In Awesome Wonder

By E. June Roper

For through Him God created everything in heaven and on earth, the seen and the unseen things, including spiritual powers, lords, rulers, and authorities. God created the whole universe through Him and for Him.

Colossians 1:16

The Mighty Hand of God

With one divine decision, history began. Existence became measurable. Because God spoke out, out of nothing came light. Out of this light came day. Then, in obedience to His command came the sky and earth. And on this earth we call home, His mighty hand went to work.

Canyons were carved deep into the face of the earth, oceans were dug, mountains erupted out of flat land, stars were flung into the heavens, and a new universe sparkled simply because Almighty God spoke and willed it so!

All we must do is look at the Grand Canyons splendor and touch the gentle fragrant petals of a flower and we see His loving delicate work. We but have to listen to thunder and see the storm to stand in awe of His mighty power.

As you travel through each day, you will encounter Gods creation. As you see the beauty around you, allow each detail to remind you to bow down before Him and lift up your hands in praise. We should daily express our appreciation for Gods creations around us. As parents, we must encourage our children to see the beauty of His love.

Anonymous

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 8, 2013
• ISBN: 9781479794478

E. June Roper

Emily June Roper, is called June by friends and family, lives in Charleston, SC, with husband, Raymond. She is a retired secondary school administrator and continues her work as tutor and counselor to many students and adults. June is a member of First Baptist Church of James Island and works faithfully with several ministries in the church. Raymond and June have four adult children and several adorable grandchildren.

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Copyright © 2013 by E. June Roper.

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Xlibris rev. date: 3/26/2013

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Table of Contents

In Awesome Wonder

The Flood:

Confusion of Language at Babel:

Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah:

The Birth of Isaac at Gerar:

The Burning Bush Not Consumed:

Aaron’s Rod Changed to a Serpent:

Enoch’s Rapture:

The Ten Plagues of Egypt:

The Red Sea Divided, Israel Passes through on Dry Land:

Water at Marah Sweetened:

Manna Sent Daily from Heaven:

Water from the Rock at Rephidim:

Nadab and Abihu Consumed for Offering Strange Fire:

Consumed by Fire at Taberah:

The Earth Opens and Swallows Up Korah and His Company:

Aaron’s Rod Blossomed:

Moses in the Desert of Zin:

The Bronze Serpent in the Desert of Zin:

Balaam’s Ass Spoke:

The Jordan Divided, Israel Passed Over:

Our God is an Awesome God!

The Awesomeness of God

More Wonders of God

The Walls of Jericho Fell Down:

The Sun and the Moon Stayed:

The Strength of Samson:

Water from the Hollow Place That Is in Lehi:

Dagon Fell Twice before the Ark:

Men of Beth-Shemesh Smitten for Looking into the Ark:

Thunderstorms Caused a Panic among the Philistines at Ebenezer:

Thunder and Rain in Harvest at Gilgal:

Sounds in the Trees at Rephaim:

Uzzah Smitten for Touching the Ark:

Jeroboam’s Hand Withered:

The Meal and Oil of the Widow of Zarephath Increased:

The Son of the Widow of Zarephath Raised from Death:

Drought at Elijah’s Prayers:

King Ahaziah’s Captains Consumed by Fire:

The Jordan Divided near Jericho:

Miracles of Elisha:

Water Provided for Jehoshaphat and the Allied Army:

The Widow’s Oil Multiplied:

Elisha Raised the Shunemite Woman’s Son from Death:

The Deadly Stew Cured with Meal at Gilgal:

A Hundred Men Fed with Twenty Loaves at Gilgal:

Naaman Cured of Leprosy:

Gehazi Afflicted with Leprosy:

The Iron Ax Head Made to Float near River Jordan:

The Plans of the King of Syria Discovered:

The Syrian Army Smitten with Blindness at Dothan:

Elisha’s Bones Revived the Dead:

Sennacherib’s Army Destroyed:

Shadow of the Sundial Goes Back Ten Degrees:

Uzziah Struck with Leprosy:

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Delivered from the Fiery Furnace:

Daniel Saved in the Lion’s Den:

Jonah in the Belly of the Fish:

Gideon’s Fleece:

Leaving the Old Testament and Moving into the New Testament

Cure of Two Blind Men:

Jesus Heals a Man Who Could Not Speak:

The Demand for a Miracle:

Money Found in the Mouth of the Fish:

The Deaf and Dumb Man Healed:

Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida:

Jesus Passes Unseen through the Crowd:

The Phenomenal Draught of Fish:

Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son:

The Woman with the Spirit of Infirmity Is Healed:

The Man with a Disease Healed:

Jesus Healed Ten Men:

Jesus Restored a Man’s Ear:

Water Made Wine:

The Cure of the Nobleman’s Son:

The Healing at the Pool:

Signs and Wonders

More Miracles

Man Born Blind Healed:

Lazarus Is Brought Back to Life:

Jesus Appeared to Seven Disciples:

Syrian Phoenician Woman’s Daughter Healed:

Jesus Cursed the Fig Tree:

Jesus Healed a Roman Officer’s Servant:

Jesus and Beelzebub:

A Man with an Evil Spirit Healed:

Peter’s Wife’s Mother Cured:

Jesus Calmed a Storm:

Jesus Healed Two Men with Demons:

The Official’s Daughter Raised from the Dead and the Woman Who Touched the Hem of Jesus’s Cloak Healed:

Jesus Healed a Paralyzed Man:

The Man with the Withered Hand:

Jesus Healed a Boy with a Demon:

Jesus Healed Two Blind Men:

Jesus Fed Five Thousand:

Jesus Walks on the Water:

Fulfilled Prophecies:

Jesus To Be the Seed of a Woman

Christ To Be the Seed of Abraham

Christ To Be of the Tribe of Judah

Christ To Be of the Seed of David

Christ To Be Born of a Virgin

Jesus Was To Be Born in Bethlehem

Tribute To Be Paid to Jesus by Great Kings

Christ To Be Proclaimed by a Messenger

Christ To Be the Son of God

Christ To Be Anointed by the Holy Spirit

Christ To Minister to the Gentiles

Christ To Perform Miracles

Christ To Enter the Temple with Authority

Jesus Will Enter Jerusalem on a Donkey

Jesus To Be Betrayed by a friend

Jesus To Be Forsaken by His Disciples

Christ Will Be Smitten

Jesus To Experience Crucifixion

Jesus Will Be Pierced

Lots Will Be Cast for Jesus’s Garments

Jesus To Be Raised from the Dead

Jesus’s Resurrection

Jesus To Ascend to Heaven

Christ To Be at the Right Hand of God

Jesus, the Stone that the Builders Rejected, To Become the Head of the Cornerstone

The Conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit:

Star of Bethlehem:

The Transfiguration:

The Resurrection of Jesus:

The Ascension of Jesus Christ:

The Pentecost:

Peter in Lydda and Joppa:

Inspiration of Scripture by God

My Mother’s Bible

More about His Awesome Wonder

Our Awesome God

In Awesome Wonder

More Wonders and Mysteries

More Biblical Evidence?

Conclusion

Dedication/Acknowledgements

This book is dedicated to our awesome God, from whom all our blessings flow. It is because of my love for His Word that I was able to write this book. After reading this book, it is my prayer that your spiritual journey will be enlightened and your faith enhanced after seeing what God has done for others, knowing that He will do the same for all of us. God bless.

I am truly blessed and grateful to God for providing me such a caring and supportive family. Again, I want to thank my kind and loving daughter, Shelly, for working so diligently with me as she critiqued my work. I love you.

My husband, my best friend, and my earthly king, was once again my biblical correspondent and read every word of my script to make sure we were on the same page as we interrupted the Scriptures. I thank you and I love you dearly. To all who will purchase and read this book, again, I am appreciative and ask God’s blessings upon you.

Foreword

Once again, I gratefully accept with pleasure the opportunity of writing the foreword for my Mom’s new publication, In Awesome Wonder.

By our faith we received what God has promised us. Gal. 3:14. This book will impact, inspire, and equip you with knowledge of the many miraculous wonders God performed—and it will enable you to live with increased faith and more determination to trust God for the things we need and desire.

In Awesome Wonder will make you thirst for what you already know, that God is an awesome God and that He performed and continues to perform many miracles.

Miracles in the Old and the New Testaments are explained throughout this book. These miracles, even though they happened in the past, can increase our desire and give us wisdom for godly living.

Before you begin to take matters into your own hands, read this book to witness how the Lord interacted in the lives of others to bring victory to them and glory to Himself. God is immutable—He never changes. What He has done for others, He will do for you and for me too.

You are about to be blessed as you read In Awesome Wonder. Get ready to be completely engrossed as you begin your journey into the supernatural world of Jesus the Christ.

"Many signs and wonders were for unbelievers.’’ Acts 8: 5-8; 13. They do not save, but they cause people to pay attention and hopefully obey the gospel of Christ.

Again, it is my prayer that this book will help you to understand, discover, and operate in the power of the Holy Spirit as you grow in wisdom and expectation from God. This growth and expectation will help you to fully grasp the good things that God has intended for you to have on this earth from the foundation of world.

This book is for anyone who believes in God’s supernatural power, and it presents fascinating accounts of God’s power.

Because there are supernatural devils with supernatural demons Eph. 6:12, we, as Christians, need to be armed with the true Word of God. God’s power is greater than satan’s power Job 1: 1-12, and we are to operate in that greater power.

Many people have been duped by the devil’s power because they have never been exposed to God’s power. It is my desire that this book will change all of this. Be blessed as you read In Awesome Wonder.

The Scriptures used in this publication were taken from the King James, New International, and Good News Translation versions of the Bible.

LaShel Rayon Graham

Introduction

First and foremost, my wife and I are believers in the written Word of God. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 says, And there is another reason why we always give thanks to God. When we brought you God’s message, you heard it and accepted it, not as a message from human beings but as God’s message, which indeed it is. For God is at work in you who believe.

I believe that God revealed truths so that it will be possible for the lives of human beings to be lived so as to receive the most important thing that was promised to us—salvation.

From the very beginning of time, mankind has been deceived by satan and by following the whims of his or her own heart. This is rebellion against God. Much misery, sickness, and suffering are the result of man’s disobedience to our Creator.

But God sent his Son into this sinful and corrupt world in order that we may be redeemed and so that we may, through him, live an abundant life—that we may joyously and jubilantly allow the Holy Spirit to indwell us while we fulfill our created purpose.

There are and always will be skeptics among us. However, we as believers believe what we read in the Bible, the Old and New Testaments.

This publication reveals many miracles and wonders found in the Old Testament. During the times of kings and even more so during the time of the prophets, miracles were widely performed.

Then, when we read about the story of Christ in the four Gospels, we immediately find ourselves immersed in many miracles. Many of these miracles are also recorded in this publication—In Awesome Wonder.

The stories that we read about are actually a part of our biblical history. Jesus most certainly did perform miracles in which He controlled nature, such as stilling the tempest and walking on the water of Galilee. Jesus did restore sight to blind eyes. Jesus did heal lame bodies, and Jesus most certainly did cure many other kinds of sicknesses. Jesus did raise the dead.

Miracles in both Testaments really happened, which make them a part of history.

We have not set out to prove that miracles happened. First of all, this is impossible to do. More importantly, proof for me and other Bible believers is found in the God-inspired Word.

I have noticed that the miracles we read about in the Bible all have significant characteristics. They all exhibit the character of God, and they all teach truths about God.

Miracles are the very heart and center of Christianity. The greatest miracle of all was the reason for the coming of the divine God to live in human form among men. All other miracles fade in importance when compared with this great miracle.

To deny the miraculous is to deny the divine power of Christ. When we deny the supernatural power of God, we deny God’s existence. We will do neither!

John the apostle said, In His disciples’ presence, Jesus performed many other miracles which are not written down in this book. But these have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through your faith in Him you may have life (John 20:30, 31). Now we see that miracles are written in the Bible so that we can believe that Jesus is the Christ and that believing we might have life in His name. I personally deem that these are reasons enough for miracles.

I hope that as you read and meditate on the happenings in this publication, they will convey the overwhelming sense in which the wondrous creation and the works of God transform us directly into a response of awe and praise from our mind, body, and spirit.

Be blessed as you read In Awesome Wonder.

Deacon Raymond E. Roper

In Awesome Wonder

O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the world Thou hands hath made. This hymn was written by Carl Boberg, 1859–1940, but has been translated into many languages since and has been in circulation in the spirit of believers for a long time. It gives us a sense of majesty and beauty and keeps us in awe of God’s might and His power.

Many of us sing the song, It’s a wonder what the Lord can do, without really giving any thought to the true meaning of the lyrics, but truly, it is a wonder what the Lord can do.

What is a wonder? Does it mean the same as a miracle? A miracle, according to The Layman’s Bible Dictionary, is an occurrence of any event apparently contradictory to and unexplainable by the laws of science and usually attributed to God, or an event that is the result of a special act of God, doing what no human power can do.

A wonder, on the other hand, is an event unexplainable by the laws of nature, a miracle. For our purposes, we will use the words miracle and wonder synonymously.

Miracles cause great amazement. Simon himself also believed; after being baptized, he stayed close Phillip and was astounded when he saw great wonders and miracles that were being performed (Acts 8:13).

Miracles are used to describe extra healings. God was performing unusual miracles through Paul (Acts 19:11).

Miracles are a spiritual gift. God appointed people to work miracles just like He appointed apostles, prophets, and teachers. We are all to desire the higher gifts such as miracles and other gifts. Whoever does not have the Spirit cannot receive the gifts that come from God’s Spirit. Such a person really does not understand them, and they seem to be nonsense, because their value can be judged only on a spiritual basis (1 Cor. 2:14).

One of the most amazing wonders in all the world and the universe is the Creation that we read about in Genesis. God spoke and, amazingly, heaven and earth came into existence. God said that was good. This was a wonder! This vast creation reveals the character of God. God is so wise that we cannot comprehend, yet He is so approachable that He can be known by the simplest of us.

God’s footprints and His handprints are stamped in the wonders of His creation. His footprints are in the earth, and the handprints of God are in our complex bodies and throughout the heavens.

It is a glorious and splendid experience to witness God’s handiworks. The glory of creation is such an awesome testimony of God’s love for His children. His beauty and glory are beyond our intellectual capacity.

Time and time again, the Bible points to God’s creation and God’s greatness. As we read Psalm 8, we are encouraged to praise the excellent name of the Lord, who set His glory above the heavens and who made the moon, stars, man, and even the beasts of the fields, the birds of the air, and the fish in the sea.

The beauty, splendor, and design of God’s creation bring us closer to our Creator. His footprints and His handprints should make us stand in breathtaking wonder of Him and fall on our knees in worship of Him. We too should declare His glory among all nations (Ps. 96:3).

Yes, in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Personally, I think these are some of the most significant words found anywhere. The beginning is important for us to know because we must know our origin so that we can understand our purpose and place in this world.

God created all things good. We have damaged God’s good creation by sin, but Christ came to redeem creation by His death on the cross. All things start with God, and all things end with God. In the meantime, we have to learn how to live in this world that was made for us.

Psalm 8 begins and ends with O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. There is no place on earth where God’s power and His greatness and His glory cannot be seen.

God’s glory and His grandeur not only fill the earth and the universe but also extend beyond the universe. Psalm 8 also teaches us that the universe is big and that in comparison, we are very, very small. As we look at the stars at night, we can get some idea of the bigness of the universe.

Even though the Creation is now stained by sin, we can still see the exquisiteness of the Lord. We see the night sky stunning in its beauty. But the heavens are just one example. The mountains, the oceans, and the forest trees blazing with color, even the birds and the squirrels—how astonishing (Ps. 8:5, 6).

The most astounding thing is that God gave us, human beings, a special place in His creation. We are made a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned with glory and honor (Ps. 8:5, 6). God created man in His own image (Gen. 1:27). Yes, we are very small in the universe, but we are very significant to God, for He placed us in charge. Man is the crowning glory of God’s creative works. God made the earth as a home for man.

It may be difficult for us to get a handle on the might of our God, but according to His Word, He speaks to all people everywhere (Ps. 19:3, 4). There is no language barrier or volume barrier, nor is there a distance barrier.

Another wonder about God’s creation, and I assure you there are many, is the unimaginable significance of the sun. The sun is seen by all the earth’s population, and it serves us no matter where we live and no matter whether we are a saint or a sinner. God causes His own sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (Matt. 5:45).

How heartwarming yet mind boggling that we can say we are created fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14). Do we even know about our exceptional and complex physical bodies? Our human self is the most unique and difficult creation of all. Again, this gives great insight about the mind of our Creator.

Every single part of our bodies testifies to the fact that we are fearfully and wonderfully made; our bone structure, various kinds of blood cells, and the eyes—including the wonder-working eyeballs—are all wonders of God.

The brain, another intricate part of our body, reveals the authenticity of our bodies as made by God. Because of our brain, we have the ability to learn and reason; the brain controls many bodily functions, such as heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. One such function keeps us from keeling over when we walk, run, or stand.

Don’t forget that of the billions of people in this world, each one of us has a different DNA. There is no one anywhere on earth just like you or me. It is a wonder what the Lord can do.

Let’s, for a moment, consider how a single fertilized egg can conceive life. Oh, and don’t forget about our ability to feel, to taste, and to hear. What about our nose and our fingers and toes?

The human body is incredible—able to perform many functions synonymously. We honor our Creator through His Son, Jesus Christ, as we bowl over ourselves, God’s creation.

As God’s creatures, we are truly masterpieces, and each of us has been given a unique and an individual purpose and worth, especially equipped and set apart, having been made for God’s use.

We marvel and wonder about all of God’s creations. His creatures are more remarkable than anything human beings can ever conceive of. God’s varieties and species are beyond the mind’s eye: there are the moose that swim in the lakes, eagles that soar above, dolphins surfing the waves, and the bright, colorful birds we see in our yards.

What about God’s picturesque trees and plants? The cedar is known as the symbol of the glory of the Promised Land. Trees bless us in so many ways. Jesus used the behavior of plants in His teaching. Cultivation of plants has revolutionized human life.

Then, there are the glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star is different from another star in glory (1 Cor. 15:41).

How amazing and overwhelming to experience the night sky when we are away from the city. It is no wonder we are so fascinated by the stars—there are millions, but each one is different, and the most startling of all is that God calls them by name! We are beyond doubt grateful to God for the eyes He has given us to behold His handprints on His wondrous workmanship.

There are many more wonders and great works of beauty throughout the earth—from the stunning and colorful sunsets to the gifts of life, both of plants and animals, to God’s infinite gift of love for His creatures, the wonders and miracles of God.

God made everything charming and delightful for our enjoyment. You alone are the Lord. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve them all and the angels of heaven worship You (Neh. 9:6). I might add that we too worship, You, O God.

How could anyone doubt the ever-presence of God? When I look at the beauteous of God’s creation, I know that He is real. His wonders and miracles are all around us. We never cease to be flabbergasted at the wondrous plan and purpose for God’s creation and the fulfillment of all His promises.

Think about these things. According to the Big Site of Amazing Facts, the class of animals that humans belong to—mammals—include close to 5,000 species; there are over 15,000 species of birds, 3,000 kinds of snakes, and 300 kinds of turtles.

The mollusk family, which includes sea animals such as clams, has more than 100,000 members, while the lobster and crab family has over 20,000 species. We find 15,000 different species of one-celled animals, but the insects hold the record with well over 750,000 species.

God’s wisdom cannot be fathomed by man; we just know that we stand in awe of our Creator and we worship Him because of who He is.

God spoke plants into existence too. As with animals, there are many, many different species, all diverse in their foliage, color, and use. We have trees, shrubs, herbs, vines, weeds, and grass. We