Why We Must Reach the Lost with Miracles, Signs and Wonders

“These signs will accompany those who believe … they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:17-18).

In the midst of the continuing anxiety-producing pandemic and stressful racial tensions, we all need some encouragement especially if we are looking to God for healing and health in our body, soul and spirit.

If you’ve been told that divine healing and the miraculous are restricted to the Old Testament, the ministry of Jesus and the early church but not for today, I call your attention to the inspired writing of James, the brother of Jesus, giving us directions for us today.

“Is anyone sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up” (James 5:14-15).

As my friend Dr. Michael Brown says, “Health and healing are God’s normative will for His obedient children.”

Before evangelist Lester Sumrall died years ago, he shared a vision of Smith Wigglesworth. “I see revival coming. … The arthritic will be healed. Cancer will be healed. No disease would be able to stand before God’s people!”

A few days ago, I walked into a coffee shop and I noticed an older gentleman with a bold declaration emblazoned on his shirt. I asked him about it, and he bolted from his seat and gushed the account of how Jesus Christ totally healed him of three cancerous tumors. The healing was verified by a medical doctor, and he’s telling everyone that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today and forever” (Heb.13:8). He heals today, so don’t hesitate to align with His revealed will in Scripture.

Hour of Opportunity

Restrictions regarding the COVID-19 crises are cautiously being eased. With sickness going around and an unfortunate de-emphasis on divine healing in many churches, I want to share with you some actual stories from my experience and that of an anointed servant of God who has moved in the miraculous for many years. May we help you build your faith as you look to God to heal you and use you in healing ministry in these unprecedented days.

Let me further encourage you with the podcast interview Here’s the Deal on the Charisma Podcast Network) featuring a man of God launched from the historic Brownsville Revival and today one of the premier evangelists moving in signs and wonders in the Assemblies of God. Ministering alongside of Joe Oden, a son in the faith, I commend his ministry and just-released book, The Lightnings of God to inspire you .

As restrictions are being relaxed regarding the COVID-19 crisis, it’s important to remember that the life of the early church was characterized by miracles which were catalytic in bringing scores to Christ. Today with so many people feeling unhappy and hopeless, healings and miracles serve as “signs” of the reality, love and power of God, proving to unbelievers that the message of the gospel is true!

People are hurting, and one of the most effective ways to demonstrate that God is alive and cares for them is by helping them experience a touch of the supernatural, relieving them of pain plus disarming their skepticism.

I’m reading right now of a newspaper account from a ministry time I had a while ago in England, where multitudes responded to a gospel invitation after witnessing God’s healing power.

In the article, a photograph of the gathering appeared with the caption, “Cancer Cure” in bold letters. The author wrote, “The people stood and were applauding and thanking God. They had been cured of respiratory problems, headaches, migraines, problems with limbs and arthritis. A number were running up and down the platform. They had stiff legs for years and now could bend them easily.”

Upon reading the article I can’t help but imagine that a few reserved, proper “Brits” juggled their teacups upon reading what happened!

Faith-Building Testimonies

Last year, I scheduled an appointment with my physician who had been monitoring a large cyst that remained on my back for years. During my annual physical, he recommended it should be removed as it could develop into something dangerous.

As I lifted my shirt for him to commence the procedure, he stepped back after repeatedly poking and searching my back, then finally exclaimed with a smile he tried to swallow as it slipped across his face, “Amazing! I’ve never seen anything like this in 20 years. It’s gone! It’s no longer there!”

If you had a video of the event, you’d probably smile as you watched me give all the glory to God for the obvious miracle.

4 Massive Heart Attacks

If you have any doubts about this next testimony, check in with one of my closest friends over the decades, apostolic evangelist, Bob Weiner. He was present when this dramatic healing took place.

I was ministering at a large conference hosted by Bob with thousands of college students. Wesley Steelberg, a senior leader and a father in the Lord to Bob, came to the conference at “death’s door,” having suffered four major heart attacks and ingesting massive doses of medication.

I sensed God wanted to heal Wesley, and when I submitted the impression to Bob, he concurred. I led out in prayer and invited the throng present to declare after me healing Scriptures in faith, claiming, “He sent His word and healed them” (Ps. 107:20).

I’ll let Wesley tell in his own words what happened next.

“When everyone agreed in prayer the Spirit of the Lord came upon me. It felt like getting struck by a bolt of lightning. I felt heat in my chest. Then I began rejoicing!”

And well he did rejoice! Wesley experienced an incredible miracle that night. To the bafflement of his cardiologist, he resumed his ministry schedule plus riding a bicycle seven miles a day! He testified to his healing on Christian television, radio and in churches throughout America.

Here’s the Deal: In these turbulent times, people need to know there is a living God who still saves, heals and delivers men, women and children from depression and sickness. Ask Him to use you with “gifts of healing” and the “working of miracles” (1 Cor. 12:9-10). Let’s not present humanity with just a thimbleful of the gospel but rather a total message of His power, restored and released at the end of the age! {eoa}