birth", as Jesus sets His feet upon the Mount of Olives - that place where He was crushed for us. Between these two monumental happenings is where you and I live.
The Christ-child is celebrated all around the world on December 25th. Thank God that we remain in awe at the sign and wonder He was...and still is...and will be.
As we turn the corner into 2008, our sincere prayer is that our God will be all He has declared Himself to be in all of your life, family, ministry and church! God bless you and have wonderful, joyful celebration of Christ, our King! He is coming again. Tell everyone to get ready.
12/21/07
12/11/07
Eight Purposes for Signs and Wonders
(Part Eight)
To Strike the "Awe of God" Within Men's Hearts
Isaiah 66:18-19
They will come and see My glory. I will set among them a sign, which becomes a rallying point, saying, "Ascend here." And I will shoot forth some of them as arrows to the nations - to those who have not heard of My fame or seen My glory. They will vehemently proclaim My abounding splendor, my prevailing honor, and My weighty magnificence.
"The splendor of the King clothed in majesty - Let all the world rejoice" are the begining words to the first verse of "How Great is Our God", a very popular worship song at the moment. One of the missing elements today is "a church full of believers totally overcome by the awesomeness of God". But how could we ever come to believe that the world will know the "awe of God" before we do? Not only will judgment begin in the house of God, but "the awe of God" must begin with us too.
One of the major differences between a sinner and a saint is what it takes for them to "believe". Typically, a sinner would say, "I'll believe it when I see it". But our lives should say, "I'll believe UNTIL I see it". This was one of the things Jesus was trying to explain to Mary and Martha at the tomb of Lazarus, when He said, "Did I not say that if you believe you would see My glory?"
Signs and Wonders are designed to strike the "awe of God" in our hearts; to awaken the belief system of sinners. As children of God, we must believe...then...signs and wonders will confirm what we've been believing and saying. God promised to confirm His word with signs following. Go figure!
To Strike the "Awe of God" Within Men's Hearts
Isaiah 66:18-19
They will come and see My glory. I will set among them a sign, which becomes a rallying point, saying, "Ascend here." And I will shoot forth some of them as arrows to the nations - to those who have not heard of My fame or seen My glory. They will vehemently proclaim My abounding splendor, my prevailing honor, and My weighty magnificence.
"The splendor of the King clothed in majesty - Let all the world rejoice" are the begining words to the first verse of "How Great is Our God", a very popular worship song at the moment. One of the missing elements today is "a church full of believers totally overcome by the awesomeness of God". But how could we ever come to believe that the world will know the "awe of God" before we do? Not only will judgment begin in the house of God, but "the awe of God" must begin with us too.
One of the major differences between a sinner and a saint is what it takes for them to "believe". Typically, a sinner would say, "I'll believe it when I see it". But our lives should say, "I'll believe UNTIL I see it". This was one of the things Jesus was trying to explain to Mary and Martha at the tomb of Lazarus, when He said, "Did I not say that if you believe you would see My glory?"
Signs and Wonders are designed to strike the "awe of God" in our hearts; to awaken the belief system of sinners. As children of God, we must believe...then...signs and wonders will confirm what we've been believing and saying. God promised to confirm His word with signs following. Go figure!
12/3/07
Eight Purposes for Signs and Wonders
(part seven)
To illustrate the presence of the prophetic gift in the earth and God's approval of a man/woman and his/her ministry-
ACTS 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a Man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know.
HEB.2:4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will.
PS.74:9 We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.
Israel went through various roller-caster rides in their history with God. When signs and wonders were absent, so were God's prophets. The same is true for every century of Church history since.
There will always be the fluff - those who proclaim their side-show circus act among the kingdom of God - but God knows those who are the real prophets. If you patiently wait it out, this reality will be evident. "A fool's folly will become apparent" are the words of wise Solomon (paraphrased). True signs and wonders will be the fruit of the kingdom in the last days and certainly not by those who are roman-candle ministries - who blow in, blow up and blow out (no pun intended).
Get ready for the greatest reality check to hit the kingdom in a long time. Once again the want-to-be signs and wonder workers will be overcome by luring demoniacs of our time! God will not be up-staged and the real stuff is going to be the difference in the kingdom of God. No more fake...not more fluff...no more blowing smoke. When it's all said and done, our God will show who really walks in His favor and doing the stuff for ALL the right (righteous) reasons! See you at the finish line, fellow believer in the REAL!
To illustrate the presence of the prophetic gift in the earth and God's approval of a man/woman and his/her ministry-
ACTS 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a Man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know.
HEB.2:4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will.
PS.74:9 We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.
Israel went through various roller-caster rides in their history with God. When signs and wonders were absent, so were God's prophets. The same is true for every century of Church history since.
There will always be the fluff - those who proclaim their side-show circus act among the kingdom of God - but God knows those who are the real prophets. If you patiently wait it out, this reality will be evident. "A fool's folly will become apparent" are the words of wise Solomon (paraphrased). True signs and wonders will be the fruit of the kingdom in the last days and certainly not by those who are roman-candle ministries - who blow in, blow up and blow out (no pun intended).
Get ready for the greatest reality check to hit the kingdom in a long time. Once again the want-to-be signs and wonder workers will be overcome by luring demoniacs of our time! God will not be up-staged and the real stuff is going to be the difference in the kingdom of God. No more fake...not more fluff...no more blowing smoke. When it's all said and done, our God will show who really walks in His favor and doing the stuff for ALL the right (righteous) reasons! See you at the finish line, fellow believer in the REAL!
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