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 ...

T oday is St. Patrick’s Day, a holiday celebrated by Irish and non-Irish alike. It originally began as a Christian holiday but became more secularized like Valentine's Day, Christmas and Easter. One symbol often associated with St. Patrick’s Day is the shamrock. Saint Patrick was a missionary who reportedly used the three-leaved clover to explain the Holy Trinity to the pre-Christian Irish people. In recent years, someone finding a four-leaved clover represents good luck. Wikipedia defines luck as “a belief in good or bad fortune in life caused by accident or chance.” Many people believe good luck charms such as a rabbit’s foot or horseshoe will attract positive things in their lives. Then there are things associated with “bad luck” like black cats and Friday the 13th. My birthday is on the 13th day of January. One of my most memorable birthdays that landed on a Friday was my 14th in 1978. While nothing really terrible happened to me, one of my aunts was injured in a car acciden...

Every year around this time, Christians post numerous memes and rants against observing Halloween. I get somewhat tired of seeing those warnings. For me, it’s another day to share the gospel . Nevertheless, we should heed the Bible’s commandments in avoiding demonic influences. Ephesians 4:27 tells us not to give place to the devil. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 says,  “Abstain from every form of evil.” Among the characters associated with Halloween are witches. The world often tries to portray them in a positive light. A pastor’s wife I know once watched a school play by first graders called “Groovin’ with the Grimms.” It featured well-known fairy tale characters created by the Brothers Grimm. One of the songs performed was “Three Un-wicked Witches.” Here’s a portion of the lyrics: We’re three un-wicked witches, what trying times we’ve had. It really burns our britches when people say we’re “bad.” We’re three un-wicked witches, we try hard to be good. Of course, we have our glitches ...

One of my first videos posted on YouTube was “A Taste of the Toronto Blessing.” It received many hits as well as emails questioning or criticizing manifestations at the church formally known as Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship. In one email, someone noticed me quoting Matthew 7:20, “Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” He asked, “What is fruit?”  That question can be answered by reading Galatians 5:22-23… “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” A true Christian should have those characteristics. For that to happen, one must abide in Jesus as He talked about in John 15… 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothi...

Probably the most common reason people erroneously think they will spend eternity in heaven is for being a good person. Certainly, we are to be doers of God’s word. Yet Jesus did not base His worthiness on the good works He did on earth but simply followed the Father’s instructions. The gospel of John in particular has many Scriptures emphasizing this truth... “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.” - John 5:19 “I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.” - John 5:30 “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.” - John 8:28  “If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God.” - J...

As a kid I looked forward to the 21st century figuring we would be living like The Jetsons. I assumed our  manned space program would travel throughout our solar system and beyond.  Although our society continues to make technological advances, I believe we are not progressing like we should. One reason for this is some folks love nostalgia too much. This is evident by the numerous oldies stations on the radio and networks like “TV Land” showing reruns of old programs 24/7. While it’s fun to occasionally look back at the “good old days,” people who live in the past usually don’t make an effort to go forward in life. When I worked as a nightclub disc jockey in the 1980s, I realized that many people stop listening to new music when they reach a certain age and prefer hearing songs they grew up with. The increasing popularity of classic rock and “Big Chill” music was the main reason I stopped deejaying secular events. I would later learn my aversion to playing old...

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 an 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 plan...