For a very long time in my life, I did not really see a need for signs, wonders and miracles. After all, giving your life to Jesus and continuing to trust God was all that really mattered! At least, that was my reasoning.

Yes, it was nice to see some miracles once in a while… no problem there! But, I did not expect them to happen on a regular basis.

All of that changed in a 3 month stretch between November 2005 and January 2006, beginning with a pastors’ meeting in Burlington where I met Steve Long, Senior Pastor of the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship (now Catch the Fire Toronto).

Pastor Steve showed us from Scriptures how Jesus lived his life on earth exactly as we do, in every way a complete human being. He gave up “equality with God” (Philippians 2:5-8), stayed in intimate communion with the Father and relied totally on the Holy Spirit—just as we do.

He went on to say that if we live the way Jesus did, then we too MUST expect signs, wonders and miracles to happen in our lives. Wow! That was quite a revelation for me!

While I was still trying to process all of this, we started praying for one another. Right in front of my eyes, a pastor’s wife was healed of horrific back pain which had kept her captive for many years.

I began to realize the truth of what the apostle Peter said in Acts 10:38 about “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him.”

Two months later, at a Pastors and Leaders Conference in Toronto I witnessed many more signs, wonders and miracles. Verses that I had glossed over before had new meaning for me now:
“These signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons…they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” (Mark 16:17-18)

I also began to realize now why Jesus did not simply encourage his disciples to preach, but also to demonstrate the kingdom. “Proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.” (Matthew 10:7-8)

I was reminded of verses like this: “Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed His word by the signs that accompanied it.” (Mark 16:20)

Friends, the first and foremost reason we need to see signs, wonders and miracles is that by daring to step out in this arena, we are being obedient to our Lord and giving Him a chance to prove that His promises are true!

Isn’t that what happened to the apostles? “The Lord…confirmed the message of His grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders.” (Acts 14:3)

That is exactly what happened when I came back from the Conference and started to expect signs, wonders and miracles to happen in our church.

A dear sister who had been living with acid reflux for 38 years, yes, 38 years, was healed instantly the first time I ever stepped out in faith…praise God!

Since then, I have been privileged to see the Lord fulfill His promise by relieving hundreds of people from all sorts of pain and healing them of every imaginable condition, even HIV/AIDS!

Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8).

As you continue to expect signs, wonders and miracles, you too will experience the faithfulness of the Lord over and over again. Will you?