 Understanding Signs and WondersRecently I was speking somewhere and someone closeby overheard me sharing something in the realm of signs and wonders. They stepped in to tell me it was demonic and although I was kind, I thought to myself, here is yet another one who doesn't understand. I then felt the need to address the subject and share that God can and will do the most extraordinary things.
A while later Gordana told me that she didn't like it when I shared a certain testimony regarding her. She thought it was too challenging for most people. I thought and prayed about it and I began to see a greater understanding. I was thinking about all the miracles, signs and wonders we have experienced in our home and lives. I, in my exhuberance have desired that people experience those exact same events. I have been so motivated to pursue God because of things He has done in my family, I kind of forgot that we each have our own walk and relationship with the Lord. Whereas when I walk by Gordana's bible on the table and see sparkles on it, it encourages me and well it should. It had and has a purpose. Gordana, who is a giver would very often pour herself out for people only to have them turn and trample her (which happens to a lot of believers) She would come home weary from the long day at work and then have to take care of the household and also take care of her mom who was ailing the last several years of her life. Gordana would read her bible for strength and encouragement and the Lord would often cover the pages with sparkles. It encouraged her to know the Lord was right there with her. It brought a refreshing of joy to her and had a purpose. Others who saw it would often turn away in disinterest or disgust at the sight. It had no purpose for them. This has happened many times and for a long time confused me. My friend Dr. Bruce Allen has always said that our focus has to be the Lord and everything else flows from that. Another friend John A. Scotland says that signs have a purpose to point to the Lord, to move us in His direction. Having been in many situations now where I have shared about such things I am beginning to see the wisdom that many things we experience may just be for us and not for public consumption. I have had many come away from meetings and their focus has been the signs. ""How do I get gold dust?" or "How can I have my money multiply also?" Wait a second.... I just spoke for an hour on the sacrifice the Lord made for us and that is your question? Wow! I have realized that there are all levels of maturity in any given meeting or church and although I could share openly about certain things and some wouldn't even think it odd, others would hear and run straight into a ditch with it. Some things we share to point people to Christ and others we experience out of our walk and intimacy with Him. To conclude let me share again the wisdom of my dear friends mentioned above... Focus our attention and affection on the Lord, let your life in God and whatever signs, wonders and miracles we experience flow out of that. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33) -MIke
7 Comments
 Praise God for powerful women of God who hear and obey His voice. Here, left to right... Suzanne Hinn, Linda Vega, Carmela Myles, Gordana Van Vlymen and Dr. Elizabeth Fondong ministering to the people at the USA Miracle Convention 2023. Be Ready!It was our intention only to attend the USA Miracle Convention this year in Falls Church Virginia. Gordana and I talked about it. We really wanted to attend and just kind of hide in the back rows somewhere and soak in the atmosphere and recieve from God. It is difficult to make that work but it sounded nice. The Lord had other plans however and we ended up doing that which the Lord has called us to do and truthfully, I liked God's plans better than ours. It is always a joy for me to see Gordana used in the capacity of her anointing and then hear testimonies of God moving to touch His people. Watching those powerful women of God move boldly under His anointing was an honor to behold and I was grateful to see it. In my humble opinion God has indeed His Kathryn Kuhlmans and Maria Woodworth Etters and Aimee Semple Mcphersons for this day also. If you are a woman reading this it may be you I am speakng of. God is no respecter of persons so if you have ever desired to be used mightily of God, ask Him and believe for it. We are in an age where the miraculous will be poured out like never before. There is no reason you should not lead the way as a forerunner of God. Ask... believe,,, recieve! Amen!
 Here is an excerpt from the book Angels - Real Encounters with Angels Today. I wrote the forward for this book because I like the idea of people thinking about God's angels and realizing they have a dramatic impact in all of our lives. In our world today we need the presence of God's angels more than ever and we need to know beyond a doubt that they are always close. I hope you enjoy this small taste... Angels in the Jungle Deep within the dense jungles of Brazil, a group of brave missionaries made plans to embark on a journey that would forever change their lives and the lives of an isolated tribe of indigenous people. Their mission was to bring the love of God and salvation to a tribe that had been known for its violence and hostility towards outsiders. However, the dangers were evident, and the last group of missionaries who had attempted to make contact had met a tragic end. It was a decision that weighed heavily on their hearts, but they felt an unshakable conviction that they must go and do what they felt led to do. After weeks of arduous travel through the unforgiving jungle terrain, they knew they were getting closer to their destination. With each step, their determination and faith grew stronger, bolstered by the knowledge that they were following a divine calling. Finally, they arrived at a small clearing where they decided to set up their camp. The atmosphere was tense yet hopeful as they waited for their first encounter with the indigenous tribe. The missionaries understood that it would take time to build trust and establish a connection with the people, especially considering the tribe's history with outsiders. Then, one fateful day, as the sun was setting, a tribal elder and a couple of others approached their campsite. Fear and curiosity were evident in their eyes as they offered simple gifts of welcome to the missionaries. The language barrier made communication challenging, but the missionaries were patient, knowing that learning the tribe's language would be a crucial step in forming a bond and being able to share the gospel. Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months, and the missionaries settled into a rhythm of living with the tribe, learning their ways, and sharing the love of God. Despite the challenges, everything seemed to be going well, and they began to feel a strong connection with the indigenous people. One day, as the trust between them grew deeper, one of the missionaries couldn't help but ask the elder a question that had been weighing on his mind. "Your tribe had a reputation for violence and even killing missionaries who reached out to you. Why did you welcome us? Why didn't you try to harm us?" he asked with a mixture of curiosity and gratitude. The elder paused for a long moment, his eyes filled with shame remembering what led up to their first meeting. "The first day you arrived, we knew you were here," he began. "We watched as you set up your camp, and as we watched, we talked about how we would come back and attack you in the night." The missionaries listened intently, amazed by the elder's honesty and vulnerability. "We crept silently towards your camp, and as we got close to the clearing, we saw your guards standing around your camp," the elder continued. "We went back several nights in a row and saw that your guards were always there. Even our strongest warriors said they refused to go near. They said your guards were so fierce-looking that surely if we attacked you, your guards would kill us all." The missionaries exchanged puzzled glances, wondering who these guards were. The elder's voice became solemn as he revealed the truth. "That last night, we had a tribal meeting and decided we must make peace with you because of your warriors, and we brought gifts of peace to you the next day," the elder said. "But the truth is, your guards were not ordinary men. They were taller than any man I have ever seen, and they seemed to glow like the moon or the sun. Their eyes were focused into the darkness, and we knew they were watching us. We have since learned that they were angels of your God who protected you." The missionaries were stunned by the revelation. They realized that the presence of God’s angels had kept them safe during their most vulnerable moments. Tears filled their eyes as they felt a profound sense of gratitude and awe. As time passed, the missionaries continued to live among the tribe, leading many to a saving knowledge of Christ. The tribe's reputation for violence diminished, replaced by the love of God as they grew to know Him. The journey was not without its challenges, but the missionaries knew that they were never alone. The angels who had guarded them in the darkness had become a powerful testimony of what King David wrote in the Psalms, “For He has given His angels charge over you to keep you in all your ways.” And as they looked back on their journey, the missionaries knew that the presence of the Lord was a testament to His faithfulness and His guiding hand that had led them to the heart of the jungle. |
Archives
August 2023
Categories |
RSS Feed
