Feb. 06, 2014–Signs and Wonders following

February 7, 2014 By

Oil and Diamonds 2010 025Bad theology, unbelief!  Call it what you want, but some people just don’t understand our miracle-working God.  There are some who believe that all miracles ended when the 12 Apostles died.  There are other people who claim everything is a miracle even when it isn’t. But neither of these extremes changes the fact that we serve a miracle-working God.

 

There are times when I stand up in a church to speak and I can tell that the people just don’t want to hear about the miracles that I have seen.  Sometimes I tell them anyway.  I guess I am trying to snap them out of their complacency.

 

There are some people who operate in miracles, signs and wonders and have seen God do tremendous things, but when a new miracle begins to occur, they are very uncomfortable with it.  They have faith to believe that God can heal the sick, or raise the dead but they do not believe that Manna or Angel Feathers can fall in a meeting.

 

I understand where they are coming from.  I remember the days before I ever saw gold dust, I was pretty skeptical about it.  I wondered why God would do such a thing, and truthfully, I still do.  But He does do these things and when I experience them, I am in awe.

 

There are people who feel that we will be led astray by signs and wonders.  They often quote the scripture in Matthew 24:23-25 that says:

At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time.

 

They emphasize the part about false prophets and signs and wonders.  In fact they are quoting this scripture out of context, because this passage is speaking about people who come claiming to be the Messiah performing signs and wonders and saying that is evidence that they are the anointed one.

 

The people I see performing signs and wonders are giving glory to Jesus as the Anointed One.   I remember at a meeting in Texas a woman came forward and we saw gold dust on her hands and on all of her family’s hands, including her husband’s.  I said to her, “How does that make you feel?”  She said, “I now know that Jesus is real.”   The sign pointed her to Christ as Messiah, not me or any other person.

 

You see, signs and wonders follow the preaching of the gospel (Mark 16:15-17).  Signs and wonders followed the disciples.  Strange signs like clothes that touched their body healing the sick.  Some of them floated into the sky.  Others walked on water.  Jesus told Peter to go to the shore to get a coin from a fish’s mouth to pay taxes.  Jesus also multiplied the fishes and the loaves feeding thousands.

 

Jesus said that we would do greater things than He did (John 14:12). In another passage it says that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).  Jesus lives inside of our hearts and is still performing mighty signs for the world to see.  If you only believe, all things are possible.

 

I am like a child in my father’s arms looking at the stars for the first time every time I see God perform a new miracle.  It is exciting–so exciting–for me.

 

Dear DWOD friend, I pray that signs and wonders will follow you as well on the road to your destiny and draw many to Christ.

Filed Under: Pastor Darren Canning

Feb. 05, 2014–Today Is The Day

February 6, 2014 By

MEL FISHERThe Spanish galleon, Nuestra Senora de Atocha sank 34 miles off the coast of Key West during a hurricane in 1622. It was on its way back from Havana, Cuba to Cadiz, Spain. Not only did it take down with it 260 precious lives, but also more than 40 tons of silver and gold, 100,000 “pieces of eight” Spanish coins, Colombian emeralds, silver and gold artifacts and over 1000 silver bars. Total estimated value: $450 million dollars.

 

Diver and treasure hunter Mel Fisher made it his consuming passion to find the sunken treasure. He was willing to pay the price, no matter how high. Price tag? Over 20 million dollars. The priceless lives of his eldest son and daughter-in-law, who drowned when their boat tipped over.

 

16 years later on July 20, 1985, he achieved his goal. The mother lode had been found. But he still could not claim it as his own as the State of Florida and the U.S. Government took him to court claiming that the treasures belonged to them. 8 years and several million dollars in legal fees later, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the treasures belonged to Mel Fisher and his family.

 

Needless to say it was not smooth sailing. Granted the prospect of discovering all that buried booty was great motivation. But, how do you keep going day after empty day, dive after frustrating dive until you find it?

 

Mel Fisher had a way of keeping himself and his crew encouraged and excited about the excursions into the depths of the ocean. He would start every day with this rallying cry: “Today is the day!”

 

Most days, that slogan would turn out to be totally untrue. But finally that day did indeed come when he could truly claim it and mean it!

 

Was it simply optimism? Was he prophesying over himself and his crew every day? What do you think?

 

No matter how we label it, the fact remains that it kept Fisher and his crew on the edge of expectancy each and every day. They carried out their daily tasks knowing that this could indeed be the day when they hit paydirt.

 

Dear DWOD friend, this is the power of hope in action. I am not sure about Mel’s faith convictions, but when you walk on the road to your destiny as a follower of Jesus who is filled with the Holy Spirit, anything and everything is possible, isn’t it?

 

How long did it take for Jesus to get Saul’s attention so that he would go on to become Paul? One blinding moment in time. Do you know any precious ones who need to come into the family of Christ? What is stopping you from declaring that Today Is The Day that they forsake their sinful ways and receive the gift of salvation?

 

Visualize the change that a blind beggar named Bartimaeus experienced. How long did it take for him to receive his miracle? One declaration from Jesus: “Go your way. Your faith has made you well.” (Mark 10:52). Know anyone who needs a miracle? Why would you not step out in faith and declare that Today Is Their Day?

 

Is there a breakthrough you need in your life? What did it take for a woman about to be stoned to death for adultery to be set free? One intervening word of wisdom from Jesus: “Let he that is without sin among you cast the first stone.” (John 8:7) Why can you not believe that God can deliver you from your dilemma with one simple act of intervention?

 

As you advance toward your destiny, why not take a cue from Mel Fisher and begin every day with the same declaration: TODAY IS THE DAY? You too will experience the day when this prophecy is fulfilled and the repeated decree becomes a rich reality.

Filed Under: Pastor Jeeva Sam

Feb. 04, 2014–When God takes you into Deep Waters

February 5, 2014 By

Anne Hathaway Nearly Drowns In Hawaii!!(Be blessed by this DWOD for Feb. 04, 2014 by guest contributor Os Hillman)

 

“Others went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. They saw the works of the Lord.”(Psalm 107:23-24a)

 

When you were a child, perhaps you may have gone to the ocean for a vacation. I recall wading out until the waves began crashing on my knees. As long as I could stand firm, the waves were of no concern to me. However, as I moved farther and farther into the ocean, I had less control over my ability to stand. Sometimes the current was so strong it moved me down the beach, and I even lost my bearings at times. But I have never gone so far into the ocean that I was not able to control the situation.

 

Sometimes God takes us into such deep waters that we lose control of the situation, and we have no choice but to fully trust in His care for us. This is doing business in great waters. It is in these great waters that we see the works of God.

 

The Scriptures tell us that the disciples testified of what they saw and heard. It was the power behind the gospel, not the words themselves, which changed the world. The power wasn’t seen until circumstances got to the point that there were no alternatives but God. Sometimes God has to take us into the deep water in order to give us the privilege to see His works.

 

Sometimes God takes us into the deep waters of life for an extended time. Joseph was taken into deep waters of adversity for 17 years. Rejection by his brothers, enslavement to Pharaoh, and imprisonment were the deep waters for Joseph. During those deep waters, he experienced dreams, a special anointing of his gifts to administrate, and great wisdom beyond his years. The deep water was preparation for a task that was so great he never could have imagined it. He was to see God’s works more clearly than anyone in his generation. God had too much at stake for a 30-year-old to mess it up. So, God took Joseph through the deep waters of preparation to ensure that he would survive what he was about to face. Pride normally engulfs such young servants who have such access to power at such a young age.

 

If God chooses to take us into deep waters, it is for a reason. The greater the calling, the deeper the water. Trust in His knowledge that your deep waters are preparation to see the works of God in your life.

 

(Reprinted by permission from the author. Os Hillman is an international speaker and author of 15 books on workplace calling. To learn more, visit http://www.MarketplaceLeaders.org/)

Filed Under: Guest Authors

Feb. 03, 2014–Exposing Hidden Lies

February 3, 2014 By

lies“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

 

There are lies that we tell ourselves and masks that we hide behind that give power to our hidden motivations.  We tell stories that seem to be true, but truth invariably is absent. And every time we tell these stories, we feel the hidden weight of them even as we try to convince those listening and ourselves the untruth.  In the absent stare between us, the true motivation is felt but unsaid.

 

It is these unsaid motivations that often guide our behaviors.  When hidden lies motivate us, they can become toxic wastelands that defile us.  Most of the time we are not even aware that we are being guided by them.  The truth of the lie is so formed inside of us that we simply believe it is true without questioning it.

 

We must allow God to unravel the secret lies that motivate our hearts.  Some of these lies are more cunning than others.  Some of them seem like biblical truth, but when we look deep enough we soon realize the toxicity of that thought.

 

Society repeats lies all of the time.  Have you ever heard, “No pain, no gain?”  It almost seems biblical in its proportions.  We have all seen TV commercials for running shoes or sports gear where an athlete is burning up as they run down the road–the suggestion being “no pain, no gain.”  And the further suggestion being that to be like them, you must buy the same shoes or gear they are wearing.

 

There is no peace in such a mantra or image.  When you swallow it, you begin to live by it.  You will find yourself trying to hurt your body all of the time in order to attain that hidden image of the athlete that you are matter-of-factly worshipping.

 

We need to pray and ask God to expose the secret lies of our hearts.  And once illumination comes, we must repent for believing the lies.  Then we must ask God to show us the truth from His word.  Once the hidden lie is removed and we come into agreement with truth, then peace is sure to follow.

 

Generally, for me, theologically, this is what is meant by the renewing of the mind.  Each day we should be aware that God is bringing us from darkness to light.  Each day God will expose a lie, a fear or some hidden motivation that He wants to remove from us so that there is more room for His thoughts for our lives.  His thoughts produce life, liberty, peace, joy and love.

 

The key is to allow Him to expose our hidden motivations to the light and not hold back when He challenges us.  I pray that you will have the courage to face the hidden lies so that you will become stronger in Christ.  I pray that God will quickly move you from where you are today into a greater pasture.  Get ready!  I believe that you are reading this because God is about to do a new thing in your life.

 

Filed Under: Pastor Darren Canning

Feb. 02, 2014–Release Results in Increase

February 3, 2014 By

sowing in tearsThose who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. (Psalm 126:6)

 

Rejoicing during the harvest is to be expected, but the sight of farmers weeping as they are seeding is not likely one that we would witness in this part of the world.

 

To fully appreciate this contrast, we need to understand the reality of farm life in ancient times. Whenever grain was harvested, the farmer had to set aside a portion of the yield as seed for the next crop that would be planted soon thereafter. The family would have to live on the rest of the harvested grain until the next harvest came along.

 

When the yield was normal and all weather conditions optimal, this would happen without a glitch. However, if the yield was smaller than anticipated and there was a touch of drought, then the farmer would face the prospect of not having enough grain to feed the family until the next harvest.

 

The only grain that would still be available is the portion that had been set aside as seed for the next crop. When the farmer chose to plant that seed in the ground, he was taking a huge risk. Should the rains not come on time, should there be an infestation of locusts or some other unexpected hindrance to producing a decent harvest, then all the seed would have been planted for naught. There would be no grain to feed the family.

 

Herein lay the farmer’s dilemma: If you did not plant the seed and used it to feed the family instead, you would have no harvest. If you planted the seed and had nothing to show for it, once again the family would go hungry.

 

Now, can you appreciate why weeping accompanied seeding? The farmer was releasing what could’ve been the means to sustain their livelihood. The risk was great, but then again, so was the reward.

 

Without releasing the seed, there was no hope of an increase. In order to experience an increase, the seed had to be released.

 

This is a principle that you need to understand and put into action repeatedly on the road to your destiny. You cannot hold on to what you have and expect to experience an increase.

 

You may have some money to invest. For that money to increase in value, you need to release it from the prison of a savings account into an income-producing vehicle, amen? Whether it is a mutual fund, real estate, commodities, precious metals…without the release, there is no increase!

 

You have the seed of the gospel in you. But it does no good for the kingdom should you keep it to yourself. It is only when you take the risk of rejection and release it that you have the opportunity to see an increase of souls coming into the Kingdom.

 

Dear DWOD friend, what do you have in you right now that needs to be released? Is it a product you have been developing? Go ahead, take the risk. Release it into the marketplace.

Is it a talent that you have been hiding under a bushel? Go ahead, expose it to the rest of the world.

Is it a book that you have outlined, but not yet completed? Yes, there is a chance that on one would want it. But, it also has the potential to be a huge blessing to many more. Just release it.

Get the idea?

 

When you do it, even if you have to fight back tears in the process, it will be worth it. For when you release it, you have unleashed the potential to increase it.

Filed Under: Pastor Jeeva Sam

Feb. 01, 2014–In Your Loneliest Hour…

February 1, 2014 By

jesus-in-gethsemane(Be blessed by this encouraging word from guest contributor, Shyju Matthew)

Sometimes you won’t have anybody. Except, of course, Jesus.

 

That may sound harsh, but is that not the truth?

 

I wanted to be with my wife in the hospital after her delivery, but hospital rules only let one other person accompany her. So her mom stayed back.

 

As a parent, I wish to be there for Kathryn at her slightest whimper. But my human frailty puts me into deep sleep that a shrieking cry from her is what is needed to wake me from my slumber.

 

Now those are just two examples closest to my vest.

 

In the Bible, Moses was sent by God to His people. Finally, 430 years of slavery is broken loose through the surrendered tongue of a stammerer. With Moses leading the way, hundreds of thousands of people marched into their Promised Land.

 

Yet the same people very often picked up rocks to stone him. He was tested and broken till every ounce of the angry man melted to become the meekest man ever, as God Himself testified!

 

David, the greatest king in the Bible, had a test with his 600 loyal warriors!

 

Once, when they returned from battle, they were dismayed to discover that their wives and children had been taken hostage while they were away. ”And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters.”

 

Then the same verse goes on to record one of the most powerful acts mentioned in the Bible,”But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.” (1 Samuel 30:6).

 

That means there was no one to encourage him and everyone had mistrusted him.

 

But that couldn’t kill him.

 

David went on to wipe his tears and pat his own back in the knowledge that his ”God was his strength in his most lonely hour.”

 

Interestingly, even our master Jesus had no one with him in the most crucial hour.

 

Jesus found strength by going back to the garden of prayer–repeatedly!

 

Avoid the temptation of looking for peer support, chariots & horses or to lean on another fragile human being. No one may be there to compliment or encourage you.

 

But remember this: the best of history was made in the loneliest hour.

 

Today, wipe your tears, pat yourself on your back, get back up and go on into your destiny, you history maker, you!!!

(Born in India and presently living in Montreal, Canada, Revivalist Shyju Matthew continues to demonstrate God’s mighty Word through the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit in crusades and conferences all over the world. This post first appeared on his blog Guarding The Heart)

Filed Under: Guest Authors

Jan. 31, 2014–Your Lentil Patch

February 1, 2014 By

Now after hilentil fieldm was Shammah the son of Agee a Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered into a troop where there was a plot of ground full of lentils, and the people fled from the Philistines. But he took his stand in the midst of the plot, defended it and struck the Philistines; and the Lord brought about a great victory. (2 Samuel 23:11-12)

 

One of my first pastors often quoted the above scripture.  I loved the way he would come to life when he reflected upon this passage.  I didn’t realize until I was older that the pastor thought of himself as Shammah.

My pastor has spent close to 35 years at his church.  He has seen many changes, People have come and gone.  Some have left angry and hurt.  Others have hurt him as they have gone out the door, but he refused to give up the post because in his heart he knew that this was his lentil patch.

In the kingdom we need to understand the ground that the Lord has given to us.  We have to defend that ground by staying in the place that God tells us to stay.  As long as we do as he tells us to do and stand, then the battle is the Lord’s.

There are times that life can be overwhelming.  There are times that to just stay sane seems to take all the energy that you have.  There are times that you feel you cannot go an inch further, but in that moment you must remain.

The only thing that stops us from standing in the place that God has for us is fear.  Fear will push us out of God’s will.  It will cause you to shrink back from what He has called you to do and can stop you from pursuing opportunities that come your way.

We cannot allow fear to stop us.  We must move forward despite what we feel or see.  We need to face our fears and move forward anyway.

I find it most helpful to pray when fear comes upon me.  I know that if I pray He will hear my prayer.  This I have come to understand through experience.  When He speaks, all fear has a way of leaving me because I know the truth of what He says.  He always speaks peace into my heart and His peace has a way of pushing me forward into His will for my life.

Because I know that God is good, I step forward despite my fears.  I must trust Him to help me overcome in every situation that I find myself.  Even if I am surrounded by fear, I can move forward as long as I keep my gaze upon Christ.

I pray for you today.  I ask the Lord to move you into your lentil patch, the place of your destiny.  I ask the Lord to speak past the fears of your heart and plant His word firmly in your heart.  May all fade from you save His love for your life.  Truly this is all that will remain in the end anyway. 

Filed Under: Pastor Darren Canning
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