Our God Works Miracles: The Power In Jesus Christ

During this time of sickness and business closures due to the Coronovirus (Covid-19) I have had the opportunity to enjoy more time in prayer and Bible Study. This includes listening to sermons on both sermon audio and various preachers/messengers on youtube such as Steven Lawson, Bill Wiese, and R. C. Sproul.

Lawson's preaching and teaching is very good and Biblical generally. But I was extraordinary upset with his recent denial of miracles. So much so that it prompted this writing you now read. Many modern Christians do not believe that miracles in the present day are possible. This is disturbing, because it is unbiblical, and really a form of misunderstanding and disbelief in correct understanding of the One True God as he is Biblicaly discribed. This false belief in the limiting of God makes him something he is not in the minds of what I call "misbelievers". Misbelievers herein defined when applied to Christians are believers who profess Christianity but do not believe or understand or have knowledge of the correct and true Christian faith and its teachings as they are Biblically defined. They are mislead believers, also known as misbelievers. Not to be confused with unbelievers.

In 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 below we read of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which includes the working of miracles.

"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."

If there is a shortage of miracles today it is due to lack of Faith. (Matthew 13:58)

Jesus said in John 14:12

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father."

In John 14:26

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

In John 7:39

(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Jesus went to the Father, after his Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension took place. 

In the book of Acts chapter 1 we read of Jesus' ascension up into heaven and the disciples who where waiting for the promised gift of the Holy Spirit that was to come after Christ's work on earth as a man was finished. In Acts chapter 2 we see when the Holy Spirit first came as promised to the disciples.

From many scriptures we read clearly that those who believe in Jesus Christ recieve the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost) and are able to do things just as great through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit as those things which he did. This is according to the very words of Christ the Son of God. It is for His glory and according to His purpose.

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." John 16:7

"Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. 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. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen." - Mark 16:14-20

The Comfortor Has Come

See also Have The Sign Gifts Ceased?

See also additional study references - Acts 1:5, Acts 11:16, Luke 24:49, John 15:26, John 16:7-15, Ephesians 1:13-14, Luke 11:13, Acts 5:32, Galatians 3:5, 1 John 4:13, Matthew 3:11, John 20:22, John 14:16-17

What Times Are These: Suffering And Looking To The Father

What times are these in which we live? Who among us saw these things coming? A disease spreading and perhaps 40 percent of the world temporarily shutting down?

Here is what times these are. 

I will tell you. 

These are times when some, who have not previously now begin to pray. Others who have prayed begin to pray more. These are times when many are forced to slow down. Either by job loss or disease or from a loved one getting sick. Perhaps only because of reading and hearing of bad news. These things are sometimes beyond our previous experiences. We learn and are unsure of what to do and how to adjust. Many are more open to God, and to learning of him at this time. And yet, unusually we must point those open to receive truth to the Bible and to council from ourselves or another we know. Unusually, most churches at present are closed.

This is a time for reflection. 

Counterintuitively this is also a time for Great Thankfulness. Thankful in part that things are not worse, but more so because all this upheaveal should cause us to realise all which we had and most which we continue to have. A decent job. Food to eat. Freedom to move about. The health to live our daily lives. Our family and our friends. Even those strangers who show kindness and concern and whose helpful acts are like the gifts of angels.

Time to slow down and be thankful for the small things in life. Catch up with family. Enjoy a good home cooked meal, a warm bed by the fireplace, sunshine, a gentle breeze.

Time to focus. 

What does God want? If Coronavirus is what it takes to bring souls that were once lost and point them toward God then Coronavirus is a blessing to those lost souls. Praise be to God if we bring these lost to God without disease so we could all be more comfortable. Sad it is that discomfort is often necessary to move forward in a society which turns its back to God. To a people which work hard to legislate away the Gospel of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. The saving grace to those who believe in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The forgiveness of sins because of his death on the cross and his ressurection from the dead. The spiritual rebirth to all who believe on Jesus Christ and call upon his name for the forgiveness of their sins for which he died. For which he suffered. Our suffering is not great. Though many times it seems to be great to us.

Let us take this time to be fully focused. Having 2020 vision seeing all through the eyes and the perspective of God the Father. In Jesus' Name this I pray. Amen. 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." - John 3:16-17

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." - Romans 12

The Devil's Lie

Greetings everyone!

Too many posts I have here in various stages of drafts! So I shall attempt to begin completing and publishing them. I cannot believe how quickly the time has past, and all that I have learned and experienced. It is time to begin reflecting more of that and other things in writing here! It feels to me but a short time since I posted here, though I know its over 3 years as time measures.

So here goes a post I had begun writing years ago and finally completed now.

The Devil's Lie

His first specific and documented lie was when he told the woman that she would not die from eating from the tree from which God said they were forbidden from eating. It was a lie because he contradicted God, saying that they would not die, when God said they would, and the devil was incorrect (Genesis chapter 3). Note that the devil may not have actually lied with his words. What he did was far more tricky and similar in fact to what he still does to us today. The Devil placed a doubt, leading to first disbelief and then disobedience.

His general lie is less specific and is not quoted from a particular verse.

But as we study the scriptures we can figure out lies the devil tells. His general lie is a pattern that we can see. When men disobey God they are believing the devil's lie through their actions. They believe the devil's lie that "they can do what they want," and most often, this is better expressed by "they believe they can do what they want while avoiding God's promised consequences." Essentially they believe the devil's lie that God is lying.

Interestingly, failure to believe in God at all also falls under the category of the lie that "they can do what they want" they think they can do what they want and so they disbelieve God. Believing the devils lie that they can do what they want to is the category of all disobedience of commands and teachings. Adding to and taking away from Scripture is also an example of this. Trying to fit worldly teachings into the scripture is another way of calling God a liar. This is common in churches today by proffessed Christians who somehow have no idea what the Bible teaches, much less what it even says.
 
In fact, all the devils lies come back to this one lie.

In the devils first lie above, the woman and man sinned by believing the devils lie that they can do what they want. At the same time, it could be said that it is unbelief in God, and/or disobedience to God.

Another lie people believe is that they aren't good enough to work for God. But this very belief is also accepting the devil's lie. God commands and teaches many things in the Holy scriptures. He never says that anyone isnt "good enough" to follow him. In fact, no one is "good enough" that's the very reason we need him. Logically it's silly as well. The very idea that someone failing to follow God's teachings in one thing is free from following God's teachings in other things is illogical. This all is a devils lie. We are not saved through obedience to God's teachings, neither are we made more useful for his kingdom by what appear outwardly as acts of obedience. We are saved by Grace through Faith and it is by Faith and him in us that we do all things of value. Granted faith will produce good works (Ephesians 2, James 2, Galatians 2:16). But good works alone are not justification. Dangerously, good works without faith are a stumbling block to justification.

Often I am afraid, it is being too obedient to false ideas of what God is and wants that keeps us from serving him. (Luke 18:9-14)

Always, if you know the good God wants you to do, then do it (James 4:17).

Psalm 50:23