Signs And Wonders

Tuesday, ‎February ‎14, ‎2023

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day: And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.—Mark 16:20

Memory verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Readings: LEVITICUS 15-16 MATTHEW 27:1-26

Signs And Wonders

It is hard to deny that there is a lot of activity in the Christian world about the gifts of the Spirit or the manifestation of God's power seen in some individuals and churches. The scripture even says,

39 "Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way." 1 Corinthians 14

I want us to consider what may be overlooked while this pursuit of the gifts is occupying much time. I want us to consider a basic approach.

Galatians 5:22 and 23 says:

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

2 Peter 3:15-and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you,

Forbearance or patience in both of these verses is the same word in the Greek-'makrothymia'-it means to have a fortitude in patience. We must have endless patience with each other as God has endless patience with us. This is a 'fruit' of the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 4:10, we're called to use our gifts to serve others as faithful stewards of God's grace.

If we are to be faithful stewards of what has given us and the Holy Spirit brings forth fruit in our lives, we are to nurture the fruit He brings with all diligence just like all that He gives us.

God is love and love is patient and kind, (1 John and 1 Corinthians). God is 'longsuffering'-God has the ultimate fortitude for patience(longsuffering, forbearance) and this should be out there in front for all the world to see.

"Cooler heads prevail" seems to have fallen in a crack of this 'whoever shouts the loudest' world. But in the working world a good leader knows when things are getting out of control and that good leader will always recognize the ones who keep their cool. These are the ones that most often work their way up in the right places and these places are always at the top of great places to work.

Don't challenge this with thoughts of those with the most ambition. They may make it to the top with very intelligent work and great accomplishments but many times leave destruction in their wakes.

The point is that we of the Body of Christ have at our disposal the power of the universe in our Eternal God, the lover of our souls. This is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead; Paul called it the 'power of the resurrection', Philippians 3. He said, "I want to know Him-the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings".

This does not fit the world model of 'the first to the top'. Because of our earthly conditioning, we must seek God with all our hearts and learn this great 'longsuffering' the Holy Spirit makes available to us so the world recognizes that much control exists in our lives instead of seeing folks who judge harshly and see folks who have no control over their tongues.

Every word from our mouths is immortal in the hearts and minds of all who hear-especially us. We know when it comes out that it is wrong but God offers us all we need to stop before we speak-always.

This is sometimes one of the very hardest things we have to learn and must learn. We are never too old for the Holy Spirit to give us His divine 'calm' to stop before we sin in our anger.

It is Valentine's day, a day we remember St. Valentine who died for his faith as he spoke to convert the Romans and was beheaded for it. He was beheaded for speaking love to the lost.

Is our speech enough to convict us in a world court? Or, would evidence of foul judgement and harsh speech be enough to free us from that conviction? Would we be like Peter and cry out in anger and fear, "I never knew Him!!"? Or would we be like Jesus and not utter a word at the world's wild accusations?

Is our demeanor gentle? Gentleness is of the Holy Spirit. Are we patient? Patience is God's character. Are we serious? Are we serious about our faith? Are we serious about allowing the Holy Spirit's reign over our lives?

Does the world around you see you as a calm spirit-or not?

We all have a lot of work to do. With man alone it is impossible but with God all things are possible. But with your attitude, how probable is it? Will your patience be a sign or wonder to the world?

Pray, seek, learn from God...

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Forgive me for blurting out and not allowing Your control over my life. Lord, teach me deeper things. I submit.

Merciful and gracious Lord!

In the name of Jesus,

Amen