‭‭John‬ ‭4‬:‭48‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Unless you people see signs and wonders, Jesus told him, you will never believe.

God is in the wow business with all His signs and wonders. Jesus performed and continues to perform many miracles so that His children will see and believe. I think about the disciple Thomas, also known as Doubting Thomas. It took seeing nail scarred hands for him to truly believe in Jesus. Thomas was in close relationship with Jesus and still needed a wow sign and wonder to see. 

Are you walking around with blinders or are you walking around expecting to be wowed? We need to live expectantly and seek God for big things. We read in Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV — Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.‬‬

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for all Your miraculous signs and wonders. Forgive me when I am a doubting Thomas. Today I stand at Your door and knock expectantly. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

You can read how Jesus heals the official’s son in John 4:43-54 NIV @biblegateway.

This week we will be talking about the miraculous signs and wonders of God as we journey through Holy Week. 

We have been blessed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. We are challenged by the Apostle Paul to fan the flame of God so that others may experience this gift. Today I encourage you to meditate on the scripture verses listed below. We are all called to be disciples of Jesus. Think about all the miraculous signs and wonders you’ve experienced here on Earth. Have you shared Christ Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit with others? Take time to evaluate your role in The Great Commision. 

‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV — When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.‬‬

2 Timothy 1‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

You can read the full passage, Encouragement to Be Faithfu in 2 Timothy 1: 3-18 NIV @biblegateway.

The Great Commission in ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭16‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV — Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬-‭15 MSG‬‬ — Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine!

Join us for See You Saturday as we talk about being light bearers for Christ!

Let’s finish our week on being light bearers by watching this Youtube video of Joyce Meyer titled Let Your Light Shine.

Bonus: Read this blog post by Tracie Rollins titled 7 Ways Christians Can Be the Light.

Take some time to read Matthew 5:14-16 NIV and Matthew 5:14-16 MSG

I enjoy reading the same scripture in different versions. What do these two versions say to you? The Message version tells us that “by opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God”. When we are ready and willing to share Christ with others, we may have the opportunity to witness and lead others to Christ. Think about the places life will take you today. How can God use you to shine His light today? As you go about your day, keep your eyes and ears open to ways to share Christ. Listen to the conversations around you. Look for opportunities that God presents for you to share Christ with others. While in line at a store, perhaps you chat with the person behind you in line and you have the chance to relate to that person and invite him/her to your church. Perhaps in a restaurant you talk with your waiter/waitress and he/she shares a recent struggle. Be willing to share how you relate to that struggle or even step out on the water and pray with the waiter/waitress. When someone around you sneezes, say “God Bless You” and listen for an opportunity to expound on God’s blessings. Just be ready and willing to shine the light of Christ throughout your day and God will give you the opportunity!

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for trusting me with Your light. Today, I’m going to look for opportunities to shine Your light for others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Take a few moments to listen to this childhood favorite song,  This Little Light of Mine by the Oak Ridge Boys.

John 8:12 NIV —  When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Are you a Christian? Do you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and have you accepted Him as your Lord and Savior? If so, you are called to be a light bearer. What does that mean to you? 

For me, being a light bearer means letting the light of Christ shine in all that I say and do. For me, this is a constant aspiration and there are moments each day that I fail. However, being a Christian means that I continue to strive to be more like Christ and point others toward Him. 

What are some simple ways we can share the light of Christ?

1. Hold the door open for others entering before or after you in a store.
2. Smile at those you pass in public.
3. Listen before you speak and then speak with love.
4. Share words of encouragement and affirmation with others.
5. Write notes or send texts of thanksgiving and encouragement to others.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for sending Your Son to be the light of the world. May I shine His light through my words and actions. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.