Signs & Wonders Blog

One thing that unites Christians is knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Unfortunately, doctrinal differences continue to divide us. Some religious folk called cessationists insist the gifts of the Spirit are not in operation today. They believe speaking in tongues, prophecies, and healings passed away when the original apostles died. A well-known pastor in California named John MacArthur has scheduled a cessationist conference at his church for next October. One of the other speakers is Justin Peters, an outspoken opponent of the so-called “ health and wealth gospel .” Yet they are charging $299 for this event. If they are against prosperity, why the high registration fee ? Isn’t that being hypocritical? I can understand how some Christians doubt God doing miracles today if they’ve never seen any. I grew up attending a traditional Lutheran church that didn’t make room for the gifts of the Spirit to operate. There were occasions when the pastor practiced hypnosis on my ...

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...

Recently a video went viral of evangelist Benny Hinn talking about how he’s changing his receiving offerings . He stated, “When they invite me to telethons I think they will not like me anymore...if I hear one more time, break the back of debt with $1,000, I’m gonna rebuke them. I think that’s buying the gospel. That’s buying the blessing. That’s grieving the Holy Spirit.”  It’s encouraging to see Benny Hinn making these adjustments. I’ve attended a few of his meetings and strongly perceived God’s presence there. However, I asked to have my name removed from Benny’s mailing list because of receiving too many fundraising letters. I resist giving to ministers who apply pressure or use questionable gimmicks to receive money from me. We are not to handle the word of God deceitfully (2 Corinthians 4:2) and for personal gain (2 Peter 3:16). Some have suggested Benny is reacting to a book written by his nephew. Costi Hinn’s “God, Greed, and the (Prosperity) Gospel” talks about ...

Back in 2008, my then-roommate and I took a road trip to attend revival meetings in Lakeland, Florida. When a friend found out about it, he sent me an irate email because I didn’t ask him to go with us. His anger was unwarranted. I had no idea he wanted to go to Lakeland. He also didn’t consider the possibility of there not being enough room in the car for him and his luggage. On top of that, this man was unemployed and probably lacked the money to cover his food and lodging. I pointed these things out to my friend and he apologized. But then he sent another email asking me to pray that someone would take him to Lakeland and pay all his expenses.  Some Christians who know it’s God’s will for them to prosper still come across as beggars. I’ve had friends send me emails saying they are “believing God” for finances but then ask for money. One of them even accused me of being a moocher. Yet this same person has often solicited donations from me and other people. Certainly, C...

Often I receive Facebook friend requests from ministers (mostly from Africa and Asia) who eventually ask for money. This is despite a notice on my wall stating I do not send donations in response to unsolicited emails . 1 Thessalonians 5:12 (KJV) tells us “…to know them which labour among you.” While some of the appeals I receive may be for legitimate purposes, many others are fraudulent. I prefer giving to preachers whose teachings have impacted my life. As Galatians 6:6 says, “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.” However, we must watch out for scammers setting up Facebook pages pretending to be well-known ministers. A fellow evangelist told me about a time he exchanged messages with someone claiming to be Joyce Meyer . He knew it wasn’t real when “Joyce” started asking for money. One article I found online listed these excellent suggestions for giving: 1) Let the world take care of worldly charities. 2) Support your local c...

The topic of money often stirs up debates among Christians. Part of the problem is so-called “prosperity preachers” who are misrepresented by critics playing or quoting selected portions of their sermons to where it distorts their original message. God wants His people to prosper but that doesn’t mean they won’t face tests and challenges along the way. In response to a sermonette about prosperity that I posted on Facebook, a couple of friends made critical remarks about ministers owning an airplane . I unfriended one of them because he persisted in attacking a  particular preach er who I happen to be a partner of. Another friend claimed God wants economic equality amongst His people citing 2 Corinthians 8:14 as her proof text… “but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality.” You cannot build a doctrine on one verse. It must be read in context and compared w...

Some Christians don’t like to talk about money even though there are numerous Scriptures on the subject. One area in particular that has split a few hairs amongst believers is tithing. According to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, a tithe is defined as, “The tenth part of any thing; but appropriately, the tenth part of the increase annually arising from the profits of land and stock, allotted to the clergy for their support.”   Whenever I meet Christians who complain of financial problems, I often ask if they have been tithing. Many times their answer is “no.” I don’t believe this is a mere coincidence. Malachi 3:8-9 says, “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation.” The next two verses in Malachi talk about the blessings that result from tithing… “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My ho...