STRETCH OUT YOUR HANDS - PART 4

SATURDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2024

Reference: Acts 4:30 New International Version (NIV)

"Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."

In part 3 of this wonderful topic, I listed the various signs and wonders that accompany the saints as they preach the Gospel.

These signs are recorded in Mark 16:15-18, which reads, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well" (NIV).

Beloved, you must make all of the above signs, a practical expression in your Christian life. When you pray for people who have evil spirits, cast them out by faith. That's a sign, and many people will wonder. Speak in other tongues often, and prophesy (1 Corinthians 14:22 ESV). When it comes to picking up snakes with your hands, it is not chained to practical necessity; however, it implies that you will not be intimidated by any frightening circumstance or petrified by uncontrollable anxiety.

It means that you will not quiver but through Christ, you overly conquer the appearances of disastrous and lethal forces - with an indomitable spirit. Got it? For instance, Davidic inspired utterance asserted, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4 NIV).

The next sign is: "When they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all", which implies that in Christ Jesus, we are positioned to function far above deadly prognosis - unaffected and unperturbed. To instantiate this verity, in the book of Acts 28:3-6, Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, "This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live." But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god" (NIV). Got it?

To expound it further, a viper hiding in some of the wood, bit Paul on the hand, while trying to escape the heat. It sank its fangs in and wouldn't let go. The natives of the Island saw it dangling from his hand, and said, "This man must be a murderer. He escaped the sea, but now justice has caught up with him." The natives knew what to expect - a rapid swelling, followed by death. So they had attached a deadly prognosis to Paul's situation, which implied their forecast of unlikely survival due to his condition, which they witnessed. But when they waited a long time and saw that Paul suffered no ill effects of the bite, they changed their minds and concluded that he was a god.

Beloved, the Christian life they lived was not ordinary but glorious and supernatural; more so, we can function far above deadly prognosis unaffected and unperturbed. However, this truth does not, in any way or form, encourage the saints to take poison on purpose or put themselves in situation where they'll be bitten by a viper, in order to experience the power of God.

The next and last sign Jesus notified in the context is: "they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." Many of God's people blatantly ignore this practice, thereby assuming that it is only meant for those who are specially called into the healing ministry. However, Jesus said, "these signs will accompany those who believe", not only those who have received the gifts of healing. Therefore, begin to practise it until you become perfect in exerting the healing power of God in your own life and in the world around you.

Furthermore, while speaking concerning spiritual gifts, apostle Paul urged the saints to eagerly desire the greater gifts (1 Corinthians 12:30-31 NIV). In other words, you can desire the gifts of healing, and make a conscious demand for it, in the place of prayer, so as to instigate series of healing exploits in your world, for the Lord Jesus Christ. Stay tuned for part 5. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Mark 16:20; Acts 2:22; 1 Corinthians 14:22; Acts 2:43.

Guided Prayer:

Precious Father in heaven, your Word is so true, perfect, and potent when applied or acted upon. In the order of dignity, you've granted me absolute dominion and power to heal and to perform signs and wonders in the name that is above all names, Jesus Christ. Therefore, I function with your ever hopeful, awe-inspiring and stooping grace which extends the outstretched hand of healing, signs and wonders to my world, in Jesus' Name, Amen.