The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed. Acts 5:12-16.
Today your LORD (יהוה) God (אלהים) says:
Days of Heaven on earth. It is My desire above all that you prosper and be in good health, even as your soul (mind, will and emotions) prospers. I want you complete, lacking in nothing, and overflowing with the joy of Heaven, My joy, in every part of you—spirit, soul, and body. I have probed you and I know you; I know when you sit and when you stand. I know your thoughts, I know your words, I know your heart, I know you, and you are precious in My eyes. You are unique. There is no one else like you before you or after you. Each person has their own fingerprints, voice, DNA, and even the iris of your eye is uniquely yours so that it can be used as a sure means of identification. You are fearfully, wonderfully designed and made. There is no chance of being confused with someone else, for there is no one else like you.
And your talents, skills and assignments are just as unique as you are in the plans that I have for you, plans that I wrote out before I formed you in your mother’s womb. I had already called you by name. Think about the varied assignments and you will see no two had the same. Joseph’s assignment (the one I called to be husband to Mary and known as the earthly father of My Son) was very different from that of My apostle Paul but both are equally precious and valuable to Me. Esther’s kingdom assignment was not like those of Rahab, Ruth or Deborah but all were equally necessary and precious. David’s assignments were very different from Samuel’s but they were necessary to each other and to Me and both precious and highly honored in My eyes. Lydia, Priscilla, Mary Magdalene, Martha and her sister Mary, Elizabeth, and of course, Mary, the mother of My Son, all had very unique and very different assignments but all were very valuable, esteemed, and precious to Me and very important to My Kingdom and the plan of salvation.
John the Baptist had a very unique assignment but so did My apostle Peter, but they were very different. And the man born blind and the possessed man at Gadara all became witnesses to Jesus and brought many to Jesus and had lives very precious to Me. And think of Moses, Joshua, Elijah, the widow of Zarephath, Elisha, the Shunamite woman, Jehoshaphat, Isaiah, Hezekiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, and Hosea. And if you look at every person’s life I share with you in My Word as recorded in the Bible you will find no one had the same assignment but all of them were necessary for the entire structure of salvation to be raised into a magnificent edifice in the Spirit. The members of your body are not the same but they all combine to make a wonderful you.
But although they were all so different they were all the same in one aspect—they all had a deep relationship with Me and it meant more to them than anything else. They would rather be thrown in fiery furnaces or lions’ dens than deny Me. They expressed their love and joy in Me in various ways, Moses, Deborah, and David composed songs. Miriam and David danced with joy before Me. Solomon wrote love songs—the Song of Songs—and proverbs. Samuel loved to listen to My Word and I made it so not one of his words fell to the ground. I honor those who honor Me. Hannah sang and rejoiced at My great goodness to her and was the first one to pray to Me as the LORD of Hosts! They built tabernacles and temples for Me. They lavished out their love on Me. They poured expensive perfume on the feet of Jesus. Jeremiah—when My Words were found he devoured them, they became the joy and treasure of his heart, a fire in his bones. The disciples left everything behind to follow the one who spoke with authority and who was so filled with love, peace, and joy.
Do not try to be who you are not just because someone else did it that way. Do not try to be conformed to another’s assignment unless yours is joined to it, but always let your goal be to be conformed to Christ. He is your head and you are His body. A disciple should become like his teacher. Imitate Me as My dear children and walk in love, which means to imitate Christ, for in seeing Him you see Me. And what did Jesus do? Miracles, signs and wonders that undid the works of the devil and brought rejoicing to those who had been suffering but once Jesus came into their lives they were not suffering any more. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil. He gave sight to the blind and set the captives free. He clearly identified that the cause of illness and infirmity was the unclean spirits of the realm of darkness. And He cast them out without pity. And so should you. Never harbor depression, fear, pain, illness, or anxiety but rather command them out. Speak the result you want, not the dreaded outcome. This is new for most people yet it is always how I have operated and I tell you to imitate Me.
“Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’” Isaiah 46:9-11. “Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it.” Isaiah 46:11.
And I have made every person’s DNA, the blueprint of every part of your body, different and unique using just four chemical bases. Think about that. What is impossible for man is easy for Me. I made it all and I can arrange and rearrange it all. And that is what miracles, signs and wonders are all about. And for Me they are about one thing—undoing the work of the devil in your life in order to bless you with days of Heaven on earth. I want you to have and enjoy the life that I gave you in Jesus forever.
And it grieves Me that most of you, even believers, will not take hold of the life that is life indeed that My Son died to give you. But the early followers of Jesus lived a level that you should be above now after all these years but many, even believers, are way behind where they should be. So it is good, if you want a victorious life of days of Heaven upon the earth, to look at what those first believers did who were like you are today. Many of the new believers once the disciples went out to the gentiles had never seen Jesus when He lived among you and were like you are today. They had not seen and yet they believed. But then they saw miracles, signs and wonders that turned entire towns into places of mass healings and joy unspeakable filled with glory. Like when Philip went to Samaria and turned things around for them so that the rejoicing in that town went to great heights at the healings taking place in My Son’s Name. And Philip was not one of the twelve disciples but one of the six believers chosen to wait on tables so that the apostles could devote their time to study the Word and preach without hindrance.
After Peter and John had worked a great miracle by faith in the Name of Jesus at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple there was no way that the religious leaders of the day could refute that a man lame from birth that they had all passed by each day as he begged for alms was now completely healed and whole, leaping about with joy. They did however imprison Peter and John for one night and then severely warn them not to preach the Name of Jesus again in a most threatening way but Peter stood his ground and told them it was better to obey Me than them and no one could stop them from telling what they had seen and knew. When Peter and John reported this to the believers, that is, the church, they united as one in prayer and what do you think they prayed for? To preach the Word even harder, “And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and miracles, signs and wonders take place through the Name of Your holy Son Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:29-31.
And I answered that prayer. They had prayed the prayer of agreement in My Son’s Name. Consider what took place next. Miracles, signs and wonders followed the apostles’ preaching of the Word.
And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. Acts 4:33. And at the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s portico. But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem. And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number, to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any one of them. Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were ALL being healed. Acts 5:12-16.
There is great power in My Words and that power is released when you receive them with faith and then speak them with faith. Speak the end you want from the beginning. First wods are very important. They set the stage for the result that will manifest.
The apostles spoke My Words with faith and the resurrection power in My Word gave grace to the hearer and the speaker. My Words edify and I send them to heal and deliver you, Psalm 107:20, there is great power in My Word, for I am My Word and the power resides inherent in Me. And that is what was being released in the early days of the church.
And Peter had so fully given himself to the Word and the Spirit that his proximity caused healing, just as it had done with Jesus. And in the early church all were performing miracles and people were coming in great numbers to experience this goodness that flowed from these believers.
But the religious leaders of the day—the high priest and his associates rose up, and they were filled with jealousy. They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail. But during the I sent My angel to open the gates of the prison, and taking the disciples out he said, “Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life.” Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach. Acts 5:17-21.
My angel called the gospel of salvation “the whole message of this life.” And so it is. It is the whole meaning of your life and that of others. And everyone of you fits in that plan—in the whole message of this life. And you each have a glorious part. Not matter what I called you to be, above all be Mine. I will complete the good work I have begun in you. Philippians 1:6. Desire and pursue the spiritual gifts.
Now when the high priest and his associates came, they called the Council together, even all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison house for them to be brought. But the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported back, saying, “We found the prison house locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we had opened up, we found no one inside.” They had come up against the supernatural here and you cannot imprison My Word. Acts 5:22-23.
Now when the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what would come of this. But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” Then the captain went along with the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned). Acts 5:21-26.
Isn’t it amazing how miracles do not make people believe? Only the Word can. Faith comes by hearing and hearing My Word not by miracles but miracles follow My Word.
When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.” Acts 5:27-32. A miracle has happened to Peter. Once he would not witness for fear but now He is fearless to witness. He had now received the Holy Spirit and had been strengthened in his purpose by My Son’s love and forgiveness for him as if he had never denied him. Your sins and offenses I remember no more.
But when they heard this, they were cut to the quick and intended to kill them. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, who had taught Paul, respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.” Acts 5:33-39.
They took his advice; when you speak with authority in a way people can understand they will follow. After calling the apostles in, however, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. They had come to know and believe in the love I had for them and it made them more than conquerors. Fearless for alive or dead they were with Me. One eternal continuum and they were right in the flow of he center.
I love you. Go and tell the good news and be sure you speak the signs into being as well.