Signs & Wonders Blog

It’s often been said that you cannot please all the people all the time. That’s certainly true when it comes to preaching God’s word, especially on YouTube. Religious critics who see things in my videos they consider “unbiblical” will email remarks that at times are quite rude. 1 Corinthians 13 says that love “does not behave rudely” and “is ever ready to believe the best of every person.” The Lord is more pleased when we seek to unify the Body of Christ rather than faultfinding each other. Whenever I receive a nasty email that makes no attempt to reason together, I usually just delete the writer’s comments. However, I’ve decided to respond to one particular email I received a couple weeks ago. Notice that the writer (who’s from the UK) doesn’t specify the things in my videos he doesn’t like… “You are making a mockery of Jesus! What you have is not from God. But it is from the Devil. I would hate to be in your shoes. The research we have carried out over many years ...

In today’s politically correct society, Christians who take a stand against homosexuality are often dubbed “haters.” A few of these bold believers have been fined, arrested and even charged with inciting “hate crimes.” This is a sign of the times we live in. Matthew 24:9-10 says that in the last days, “…they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another." The dictionary defines hate as “to dislike intensely or passionately.” You might think of things you hate such as chores to do around the house or certain types of food (personally I hate peas, squash, and coconut). Some people have this idea that all hatred is evil and yet it is actually a God-given emotion. Ecclesiastes 3:8 says there is “a time to love, and a time to hate.” So what exactly constitutes godly hatred? Let’s look at a few more examples of “hate speech” in th...

This morning CNN Money’s web site had an article titled, “Stressful Jobs That Pay Badly.” To my surprise, one of the professions listed among “the most overworked and underpaid” is Music Ministry Director. Journalist Jessica Dickler wrote, “You may not think of people who plan, direct and conduct performances for religious services as being under a particularly high amount of stress. But they also choose the appropriate psalm or hymn for every wedding and funeral -- only some of the most important events in a family's life. And those stressful situations can create some demanding clients.” Jessica quoted one Lutheren music director who said, "A couple of years ago I got a request to play the Beer Barrel Polka at a funeral. You have to ask yourself, is this appropriate for a worship service?" I have to ask this Lutheran music director, “Who are you aiming to please?” If it’s man, then stress is inevitable. Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of man brings a sn...

This morning while surfing the Internet, I learned that subway ads are coming out next Monday in New York City declaring “You Can Be Good Without God.” This won’t be the first time this sort of thing has happened in the Big Apple. Earlier this year, a group of atheists sponsored bus posters that read, “You Don’t Have To Believe In God To Be A Moral And Ethical Person.” Similar signs have also appeared on buses in Chicago, Toronto, and London. Immediately I thought of Psalm 14:1 and Psalm 53:1 which both affirm, “ There is none who does good.” Ecclesiastes 7:20 reads, “ For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin.” How should Christians respond to atheists? While unbelievers need to hear the truth of God’s word, we must remind ourselves that it’s the goodness of God that leads one to repentance (Romans 2:4). Sinners need to hear about a God who wants to do good things in their lives. As David said in Psalm 52:1, “The goodness of God endures continua...

This past weekend, I traveled with my friend John Loewen to Tarboro, North Carolina for the Fresh Outpouring Conference at Word of Life International Church . John was leading prayer sessions during the conference and suggested I come along to assist in an evangelism outreach . On Saturday afternoon John and I rode in a car with a woman named Louise who's an associate minister at Word of Life. We first stopped at a downtown intersection where I got out of the car to talk to three teenaged boys with skateboards. Two of them already knew the Lord. The other boy thought he was going to heaven for "being good." Emory prayed to receive salvation. Moments later we drove up to a older woman named Lois who wasn't sure of her eternal destiny. Her daughter said they attended a church and tried to discourage me from talking to Lois. Fortunately I persisted and Lois prayed to get born again. Ironically this incident happened on “Church Street.” Louise had planne...

Occasionally when fulfilling the Great Commission, you will encounter individuals who claim the Bible has contradictions. I often respond to this objection by pulling out a Bible and asking, “Will you show me one?” Many times these folks cannot think of any. Others will point out something in the Scriptures that they consider a contradiction. I had once such incident tonight while taking out the trash. Three boys were coming up the sidewalk and seeing this as a witnessing opportunity, I put down the bag of garbage and handed out tracts. The boys continued walking away as I attempted to minister to them more. It appeared they were focused on going somewhere. Not long afterwards, a man watching me asked what I had just said to his son (this is why in some situations it’s best to avoid witnessing to young children unless you receive their parent’s permission first). I replied that I was a minister sharing the gospel. Then I proceeded to ask this man where he would spend etern...

Winston-Salem, North Carolina is perhaps best known for being a tobacco-producing center. This morning I got to lead four people to the Lord here. Ironically, the first two were smokers. After I got up out of bed, the people I stayed with offered to take me out for breakfast at Hardee’s. Shortly after I received my food, the employee who took my order went outside for a smoke break. I followed Frances and witnessed to her. Frances already knew the Lord and so I focused on ministering to another woman she had been talking to. Ann thought she was going to heaven because of being a good person. When I asked Ann if I could pray with her to receive salvation, Frances asked to join us even though she was saved.  Just as I was leaving Hardee’s, I looked across the street and saw a McDonald’s employee cleaning the parking lot. I walked over there to witness to this young man. Nick was initially unsure of his eternal destiny. When I shared the gospel with Nick, he admitted he had ...

Last night before going to bed, I was reading news headlines on the Internet and learned that the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream company was temporarily changing the name of their “Chubby Hubby” flavor to “Hubby Hubby” to commemorate same-sex marriage being legalized in their home state of Vermont. I was appalled but not surprised considering Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield have used company profits to support other ungodly causes such as abortion advocacy. Now I have another reason not to buy Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. Every Christian has had to decide whether or not to avoid purchasing certain products or services based on moral grounds. Years ago while I was at a prayer meeting, one man there suggested boycotting Best Buy because the electronics company sponsored a rock music festival where Ozzy Osbourne was the headlining act. At first, I was in favor of the idea. But a few days later, I was praying when the Lord specifically told me to go to Best Buy. When I showed up at ...

There is a large homeless population in Washington, DC. Whenever I'm street witnessing in the nation's capital, I'm occasionally approached by people wanting money. Often they will say it’s for food. That's why I usually carry extra snacks in my backpack like crackers and granola bars that I offer to hungry panhandlers. Con artists who really want money for drugs or alcohol will frequently refuse the food. This afternoon as I approached a Metro station, I noticed a man standing by the escalators and correctly discerned he was begging for money. He asked me for some change and I responded by asking this man if he was hungry. When he replied, "yes", I told him I had fruit bars with me and offered him the choice of either strawberry or fig flavor. After choosing a strawberry fruit bar, I gave Joseph a tract and asked if he knew for sure where he would spend eternity when his life ended. Joseph said he was hoping to go to heaven and initially didn’t...

Everybody has talents such as music, painting, writing, and sculpting. This applies to both natural and spiritual gifts. Those giftings can be strengthened and improved upon through use or made dormant through abandonment. In 1 Timothy 4:14, Paul wrote, “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.” Notice in his follow-up epistle to Timothy, the apostle wrote, “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” (2 Timothy 1:6) It’s like the old saying, “Use it or lose it.” Sadly many of God’s people don’t use their giftings. In the past, creative people have often gone into the world to showcase their talents because religious leaders didn’t provided outlets for them. Fortunately more churches nowadays are making room for Christians to let their gifts shine. I’ve been to a few services where artists drew or painted prophetic art durin...

Last night I received the news that Michael Jackson had died. The singer dubbed the “King of Pop” was only 50 years old. Michael’s career impacted many people’s lives including my own. In my late teens, I bought copies of his “Off the Wall” and “Thriller” albums. At 20 when I started pursuing a secular music career, I purchased a jacket similar to the one Michael wore in the “Thriller” video. While working as a nightclub disc jockey, I often played Michael’s music, which usually packed the dance floor. After committing my life to Jesus in 1991, I frequently prayed for Michael Jackson’s salvation. Because he was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness, I was concerned about his eternal destiny. A few years ago Michael reportedly met with preacher/motivational speaker Paula White. I had hoped Paula talked with Michael about the necessity of being born again. But then I also found out that Michael supposedly embraced Islam last November largely through the encouragement of his brother ...

Yesterday morning I woke up at 3:00 a.m. hearing a "knocking" sound in my mind. The Lord has done this many times before when He wanted me to get out of bed. Immediately I got up and prepared to pray. Wanting a prayer partner, I first went on Facebook and noticed one of my prayer warrior friends was online. Eventually I called her and we spent time praying for another friend of mine who had gone through intense spiritual warfare during a missionary trip. Many preachers often use Revelation 3:20 to bring sinners to salvation. But if you read this Scripture in its proper context, you will see Jesus was actually talking to believers who became lukewarm towards Him. The Lord wants to fellowship with us daily and yet m any Christians busy themselves too much with the affairs of life. So the next time the Lord "knocks" on the door of your heart, will you let Him in? "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I...

The Ichthys (also known as the "Jesus fish") is a widely recognized symbol initially used by the early Christians as a secret way of expressing their faith. Nowadays, this symbol is used openly not only by believers but for unbelievers who have perverted it to promote their ungodly beliefs. Atheists have put "Darwin" fishes with legs on the back of their cars. In response, some Christians display a "Truth" fish eating the Darwin fish with the caption, “Survival of the Fittest.” This afternoon while I was working on my laptop computer at Panera Bread, a young woman sat at the table next to me with a “rainbow fish” bumper sticker pasted on her laptop. When I asked her what that meant, she said that it endorsed a belief in both gay rights and Christianity. I asked her if she ever read the entire Bible. When she replied that she had not done so, I told her that I was a minister and pointed out that homosexuality and Christianity cannot be compatible. After re...

Former NFL quarterback Steve Bartkowski once said, “If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." In this day of political correctness, Christians are experiencing greater persecution when taking a stand against ungodliness. Last Sunday during the Miss USA pageant, Miss California Carrie Prejean became one of the five finalists. During the question-and-answer session, Carrie was asked by television personality Perez Hilton (an outspoken homosexual), “Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage. Do you think every state should follow suit? Why or why not?”  Carrie (who is currently attending a Christian college) replied, “Well I think it’s great that Americans are able to choose one way or the other. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. You know what, in my country, in my family, I do believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman, no offense to anybody out there. But that’s how I...