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Matthew 16:13-19 NKJV — When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
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Peru
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We would climb any mountain, sail any sea and travel to any region of the Earth just to find proof to any theory that we might believe in. Among the ruins and artifacts we explore and shift through we have the faith that what we search for is the truth. The proof we seek may never be found but it should never deter us from whatever our beliefs are.
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When it comes to believing in God and Jesus there are many who want substantial or undeniable proof that they exist. They find it hard to accept that God created everything they see. They search and sometimes suddenly, the proof appears.
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Dallas, Texas – 1975
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Acts 2:2 NKJV — And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
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Someone would usually walk into a church if they were on a search for God. Who would ever think that God would be found at a bowling alley with a 3,500 seat auditorium? In 1975, the Beverly Hills Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, pastored by Howard Conatser, was in the middle of a spiritual awakening. The church building could not hold the multitudes attending services and the word was spreading that this was a genuine move of God. The charismatic movement did have their detractors. The Dallas Baptist Association was so affronted by the lack of adherence to traditional Baptist doctrine that they expelled Conatser and his growing audience.
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In a move to appease the growing numbers, Pastor Conatser and the church decided to lease the 3,500 seat auditorium at the Bronco Bowl for their Sunday worship services. During this time KXTX TV 39, which had been purchased by the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) in the latter part of 1973, had agreed to broadcast the services for their Sunday morning lineup. A few weeks had passed in the early part of 1975 and now the summer season was in full swing and the crowds were growing even larger. The people were coming to find proof of God’s presence and if it was real.
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A Miracle Enters
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During that summer a gentleman and his wife came to a service to experience the move of God that so many had witnessed. After being involved in a horrible traffic accident and a year of recovery this would be the first time he would be able to leave the house. While in recovery his doctor had informed him and his wife that he would not be able to walk due to paralysis from the waist down. He would be confined to a wheelchair. Despite the diagnosis, they came searching for proof of God.
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Isaiah 53:5 NKJV — But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
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The worship service was coming to a close and an alter call was given to those who needed prayer. The TV crew was tearing down wrapping up for the day but prayers were still being made. Then it became very still and quiet. Suddenly there was a loud scream. The screaming was coming from the area where the man in the wheelchair and his wife had been sitting. The technical director, who was still on headsets, spoke into the microphone and asked, “What’s going on?” One of the cameramen who was still on replied, ” I don’t know, there’s some lady screaming and there’s a guy running all over the place!” A miracle had just taken place. During the prayer, the gentleman felt a warm sensation starting from the bottom of his feet up to the top of his head and in an instant he stood up and began running. His wife had opened her eyes to check on her husband and to her amazement the wheelchair was empty. She screamed because he was gone but began to sob with tears of joy when she spotted him running around the auditorium. The Lord had completely healed him.
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There were many there who had witnessed the miracle and testified that it was undeniably God who had healed the paralyzed man. The proof of God’s existence had been given. To the man and his wife it was indisputable but for those who were not there it became a matter of faith.
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Your faith will always be tested. Circumstances around us can always make it seem like things are grim and we have no hope. That is exactly the time we should put our trust and faith in the Lord to guide us through the difficulties we may face. How we handle adversity will always be how our character is measured. The man in the wheelchair did not lose hope even though his diagnosis was not favorable. His faith had made him whole and he and his wife went on to live productive and Godly lives.
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We can always take the example of the disciple Thomas and the doubt he had after Jesus was reported that He had risen. The doubt Thomas had soon faded away when Jesus appeared to him and let him witness the undeniable Truth.
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Thomas
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John 20:24-29 NKJV — Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
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