Signs & Wonders Blog

A Canadian pastor named Oswald Smith was famous for saying, “No one has the right to hear the gospel twice, while there remains someone who has not heard it once.” Certainly, I agree everyone should have the opportunity to get saved. God is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) Still, there are multitudes that need to hear the Good News numerous times before they will respond favorably to the call for salvation. Four years ago while ministering at a church in Illinois, I took a survey during the morning and evening services. I asked the congregation how many times they heard the gospel before they got born again. Most people didn’t raise their hands until I counted up to five or six times. I’m also a living testimony of this truth. While attending Sunday school and going through confirmation at a Lutheran church, I was never taught I must be born again. It wasn’t until I was sixteen when I first truly heard the gospel. In ...

For years I’ve enjoyed watching NFL games on TV especially when the Minnesota Vikings are playing well. This fall I will be watching fewer (if any) games if a particular player makes it through training camp and continues receiving massive publicity. Last weekend, a University of Missouri defensive end named Michael Sam was drafted in the seventh round by the St. Louis Rams. A homosexual who “came out” this past February, Michael reacted to the news of being drafted by kissing his boyfriend. That incident was broadcast all over national TV and the Internet.  Not everyone in the NFL was pleased with Michael Sam’s kiss. Miami Dolphins strong safety Don Jones tweeted “OMG” and “horrible” but later deleted those politically incorrect words and offered an apology. Nevertheless, the Dolphins fined and suspended Jones who is now required to attend “sensitivity training.” This kind of training actually desensitizes people of sinful behavior. It’s ridiculous for Michael Sam’s entry ...

Someone once asked if I believe in deathbed salvations. I most certainly do. The thief on the cross is an excellent example. He had just enough time to call on the Lord before dying with Him at Calvary. Jesus told the thief, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)  I’ve heard numerous testimonies of people coming to know the Lord moments before dying. One evangelist I know saw this happen with a family member. A few years ago, Nick Kinn received a call from his sister nudging him to meet with their 86-year-old uncle about getting right with God. John Kinn had attended a Lutheran church but didn’t know if he was going to heaven. Nick prayed with his uncle to get born again. Five days later, Nick’s sister called again informing him Uncle John had died. On the other hand, I’ve witnessed to individuals who think they can continue “living it up” but then get saved at the last minute. That’s a dangerous idea to entertain. Every day people ...

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...

Not long after committing my life to the Lord in 1991, I developed an interest in end-time prophecy. One thing that helped me learn more about the subject was a series of films produced by Mark IV Pictures. The first of which was the 1972 release “A Thief in the Night.” As I’ve become friends with Christians from different denominations, I found out about the varying beliefs out there on how end-time events will pan out. Among the doctrines I’ve heard taught is that we are either in the tribulation, it’s already happened, or there is no tribulation. Yet the Bible talks about a world ruler who will emerge before the return of Christ. Even non-believers know about this man called the Antichrist.  1 John 2:22 says, “Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.” The Greek word for antichrist is antichristos which means “the adversary of the Messiah.” Other verses in John’s epistles make it clear the Antichrist...

Two days ago while waiting for a friend to pick me up at the Minneapolis Public Library, a man with a beard walked in wearing open-toed high heels plus short denim shorts. The latter in itself was bizarre considering the temperature outside was at the freezing mark. This man ended up causing a ruckus at the library. A couple of times I heard him defiantly challenge people to touch him. Because he refused to leave on his own accord, three security guards tackled the man to the floor and hauled him away in handcuffs. I recall at least one incident when witnessing to a crossdresser. Again this happened in Minneapolis. While  walking towards the downtown area, I encountered a homeless person sitting outside. He claimed to know Jesus but wasn't going to church anywhere because of not being accepted dressed as a woman. This man even claimed God told him it was okay to be transgender. If that was true, God would be contradicting His own commandment in  Deuteronomy 22:5... “...

Three pastors met privately one day to share their major weaknesses and to pray for one another. The first pastor confessed he had a serious lust problem and many times found himself in compromising situations.  The second pastor, encouraged by this display of candor, admitted that he had stolen money from the church and needed help in managing his finances.  The third pastor then said, “My weakness is gossip…and I can hardly wait to get out of here!” While the above story is meant to be humorous, it’s unfortunate some ministers don’t tame their tongues. Once I sought counsel from a pastor regarding a personal matter and assumed he would keep  the   details  of our conversation confidential. A couple of weeks later, a woman who attended this pastor’s church called me asking questions about my situation. The pastor had told his whole church about it!  From that point on, I avoided contact with this pastor. Proverbs 20:19 says, “He who goes abou...