Signs & Wonders Blog

Too many Christians put themselves down thinking they’re being humble . I’ve heard believers say they are “ a sinner saved by grace .” Some may recite the “Wayne’s World” mantra “We’re not worthy!” Statements like these degrade what God created them to be. Nevertheless, I’ve seen the above meme circulating that compares Joel Osteen to the Apostle Paul. The statements by the Lakewood Church pastor are from his book “The Power of I Am: Two Words That Will Change Your Life Today.” The meme implies it’s wrong for Christians to make positive declarations about themselves. Yet Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” What we speak can affect our lives (and others) for good or bad.  Let’s compare Joel’s affirmations to what the Bible says: I AM PROSPEROUS. Psalm 35:27 says, “Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; and let them say continually, ‘Let the LORD be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.’” I’m ...

Those of us who grew up in the United States learned about the Italian-born explorer Christopher Columbus. Back in 1492, the purpose of Columbus’ voyage across the Atlantic Ocean was to find a shorter route from Spain to Asia but ended up discovering the Americas. I was also taught Columbus wanted to prove the earth is round (though that truth was already widely believed). Over 500 years later, it surprises me how some people still believe in a flat earth despite photos from space proving otherwise. Many travelers have embarked on round-the-world trips. The recent solar eclipse should be additional evidence of a round earth .  Still, f lat earthers have resorted to spreading lies such as Donald Trump supposedly being one of them . There are even Christians promoting a flat earth gospel. This past summer, I talked with one at a friend’s machine shop. I pointed out Isaiah 40:22 says, “It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshopper...

How big is your god? From your heart, can you sing the Rich Mullins song “Awesome God” or Chris Tomlin’s “How Great is Our God?” Do you believe God is big enough to do incredible things in your life? Before you answer that question, let’s examine how big God really is.  First, you need to have it settled in your heart that He created the entire universe…  “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” - Genesis 1:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.” - Psalm 19:1 “All things were made through Him [Jesus Christ], and without Him nothing was made that was made.” - John 1:3 “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” - Colossians 1:16 “ By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are se...

Once I had a discussion with a young man who said he didn’t believe in God. He even claimed God was a liar! This man tried proving his point by referring to Genesis 2:17, “but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Because Adam didn’t physically die the same day he partook of the forbidden fruit, this supposedly makes God a liar. People who don’t want to believe the Bible often select verses taken out of context in attempts to prove there are contradictions. Jesus said in Matthew 18:17, “by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.”  Before we address the accusation that God lied in Genesis 2:17, let’s look at these verses… “God is not a man, that He should lie…” - Numbers 23:19 “And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor relent. For He is not a man, that He should relent.” - 1 Samuel 15:29 “ He who has received His testimony has certified that God ...

Every Bible-believing Christian would agree one must know Jesus to be saved. However, some disagree over how that specifically happens. Not too long ago I had an online discussion with a Facebook friend who disputed salvations becoming instantaneous. This woman believed being regenerated is a process. One dictionary defines regenerate as “give a new and higher spiritual nature to.”  2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” Verse 2 from the following chapter states, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” Scripture doesn’t say the new birth is a gradual manifestation. Our spirit man is brand new the moment we are born again. However, we all have minds that need to be renewed (Romans 12:2). Nobody becomes a mature Christian overnight. I’ve met people who sat in church pews for years but still acted like spiritual babies. Philippian...

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...