Signs & Wonders Blog

I’m not fond of door-to-door evangelism , but will share the gospel with people who knock on my door. Sometimes it’s a business owner canvassing the neighborhood looking for customers. Other times, people are raising funds for a cause. One Halloween, I dressed up as Jesus and witnessed to trick-or-treaters who came to my door. Many Christians question what to do when Jehovah’s Witnesses or Mormons knock on their door. They might ask themselves, “Should I witness to them? If so, do I let them in the house?” Usually, I avoid the latter. This is based on what 2 John 9-11 says, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” However, I have seen a couple of exceptions at the homes of others. One time while visiting a friend...

Back in 2012, I spent a few weeks ministering in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. During that time, I got to know a man who was one of the most passionate believers I’ve ever encountered. Surprisingly, this man insisted he wasn’t zealous enough. Many times when I talked to him on the phone, he asked me to pray that he would have more zeal. I thought he was more zealous for God than me! The dictionary defines zeal as “great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.” Worldly people think it’s wrong to be zealous about the things of God (I’ve often been labeled a “religious fanatic” when taking a public stand against sinful activities). Yet many of these individuals have no problem acting fanatical at a sporting event. Keep in mind the word “fan” is short for fanatic. Charles Spurgeon once said, “Be ye still men of might and vigour, men who serve their God with diligence and zeal.” Several verses in the Bible encourage zealousness. Here are a few of them: “Do not let your...

Two Pentecostal preachers were arguing over Oneness vs. The Trinity. The first preacher insisted, “God is only One Person. His name is Jesus.”  The other preacher said, “No, there’s the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I can prove it with Scripture. Stephen saw Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father. What are you going to say about that?” The Oneness preacher thought for a minute and then replied, “Well, if you’d been hit in the head with rocks, you’d see double, too.” The triune nature of God is a topic that sparks debates within parts of the Body of Christ. Some contest the word "Trinity" isn’t found in Scripture. The word “Bible” is not part of God’s word either, but can be found on the cover and added notes by the publisher.  Others argue, “How can three things be one?” What is one times one times one? It’s not three, but one! That equation has three numbers of equal value. I’ve also compared the Trinity to man which is also a three-part being: spirit, soul, a...

Many Christians struggle with knowing God’s will for their lives even though Jesus said His sheep know His voice (John 10:4). One way to increase spiritual sensitivity is to be a soul winner. Sharing your faith on a regular basis will help you recognize the leading of the Lord. He’ll show you who to talk to, who not to talk to, and what to say to the people you do talk to. Still, there are believers who seek divine direction through natural means. Recently, I talked with one who sought confirmation regarding a purchase he made by “putting out a fleece.” That concept originates from a passage in Judges 6: 36 So Gideon said to God, “If You will save Israel by my hand as You have said— 37 look, I shall put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that You will save Israel by my hand, as You have said.” 38 And it was so. When he rose early the next morning and squeezed the fleece together, he wrung...

This past week I did some evangelistic outreaches with a friend originally from Cuba. Milco regularly attends services at the missionary house I reside at when in Tampa, Florida. The two of us went to a couple of Home Depots. Many Hispanics gather by the store’s parking lot in hopes of finding work. Previously, I’ve witnessed at the Home Depot closest to the missionary house. Since Milco has a car, I requested going to different locations for a change of scenery.  Milco’s translating resulted in us leading many Hispanics to Jesus. However, one man we approached was very critical of churches. He specifically complained about a fellowship that wouldn’t let him attend a toy giveaway because he didn’t have an ID. I figured he was talking about The River at Tampa Bay Church. Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne started requiring IDs after receiving death threats for keeping his church open during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Some may think needing identification to get into a church is a bit ex...

While teaching on evangelism at a church a few weeks ago, one woman asked if I witness to children. I explained that it would depend on the situation. Given the increasing fears of child abduction and human trafficking , one must use wisdom when approaching little kids. Whenever possible, I try to obtain their parents’ permission first. During outreaches, I often seek out high school students to talk to. Teens are mature enough to make their own decisions about Christ. They have reached what some refer to as  “ the age of accountability .” There have been exceptions. One day, while living in a house in Minnesota, the doorbell kept ringing. I didn’t answer the door immediately because I was on the phone with my mother . A couple of minutes later, I went outside and found five young children playing by the side of the house. They wanted candy, but I correctly discerned I wasn’t supposed to give them any. Since they were on my property, I offered them something more important: eterna...

At the time of this writing, I’m living with another missionary at his house in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Although he has a coffee maker, I still like going out for my morning cup of Joe . In recent years, I’ve mostly gone to Panera Bread because of my Sip Club membership. One can pay a low monthly subscription fee and enjoy unlimited drinks. Another place I’ve occasionally bought coffee is McDonald’s. With their app, I often got a large one for 99 cents plus tax. There’s a Golden Arches located a few blocks from the house in Saint Paul. However, I’ve rarely stopped in there because they no longer have a public dining area. More McDonald’s franchises are switching to drive-thru and carry-out only. I prefer sitting down while eating my food, plus getting refills of coffee. McDonald’s may not have the most nutritious food (which has become a bit pricey). Still, I occasionally eat there if I like other specials on their app. Often I go there when in Tampa, Florida because of no Wi-Fi acce...