Tag: faith

CROSSING OVER

Blog 139
November 11, 2019

miracle

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.

CROSSING OVER

Several years ago, I stumbled across a near-death experience reported to me by a hospice nurse. The incident immediately intrigued me and I began searching for more stories. In time, I ended up writing Crossing the Threshold of Eternity that contained many of these experiences. They didn’t all harmonize and some had distinct differences, but they shed important light on what happens to us when we die. I found them to be fascinating accounts of divine intervention often in unexpected ways.

I know they can offer encouragement to you. Here’s another example.

This week I talked with Karen Corley who told me her story. An avid smoker for decades, Karen wasn’t aware of how much permanent damage she had done to her lungs, but the stage was set for a disaster. In December, 2018, Karen came down with double pneumonia. The condition exploded and she knew breathing was becoming impossible. An ambulance loaded Karen in and whisked her away to a hospital. She immediately ended up in ICC where they kept her for 15 days as she struggled to survive. Karen spent another 10 days in a regular room.
Karen died.

Now a year later, some of the details have become a little fuzzy, but the experience remains extremely clear in her mind. She found herself in the place we call heaven, surrounded by relatives that had passed on years earlier. Her father had committed suicide and was there along with her mother and a daughter who had died years earlier. Most importantly, Karen found Jesus of Nazareth standing in front of her. She was ready to stay forever.

Jesus compassionately told her that her life work was not finished. She had grandchildren who needed her and she must return for the sake of those children. Karen objected, but was told, “it isn’t your time.” Jesus sent her back to do the “more important” tasks with the kids.

When Karen woke up, she saw children standing around her bed. Her grandchildren were anxiously wanting to make sure she survived. Karen opened her eyes and told them, “Don’t worry. I’m going to make it.”

The pulmonary doctor had already discovered her lungs were so badly damaged from smoking that she simply couldn’t recover. When he examined her after this experience, he was shocked. Not only was Karen alive, but her lungs were completely healed and all the damage was gone.

Karen had a miracle!

You might find my collection of near-death experiences to be helpful.
CROSSING THE THRESHOLD OF ETERNITY
Robert L. Wise
Regal Books

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WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

Blog 138
October 28, 2019

faith

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.

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

For weeks, you’ve been reading of the extraordinary divine interventions and miracles that I’ve collected from all over the country. Let’s pause for a moment and reflect on what these accounts actually mean.

The Bible tells us that a miracle is the power of God’s Kingdom breaking into this world. The meaning of miracles is they demonstrate the power of God. One of the important connections that ties the Old and New Testaments together was the common quest for the Kingdom of God. In the New Testament, the Gospel of Mark describes the ministry of Jesus beginning with the proclamation, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15) The Kingdom is the powerful rule of God breaking into history and offering new relationships with humanity. The miracles of Jesus, the Apostles, and the church that followed demonstrated the power of the heavenly Father’s reign and rule called the coming of the Kingdom.

The miracles in the Gospels displayed power that was tied to a personal God, a God who cared. When miracles break into everyday life, they accomplish the will of God. The Lord God is a God of history, displaying His power in history, and working through history. Human experience is a vehicle for the demonstration of His power. Scripture suggests that this purpose never ended.

When the day of Pentecost arrived 40 days after the resurrection, the promise of Jesus that a comforter would empower the church was accomplished. The Holy Spirit fell on the apostles equipping them to proclaim the Kingdom of God with power. Once again miracles were a sign of divine empowerment.

When we attempt to understand why and how miracles occur today, the scripture tells us to remember how these signs are expressions of the power of God working to bring in His Kingdom, the rule of God in the lives of people.

The issue in positioning oneself to receiving a miracle is trust. Scripture tells us that believing in and trusting the promises of God are the keys to reception. However, “faith” doesn’t mean simply believing the right things like holding a certain kind of opinion or professing a particular creed. Faith is responding to God’s decrees and opening one’s heart to Him and His purposes. Faith is joining the Kingdom of God.

Want to sign up? It will be the best deal of your lifetime!

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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MIRACLE IN THE SNOW

Blog 137
October 21, 2019

snowstorm

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 THE SNOW

Lois Parker discovered this story while talking with a Russian woman who had the experience while a girl. Sophie related that she had foolishly decided to brave the subzero temperatures and blizzard conditions of a fierce Russian winter and walk to her father’s house. In the dark forests that surround her village, the people could hear the wolves howling at night. Even with these conditions, she set out in the blowing snow to get to her destination.

As Sophie treaded through the drifts, she could feel the snow starting to sink into her boots and knew this meant a real problem. With the wolves barking in the forest, she knew she was in trouble. However, there was no possibility of turning back safely. Sophie had to go on, but she didn’t know how she would be able to do so. Even worse, the sound of the wolves seemed to come closer. Finally, she stopped and whispered.

“Lord of heaven, be with me, help me.”

Sophie began to run through the snow. She strained to hopefully hear the jingle of bells signaling a sleigh was looking for her, but again, there was nothing. Her feet were becoming frighteningly cold. When she looked back, Sophie could see that the trail behind her was erratic, meaning she was not walking steadily.

Once more, Sophie stopped and started to pray again. “Father, help me, I need Thee. Help me. Send an angel to help me. Lord of all, be with me.” Over and over she prayed the same prayer, always ending with “Help, Lord.”

She felt a hand on her shoulder. A soft, kind voice spoke in her ear. “You cannot rest, Sophie. Go on.”

When she turned, no one was there, but Sophie felt slightly renewed strength. She kept on. However, weariness soon returned. The wolves howled again. Sophie was certainly she would not be able to continue. They’d find her in the snow frozen. She stumbled.

Again, the kind, gentle voice, said in her ear, “Sophie, you cannot rest yet! Go on.”

Almost against her will, she was raised to her feet, but saw no one. She struggled on until she found the door to her father’s house. Only then did she look back and fully realize there had never been any second set of tracks in the snow… none.

Only then did Sophie fully realize that her prayers had been answered. She was saved by an angel.

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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MIRACLE IN JACKSONVILLE

Blog 136
October 14, 2019

jesus

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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MIRACLE IN EGYPT

Blog 135
September 30, 2019

statue-holy-virgin

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 EGYPT

Last week, I noted that if you follow the stories of divine interventions, you will eventually notice that miracles seem to happen more frequently in Third World countries. Migrants from South America and Mexico are often far more devout than Americans. They are part of a hemisphere that tends to be open to the work of the hand of God.

Here’s another example.

Once when I was in Cairo, Egypt, I traveled to a suburb where a Coptic Church was believed to be built on the site where the Holy family lived when Joseph brought them to Egypt to avoid death by King Herod. I have seen few sights that looked more ancient (and covered with dust) One of the strangest divine interventions in recent years occurred at this church.

The Coptic Church is one of the most ancient churches in the world. Founded by the Apostle Mark in 43 A.D., the church came into existence when Nero was the Roman emperor. In today’s world, the Coptics have suffered significant persecution from Muslim bombings and attacks.

On April 12, 1968, two automobile mechanics working near the church happened to stop their tasks and glanced up at the dome on the top of this church. They were astounded to see what they thought was a nun dressed in white standing on the top of the dome. They immediately thought she was going to jump and ran to get the priest. A crowd gathered and began shouting for the woman not to jump. To their amazement, the image of the woman began to fade and eventually disappeared. Seven days later the figure reappeared. The priest saw the image several times and said it was preceded by brilliant flashes of light.

Other witnesses described the image as beautiful and believed the image was Mary, the mother of Jesus. She would bow and bless the crowds who immediately fell to their knees. With these appearances, healings began to occur such as restoration from urinary bladder cancer, cancer of the thyroid gland, blindness, limb paralysis, as well as recovery from viral infections.

I saw a photograph of the figure of Mary standing on the dome. A little on the fuzzy side, one could clearly see the figure standing there. Why would such an occurrence happen? What does it all mean? Much like the experience of Bernadette Soubirous seeing the Virgin Mary that created the healing waters of Lourdes, France, for believers no explanation is necessary. For unbelievers no explanation will be acceptable. Roman Catholics embrace these experiences much easier than Protestants do. However, the evidence that cannot be denied is the spontaneous healings that followed.

Whatever one decides about such an experience, it is not meant to be explained, but to lead us to worship.

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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MIRACLE IN LIBERIA

Blog 134
September 23, 2019

LIBERIA

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 LIBERIA

If you have a broad interest in divine interventions and follow the stories you will eventually notice that miracles seem to happen more frequently in Third World countries. The church is thriving there where it is on the wane in the United States. Migrants from South America and Mexico are generally far more devout than Americans.

What is going on?

While some secularized Americans are closed to the miraculous, believers in these poorer, struggling countries embrace the possibility. They are open and will reach out to receive the promise of a divine touch. The results speak for themselves and remain a lesson for the Northern hemisphere.

Recently, I witnessed this result in the ministry of a friend of mine. LaDonna Osborn is the daughter of T.L. and Daisy Osborn who began Osborn Ministries over 70 years ago. While the ministry of T.L. Osborn was not well known in America, his crusades brought in thousands of people in countries all across the globe. A humble man, T.L. Osborn had a simplicity with divine empowerment. Daisy worked in the same field with the same results. With their passing, the torch has been passed on to LaDonna.

An exceedingly bright woman, LaDonna has the same power and conviction. Overflowing crowds attend her services in Africa. Recently, she was in Ganta (Gompa City) Liberia conducting a mission. A young woman, who LaDonna knew nothing about, came forward to express her faith and be prayed for. As was later explained, after nine months of pregnancy the baby had stopped moving. She was now in the twelfth month. In the local clinic, the doctor told her the baby had died and surgery was necessary to remove the dead fetus. He was strongly insistent. However, the woman had no money and couldn’t afford the surgery. On the first day of LaDonna’s Festival of Faith and Miracles, the pregnant woman accepted Jesus as her Lord and during the prayer for the sick the mother laid her hand on her belly during the prayer for the sick.

On the last day of the Festival, the young woman came forward to testify that she was no longer afraid. LaDonna could see great faith and conviction in the woman’s eyes. The Holy Spirit moved LaDonna to say, “You will deliver a healthy baby.” Because she absolutely trusted the promises of God, LaDonna was confident God was at work.

Two days later, she received a beautiful photograph from one of the Gomp City pastors. The pregnant woman had delivered a healthy baby girl. A miracle had occurred.

Another example of what openness to the Holy Spirit can bring to pass in the midst of poverty. Also an example to all of us to remember that trust can open closed doors.

Oh, by the way. She named the baby LaDonna.

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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DEATH BE NOT PROUD

Blog 131
August 26, 2019

gas station

MIRACLES NEVER CEASE!

You might also want to look at the widely read blog WISE ON THE MIDDLE EAST from Robert L. Wise, Ph.D. which features weekly updates on little known facts about Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and Syria, countries where he has traveled and worked.

DEATH BE NOT PROUD

The grief from death is one of our most difficult struggles to overcome.

Death leaves a hole that nothing can fill. When the deceased is close to us, grief seems to never end. When we wake up each day, we think maybe there is something that we should have done, but there never is. At times, we will forget that they are gone, and then we remember and our heart breaks all over again. Trying to tell someone what we are going through seems impossible, but to someone who has already known such a loss, resonance comes immediately.

Jack Jenkins knew exactly what I am talking about. Today, Jack lives in Bailey, Colorado in the Rocky Mountains. He said to me, “God knows about our problems and he truly cares.” The emotional undercurrent in his words told me Jack knew.

Jack began telling me about his first wife. They had a good marriage and life seemed great. Her early death left him struggling and feeling the depth of depression. He had to struggle along with never-ending grief. The journey was difficult.

Somewhere as he was trudging along on his life’s path, Jack ran into an old girlfriend he had known in High School. They had been close and really liked and enjoyed each other. However, as so often is the case, they drifted apart after graduation and didn’t see other for years. They both married and had great families. But her husband also died. Then they found each other again. The reassurance and joy they received from each other was truly a new beginning. They married and once again Jack was back on an even keel. Depression had been put to bed.

Not long after they married, his new bride had to go to the doctor. The diagnosis overwhelmed both of them She had pancreatic cancer. Three weeks later she was gone.

Jack’s recovery and best hopes were destroyed. He plunged into the deepest despair. The grief would not go away. Jack crashed.

Some months later while Jack was taking a trip, he stopped in a filling station and went inside to buy some candy. At the end of a long hall, Jack saw a vending machine. The closer he got, the more he realized it was one of those dispensaries with junk that kids liked. However, there was nothing inside except one badge that had GOD written across the front. Jack was astonished and got the little medallion out. On the back was written, “Cast your cares on Him for he cares for you. Jesus died on the cross for your pain.”

Jack instantly knew that message was for him. God was reaching and asking Jack to cast his grief on Him. With tears rolling down his cheeks, Jack hurled his overwhelming load of grief at the foot of the Cross. He asked his heavenly Father to heal him.

He did.

Jack’s grief disappeared and the apprehension vanished. There was still a hole in his life where he had lost his two best friends, but the pain was gone. Jack was healed.

No one can escape the fact of death, but Jack’s experience is worth remembering. We are included in that promise that we are cared for.

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HE’S GONE AND DONE IT AGAIN!

Blog 130
August 19, 2019

miracles

MIRACLES NEVER CEASE!

You might also want to look at the widely read blog WISE ON THE MIDDLE EAST from Robert L. Wise, Ph.D. which features weekly updates on little known facts about Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and Syria, countries where he has traveled and worked.

HE’S GONE AND DONE IT AGAIN!

You will remember Kimberly McConnell from several weeks back. She had an MRI that demonstrated her pancreas was covered with tumors that could be cancerous. After healing prayer, she entered the hospital only to find the next MRI revealed the tumors were gone. Kimberly had a marvelous recovery.

But here’s the rest of the story.

I was gone for a week and out of contact with Kimberly. When I returned to Colorado, I checked in with her, expecting another positive report. Wrong. Kimberly was nearly beside herself. Instantly, I knew she was in deep despair. What in the world had gone wrong?

It turned out the medical profession had really messed her up. Kimberly had several doctors working with her and they didn’t all agree on how to proceed. One of them arbitrarily gave her steroids for some reason or the other. Kimberly’s psychiatrist hit the ceiling. Someone with a bi-polar condition should never, never be given steroids. Besides being a possibly dangerous drug for her, it threw her system into turmoil. The bi-polar condition returned with a vengeance. When I was talking to her on the phone, Kimberly was in the depths of depression with her instability turning her inside out. She couldn’t just drop the steroid medication but had to be weened away over a period of weeks. Her struggle would have to continue.

A number of years before, a medical condition had caused her to lose her teeth and she wore dentures. During this current emotional episode, Kimberly lost her false teeth. After looking everywhere, she called her mother to come and help. Kimberly had not been out of her apartment so the dentures had to be in there somewhere.

Her mother came over with a friend and they frantically searched every inch of the house. She had given Kim a large over-stuffed chair and they looked all over the chair as well as every other piece of furniture in the house. Finally, they concluded that during her bi-polar episode, she must have flushed the teeth down the toilet. The mother rushed out to spend $1,100 on a new set of dentures that wouldn’t be ready for three weeks.

Kimberly sank deeper into despair.

As we talked on the phone across a thousand miles, I ask Kimberly to pray with me. Even though we were at a great distance apart, I suggested she feel my hand on hers. I prayed that I could be a conduit for the Holy Spirit to fill Kimberly with new insight, knowledge, stability, and a sense of well-being. We prayed for a long time. Finally, Kimberly said she felt better and we hung up.

An hour later, I returned to my desk and noticed I had missed her phone call. Immediately, I responded worrying self-destructive behavior was a genuine possibility. I was astonished when Kimberly answered quite to the opposite. Her voice burst forth in enthusiasm.

“Robert! You won’t believe it! After we hung up, I went in and was sitting on the edge of the bathtub when a voice surged through my mind. I knew it wasn’t me or some sort of hallucination. The voice said, ‘Go turn the big chair upside down.”

“No one had done that,” Kimberly said. “We had searched it, but not turned it over. I immediately went into the living room and did so. My dentures fell out! I know God was with me and would take me through this time of getting off the steroids. He has kept his hand on me!”

An unexpected intervention, but marvelous indeed!

You might find my book on near-death experiences important for you:
CROSSING THE THRESHOLD OF ETERNITY
Revell books

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