Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign

Meditate: Acts 2:43

I caught the movie Groundhog Day with one of my daughters this morning.

What’s that got to do with signs?

Well, this word “signs” often confuses us. We think of a “sign” as something to be interpreted, like asking if the groundhog saw his shadow. We say that “we all know what that means…” but do we?

After all, all it really means is that some people are really desperate to foretell the future because they’re unwilling to trust that God is loving and merciful - that He really has their best interests in mind. See, if I have a clue about the future then I can plan around it.

Maybe that’s a little heavy-handed.

I don’t actually know of anyone who takes it seriously except for the tourism folks up in Punxsatawney, PA (www.groundhog.org, by the way) and all they’re really serious about is boosting their local economy with some silliness.

But heavy-handed or silly, this idea that God can’t be trusted and therefore little signs must be looked for has very old roots. Interpreting signs in nature is a form of fortune telling that the Bible forbids God’s people to participate in. And that’s what makes this matter of wonders and miraculous signs so interesting.

See, these wonders and miracles, these transformations and rescues are proof, signs, to any who are paying attention that a loving God is still active in this world, that He’s involved, that He’s still reaching out to men and women, that He’s still willing to save, to change, to redeem, to transform. They’re not warnings, they’re reminders that His grace is still enough, that His mercy still reaches us; that we are never, while in this world, totally without hope because God is here.

How do we know? Wonders and miraculous signs. Not so we can keep an eye on God’s providence and know how to work around it. But rather so we can be reminded of the comfort of His love, reminded of the saving work of Jesus, reminded that we have not been abandoned.

Remember the two reasons for a miracle? Proof of His power and proof of His grace. He can and He will. How do we know? We’ve seen His sign…

• What signs is God giving me of His grace, His love, His mercy, and His power?

Pray:
Praise: You are the Lord, my God, who brought me out of darkness into the Light of Your love and mercy.

Confess: Too often I close my eyes and deafen my ears to Your signs.

Thank: You have never stopped showing Yourself faithful. It’s never been about my efforts but it’s always about Your grace.

Ask: Open my heart and my mind to the wonder of You.

Digging Deeper: John 12:12-50

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Miraculous Transformation III

Meditate: Acts 2:43

Another point from that transformed man:
Genuine transformation is a cause for wonder; it’s a miracle.

And, as such, it deserves to be shared.

That was Jesus assignment for this man and it’s Jesus assignment for all of us today.

Not to go out as clever advocates, arguing the finer doctrinal and scientific points, battering away at all intellectual resistance to the Truth of our God.

Some are called to that (and God bless them) but all of us are called to “Go tell how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.”

Think it through; remember God’s work in you, then go.

• What has the Lord done for me?
• How has the Lord had mercy on me?
• Where (and whom) am I to tell?

Pray:
Praise: You are the living God and You endure forever; Your kingdom will not be destroyed, Your dominion will never end. You rescue and You save; You perform signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. You have set me free from the power of sin and death.

Confess: I forget what You have done, the wonders You have shown me.

Thank: Thank You, Lord, for this gift of salvation, which was first announced by Your Son, Jesus, and was confirmed to us by those who heard him. You have also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to Your will.

Ask: Remind me each day of Your mercy. Make me ready to tell anyone who will listen of Your great love and compassion.

Digging Deeper: Daniel 6

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Miraculous Transformation II

Meditate: Acts 2:43

As Jesus moved on, this transformed man begged to go with Him. Jesus didn’t let him, but told him, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.” The Bible says the man went away and began to tell all over the region how much Jesus had done for him.

Here’s a clue about genuine, God-given wonders and miraculous signs: God gets the credit. God is glorified.

And, last but not least, God’s grace, mercy, and love are proclaimed as a result. Many people claim to be doing many things in God’s name but few can stand up to all three of these standards. They may give God the credit but they glorify themselves and proclaim their own importance. They may claim to glorify God but all the while building their own reputation and drawing people into their “ministry” rather than God’s kingdom.

So do we still see “wonders and miraculous signs today?” Well, above are some sound, Biblical tools. Go take some measurements and see what God shows you. Hint: I wouldn’t spend much time looking in the places where the spotlights are shining, the cameras are rolling, and someone’s name is flashing out on the marquee.

• Do we still see miracles today?
• What is God showing me?

Pray:
Praise: Who among the gods is like you, O Lord? Who is like you-majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? You perform wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. I will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.

Confess: You alone do great wonders and I fail to acknowledge You.

Thank: You are the unchanging God, still showing Your power.

Ask: Remind me to look to You and to Your strength. Teach me to stop and consider Your wonders. Remind me of the miracles You have done. Teach me to wonder.

Digging Deeper: Acts 19:13-20

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Does This Worry Anyone Else?

Should "Running a Hospital" be a real blog? Just one more item for my "things not to think too much about" list...

;^)

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