A Light for the Nations

Do you realize that Jesus is the Light for all Nations, and as His disciples and followers, WE are called to shine His light into all of the earth?

For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” (Act 13:47 NIV)

I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles . . . (Isa 42:6 NIV)

For my eyes have seen Your salvation ³¹which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, ³²a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” (Lk 2:30-32)

How can you shine the light of God’s love and salvation into the world?

By serving the Lord obediently and joyfully;
By sharing your testimonies of how you came to accept Christ as your Savior and about your answered prayers;
By praying for other people’s needs and asking God to bless them and to provide for them;
By testifying to the miracles, signs and wonders that God has performed for you; and
By living a holy lifestyle in obedience to the Scriptures.

Here is a passage from the Bible that gives us some answers:

Do all things without complaining and disputing, ¹⁵that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, ¹⁶holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. (Phil 2:14-16, emphasis added)

God bless you!

Make Known God’s Glorious Deeds

We are called, as the people of God, to publicize and advertise to all of the earth the wonderful, glorious, praiseworthy deeds of God among men.

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! (Ps 105:1 ESV)

Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. (Isa 12:4)

. . . and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel . . . (Eph 6:19)

Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— (Ac 2:22)

What should we make known about God? Here are some ideas:

His attributes (personality, nature, behavior)
The blessings of salvation; the advantages of a relationship with the Savior (as outlined in the Bible)
His miracles, signs, and wonders performed for mankind (both in Bible times and since the Gospel was first preached, even up to this current day)
The multitude of God’s mercies (which are new every day)
He is our Intercessor, Advocate and Mediator (1 Tim 2:5; Heb 8:6; 12:24; Isa 55:16; 1 Joh 2:1)

It is a fact that the Lord wants us to broadcast everything that we know about the Lord and about His free gift of salvation. The Lord wants His works, deeds, and miracles to be remembered and to be made public, for His Word says it quite plainly.

He has made His wonderful works to be remembered . . . (Ps 111:4a)

God bless you!

The Message of the Cross

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Cor 1:18 NIV, underlining and emphasis added)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. (Rom 1:16, emphasis added)

. . .but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, ²⁴but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (1 Cor 1:23-25, emphasis added)

. . . because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. (1 Thes 1:5 ESV, emphasis added)

The message of the cross is sometimes referred to as the:

Gospel of Christ (Rom 1:16)
Good News (1 Thes 3:6)
Power of God (1 Cor 1:23-25)
Wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:23-25)
Resurrection Gospel (1 Cor 15, entire chapter)

What is the message of the cross? It is that God LOVES the world, and desires to be in RELATIONSHIP with each and every one of us. Thanks to this truth, the Father God provided salvation to all mankind through Jesus Christ.

Jesus humbled himself in coming to earth as a newborn baby. He grew up as a normal, human boy and learned the trade of carpentry. He lived a sinless, perfect life serving His heavenly Father. Jesus preached Good News, and demonstrated the love of His heavenly Father by performing signs, wonders, and miracles.

Jesus displayed the need for continuous fellowship with His Father, as well as drawing apart for prayer. He modeled forgiveness, wisdom, and walking in the Spirit for us all.

The symbol of the cross is an icon of grim human suffering and public humiliation. Jesus’ suffering and subsequent death and resurrection are all part of the message of the cross. In the light of Christ’s resurrection, there is restoration of hope, complete joy, and utter triumph. Hallelujah!

Notice that the preaching of this gospel of salvation is always accompanied by the POWER of God.

The message of the cross proves the magnitude of the love that God has for mankind.

Signs & Wonders Win the Lost

Did you know that when unsaved people see and experience signs, wonders, and miracles performed in the name of Jesus, that it wins many hearts to Jesus Christ?

Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. (Joh 11:45)

Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. (Joh 2:23)

And many of the people believed in Him, and said, “When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?” (Joh 7:31)

Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— (Act 2:22)

God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? (Heb 2:4)

As we read these passages of Scripture shown above, we can easily see that human beings consider signs, wonders, and miracles to be a confirmation and a witness from God that Jesus is, indeed, the Son of God and the Savior of mankind.

How can we, who are alive in 2020, turn up our noses at signs and wonders, and decide that the “age of miracles” has passed? It is unthinkable and hard to fathom that anyone would believe such a thing.

There are signs, wonders, and miracles happening all over the world right now—in our present time. I have personally experienced miracles throughout my life, and many people that I know can also testify the same thing. Once you have experienced and seen a miracle for yourself, you will never again doubt that Jesus is still performing signs and wonders.

The Bible says: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Heb 13:8) This means that whatever Jesus did in the past, He will continue to do forever. Whatever qualities and personality traits that Jesus demonstrated in Bible times are still active and operational today. It also means that His personality and His mission have not and will never change. Hallelujah!

Who are we to disagree with the God of all creation?

Choose Boldness & Endurance

If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. (2 Tim 2:12) We must sustain our faith throughout our lifetimes, and when we do, the Lord promises that we will one day reign with Him.

But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. (Mt 10:33) Let us be watchful that we never—in any way—deny the Good News of Jesus Christ. It takes the grace of God to boldly and persistently pursue a life of faith in Jesus.

For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels. (Lk 9:26)

To deny Christ means to reject Him and His claim to be the Son of God and savior of all those who believe in Him. This denial is a life-long denial, where there is no repentance and no acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ. To those whose lives deny the Lord, the Lord will also say to them one day, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” as we read in Matthew 7:23. (Source: http://answersfromthebook.net/jesus-said-that-if-you-deny-him-before-men-that-he-will-deny-you-before-his-father-peter-denied-the-lord-does-this-mean-that-jesus-will-now-deny-peter-before-his-father)

We need to be bold and brave in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. We aren’t all called to be preachers, pastors, missionaries, or evangelists, but we are ALL called to let our light shine in a dark and pain-filled world. One way to do that is through good works that bring glory to God.

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Mt 5:14-16)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. (Rom 1:16)

Each one of us can be courageous in living our life as a follower and servant of Jesus Christ. We may do that quietly and without fanfare, but all who know us should perceive that we have been with Jesus. (See Acts 4:13)

For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus. (Rev 19:10, emphasis added)

Another way to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel is through telling others about our own, personal testimonies of God’s goodness to each of us, and of His miracles and wonders.

Jesus Fulfilled Prophecy

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
⁶Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. ⁷The parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water . . . (Isa 35:5-7)

This passage of Scripture has beautiful, poetic language in it. This is a prophetic passage about the ministry of God’s anointed Savior and Redeemer.

We can recognize that a number of the things mentioned in this passage occurred in the ministry of Jesus Christ when He was on earth. And many other miracles took place in addition to these. Glory to God!

Blind people were healed (Mt. 9:27; 11:15; 12:22; 15:30; Mk 8:22-25; Lk 7:22)
Mute peoples’ tongues were loosed and they glorified God with their voices (Mt 12:22; 15:30; Mk 7:37)
Deaf people received their hearing (Mt 11:15; Mk 7:37; Lk 7:22)
Lame and maimed people were healed (Mt 11:15; 15:30; 21:14; Lk 7:22)
Lepers were cleansed (Mt 11:15; Lk 7:22; 17:11-14)
People were raised from the dead (Mt 11:15; Lk 7:22; Joh 12:1, 9)

The last part of the passage in Isaiah at the top of this article is looking toward the end times, after Jesus returns to the earth. Here is a teaching pertinent to the 2^nd coming of Jesus from another website:

Peter called the time after Jesus’ return the times of “refreshing” and “restoration of all things” (Acts 3:19-21). Isaiah painted this beautiful word picture: “The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. … For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. The parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water” (Isaiah 35:1, 6-7). ~ Source: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/end-times/water-in-bible-prophecy/

Jesus fulfilled many of the prophecies concerning the Savior, but there are still some that are going to be fulfilled in the future. Those of us who follow Jesus and serve Him need to recognize the nature of the times in which we live, and to share the Good News of salvation as widely and lovingly as we can. God bless you.

Sun of Righteousness Dispenses Healing

Who is the Sun of Righteousness? It is Jesus Christ and He demonstrated this truth by performing signs, wonders, and miracles while He lived on the earth.

But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves. (Mal 4:2)

He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He. (Deu 32:4)

According to Your name, O God, so is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness. (Ps 48:10)

But the Lord of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God who is holy shall be hallowed in righteousness. (Isa 5:16)

“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. (Jer 23:5 emphasis added, see also Jer 33:15)

Jesus fulfilled each and every one of these Scriptures. As the Son of Righteousness, Jesus healed the elderly, the poor, the widowed, and the rich equally. He didn’t just heal one kind of disease but ALL kinds of disease. He demonstrated His unlimited power as well as the unlimited, unconditional love of His Father for all mankind.

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. (Mt 4:23, emphasis added – see also Mt 9:35)

Jesus also healed people spiritually by feeding the Good News of the Kingdom to them (Living Water). He healed the broken in heart. (Ps 147:3) He healed demon-possessed and demon-oppressed people by delivering them. He healed and restored the bent and broken ones. He gave voices to the mute, and cured those with unclean spirits. (Mt 15:30; Lk 6:18) Some people received healing by just touching the edge of Jesus’ cloak! (Mk 6:56)

You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. (Ac 10:38)

The book of Acts tells us that people who need healing are “oppressed by the devil.” That’s not just an old-time, backwards way of saying that people were sick. No, I believe that this is a revelation from God for us. Recognize that pain, sickness, and suffering are all tools of the enemy. He comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy according to the Bible. (Joh 10:10)

As followers of Jesus Christ, by faith we must trust Him and KNOW Him to be our healer. God has said:

. . . for I am the Lord that healeth thee. (Ex 15:26 KJV, end)

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases . . . (Ps 103:3 KJV)

Extreme Mercy & Forgiveness

And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Ac 7:59-60)

Focus on the extreme mercy and forgiveness that Stephen displayed! Here are people in the process of killing him, and he forgives them and asks the Lord to forgive them. Then he dies. What mercy! What forgiveness! Stephen went to heaven as a martyr for the gospel.

According to Daniel 9:9, mercy and forgiveness belong to God. The Bible says (see below) that mercy and unlimited forgiveness belong to God.

O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, because with the Lord there is mercy and with Him there is unlimited forgiveness. (Ps 130:7 GW)

In the church of Jerusalem, Stephen was chosen along with six other men to serve as deacons. As deacons, they would take charge of the gifts of the people, and give assistance to those who were in need, including widows. The criteria for choosing these men was that they had to have the Spirit of God and to have wisdom.

Stephen not only cared for the poor, but he began to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone—Jews and Gentiles both. This conduct enraged some of Jews, who plotted against him.

Clearly, as Stephen shared the Good News, the Holy Spirit used Stephen as an instrument for the Kingdom of God. History records that Stephen, as he ministered to the people, performed signs, wonders, and miracles among them. Glory to God!

Stephen clearly loved and obeyed Jesus Christ, his Savior and example in all things. Stephen emulated the Lord Jesus Christ in his life, work, and even in death.

This is a good moment to reflect upon our own lives; and to determine whether we are allowing mercy and forgiveness to operate in our lives, our responses, and our actions.

Share Your Testimony

However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” (Mk 5:19)

Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul. (Ps 66:16)

“Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” (Joh 4:29)

These passages all have one thing in common—they pertain to sharing your own testimony of what God has done for you. We need to remember that our testimony is important. We each have a testimony of how we came to accept Christ as our Savior and Lord.

We also have additional testimonies of answered prayer—some of which are clearly in the realm of signs, wonders, and miracles. We must be bold to joyously share the great things that God has done for us.

Why?

Your testimony is unlike anyone else’s. The honesty and reality of it will be used by the Holy Spirit to move in people’s hearts.
The Bible tells us share our testimony. (1 Pet 3:15-16)
All people love to hear stories. This is the age of superheroes, so introduce people to a true Hero—their Savior.
Your testimony strengthens the faith of all those who hear it—and will even strengthen and encourage your own faith as you remember what God has done for you in the past.
It will encourage other people who may be going through a similar situation. In this way, you may be able to help them carry their burden. (Gal 6:2)
Every time you retell how you came to know Christ as your Savior, you revive your experience of it. It helps to keep you connected and plugged into your first Love. (Rev 2:4)
Your testimony gives glory to God because it points people to the Savior Jesus.

Does God Perform Miracles Today?

I’ve spent some time online recently reading published articles about whether God performs miracles today or not—in 2017. What concerns me gravely is that many Christians who love God are of the decided opinion that miracles are NOT being performed now! I want to read what the Bible has to say.

Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles. (Acts 15:12) Barnabas and Paul reminded the multitude that GOD worked the miracles and wonders—not man. Yes, He worked through the apostles, but God is named as the Miracle Worker.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: ⁸for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, ⁹to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, ¹⁰to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. (1 Cor 12:7-10) This passage of the Bible names spiritual gifts given to the church by God. The spiritual gifts given to believers names “the working of miracles.” I don’t see a time limit on this nor a statement saying that this would only occur in a certain age of the church. Notice that this passage opens with the statement that these spiritual gifts are given to individuals for the profit of ALL. So, clearly the spiritual gifts are a blessing to the entire church. Why would anyone desire that miracles stop?

This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? ³Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? ⁴Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? ⁵Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— ⁶just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. ⁷Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. ⁸And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” (Gal 3:2-8) In this excerpt from the Bible, the Lord reminds us that He supplies the Spirit to us AND He works the miracles among us—all in response to faith on the part of human beings.

Shall we who trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior now abandon faith? Faith is clearly a prerequisite for the operation of any miracle. Since God Himself, the Ancient of Days, is the One who performs miracles, who are we to dictate in what era He may or may not perform them?

I personally have experienced quite a number of miracles from my loving God. I have seen the Lord perform miracles right in front of me, and I know other believers who have also received miracles from the Lord Jesus Christ. I can say from my own knowledge and experience that the Lord does indeed perform miracles today.

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