Folks, the wisdom imparted in the Bible is wisdom which comes from God. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

The first time that I really read the Bible was in the year 2007...the year that I came to saving faith in Christ. Prior to that, I had never really bothered to crack open a Bible to see what it said. By the time I got around to reading the Bible, I was 35 years old. I had made a lot of mistakes in life. Mistakes I could have avoided had I just read the Bible when I was 10 or 15 or even 18 years old. The mistakes I made had led to some poor life choices and ended up costing me a fortune. By the year 2009 I had lost everything I materially owned, was almost all alone, and was at the lowest point in my life. Yet, I had found Christ and been Baptized. It was a new beginning for me. In the year 2009 I read the Bible cover-to-cover 10 times wanting to know what the Word of God said about various things. It was as though I had been blind in the past, but now I could suddenly see. Things which made no sense to me in the past, were now perfectly clear. 

Beloved, read and understand the Word of God the Bible before it is too late for you. I wish I had read it earlier, in my youth. Looking back at my life, I can count at least one instance where I would have saved over a million dollars, still owned a 5,000 square foot house on a lake and had five dogs jumping up and down on my lap had I not said or done one particular thing. There is no "undo" button for this. It is done, I cannot undo what I did. I cannot hit "rewind" on my life and wish that money back or take back my actions. "Wishing" will not bring back my money or my home or my dogs. Some of the mistakes I made were permanent and had permanent consequences for my life. I would have been a much happier, healthier and wealthier person if I had only read and obeyed the Bible sooner in life. 

Folks, there are things in life we all leave undone, like leave that MBA unfinished, or cease playing that sport or that musical instrument. We can all go back and finish those things, but there are things for which there are no "Undo" buttons in life, (not using my life examples now, but speaking generally) such as marrying an unbelieving spouse, or having an affair on your spouse, or abandoning your family, or wracking up gambling debts, or picking the wrong business partners, or having sex with prostitutes and catching a disease you cannot get rid of like HIV, or getting in trouble with the law or having a sex-change surgery or having the number 666 tattooed on your forehead, or abusing a child, or going on a shooting spree. Folks, there are no "Undo" buttons for these stupid things. Once done, you cannot take these things back. The consequences for these actions are permanent. So before you do something stupid with your life, read what the Bible has to say, and obey it. There are time-tested truths which speak to every aspect of life therein. You will never go wrong reading and obeying the Word of God, the Bible. 

Folks, people generally learn life lessons three ways: (a) by making their own stupid mistakes and learning from them (b) by seeing others make mistakes and learning from their mistakes or (c) by learning what to do and what not to do and obeying this so you don't make avoidable mistakes at all. Folks, for crying out loud please choose (c) and not (a) It is a lot less painful over the long haul. 

Folks, the recent week has seen devastation and loss of life in Maui, Hawaii unlike we have seen in many years. Our hearts go out to the people of that Island. In solidarity with them, I would ask you to pray with me:

Dear Lord in Heaven,

We pray today for everyone hurt or impacted by the tragic wildfires in Maui. We pray for the souls of those who lost their lives. We pray for those who lost family members or friends in the fire. We pray for those who lost their homes, their boats or their property. We pray for healing and restoration for those who encountered these losses. Last but not least, we pray for our great nation, the United States of America. 

In Jesus' great name we pray,

Amen. 
 
I encourage folks to fly to Maui and volunteer there with the American Red Cross if at all possible, at www.redcross.org and if that is not possible, to contribute monetarily to their relief fund: www.redcross.org/local/hawaii/get-help/hawaii-wildfires-response-.html

​God Bless You.

Our bodies are fragile, and I know that just like everyone else, I will eventually die. When that happens, there will be a few very sad people --- my family, my Bible Study partners, people who knew me from the various Churches I attended, and a lot of very happy people who would rejoice that another Christian voice has departed the universe. Most of the folks reading this will die of some manner of disease, event or old age within the next 50 years. Indeed scripture says that our lives are like a vapor --- here today but gone tomorrow. "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:14

When I die, whether in a week, a year, a decade, or in 30 years, I will die having attained some of my goals, but without having attained some other goals. I wanted to get a PhD before I died, a net worth of at least $100 Million, and at least a C-Suite title at a Fortune 500 Company. I will have achieved none of these goals. Yet, I know that I will go in peace because I know that my salvation is guaranteed. I will be with the Lord when I die. I have trusted upon the name of Jesus, and that is all that really matters. "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." John 3:36 

So as Christians, once we have accepted the Lord, are our earthly goals unimportant? No, not at all. Should we just abandon our lives here on earth, and drift along just hoping to die and meet the Lord? No, not at all. On the contrary, we should pursue our goals with vigor and vitality, and with as much fervor as if we were unbelievers, yet, at the same time, keeping our priorities in line and Always Living In View of Eternity (ALIVE) We don't give up this world as though it didn't matter, no, that is not it. We use the Word of God the Bible as though it were our one and true Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth (BIBLE) in order to prepare us for eternity. Go have fun, pursue your goals, and have a great family life, but keep in mind that we will die some day. When that happens, we will meet our maker and be judged for our actions here on this earth ("And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" Hebrews 9:27). On that day, if you don't have Jesus as your Lord, Savior and advocate, ("Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 10:32) you'll have a very difficult time entering Heaven. 

I would like to call this the Elon Musk incident, or the "Everyone will disappoint you this side of Heaven" incident. I was working away on June 8th when I had a few spare moments, and as usual I began networking with a few people on LinkedIn when I ran across the profile for Elon Musk. I casually clicked on the "Invite" button, not thinking too much about it. I have invited lots of CEOs to connect in the past. Many have accepted, but many have not. I went back to work on something else and casually glanced at my screen a half hour later, when what did I find? Elon Musk had accepted my invitation and had connected with me...! I was a first degree connection with the richest man in the country. I had been touched by greatness...! Could I possibly talk to him about Jesus in the future? Excited, I jumped for joy. What Blessings did the LORD have in store for me this time, I wondered? A chance to bring the richest man in the country to faith in Christ? Well, I rejoiced prematurely. By 10PM when I checked next, the connection was gone...! Disconnected...! Nowhere to be found....! In it's place someone I had never heard of, and never invited, had replaced Elon Musk. You see, I was reminded of a tough lesson today...THERE IS NO JOY THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN. It is all disappointment or fleeting joy at the most. The only person who can give you true joy is God, and this will not happen this side of Heaven. It will take dying and being with the LORD to experience true joy. Everything else is fleeting, just like that fleeting connection with Elon Musk. "You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever." Psalm 16:11

Beloved, the evil one is powerful, and he has many evil tricks up his sleeve. He is someone constantly trying to sow division and disunity within the Body of Christ. I first wrote about this here: ​www.paulsgospel.org/motd/the-war-within and described how Satan tries to divide us as believers. I wrote about how the divisions within the Church threaten to tear us apart as believers and how we must constantly be vigilant about this. Well, what I have seen and experienced over the past couple years is much, much worse than division and disunity. It is clearly the attacks of Satan on the Body of Christ. Wake Up...! Yes, we (the Body of Christ) is under attack. 

I cannot tell you how many times Satan has tried to sow disunity between my brother Gary and I. I cannot tell you how many times Satan has tried to convince others that I have abandoned the faith. I cannot tell you how many times I have felt Satan repeatedly attack the Body of Christ in Spiritual Warfare. Folks, Spiritual Warfare is real. The enemy is real. There are many books and articles which have already been written on this subject. I would encourage you to check out our Christian Reading List on a list of Books pertaining to Spiritual Warfare and to read them. They will enlighten you as to what is going on. Other articles I have written about Spiritual Warfare are here:

a-wicked-and-perverse-generation-is-this.html
the-armor-of-god.html
dont-look-back.html

Another excellent article previously written on the subject, and posted on a different website is here: ​https://www.ibelieve.com/faith/5-signs-you-re-in-spiritual-warfare-and-how-to-fight-it.html

The Bible is possibly the most transformative book in the world. Once you have read it, you can never be the same again. Back in the year 2009 when I was going through my "Book of Job" years, I read and listened to the Bible cover-to-cover over 10 times to try to understand why God had inflicted the pain he did on me by taking away almost everything I held near and dear. I settled upon the "Book of Job." I could not understand why He had done what He had done. Through my entire time of suffering, I clung to the Cross for dear life. What I did not realize is what effect reading the Bible over and over again and meditating on God's word would do to me. This, along with actually witnessing many miracles soon after my Baptism in 2009 transformed me from the inside out. The miracles I saw could only be explained by Divine providence, not by the hand of man. It was impossible for man to do these things. Only a much greater power could do these things. I was changed --- transformed --- completely. The old self had died and the new was born. The Baptism took on real meaning. In the years that followed, many old friends who had known me for many years, would say, "dude, you have really changed...!" I would smile and say, "Yes, I have." 

The Bible is a transformative book. I would encourage everyone to spend 30 minutes every day reading it, and if you cannot spare that, at least 10 minutes daily. It will change you from the inside out as it did me. You will never look at the world with the same lens again. We all look at the world through our own "filters" of past experience...through the filters of pain and suffering and joy, and through the highs and lows we have been through to bring us to this point in time. After being transformed by the Bible, you will view the world through new filters --- through a new perspective --- a Biblical perspective and you will develop a Biblical worldview. You will never be the same person again. 

Beloved, have you spoken with people who do not believe in God? They are so skeptical that they refuse to believe? They ask for a sign from Heaven before they will believe. Yet, no sign is given to them, specifically because they do not believe. Our Faith determines our eligibility to see signs and wonders. You cannot see the evidence of that which you do not believe in. You MUST believe before God will show you His Glory....! The Bible is full of the stories of signs and wonders, and evidence of the existence of God, both in the Old and the New Testament. I could probably write entire books expounding that evidence both from the Bible (Old and New Testament) as well as from my personal life within my own faith journey. However, I did not see any miracles until I first became a believer in 2007. Once that happened, and especially after I was Baptized in 2009, I have seen, felt, experienced, and occasionally even performed (with the help of the Holy Spirit) miracles, which, if I described to you, you would surely put me in a looney bin and toss away the key. (Remember, it is not us doing the miracles, because we don't necessarily have any power. It is the Holy Spirit which does the miracles. Even the Apostles were completely powerless until the Holy Spirit came upon them.) Hence the knowledge of the miracles experienced and performed by me will go to my grave with me, but I can, and I will, surely expound upon the miracles told in the Bible. Once you have seen or experienced even one miracle in your own life, it will be impossible for you to deny the existence of God, or fall down on your knees crying Abba...Father, LORD God Almighty...Great are your works in Heaven and on Earth, and the Earth is full of your Glory...!

So let us examine some of the miracles, signs and wonders in the Bible. We see the following miracles in the

Old Testament:

The Flood. Genesis 7:1 - Genesis 8:5 This miracle was performed by God and was received by Ham, Japheth, Noah, Shem, and the wife of Noah. Other things that are mentioned include Noah’s Ark, animals, the Flood, and rain.

The Sign of the Rainbow. Genesis 8:20–22 This miracle was performed by God and was received by Noah.  Other things that are mentioned include a rainbow.

Confusion of Tongues at Babel. Genesis 11:6–9 This miracle was performed by God and was received by the people of Babel.  Other things that are mentioned include a tower.

The Affliction of Pharaoh. Genesis 12:10–20 This miracle was performed by God and was received by the Egyptians and Pharaoh. 

Blinding the Sodomites. Genesis 19:9–11 This miracle was performed by an angel and was received by the men of Sodom. It benefitted Lot.

Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Genesis 19:24–25 This miracle was performed by God on Gomorrah and Sodom.  Other things that are mentioned include brimstone and fire.

Lot’s Wife Turned into a Pillar of Salt. Genesis 19:24–28 This miracle was performed by God and was received by the wife of Lot.  Other things that are mentioned include salt.

Abimelech’s Household Is Infertile. Genesis 20:1–7 and Genesis 20:17–18 This miracle was performed by God and was received by Abimelech. 

The Conception of Isaac. Genesis 21:1–8 This miracle was performed by God and was received by Isaac and Sarah. It benefitted Abraham.

Hagar’s Well. Genesis 21:19 This miracle was performed by God and was received by Hagar. It benefitted Ishmael. Other things that are mentioned include water and a well.

The Burning Bush. Exodus 3:1–14 This miracle was performed by God and was received by Moses.  Other things that are mentioned include a burning bush.

Moses’ Rod. Exodus 4:1-5 This miracle was performed by God on Aaron’s Rod. It benefitted Moses. Other things that are mentioned include a snake.

Moses’ Leprous Hand. Exodus 4:6–12 This miracle was performed by God and was received by Moses. 

Aaron’s Rod Becomes a Serpent. Exodus 7:8–13 This miracle was performed by God on Aaron’s Rod. It benefitted Moses. Other things that are mentioned include a snake.

Turning the Nile into Blood. Exodus 7:14–24 This miracle was performed by Aaron and Moses on the Egyptians, Pharaoh, and Nile. 

The Plague of Frogs. Exodus 8:1–6 This miracle was performed by Aaron and Moses and was received by the Egyptians and Pharaoh. Other things that are mentioned include Aaron’s Rod, frog, and water.

The Plague of Gnats. Exodus 8:16–19  This miracle was performed by Aaron and Moses and was received by the Egyptians and Pharaoh. Other things that are mentioned include Aaron’s Rod and gnat.

The Plague of Flies. Exodus 8:20–31 This miracle was performed by Moses and was received by the Egyptians and Pharaoh. Other things that are mentioned include flies.

The Plague of Diseased Livestock. Exodus 9:1–7 This miracle was performed by Moses and was received by the Egyptians and Pharaoh. Other things that are mentioned include asses, camels, horses, oxen, and sheep.

The Plague of Boils. Exodus 9:8–11 This miracle was performed by Aaron and Moses and was received by the Egyptians and Pharaoh.  Other things that are mentioned include boils.

The Plague of Hail. Exodus 9:13–25 This miracle was performed by Moses and was received by the Egyptians and Pharaoh.  Other things that are mentioned include Aaron’s Rod and snow.

The Plague of Locusts. Exodus 10:1–20 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by Aaron and Moses and was received by the Egyptians and Pharaoh.  Other things that are mentioned include locusts.

The Plague of Darkness. Exodus 10:21–29 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by Moses and was received by the Egyptians and Pharaoh. 

The Plague of Death of the Firstborn. Exodus 11–12 describes an affliction miracle. This miracle was performed by Moses and was received by the Egyptians and Pharaoh. It benefitted the Israelites. Other things that are mentioned include blood, doorposts, goats, lintels, sheep, and unleavened bread.

The Cloud and the Fire. Exodus 13:21–22 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by the Israelites.  Other things that are mentioned include the wilderness pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire.

The Red Sea Parts. Exodus 14:21–24 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by Moses on Red Sea. It benefitted the Israelites.

The Red Sea Closes Over the Egyptians. Exodus 14:25–31 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by Moses on the Egyptians and Red Sea. It benefitted the Israelites.

Waters of Marah Made Drinkable. Exodus 15:23–25 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by Moses on water. It benefitted the Israelites. Other things that are mentioned include a log.

The Giving of Quail. Exodus 16:8–13 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by the Israelites. 

God Provides Manna. Exodus 16:14–35 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by the Israelites. 

Water from the Rock. Exodus 17:5–7 and Numbers 20:7–11 describe a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by Moses on Moses’ rock at Rephidim, Aaron’s Rod, and Moses’ rock in the Desert of Zin. It benefitted the Israelites. Other things that are mentioned include water and Aaron’s Rod.

Moses Turns the Tide of Battle. Exodus 17:8–16 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by Moses and was received by the Amalekites, the Israelites, and Joshua. It benefitted the Israelites and Joshua. 

The Punishment of Nadab and Abihu. Leveticus 10:1–7 and Numbers 3:1–4 describe a judgment miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Abihu and Nadab. 

Fire at Taberah. Numbers 11:1–3 describes a judgment and nature miracle. This miracle was performed by Moses and was received by the Israelites. 

Miriam’s Leprosy. Numbers 12:10–15 describes an affliction miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Miriam. 

The Ground Opens Beneath Korah and His Followers. Numbers 16:30–33 describes a judgment miracle. This miracle was performed by Moses and was received by Abiram, Dathan, Korah, rebels with Korah, and On. 

Aaron Stops a Plague by Making an Atonement. Numbers 16:44–50 describes a judgment miracle. This miracle was performed by Aaron. It benefitted the Israelites. Other things that are mentioned include incense, an incense altar, and a small shovel.

The Budding of Aaron’s Rod. Numbers 17 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by God on Aaron’s Rod. It benefitted Aaron.

The Bronze Serpent. Numbers 21:8–9 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Moses and was received by the Israelites.  Other things that are mentioned include the bronze serpent and snakes.

The Miracle Water. Numbers 21:13–18 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by God on water. It benefitted the Israelites. 

Balaam’s Donkey. Numbers 22:20–35 describes a communication miracle. This miracle was performed by God on an ass. It benefitted Balaam.

The Jordan Stops Flowing. Joshua 3:14–16 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by Priests Carrying Ark on Jordan. It benefitted the Israelites. Other things that are mentioned include the Ark of the Covenant.

Israel Crosses the Jordan on Dry Ground. Joshua 3:17 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by Priests Carrying Ark on Jordan. It benefitted the Israelites. Other things that are mentioned include the Ark of the Covenant.

The Walls of Jericho Fall. Joshua 6:6–20 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by the Israelites and Joshua on Jericho. It benefitted the Israelites. Other things that are mentioned include the Ark of the Covenant, Joshua’s trumpets, a city wall, and ram’s horns.

The Sun and Moon Stand Still. Joshua 10:12–14 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by Joshua on the moon and the sun. It benefitted the Israelites.

The Rock and Fire Miracle. Judges 6:19–24 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by God on Gideon’s altar. It benefitted Gideon. Other things that are mentioned include the angel of the Lord’s staff, fire, and a rock.

The Sign of the Fleece. Judges 6:25–40 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by God on Gideon’s fleece. It benefitted Gideon.

Water from the Hollow at Lehi. Judges 15:19 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Samson. 

The Destruction of Dagon’s Temple. Judges 16:23–31 describes a judgment miracle. This miracle was performed by Samson and was received by the Philistines and Philistine Lords. It benefitted the Israelites.

The Birth of Samuel. 1 Samuel 1:1–20 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Samuel. It benefitted Hannah.

The Fall of the Idol Dagon. 1 Samuel 5:1–5 describes a judgment miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Dagon. It was witnessed by the Philistines. Other things that are mentioned include the Ark of the Covenant.

The Philistines’ Tumors. 1 Samuel 5:9 describes an affliction and judgment miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by the Philistines.  Other things that are mentioned include the Ark of the Covenant and tumors.

Judgment on the Men of Bethshemesh. 1 Samuel 6:19 describes a judgment miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Beth-Shemites.  Other things that are mentioned include the Ark of the Covenant.

God Confuses the Philistines at Mizpah. 1 Samuel 7:10–12 describes a judgment miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by the Philistines. 

Samuel Calls Yahweh to Send Rain and Thunder. 1 Samuel 12:18 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by Samuel and was received by the Israelites.  Other things that are mentioned include rain and thunder.

Judgment Upon Israel for David’s Sin. 2 Samuel 24:10–16 describes a judgment miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by David and the Israelites. 

Judgment Upon Uzzah. 2 Samuel 6:7 and 1 Chronicles 13:9–14 describe a judgment miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Uzzah. 

Jeroboam’s Hand Is Withered and Restored. 1 Kings 13:4–6 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by a man warning Jeroboam and was received by Jeroboam. Other things that are mentioned include hands.

The Three-Year Drought. 1 Kings 17:1 describes a judgment miracle. This miracle was performed by Elijah on Israel. 

Elijah Fed by Ravens. 1 Kings 17:4–6 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Elijah. 

The Widow of Zarephath Is Provided With Food. 1 Kings 17:10–16 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by Elijah and was received by the son of the Zarephath widow and a widow of Zarephath.  Other things that are mentioned include Zarephath’s oil jug, bread, a city gate, olive oil, plain flour, and water.

The Widow of Zarephath’s Son Is Revived. 1 Kings 17:17–24 describes a resurrection miracle. This miracle was performed by Elijah and was received by the son of the Zarephath widow. 

Fire from Heaven Consumes the Sacrifice and Altar. 1 Kings 18:30–38 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by Elijah on a stone altar.  Other things that are mentioned include blood, fire, an ox, and a sacrifice.

The Drought Ends and Rain Comes. 1 Kings 18:41–46 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by Elijah. It benefitted Israel. Other things that are mentioned include clouds and rain.

Feeding of Elijah. 1 Kings 19:5–7 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by an angel and was received by Elijah. 

Speaking Through Nature to Elijah. 1 Kings 19:9–18 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Elijah. 

Fire Consumes Ahaziah’s Men. 2 Kings 1:10–12 describes a judgment miracle. This miracle was performed by Elijah and was received by soldiers. It benefitted Ahaziah. Other things that are mentioned include fire.

Elijah Divides the Jordan. 2 Kings 2:8 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by Elijah on Jordan. 

Taking Elijah to Heaven in a Fiery Chariot. 2 Kings 2:9–11 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Elijah. 

Elisha Divides the Jordan. 2 Kings 2:14 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by Elisha on Jordan. 

The Water of Jericho Is Made Drinkable. 2 Kings 2:19–22 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by Elisha on water. It benefitted Jericho.

Mocking Children Are Mauled by Bears. 2 Kings 2:23–24 describes a judgment miracle. This miracle was performed by Elisha and was received by children.  Other things that are mentioned include a bear.

Water Comes for Jehoshaphat’s Army. 2 Kings 3:16–20 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by Elisha and was received by Jehoshaphat. 

The Widow’s Oil Is Multiplied. 2 Kings 4:2–7 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by Elisha and was received by an indebted widow.  Other things that are mentioned include a widow’s vessels, a door, and olive oil.

The Shunnamite Woman Bears a Son. 2 Kings 4:1–17 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by Elisha and was received by the Shunammite Woman's son and a Shunammite woman who helped Elisha. 

Elisha Revives the Shunnamite Woman’s Son. 2 Kings 4:18–37 describes a resurrection miracle. This miracle was performed by Elisha and was received by the Shunammite Woman's son. It benefitted a Shunammite woman who helped Elisha.

Poison Stew Is Purified. 2 Kings 4:38–41 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by Elisha on soup. 

One Hundred Men Fed With Twenty Loaves. 2 Kings 4:42–44 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by Elisha and was received by people.  Other things that are mentioned include a bag, barley, and bread.

Naaman Cured of Leprosy. 2 Kings 5:1–19 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Elisha and was received by Naaman. 

Gehazi Is Struck With Naaman’s Leprosy. 2 Kings 5:19–27 describes an affliction and judgment miracle. This miracle was performed by Elisha and was received by Gehazi. 

The Floating Iron Axe-Head. 2 Kings 6:1–7 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by Elisha on an axe.  Other things that are mentioned include Elisha’s stick.

Allowing His Servant to See Protecting Angels. 2 Kings 6:17 describes a communication miracle. This miracle was performed by Elisha and was received by a servant. 

The Syrian Army Is Struck Blind. 2 Kings 6:18–20 describes an affliction miracle. This miracle was performed by Elisha and was received by the Arameans. 

Delivering Starving Samaria. 2 Kings 7 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by Elisha on Samaria. 

Elisha’s Bones Revive a Dead Man. 2 Kings 13:21 describes a resurrection miracle. This miracle was performed by Elisha and God and was received by a revived man.  Other things that are mentioned include bones and a tomb.

Judging Uzziah With Leprosy. 2 Kings 15:1–8 and 2 Chronicles 26:15–21 describe an affliction and judgment miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Uzziah. 

Hezekiah Is Healed. 2 Kings 20:7 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Isaiah and was received by Hezekiah. 

The Sun Retreats. 2 Kings 20:9–11 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by Isaiah on the sun. It benefitted Hezekiah.

Interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s Dreams. Daniel 2:19–45 describes a communication miracle. This miracle was performed by Daniel and was received by Nebuchadnezzar. 

Rescued from the Furnace. Daniel 3:1–30 and Song Thr 23–27 describe a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Meshach, Abednego, and Shadrach. 

Interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s Second Dream. Daniel 4:4–27 describes a communication miracle. This miracle was performed by Daniel and was received by Nebuchadnezzar. 

The Handwriting on the Wall in Belshazzar’s Palace. Daniel 5:5 describes a communication miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Belshazzar. 

Rescued from the Lion’s Den. Daniel 6:10–23 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Daniel. 

Sending a Storm to Jonah’s Ship. Jonah 1:1–16 describes a judgment miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Jonah and mariners. 

Preparing a Fish to Swallow Jonah. Jonah 1:17–2:10 describes a judgment miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Jonah.  Other things that are mentioned include fish.

The Lord Teaches Jonah With a Shade Plant. Jonah 4:6–10 describes a judgment and provision miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Jonah.  Other things that are mentioned include a castor oil plant, the sun, the wind, and worms.

Deuterocanonical (Apocrypha) Books:

Tobias Routs Asmodeus. Tobias 8:1–3 describes an exorcism miracle. This miracle was performed by Tobias and was received by Sarah and involved these objects: Heart, incense, and Liver. It benefitted Raguel. Other things that are mentioned include fish, Heart, incense, and Liver.

Tobit’s Sight Restored. Tobias 11:7–13 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Tobias and was received by Tobit and involved this object: Gall.  Other things that are mentioned include fish and Gall.

Habakkuk Taken to Babylon. Bel and the Dragon 36–39 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Habakkuk. It benefitted Daniel.

Nehemiah’s Fire. 2 Maccabees 1:20–22 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by Nehemiah on a log and a sacrifice.  Other things that are mentioned include fire and the sun.

Execution of the Jews Is Thwarted. 3 Maccabees 5:11–12 describes an affliction and provision miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Ptolemy IV Philopater. It benefitted Jews.

Execution of the Jews Is Thwarted a Second Time. 3 Maccabees 5:27–28 describes an affliction and provision miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Ptolemy IV Philopater. It benefitted Jews.

Two Angels Rescue the Jews. 3 Maccabees 6:18–19 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by an angel and was received by Ptolemy IV Philopater. It benefitted Jews.

New Testament:

Jesus’ Virgin Birth. Matthew 1:18–25 and Luke 2:6–7 describe a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by the Holy Spirit and was received by Mary and Jesus. 

The Star of Bethlehem Appears. Matthew 2:1–10 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by God on a star. It benefitted the Magi.

The Spirit Descends Like a Dove. Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10, and Luke 3:21–22 describe a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by the Holy Spirit and was received by Jesus. It was witnessed by John the Baptist. Other things that are mentioned include a dove.

A Voice from Heaven. Matthew 3:17, Mark 1:11, and Luke 3:21–22 describe a communication miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Jesus. It was witnessed by John the Baptist.

Jesus Heals Many. Matthew 4:23–24 and Mark 1:32–34 describe a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by people. 

Jesus Casts Out Demons. Matthew 4:24, Mark 1:39, and Luke 7:18–23 describe an exorcism miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by a demoniac and people. 

Jesus Cleanses a Leper. Matthew 8:1–4, Mark 1:40–45, and Luke 5:12–16 describe a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by a healed leper. 

Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant. Matthew 8:5–13 and Luke 7:1–10 describe a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by a servant. It benefitted a centurion.

Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-in-Law. Matthew 8:14–15, Mark 1:29–31, and Luke 4:39 describe a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by Peter’s mother-in-law. It benefitted Peter.

Jesus Heals Many in Capernaum. Matthew 8:16–17 and Luke 4:40–41 describe a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by people. 

Jesus Casts Out Demons in Capernaum. Matthew 8:16–17 and Luke 4:40–41 describe an exorcism miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by a demoniac. 

Jesus Calms a Storm. Matthew 8:23–27, Mark 4:35–41, and Luke 8:22–25 describe a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus on the wind, a storm, and waves. It benefitted the twelve disciples.

Jesus Heals Two Demoniacs. Matthew 8:28–34 describes an exorcism miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by demoniacs in the Gadarenes.  Other things that are mentioned include pigs.

Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man. Matthew 9:1–8, Mark 2:1–12, and Luke 5:17–26 describe a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by a paralytic in Galilee. It was witnessed by Pharisees Asking for a Sign, teachers of the Law, men lowering a paralytic, and scribes accusing Jesus of blasphemy. Other things that are mentioned include house, a bed, and a roof.

Jesus Heals a Bleeding Woman. Matthew 9:20–22, Mark 5:25–34, and Luke 8:43–48 describe a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by a hemorrhaging woman and involved these objects: fringe and clothing.  Other things that are mentioned include blood.

Jesus Raises the Daughter of a Synagogue Ruler. Matthew 9:23–26, Mark 5:35–43, and Luke 8:49–56 describe a resurrection miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by Jairus’ daughter. It benefitted Jairus and was witnessed by Peter, James, and John.

Jesus Heals Two Blind Men. Matthew 9:27–31 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by blind men. 

Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Man. Matthew 9:32–34 describes an exorcism miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by a mute man. It was witnessed by the crowd at Mute Man’s Healing and Pharisees Accusing Jesus.

Jesus Heals Every Disease and Sickness. Matthew 9:35 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by people. 

Jesus Heals a Man’s Withered Hand. Matthew 12:9–14, Mark 3:1–5, and Luke 6:6–10 describe a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by a man with withered hand. It was witnessed by Pharisees Asking for a Sign. Other things that are mentioned include hands.

Jesus Heals the Sick and Warns Them to Be Silent. Matthew 12:15 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by the crowd called Jesus’ Mother and Brothers. 

Jesus Heals Another Demon-Possessed Man. Matthew 12:22–34 and Luke 11:14 describe an exorcism miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by a blind and mute demoniac. 

Jesus Heals the Sick. Matthew 14:14 and Mark 3:9–10 describe a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by the crowd called Jesus’ Mother and Brothers and The 5,000. 

Jesus Feeds 5,000. Matthew 14:15–21, Mark 6:35–44, Luke 9:13–17, and John 6:1–13 describe a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by The 5,000 and involved these objects: bread and fish. 

Jesus Walks on Water. Matthew 14:22–33, Mark 6:47–52, and John 6:19 describe a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and involved these objects: the wind, the sea, and waves. It was witnessed by the disciples. Other things that are mentioned include the disciple’s boat.

Peter Walks on Water. Matthew 14:29 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by Peter and involved these objects: the sea, waves, and the wind. It was witnessed by the disciples.

Jesus Calms the Wind and Waves. Matthew 14:32 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus on waves and the wind and involved this object: the wind. 

Jesus Heals the Sick at Gennesaret. Matthew 14:34–36 and Mark 6:53–56 describe a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by ill people in Gennesaret and involved these objects: fringe and clothing. It was witnessed by people in Gennesaret.

Jesus Heals the Syrophoenician’s Daughter. Matthew 15:21–28 and Mark 7:24–30 describe an exorcism miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by the Syro-Phoenician daughter. It benefitted a Syro-Phoenician woman.

Jesus Heals Many People. Matthew 15:29–31 and Luke 7:18–23 describe a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by The 4,000 and people. 

Jesus Feeds 4,000. Matthew 15:32–39 and Mark 8:1–9 describe a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by The 4,000.  Other things that are mentioned include a basket, fish, and bread.

Jesus Is Transfigured. Matthew 17:1–8, Mark 9:2–8, and Luke 9:28–36 describe a communication miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by Elijah, Jesus, and Moses and involved these objects: a mountain and clothing. It was witnessed by Peter, James, and John.

Jesus Heals an Epileptic Boy. Matthew 17:14–21, Mark 9:14–29, and Luke 9:37–43 describe an exorcism miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by an epileptic son. It benefitted an Epileptic’s father.

Peter Finds a Coin in a Fish’s Mouth. Matthew 17:24–27 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by Peter.  Other things that are mentioned include fish and money.

Jesus Heals People in Judea Beyond the Jordan. Matthew 19:1–2 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by people. 

Jesus Heals Two Blind Men at Jericho. Matthew 20:29–34 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by blind men outside Jericho. 

Jesus Heals the Blind and Lame in the Temple. Matthew 21:14–16 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by people. 

Jesus Curses a Fig Tree. Matthew 21:18–20, Mark 11:12–14, and Mark 11:20–25 describe a judgment miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus on a fig tree. It was witnessed by Peter and the twelve disciples.

Darkness Covers the Land. Matthew 27:45, Mark 15:33, and Luke 23:44 describe a judgment miracle. This miracle was performed by God on the sky. 

The Temple Curtain Is Torn in Two. Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, and Luke 23:45 describe a judgment miracle. This miracle was performed by God on a curtain and Herod’s Temple. 

An Earthquake in Jerusalem. Matthew 27:51 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by God on Jerusalem. 

The Resurrection of Saints. Matthew 27:52–53 describes a resurrection miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by raised saints. 

Jesus Rises from the Dead. Matthew 28:2–7, Mark 16:5–8, Luke 24:4–7, and John 20:1–10 describe a resurrection miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Jesus. 

Jesus Heals a Demoniac at Capernaum. Mark 1:23–28 and Luke 4:31–37 describe an exorcism miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by an evil spirit in Capernaum and a demoniac in Capernaum. It was witnessed by people in Capernaum.

Jesus Silences Demons. Mark 3:11–12 describes a communication miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by an evil supernatural being. 

Jesus Casts Out a Demon at Gerasenes. Mark 5:2–13 and Luke 8:26–39 describe an exorcism miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by a demoniac possessed by Legion.  Other things that are mentioned include pigs.

Jesus Heals a Few Sick People. Mark 6:5 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by people in Nazareth. 

The Twelve Cast Out Demons. Mark 6:13 describes an exorcism miracle. This miracle was performed by the twelve disciples and was received by people. 

The Twelve Heal the Sick. Mark 6:13 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by the twelve disciples and was received by people. 

Jesus Heals a Deaf Man in the Decapolis. Mark 7:32–35 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by a deaf man and involved these objects: ears, fingers, spit, and a tongue. 

Jesus Heals a Blind Man in Bethsaida. Mark 8:22–26 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by blind man at Bethsaida and involved these objects: hands and spit.  Other things that are mentioned include eyes.

Unknown Man Casts Out Demons. Mark 9:38–41 and Luke 9:49–50 describe an exorcism miracle. This miracle was performed by an exorcist of demons. It was witnessed by the twelve disciples.

Jesus Heals Bartimaeus. Mark 10:46–52 and Luke 18:42 describe a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by Bartimaeus. It was witnessed by the crowd at Bartimaeus’ healing.

Jesus Appears on the Road to Emmaus. Mark 16:12–13 and Luke 24:13–53 describe a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by Cleopas and the disciples. 

Jesus Appears to the Apostles. Mark 16:14 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by the disciples. 

Elizabeth Becomes Pregnant. Luke 1:8–25 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Elizabeth. It benefitted Zechariah.

An Angel Causes Zechariah to Become Mute. Luke 1:18–20 describes an affliction miracle. This miracle was performed by Gabriel and was received by Zechariah. It was witnessed by the crowd praying outside the Temple.

Jesus Provides a Miraculous Catch of Fish (Luke) Luke 5:1–11 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by Peter.  Other things that are mentioned include Simon Peter’s boat, fish, and a trammel net.

Jesus Heals the Sick and Demon-Possessed. Luke 6:17–19 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by people. 

Jesus Raises a Young Man from the Dead. Luke 7:11–17 describes a resurrection miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by the son of a widow. It benefitted a widow with a dead son.

Jesus Heals Infirmities. Luke 8:2 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by women following Jesus. 

Jesus Casted Seven Demons from Mary Magalene. Luke 8:2 describes an exorcism miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by Mary. 

Jesus Heals Many Sick People. Luke 9:11 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by people. 

Seventy Followers of Jesus Cast Out Demons. Luke 10:17 describes an exorcism miracle. This miracle was performed by the disciples and was received by people. 

Jesus Heals a Disabled Woman. Luke 13:10–17 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by a disabled woman. It was witnessed by a ruler of the synagogue.

Jesus Heals a Man With Dropsy. Luke 14:4 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by a man with dropsy. It was witnessed by Pharisees Asking About Sabbath.

Jesus Cleanses Ten Men With Leprosy. Luke 17:11–19 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by ten lepers and a returning leper. 

Jesus Restores a Man’s Ear. Luke 22:50–51 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by Malchus and involved this object: Peter’s sword.  Other things that are mentioned include an ear.

Jesus Ascends into Heaven. Luke 24:50–52 and Acts 1:4–11 describe a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by God and Jesus and was received by Jesus. It was witnessed by the disciples.

Jesus Turns Water into Wine. John 2:7–8 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by a wedding guest. It was witnessed by Mary, servants at the wedding at Cana, and the master of the feast. Other things that are mentioned include wedding jars, water, and wine.

Jesus Heals an Official’s Son. John 4:50 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by the son of a ruler. It benefitted a ruler in Cana.

Jesus Heals a Lame Man. John 5:8 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by a healed paralytic.  Other things that are mentioned include the Sheep Gate, a bed, and a pool.

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind. John 9:7 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by a healed blind man and involved these objects: mud and spit.  Other things that are mentioned include eyes and a pool.

Jesus Raises Lazarus. John 11:43–44 describes a resurrection miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by Lazarus. It was witnessed by the crowd at Lazarus’ Death and Martha.

Jesus Appears in a Locked Room. John 20:19–23 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus. It was witnessed by the disciples.

Jesus Appears in a Locked Room for Thomas. John 20:26–29 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus. It benefitted Thomas and was witnessed by the disciples.

Jesus Provides a Miraculous Catch of Fish (John) John 21:4–6 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by James, John, Nathanael, Peter, and Thomas.  Other things that are mentioned include boats, a casting net, and fish.

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost. Acts 2:2–3 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by the Holy Spirit and was received by the disciples.  Other things that are mentioned include fire, tongues, and the wind.

The Disciples Speak Other Languages. Acts 2:4–13 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by the Holy Spirit and was received by the disciples. 

The Apostles Perform Miracles. Acts 2:43 describes an other miracle. This miracle was performed by the twelve disciples and was received by people. 

Peter Heals a Man Lame from Birth. Acts 3:2–10 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Peter and was received by a healed lame man. It was witnessed by the crowd at Solomon’s Portico.

Ananias Is Struck Dead. Acts 5:3–5 describes a judgment miracle. This miracle was performed by the Holy Spirit and was received by Ananias. 

Sapphira Is Struck Dead. Acts 5:7–10 describes a judgment miracle. This miracle was performed by the Holy Spirit and was received by Sapphira. 

The Apostles Heal Many People Acts 5:15–16 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by the twelve disciples and was received by people. 

The Apostles Perform Signs and Wonders. Acts 5:12 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by the twelve disciples and was received by people. 

The Apostles Cast Out Demons. Acts 5:16 describes an exorcism miracle. This miracle was performed by the twelve disciples and was received by people. 

An Angel Rescues the Apostles from Prison. Acts 5:19–23 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by an angel and was received by the twelve disciples. 

Stephen Performs Signs and Wonders. Acts 6:8 describes an other miracle. This miracle was performed by Stephen. 

Philip Heals People in Samaria. Acts 8:6–7 describes an other miracle. This miracle was performed by Philip and was received by people. 

Philip Casts Out Demons in Samaria. Acts 8:6–7 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Philip and was received by people. 

The Spirit of the Lord Snatches Philip. Acts 8:39–40 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by the Holy Spirit and was received by Philip. 

Jesus Appears to Saul on the Road to Damascus. Acts 9:1–7 describes a nature miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by Paul. 

Saul Is Struck Blind. Acts 9:8 describes an affliction miracle. This miracle was performed by Jesus and was received by Paul. 

Ananias Heals Saul. Acts 9:17–19 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Ananias and was received by Paul. 

Peter Heals Aeneas in Lydda. Acts 9:33–34 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Peter and was received by Aeneas. 

Peter Raises Tabitha (Dorcas) Acts 9:36–41 describes a resurrection miracle. This miracle was performed by Peter and was received by Dorcas. 

An Angel Appears to Cornelius. Acts 10:1–7 describes a communication miracle. This miracle was performed by an angel and was received by Cornelius. 

A Sheet Full of Animals Comes Down from Heaven. Acts 10:9–22 describes a communication miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Peter. 

An Angel Rescues Peter from Prison. Acts 12:6–11 describes a provision miracle. This miracle was performed by an angel and was received by Peter. 

God Strikes Herod Dead. Acts 12:23 describes a judgment miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Herod Agrippa I.  Other things that are mentioned include clothing, a judgment seat, and worms.

Paul Strikes Bar-Jesus (Elymas) Blind. Acts 13:9–11 describes an affliction miracle. This miracle was performed by Paul and was received by Bar-Jesus. 

Paul and Barnabas Perform Signs and Wonders. Acts 14:3 describes an other miracle. This miracle was performed by Barnabas and Paul and was received by people. 

Paul Heals a Man Lame from Birth. Acts 14:8–10 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Paul and was received by a crippled man in Lystra. 

Paul Casts Out a Spirit of Divination. Acts 16:16–18 describes an exorcism miracle. This miracle was performed by Paul and was received by a fortuneteller. 

Paul and Silas Are Freed from Prison by an Earthquake. Acts 16:26 describes a nature and provision miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Paul and Silas. 

Paul Performs Extraordinary Miracles. Acts 19:11–12 describes an exorcism and healing miracle.
This miracle was performed by God and Paul and was received by people.  Other things that are mentioned include aprons, handkerchiefs, and skin.

Paul Raises Eutychus. Acts 20:9–10 describes a resurrection miracle. This miracle was performed by Paul and was received by Eutychus. 

Paul Survives a Viper’s Bite. Acts 28:3–6 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Paul. 

Paul Heals the Father of Publius and Others. Acts 28:8 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Paul and was received by Publius’ father. It was witnessed by Maltese citizens and Publius.

Paul Heals Many at Malta. Acts 28:9 describes a healing miracle. This miracle was performed by Paul and was received by Maltese citizens. 

Paul Is Given a Thorn in the Flesh. 2 Corinthians 12:9 describes an affliction miracle. This miracle was performed by God and was received by Paul. 

A Summary of the miracles found in the Bible is Copyright Aubrey, M. (2020). "All the Miracles in the Bible"

Did Carl Sagan believe in God? Was one of the most renowned scientists of the 20th Century a believer? Author of the famous book and television series Cosmos, during his lifetime, Sagan seemed to promote himself as a hardened atheist in a pursuit to promote science and bash religion and religious authority whenever and wherever he could. Yet, during his lifetime, he also wrote and published a stunning fiction novel by the name of "Contact" which, after his death, his wife Ann Druyan permitted to be made into a movie by the same name (Contact.) This is a fascinating, star-studded movie in which Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey and Tom Skerritt do a fantastic job. I generally do not recommend movies on this site, and especially not science fiction movies, but this is a "MUST-WATCH",  "do not miss" movie. It is a long, deep, and thought-provoking movie. Get several bags of popcorn and prepare to plop down in front of the tv for 150 minutes straight, as this movie makes you think deeply about the presence of God in our universe, and the nature of "Belief" and "Faith" and what it takes to "Believe" even while the entire rest of the world disses and doubts you. While completely fictional, it does a very good job in examining the so-called "rift" between the endeavors of science and religion. 

I would encourage you to watch the movie before you read anything more about it, lest it spoil your surprise, but if you want to read up more about it, here are some helpful links:

https://theconversation.com/contact-and-carl-sagans-faith-85150
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contact_(1997_American_film)

This posting is a precursor (and weirdly diametrically opposed) to my next posting about having faith before you can see God's Glory. While "Contact" is fiction, and the movie, while thought-provoking, is fiction, the Bible is not, and my next posting deals with signs, wonders, and miracles of God present in the Bible. 

The Bible talks a lot about sin and it's remedy...Jesus. I have previously written quite a bit about sin here: 
www.paulsgospel.org/motd/on-sin 
www.paulsgospel.org/motd/on-sin-confession-repentance-and-forgiveness
www.paulsgospel.org/motd/on-forgiveness
www.paulsgospel.org/motd/only-one-perfect-person-failing-upwards​

However, it also provides instructions on what to do if you find a Christian brother in sin. Remember, sin is a personal matter between the sinner and God. It requires confession, repentance and a turning away from the sin. The Bible says: "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." [Galatians 6:1-2] Sin is also not a matter to be brought up in public unless it is persistent and there is no sign of repentance or turning: "As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear." [1 Timothy 5:20]

Indeed, Jesus forgave the woman at the well caught in adultery: "Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”  John 7:6-11

Covering the sin or nakedness of a brother is found not only in the New Testament but also in the Old:
"The sons of Noah who went forth from the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (Ham was the father of Canaan.) These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the people of the whole earth were dispersed. Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard. He drank of the wine and became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside. Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned backward, and they did not see their father's nakedness. When Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his youngest son had done to him, he said, “Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.” He also said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Shem; and let Canaan be his servant. May God enlarge Japheth, and let him dwell in the tents of Shem, and let Canaan be his servant.” [Genesis 9:18-27]

Coming back to the New Testament, in Matthew 7 Jesus said: "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." [Matthew 7:1-5] This is a stern warning against Hypocrisy which Jesus repeatedly called out in the people around Him. As we know, we are all sinners saved by the Grace of God. "...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." Romans 3:23-26. Remember, it is very easy to call out a brother's sin, but in doing so, are you being a hypocrite? Have you examined your own life first and made sure there is absolutely no sin in it? If there is even the slightest sin in your life, you are being a hypocrite, and it is not your place to judge a Christian brother. Leave the judging to God, and the sinner's conscience to confess, repent and turn from their sin. It is not yours to tangle with. 

Every relationship which is meaningful and of tremendous quality is a personal relationship. Jesus demonstrated this for us in person. He personally chose the 12 to mentor and to teach and to live alongside them and mentor them in order to build up their faith. He broke bread with his 12 disciples and washed their feet. He knew how to build quality relationships. If we want to build quality, meaningful relationships, we need to do the same in and through our lives. We live in an age of superficial relationships where "friends" can be people on social media, across the country or across the globe. None of these relationships can be as meaningful as personal friendships shared with folks in person and around the table breaking bread together. In this perspective how meaningful and wonderful does that phrase sound "And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19

"​And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 Jesus knew that the only way to be able to have a direct impact on the folks he would entrust his ministry to after his crucifixion was to dwell among them and have a direct impact on them. His ministry on this earth began only in the final three (3) years of his life. During this time he spent a majority of his time with his disciples, personally instructing them through his parables, his healing miracles and his love towards them. What can we learn from this? In order to have the maximum impact on the folks around you, get in a Church small group, and do life together with the folks you want to have a direct impact on and through. Pick a child or an adult less mature in faith than you, to mentor. Have a direct, meaningful impact on someone's faith life and grow them to maturity in Christ Jesus. Teach them the Living and breathing Word of God, the Bible. In this way you will have taught them how to fish, and will yourself become a fisher of men. 

So, what happens when life doesn't make any sense? Confusion reigns and fake news about you is pervasive? People don't seem to want to show Grace towards you but write you off completely? Not even your closest friends, your Pastors or your brother can or are willing to explain why things are going wrong. It is something I am going through right now and have been since the beginning of 2022. 2020 and 2021 were great years for me...! I was healthy, I prospered financially, I was making and saving a lot of money, I was doing well in my job, I was driving my own car, keeping my own schedule, travelling widely and enjoying life with my sweetheart. Everything was going right. The LORD's abundant Blessings were upon me. However, almost nothing has gone right for me this year (See my article ​https://www.paulsgospel.org/motd/getting-crushed-for-righteousness-sake) I could elaborate but that would be divulging too much information in a public forum. So what do you do in a year when absolutely nothing seems to be going well for you? You cling to the garments of Jesus and hope a rescue is not far. It has been a devastating year for me --- the only years in my life which were worse in devastation, pain and suffering were 2008 and 2009. Thrown to the sharks and trying to survive has been the mode of operation for me this year. Almost nothing has gone right for me this year despite praying to Jesus on my knees every day, attending four Bible Studies throughout the year, tithing very generously all year long as I always do, and never missing a Sunday Church Service. Goes to prove that sometimes Satan has the upper hand over God. In the end though, God always wins. I await God's victory. 

So what does scripture have to say about this? “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 Jesus predicted that life in this world would not be easy, and sometimes extremely painful. Seeking shelter in Him in these turbulent times are perhaps the only way to survive.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2022 | PENTECOST
FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

             Old Testament       Deuteronomy 8:10–18
             Psalm       Psalm 116
             New Testament       Galatians 5:16–24
             Gospel       Luke 17:11–19


Index of Readings


OLD TESTAMENT
Deuteronomy 8:10–18
10 When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. 11 Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: 12 Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; 13 And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; 14 Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; 15 Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; 16 Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; 17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. 18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. 


PSALM
Psalm 116

      1 I love the LORD, because he hath heard
      My voice and my supplications.
      2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me,
      Therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
      3 The sorrows of death compassed me,
      And the pains of hell gat hold upon me:
      I found trouble and sorrow.
      4 Then called I upon the name of the LORD;
      O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
      5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
      Yea, our God is merciful.
      6 The LORD preserveth the simple:
      I was brought low, and he helped me.
      7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul;
      For the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.
      8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death,
      Mine eyes from tears,
      And my feet from falling.
      9 I will walk before the LORD
      In the land of the living.
      10 I believed, therefore have I spoken:
      I was greatly afflicted:
      11 I said in my haste,
      All men are liars.

      12 What shall I render unto the LORD
      For all his benefits toward me?
      13 I will take the cup of salvation,
      And call upon the name of the LORD.
      14 I will pay my vows unto the LORD
      Now in the presence of all his people.
      15 Precious in the sight of the LORD
      Is the death of his saints.
      16 O LORD, truly I am thy servant;
      I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid:
      Thou hast loosed my bonds.
      17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
      And will call upon the name of the LORD.
      18 I will pay my vows unto the LORD
      Now in the presence of all his people,
      19 In the courts of the LORD’s house,
      In the midst of thee, O Jerusalem.
      Praise ye the LORD.



NEW TESTAMENT
Galatians 5:16–24
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 


GOSPEL
Luke 17:11–19
11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." 14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, "Go shew yourselves unto the priests." And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17 And Jesus answering said, "Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?" 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19 And he said unto him, "Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath  made thee whole."



Christian Worship One Year Lectionary. (2009). Faithlife.

Folks, are you aware of radio stations which broadcast the Gospel, or music or conversation all day long? Can you hear them without a radio receiver tuned to the correct frequency? Absolutely not. Similarly beloved, hearing the voice of God requires you to be tuned into the frequency of God using a receiver --- the Word of God, The Bible and the Holy Spirit. So what are you doing to listen to the voice of God? Have you accepted Jesus and been Baptized so the Holy Spirit comes to live within you? Are you constantly in the Word and Praying in the Spirit? If not, your radio receiver is not tuned to the frequency that God is broadcasting his messages to you. To listen to the voice of God you must Read the Word and meditate on it, pray regularly and acknowledge Jesus and ask that the Holy Spirit come upon you and live within you. Pray that the Holy Spirit come make His residence within you. Pray with all sincerity and have ears to listen to the voice of God.

The next section is taken from a devotion by Charles Stanley and all copyrights for this work belong to him: 

Listening with Ears to Hear

All of these aspects of active listening are ways in which we truly have “ears to hear.” Jesus said repeatedly to His disciples, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (See Matt. 11:15; 13:9, 43.)
Active listening requires that you make these declarations in the inner spirit by faith as you listen to God:
1. I’m eager to hear what You are going to say to me (expectant).
2. I’m listening, Lord (quiet).
3. I’ll wait until I hear from You (patient).
4. I’m confident that You are going to tell me what I need to hear (confident).
5. I depend upon You completely to tell me who I am to become, what I am to say, and what I am to do (dependent).
6. I want to be open to all possibilities, Lord (open).
7. I am listening keenly to every word (attentive).
8. I am trusting You, Holy Spirit, to confirm to me that what I am hearing is, indeed, from God (careful).
9. Not my will or way, but Yours, Lord (submissive).
10. I am in awe and thanksgiving that You would speak to me, Lord (reverent).
When you truly listen actively, you can expect to hear from God in ways that compel you to action!


Stanley, C. F. (1996). Listening to God. T. Nelson Publishers.

Integrity MUST ALWAYS be one of your top concerns as a Christian. I have written about related topics in the past but I am writing about this today because it is so important to obey in the Christian life. If you do not have integrity in your dealings with others, your Christian witness will become useless. Even though I wasn't a Christian my entire life, I am proud to say that I have lived my entire life with absolute and complete integrity. 

Pastor’s Creed
Pastors, live your life according to a very strict Pastor’s Creed which has stood me well over the course of time. These are the Biblical aspects of the Pastor’s Creed given by the Apostle Paul to Titus in Titus 1:5-9:

"An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless -- not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it." [Titus 1:5-9]

In Apostle Paul’s day and age, the reference to being the husband of one wife was meant to discourage polygamy which was common among the Pagan and Roman cultures of the day. In today’s day and age it is not generally applied to keep those capable Pastors out of the pulpit who are divorced or widowers who choose to re-marry, but it is meant as a refrain that all Pastors and elders are to refrain from polygamy, from adultery, from fornication or from sexual sin or immorality of any kind. “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” [1 Peter 1:15-16]

To give you an example, I follow a very well defined Moral Creed:

1. I do not, and have never done illegal drugs.
2. I do not. and have never smoked. (I am not judging or disparaging anyone who does.) 
3. I partake of alcohol very sparingly, on a few special occasions throughout the year. (I am not judging or disparaging anyone who likes to drink on a regular basis) 
4. I do not, and have never stolen anything. I may have borrowed something and returned it later, but have never actually stolen from anyone. 
5. I do not, and have never used prostitutes, or had one night stands.
6. I do not watch pornography or visit houses of commercial adult sexual entertainment. 
7. I do not gamble. I confess to occasionally buying a lottery ticket when the prize money gets into the hundreds of millions of dollars. However, I have never counted on any lottery gains for my livelihood. I figure if God chose to Bless me with abundance, he could use the lottery to do so. I have thus far only been disappointed though as I have never won any significant amount of money from the lottery. :-(
8. I try my very best not to lie. (wait, do white lies count? Just kidding)
9. I make every effort to try not to gossip. 
10. I make every effort to try not to curse or use swear words.
11. I make every effort to follow the law of the land, but where the law of the land and the law of God conflict, (example, abortion) I follow the law of the God of the Bible.
12. My brothers and sisters in Christ are my family and my loyalty to them and to the Church of Christ supersede my loyalty to my own biological or adoptive family and friends. 
13. I never miss weekly Church Service, in-person or online unless I am very ill or in the hospital. Since 2007 I have missed weekly Church services only once due to illness. 
14. I always partake of the Holy Communion when offered. 
15. I pray on my knees daily to My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who bled and died on the Cross for our sins at Calvary 2000 years ago. 
16. I tithe a very good amount of my annual take home pay to the various Churches I attended. 
17.  I remain completely faithful to my sweetheart who I love and adore.  

Beloved, it is easy to repay evil with evil, however, that is not what Christ tells us to do. He tells us to repay evil with good. So when I had been done evil to, I decided to repay it with good:

After I had been labeled a non-Christian by my political enemies, I doubled down on my tithes and Church Service and volunteering.

Since 2010:

- I have contributed over $220,000 to various Churches around the country and put in thousands of hours of volunteer hours at various Churches, even helping plant some Churches, lead Bible Studies and help steer many non-Christians to faith in Christ. 

- After I had been labeled an illegal alien and criminal by my political enemies, I joined various law enforcement related agencies and causes and spent the next 11 years working for and volunteering for them. Now my enemies run when they hear my name. 

- I also doubled down on my political involvement, mostly Republican but some independent, investing over $100,000 of my own money into political causes I am passionate about and over $10,000 to other charitable causes. 

Beloved, it is easy to repay evil with evil. That is what a non-believer does. God calls us to love our enemies and to humbly serve those who persecute us:

"Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets." Luke 6:22-23

"But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." Luke 6:27-36

Folks, it is easy to hate our enemies and do wrong to those who have wronged us, but difficult to turn around and do good to them, but good to them we must do because our Lord and Savior Jesus asks us to do this. Beloved, spare not your affection for only those who love you, but try to be forgiving and generous in loving those who have persecuted you and been cruel to you, for this is the will of God for us in Christ Jesus. 

It has been my experience that the stronger one gets in Christ Jesus, the bigger and fiercer the attacks from the evil one get. Since 2005 my political enemies have tried everything in their power they can to try to get rid of me. They have used every possible tool at their disposal, including gaslighting, political manipulation, trying to force me to declare bankruptcy, trying to induce me to anger or jealousy, feeding falsehood to and causing breakups with every lady I tried to date between 2010 and 2019, spreading false rumors that I once dated my cousin who now lives in Australia, trying to somehow make me look like I was gay, trying to somehow declare me an illegal alien when I have been a US Citizen all along, trying to force me to look like I follow some religion other than Christianity, trying to make it look like my brother Gary and I are at odds when our relationship couldn't be any closer, trying to make it look as though I had a falling out with one of my Pastor friends, trying to take the repayment of a business loan I took out over fifteen years ago and stringing it around my neck like a noose, when the business closed shop and died in 2007, and physical attacks like plugged up toilets, leaking water pipes, drained car batteries, nails in car tires, false car sensor indicators, creative accounting to try to drain my bank accounts, stolen Fedex and UPS packages, closed and rerouted roadways, strange cars and trucks leading and following me on roadways, illegally wiretapped phonelines, illegally wiretapped data lines, irrelevant and illogical correlation between actions and people, places, institutions, credit cards and loans somehow having an underlying meaning and purpose, and much, much more. Beloved, the evil one is strong, and his power comes from the deep state and evil within the very organizations we trust the most. Is this a surprise to folks? The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians: 

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed, and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should." Ephesians 6:10-20

​Evil has been carried out against devout Christians since the days of Christ, so it should come as no surprise to anyone. In the days of the Apostle Paul the Saints of the Church dealt with the very evil we are talking about and so did the other Saints of the Church. Steven was stoned to death for his faith. Peter and Paul were both martyred in Rome about 66 AD, during the persecution under Emperor Nero. Paul was beheaded. Peter was crucified, upside down. Andrew was crucified in Greece, Thomas went to India as a missionary and was pierced to death by four soldiers. Philip went to Asia as a missionary where he was put to death by the Roman Pro-counsel. Matthew was stabbed to death in Ethiopia, Bartholomew was martyred for his preaching in Saudi Arabia, James travelled to Syria where he was stoned and then clubbed to death, Simon the zealot went to Persia where he was stoned, then clubbed to death, Matthias was burned to death in Syria, and John was the only apostle who died of natural causes in his old age. 

I have written about this many times:
https://www.paulsgospel.org/motd/a-wicked-and-perverse-generation-is-this
https://www.paulsgospel.org/motd/the-armor-of-god
https://www.paulsgospel.org/motd/dont-look-back

and more. Remember then, to put on your armor, and be strong in the Lord.