Mark 16:15-18 – “And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. ¹⁶ Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. ¹⁷ And these signs will accompany those who believe: in My name, they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; ¹⁸ they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

A challenge came to my heart as I prayed, read, pondered, and mused on the Word. The challenge came as a question: “Do you wonder or do wonders?”

Mark 16 is my focus and target today!   When I see signs and wonders, I have sometimes wondered why all believers (me included) do not consistently walk in that reality.  Why do we not consistently see the manifestation of these wonders in our lives?

It simply says, “AND wonders WILL FOLLOW those who believe…”   The question to my heart was, “Do you truly believe?”  Before I could respond, the follow-up came, “Where is the manifestation in your life?” I have learned that sometimes, no response is the best response. Sometimes, wait, and instruction and revelation will follow. Just wait.

The key elements or requirements:

• Believe. Believe what?

Believe that Jesus is the Christ and Savior.   Believe that God never lies.  Believe that these wonders are designed to accompany my words and deeds.   That’s where we often fall short.   In Jesus’ Name is not a magic formula, but the key to unlocking the door. It is our pass key.

• Actions – Consider some of them.

Cast out demons.   Speak with or in new tongues.   Have authority over snakes (Aramaic idiom for enemies).   No harm from poison (that covers every danger).  Lay hands on the sick and heal them. (Not just pray but bring the healer into the equation and heal).

I realize that those hearing this expected it to be a realized reality in their lives All the Time!   We talk about God showing up and great things happening.  They took God with them everywhere, all the time, and Acted on the Word.

• This was not a word to preachers but everyone who believes.
  
  Mark 16:20 – “And they went out and preached…”   The requirement is to go where those things are present and then preach (testify).

They “Preached in Every Place… AND our Lord Helped them and Strengthened their words by the miracles which they performed.”

Who helped?    The Lord did!    Who performed the miracles?  They did!    It was Christ in them.   It was the Word in them.   It was the Spirit in them that compelled them.  They Believed.   Do we truly believe?

Nowhere in Scripture is preaching and working miracles relegated to a particular group of ministers or super saints. It is Everyone Who Believes!

This is your day to exercise your spiritual authority, flex your spiritual muscles, and Be and Do what He said.  Either God is a liar, or this is our heritage. God is not a liar.

I pray that the Holy Spirit will challenge our hearts to take baby steps, if need be, but that we will decide today that there will be no more wondering about wonders but that wonders will follow you everywhere.

Rejoice in your heritage and walk victoriously today and every day!

Proverbs 17:22 – “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

You have heard the saying, “Smile a while and give your face a rest,” right?    It is an adage based on the theory that it takes more muscles to frown than to smile.   Remember the chorus of yesteryear?  Smile Awhile And Give Your Face A Rest Raise Your Hand To The One You Love The Best…”

After extensive research, the scientific community has not consistently concluded how many are required for either.   However, the smile—transmitted consciously or subconsciously—is viewed across cultures as a sign of friendliness, especially when greeting others.   Frowns are considered an expression of disapproval, sadness, or rejection.  Therefore, a smile elicits a far better response than a frown.

There are forty-three muscles in the face; most are controlled by the seventh cranial nerve (facial nerve).  That nerve exits the cerebral cortex and emerges from the skull just in front of our ears.   It splits into five primary branches: temporal, zygomatic, buccal, mandibular, and cervical.   Those branches impact different portions of the face and enervate muscles that allow the face to twist and contort into various expressions.

The Bible says that a merry heart does good, like medicine. (Proverbs 17:22).   It also says a broken spirit dries the bones.   Ezekiel spoke of the Valley of Dry Bones, but what about in the natural body when the bones are dry?  What does that mean?  It is an indication of an unhealthy condition that can lead to many worse things.

We need healthy bones just as we need healthy spirits.  Our bones provide support and structure for our bodies.  Our spirits do the same for our lives.  Our bones protect our vital organs, such as the brain, heart, and lungs, from impact and injury.  

Our spirits do the same for our inner man.  Our bones store essential minerals such as calcium and phosphorus that are necessary for various bodily functions, including muscle contraction and transmission.   Our spirits likewise enable us to function spiritually. Our bones produce blood cells in the bone marrow, which plays a vital role in fighting infections and keeping us healthy.   Our spirits keep us connected to the Blood of Jesus, which keeps us whole.

We do not want dry bones, either naturally or spiritually.  Therefore, we need a Merry Heart and should follow Paul’s prescription in Philippians 4 and Ephesians 5:19. We should be like David and encourage ourselves in the LORD (1 Samuel 30:6).

Today, rather than succumbing to the mulligrubs and throwing a pity party, why not focus on God and make the choice to rejoice? Why not choose to be glad in this day the Lord has made? Why not let the inward smile reach the face and, no matter what comes, keep our focus on God and let the Joy of our hearts reach our faces even in the middle of a trial?  Why Not?  It is a Choice!

I believe the Bible teaches that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever and that God will Never Ever, Ever, Ever leave us or forsake us. God does not Fail. Therefore, I choose to Rejoice and Trust Him!  I am smiling right now!

Have a great day resting in the Love of God!

Daniel 10:12 – “Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.” 

The idea of persistence was deeply impressed upon my consciousness as I read, prayed, and pondered the Word today.   The familiar account of Gabriel coming to Daniel is revelatory.

Daniel had been fasting and praying with no seeming breakthrough.   I’ve been there!   The heavens seemed lined with brass, and my prayers ascended no higher than my lips.  There was no apparent response from God. 

I have had times when I grew weary and concluded that it wasn’t God’s will and changed focus.   Most of those times, I knew that was not the right approach.   I have also had times when I persisted and refused to quit.  God did what God does.   He dealt with me and my needs.

Gabriel makes a powerful statement.   He told Daniel, “…from day one, when you set your heart to know God’s purpose and understand, You Were Heard!”   The immediate thought would be, if I were heard on Day One, why has it taken three weeks for the answer to come? 

Gabriel explained upon that declaration and revealed that sometimes prayers do not get an immediate answer because of satanic opposition.   Had Daniel not persisted, Gabriel, the messenger, would not have come.

In Luke 11, Jesus reemphasized the Power of Persistence.  The parable about the need to feed a guest after normal hours provides revelation and encouragement for Persistence!   Jesus said that even if the friend would not respond on the strength of friendship, he would due to persistence.

We cannot twist God’s arm of perceived reluctance by persistence.   But persistence solidifies the depth of need in our hearts and demonstrates an unwillingness to fail.

Luke 11:9-10 gives us the progression and value of Persistence.

ASK – We have not because we ask not.

SEEK—It is difficult to find what you are not looking for, and if you find it, how would you know it if you were not seeking it?

KNOCK—The implication is a beat on the door, not just timidly or passively tapping on it.  Urgency with persistence overcomes doubt and fear and lays hold of the promise.

Be not weary in well-doing because, in due season, harvest comes “if” we persist.

• How important is the matter to you?
• How important is being ONE with God to you?
• How important is knowing you are walking in God’s purposes to you?

The first factor should be God’s will.  Before we begin the prayer of persistence, we should pray the prayer of submission.   Knowing we are on solid ground biblically, then refuse to give up.

• If you fail, get up; next time, determine you will not give up.
• If you are uncertain about your biblical footing in the request, Persist.
• If you are sure, Persist.
• If you discover you are asking outside His purposes, Repent. 

Then, seek His will and Persist.

The Bottom line is we must become people of Unrelenting Persistence.

Today, make this declaration – “I Will Not Quit! “ You will be surprised at what happens in your heart and mind as a result.  What is in your heart will soon be in your hands.

Have a great day pressing into the Promises of God!

Deuteronomy 31:6 – “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5b – “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Today, for some reason, I feel led to offer this poem that I wrote back in 2005.  I had just been diagnosed with parathyroid cancer, and although I believed that God was not through with me, I had a battle with the enemy who tried to steal my faith and my joy. 

God helped me to fight through that.   He used the Word, family, friends, and a wife that would not let me doubt.   I was healed, and even the surgeon said, “This was not something I did, or you did, but God did.  It is a miracle!”

We all face choices every day, and the fruit of those choices shapes our lives.   I desire always to make the right choices and rejoice in all that God is, has done, is doing, and will do.   We are more than conquerors through Jesus; I am determined to live like that.

I hope that this poem ministers to, inspires, and encourages you!

I pray that the Lord will deposit the reality that even in our Darkest Hours, He is Always There!   He is faithful.  

Rejoice in Jesus and enjoy His presence today and every day!

Ezekiel 47:3-6 – “Going on eastward with a measuring line in his hand, the man measured a thousand cubits, and then led me through the water, and it was ankle-deep. ⁴ Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was knee-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was waist-deep. ⁵ Again he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen. It was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through. ⁶ And he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?”  Then he led me back to the bank of the river.”

Let me give you the Reader’s Digest version of what was impressed upon my heart during my time of meditation, reading, and prayer today.   I saw the coming harvest and the Last Day’s Revival of Restoration powerfully.

Ezekiel 47 is revelatory.    In a vision, the prophet saw the Temple.   From under the side of the temple, water was flowing Eastward.  That signifies the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.   It came from the altar.    The altar is both the place of petition and submission or sacrifice.   It is the heart of God.

The progress of involvement was gradual. First, it was ankle-deep water, which indicates awareness but no significant change, anointing, or power. Then, it was knee-deep, which indicates an increase in awareness but still no significant change. It involves obedience and pressing on and in.

Next, the water was up to the loins, indicating awareness and change to come.  The current is strong enough that a conscious effort must be made not to get swept away. The water was so deep that his whole body was fully involved.  The full impact came when he moved into the unswimmable deep waters. He was totally consumed! 

That’s where the power lies.   The angel took him back to the bank.   He had been immersed in the river (Holy Spirit).   Now, on the bank, he can take this anointing and impact his surroundings.   He sees what he has not seen before. 

On the banks were trees.  Think of the river in the Book of Revelation, where the trees line the banks, and healing is in them.   The trees grow with tap roots in the river, and their fruit brings life and healing.   He was told what the river was doing.  It flows to the sea and makes the stagnant, fresh, and pure, life-giving. 

What God is coming and now is cannot be experienced by living life in a business-as-usual mode.  It demands a change of focus and surrender of All Dreams and Plans to God.  Our Isaacs must be placed on the altar.   Casual or occasional wading in the stream will not produce what is needed in us.

We have to press in and on until we are Totally Immersed or Consumed in the water (Holy Spirit). 

• Will that make us religious fanatics?  Probably, in the eyes of others.  
• Will that cost us relationally?  Possibly because some consider that investment in God as unnecessary and too much.
• Will it cost us financially?  Possibly because our purpose & pursuit will shift from us to the Kingdom.

Do we want to have what the Book of Acts Church had?   Do we want to heal the sick, raise the dead, set free those in bondage, and win multitudes for God?   Yes?  Then, we have to get in the river.   Will that solve the issues we now face?  NO!   It will possibly increase the number of attacks.

This Last Days Move and Harvest will enable us to see families saved, churches rescued, cities impacted, and the powers of darkness defeated.   How much do we want it?  We can have All we want.

I know this is a different word, but it is what I’m hearing in my heart.  We must decide, like Daniel, that we will not defile ourselves with the world.   Like Daniel, God will honor that with His presence, power, and provision.

I want it more than life!  I’m tired of the devil’s destruction and want the Kingdom of God to be manifested Now in me and you!

It is time to get into the River of God and become Totally Consumed by the Spirit of God!  Have a Great Day in Jesus!