Blog 136
October 14, 2019
MIRACLES NEVER CEASE!
Often, I hear from people who have experienced miracles or divine interventions. I look forward to receiving these accounts as they deepen our understanding of how these experiences occur. Could you be like that? If so, please share your story with me. Drop me a note at revwise@att.net.
MIRACLE IN JACKSONVILLE
My friend and colleague Sean Yost brought me into contact with this experience. The Pastor of Redeemer Church, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, Sean has ministered with Stovall Weems in the past. Weems’ Celebration Church began in 1998 with seven people and today numbers around 12,000 congregants. The following divine encounter began on Good Friday, 2018 during a Holy Communion service.
Because of the meaning of Good Friday, Pastor Weems arranged for a Messianic Jewish Passover type of service with Pastor Paul, an assistant who spoke Hebrew, doing just as Jesus would have done on that first night so long ago. The unusual service reached into the Jewish Passover to give additional meaning to the Christian worship that grew originally out of the same Passover. Stovall Weems’ experience occurred just as the Messianic assistant Pastor Paul was consecrating the unleavened bread.
Holding up the unleavened bread, Pastor Paul said in Hebrew, “take, eat, this is my body.” Abruptly, Pastor Stovall heard a distinctly different voice break in also speaking in Hebrew. The voice spoke three times and Stovall knew he was in the presence of God. The figure of Jesus of Nazareth was standing there also speaking Hebrew which Pastor Weems did not know. He knew he had somehow been transported into another dimension.
The staff watching the service immediately realized something had happened to their Pastor. Stovall Weems wasn’t with them or the service anymore. The truth was that he had gone into a trance and was in a heavenly realm.
He saw Jesus in a white robe with brown hair, executing exactly the same service with the Apostles being the recipients. Stovall looked down at the bread in his hand and knew Jesus was serving him. Jesus invited him to partake. The sound of Jesus’ voice rang through him, imparting Jesus’ personality. While not emotional, a feeling of authority and strength were imparted.
Stovall felt a pure, clear fear of God. While he felt unworthy to be in such a Presence, he had experienced the actual reality and presence of Jesus Christ. I listened to Stovall attempt to describe his encounter, but I realized that words escaped him. The encounter was beyond verbal explanation, but touched him deeply and profoundly. The closeness and oneness that he experienced left Stovall virtually speechless.
Many Christian groups believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in Holy Communion. They maintain that the participants are literally encountering the risen Christ. Stovall Weems experienced this conviction not as an idea, but as a personal reality. Stovall found a new empowerment and reality had been added to his ministry.
You might find my collection of Holy Land experiences to be helpful.
BIBLE LANDS: An illustrated Guide to Scriptural Places
Barbpir books Publishers
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miraclesnevercease.com 