SIGNS ARE TO FOLLOW BELIEVERS
Friday – July 7, 2017
RIVERSIDE ASSEMBLY OF GOD, 32 WATER STREET, FAIRFIELD, MAINE
Friday is upon us already. God is so good. We are two days away from feast day. Sunday is feast day, a day for feasting on the Word of God. A day for growth and a day to commit to do the Word of God not just know about it and talk about it and shout hallelujah. The picture above is the Church where we attend and participate. I am expecting wonderful things not only because God is good and merciful but more so because we are changing each day more and more into His image and likeness. Our attitudes are becoming His attitudes and we are determined that this thing be real not just to us but those around us in very real tangible visible relevant ways. Pray for the people of this Church, your Church, all Churches and all peoples who call Jesus Lord. Well, let’s look back at our primary text in Hebrews and then again to our secondary text in Mark.
Hebrews 2:4 (KJV)
4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
When the good news of the Kingdom of God, and this great salvation are made known God Himself will bear witness with signs, wonders, various miracles, and displays of the gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His will. Both the speaking of the gospel and witness of signs and wonders are to be present, on full display, one leads to the other and back again. The preaching leads to the display of God and the display of God leads others to come and see. When they see they are drawn to a decision point and will decide to embrace or reject. All who witness our lives, our ministry (one and the same) should be brought to a decision point. That is not to say you are to have an alter call with everyone however our life, and the powerful manifest presence of God will convict and bring the person to a decision. The preaching absent the signs and wonders is better than nothing but it is not an end of days ministry. It is wonderful to have anyone and everyone born again but the harvest will be rather meager compared to what needs to happen during the end of days. Have you ever seen a real miracle? We need to expect miracles on a regular basis in our own lives and in those for whom the Lord leads us to pray. Let’s review our secondary text.
Mark 16:15-20 (KJV)
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
We have talked about going into the pillars of society (the world) with the light, with love, bringing eternal life to all we will receive. Those we will receive the Lord Jesus, and choose to be immersed in Him will be saved. They will have entered this great salvation, this wonderful adventure spoken of by the writer of Hebrews. Then in Mark 16:17 we see that there are signs that follow those who believe. To say that signs follow a person is to say that there are notable supernatural events present in the wake of the persons life. Consider the following verse personally.
Acts 10:38 (KJV)
38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Does this describe me, does this describe you? Remember we are to do the works Jesus did and the greater works. Has God anointed you and me with the Holy Ghost and power? Are we going about doing good, making a difference in the lives of people in a meaningful way? Are we healing all that are oppressed of the devil, those who are brought into our path and have faith (believe)? Can we say with full confidence that God is with us, can others say with confidence that God is with us? Looking back at Mark 16:17, if signs are not following us we must not believe. O Father forgive my unbelief!
Until our next publication, I speak blessing into your life right now, receive it in the name of Jesus, confess it, and walk it out with thanksgiving.
Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV)
24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
CONTACT E-MAIL: pastordavidwood@gmail.com
MAILING ADDRESS: 3 Rosswood Green Lane, Unit Two, Oakland, Maine 04963
