Signs & Wonders Blog

Yesterday while driving to Panera Bread, I noticed a man with a sign begging on a divider. I pulled into the parking lot and then walked over to the intersection and offered him a bag of Doritos. He gratefully accepted them. Then I gave him a gospel tract and asked, “Do you know that God loves you and has an awesome plan for your life?” This man claimed to be a priest and has been living in his car for a year. He then went on to complain about the Masons and other organizations. Wanting to “avoid foolish and ignorant disputes” (2 Timothy 2:23), I asked what he knew about Jesus Christ. He referred to Him as his brother but went on to say he will never take communion because the Lord said to “eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood…” (John 6:53) This self-proclaimed priest went so far as to call Jesus a vampire. I tried to explain the Bible is full of symbolism such as the Lord calling Himself “the bread of life” (John 6:35). Certainly, He doesn’t expect His disciples to...

Yesterday afternoon I rode a bus from downtown Tampa after doing some street evangelism. I was getting hungry and thought of an area in the northern part of town with many restaurants. While getting off by the intersection of Fowler and Nebraska Avenue, I noticed a gathering that included a man preaching over a loudspeaker. One thing that caught my attention was a large banner quoting Isaiah 1:18 but misspelled “saith.” By the time I walked over there, I forgot about the misspelled banner because of seeing other signs. I also noticed the group consisted of well dressed African-American men (I don’t recall seeing any women). I asked who they were. One of the men handed me a flyer that resembled a church bulletin.  I started looking at the flyer minutes later after getting seated at Denny’s. I realized the flyer was their church's version of a gospel tract. However, there were parts of it I don’t agree with. Despite their sign encouraging people to “reason together”, I wasn...

During the 1990s, I attended a Word of Faith church and grew to appreciate many preachers associated with that stream of ministry. Atlanta-based pastor Creflo Dollar wasn’t among my favorites, but I listened to him occasionally through various media platforms. Once I visited another church where he was the guest speaker and enjoyed his message. Creflo talked about how the use of certain words has changed. He pointed out that calling someone a dog used to be an insult. Now homies greet their buddies, “What’s up, dog?” I was shocked when learning of Pastor Dollar’s recent recantation of tithing. My Facebook newsfeed has been full of reactions to that, both positive and negative. Previously, Creflo received flak for an aborted fundraising campaign to buy a better jet . Instead of prejudging him, I took the time to listen to his message, “The Great Misunderstanding.” One part I agreed with is that our giving should come from the heart and not out of fear of being cursed. However, Crefl...

A friend of mine who’s been hosting me recently received this letter in the mail from a Jehovah's Witness. In addition to mailing him a written response, I’m posting it here online… Dear Roland,  I’m a missionary based in Virginia but currently working in Minnesota. Recently you sent a form letter to various neighbors. That included a friend who’s been hosting me. I read your letter and decided to send you this reply. I’m also concerned about the health and welfare of my neighbors. I’ve shared the gospel in various cities for almost thirty years and seen many lives transformed. Occasionally I’ve encountered Jehovah’s Witnesses and recognize their dedication to what they believe. It’s sad that many Christians (especially here in America) are reluctant to share the Good News with others. Before the COVID-19 pandemic began, I noticed Jehovah's Witnesses by their carts displaying Watchtower literature. Often I asked them this question: “If someone stuck a knife in my back a...

For over a decade, one of the most popular books on the Christian market has been “The Shack.” This 2007 novel self-published by Canadian author Wm Paul Young went on to become a best seller. A movie based on the book came out two years ago. While many Christian leaders endorsed “The Shack”, some dismissed it as heresy. One reason is God the Father represented as a woman. I haven’t read “The Shack” for other reasons. One of them is I never felt led to do so. Years ago as a young believer, I devoured many Christian books but have since focused more on reading the Bible. Nowadays, I rarely buy any books. I trust the Lord to provide what He wants me to read. Whenever someone offers to give or loan me a book, I often examine the cover, table of contents and any endorsements before deciding if it’s something to invest my time in. So why this article about a 12-year-old book I haven’t even read? A few days ago, a Facebook friend shared a post that aroused my concerns. A prophetic ...

One thing I will commend Jehovah’s Witnesses for is their persistence in spreading their beliefs. Every Saturday morning, many of them go door to door in various neighborhoods. In recent years, I’ve seen JW’s standing by portable displays of their literature near libraries, stores, restaurants, bus stops, and on street corners. Unfortunately, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society promote another gospel based on works (Galatians 1:6-9). Their teachings can put undiscerning followers into religious bondage, eventually resulting in them being lost for eternity. Recently after I led a young man to the Lord at McDonald’s, a Jehovah’s Witness who overheard our conversation placed a brochure on my table as she was leaving. “What is the Kingdom of God” lists several Bible verses and then asks, “What will life be like under the rule of God’s Kingdom?” That question is answered by referring to two passages of Scripture… “The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell in it forever.”...

Recently while walking through Ashland, Virginia, I saw this sign posted in front of somebody’s yard. It reminded me of another sign (with the same phrases but stylized differently) seen days before outside the entrance of a Universalist church near Washington, DC. Many churches have a statement of faith. Unfortunately, some of them promote beliefs contrary to Scripture. To anyone reading this who believes in the tenets of “Here We Believe”, I offer this response to each one… “Love is Love” - What does that prove? That’s like saying “blue is blue” or “4=4.” Often what people call love is really lust. What would you say if a 40-year-old wants to “love” your underage child? “No Human is Illegal” - Every human is precious in God’s sight. However, individuals get in trouble with the law if they choose to do illegal things such as sneaking into a country without going through customs or overstaying their visas. “Black Lives Matter” - I agree…but so do the lives of whites,...

Over the years I’ve heard some strange ideas promoted in the name of Christianity. Yesterday I saw what would have to be one of the most ludicrous. A Facebook friend who considers herself “an advocate for the homeless” made several posts preaching against cars.  Yes, you read that right… cars ! Here was one of her posts…  Teach to RESIST AGAINST WICKEDNESS...CARS ARE WICKEDNESS. COME OUT OF BABYLON. W A L K. Rather than ridicule this woman’s misguided theology, I tried reasoning with her. First, I wrote: “Satan built demonic kingdoms before cars existed” (such as Sodom and Gomorrah).  Her response? “CARS EXCULATED [sic] things.. Christians do not RESIST.” Then I pointed out most things are not evil in themselves but how they are used. A gun can be used to break the law or uphold the law. Money can be used to finance the spread of pornographic filth or print Bibles and gospel tracts plus send missionaries to foreign fields. Likewise, a car can be use...

Jesus said in Matthew 9:29, “According to your faith let it be to you.” God’s promises of salvation, healing, and provision are available to everyone but don’t happen by default. One must be willing to receive those promises and then obey His instructions for them to manifest. A concept isn’t true just because a group of people believe it. That certainly applies to the doctrine of universal reconciliation, which states everybody will spend eternity in heaven. It’s scary to think what the Lord will say to ministers who preached this false gospel when they stand before His throne.  I do believe universalists who are born again but lack biblical knowledge will get into heaven. It wasn’t until a year into my faith walk when I received the revelation that Jesus is the only way to salvation (John 14:6). We are saved by faith in Christ, not because all our spiritual beliefs are 100% in line with Scripture. However, mature Christians who suddenly become universalists cross ...

Some believers are reluctant to share the gospel with Jews because of past atrocities done to them in Christ’s name. Nevertheless, they still need to hear the Good News to be saved. A Jewish convert named Paul wrote in Romans 1:16 (NLT), “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes– the Jew first and also the Gentile.”  Once I lived with a family in Virginia that had a Christian mother and a Jewish father. The mother originally didn’t want me witnessing to her husband because other believers tried forcing the gospel upon him. Three days before I moved out, the Lord instructed me to witness to this man. After mentioning this to his wife (who gave her approval), I asked him questions about his eternal destiny. He wouldn’t pray with me but listened politely as I mentioned a few Old Testament prophecies pointing to Jesus as the Messiah. At the Mall of America near Minneapolis, some of their kiosk workers ...

I have a friend who for a long time was a “pre-trib” rapture believer and talked of debating an outspoken “post-trib” minister he allows to have meetings in his home. Having been to one of those meetings, I kept discouraging my friend from trying to correct this minister who wasn’t apologetic after I pointed out the inaccuracy of one of his claims . Then last month following a church service, my friend announced he now believes the church will be raptured “mid-trib.” When I gave a reason why I cannot agree with him on that, he got out his cell phone and was about to call someone to help defend his newly-embraced doctrine. Fortunately that got interrupted when my friend was called forward by two altar workers to receive prayer. I then quietly slipped out of the church. It’s one thing for Christians to reason together so we can all grow in knowledge of the Scriptures. Unfortunately, some focus on promoting doctrines that have no effect on people’s eternal destinies. Occasional...

In response to this weekend’s release of the “Left Behind” remake starring Nicholas Cage (which I haven’t seen yet at the time of this writing), my Facebook News Feed has been flooded with negative comments. Many of which were posted even before the movie hit the theaters!  The criticism of “Left Behind” has mostly been about it depicting the aftermath of the rapture. Some Christians believe there won’t be a rapture at all. One Facebook friend went so far as to label those who preach a pre-tribulation rapture “heretics.” That’s a strong accusation considering that would include Tim LaHaye (the co-author of the original “Left Behind” series), Perry Stone, John Hagee, Hal Lindsey, Jack Van Impe and numerous other men of God. For the sake of time and to discourage online debates on the subject, I will avoid explaining in this article why I believe in a pre-trib rapture of the church. However, I need to point out a few things to any rapture bashers reading this. First, not all ...