September 2026 Conchshell Chronicles

 The Journal of Seek The Lamb

POB 2151 Vero Beach FL 32961

seekingthelamb@gmail.com

Unusual Miracles

 

 

Our Sunday Morning Bible Study on Utila- studying the Book of Mark

 

In our Thursday morning group in Vero Beach is studying the letter to the Ephesians, and as context, this week we read Luke’s account of Paul in Ephesus in Acts 19.

Then Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly for the next three months, arguing persuasively about the Kingdom of God. ⁹ But some became stubborn, rejecting his message and publicly speaking against the Way. So Paul left the synagogue and took the believers with him. Then he held daily discussions at the lecture hall of Tyrannus. ¹⁰ This went on for the next two years, so that people throughout the province of Asia—both Jews and Greeks—heard the word of the Lord.

¹¹ God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. ¹² When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled. Acts 19:8-12

 

“Unusual Miracles?”

That begs the question “What are USUAL miracles?”

‘Usual’: normal, happening, done, or used most often (Cambridge Dictionary)

What are the ‘normal, used most often’ miracles that we should see or experience?

Are miracles expected to be a normal part of the life of a follower of Jesus?

When the Sadducees sarcastically asked Jesus about the seven brothers who died one by one and the wife of the first became the wife of all of them and asked:

In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had married her

 But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God. Matthew 22:23-29

 

Here Jesus identified the two elements critical in our mission of making disciples: knowing and experiencing God through His Words and His Power. This is what Paul was doing in Ephesus with his daily discussions and his miracle ministry.

 

Religious people like the Sadducees ignored what the Hebrew Scriptures told them about the spiritual world and God’s plan for humanity, and they never experienced His power. This religious behavior exists today in our Christian community when we focus of obeying the rules and being good, often so we can receive the good things that God has for us in this life.

Jesus’ manner of making disciples included many miracles: He turned water into wine, He healed the paralytic, he opened the eyes of a man born blind, he fed 5000 people with two fish and five loaves, He walked on water and He resurrected Lazarus.

Mark records that Jesus gave His disciples authority to do miracles as part of their evangelistic efforts.

And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits; ¹²  They went out and preached that men should repent. ¹³ And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them. Mark 6:7,12-13

 

The Bible is very clear that we also have been given this authority to utilize God’s power to touch our communities. In I Corinthians 12, Paul teaches his friends in Corinth about the supernatural empowerments of the Holy Spirit:

⁷ But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. ⁸ For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, ¹⁰ and to another the effecting of  miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the  distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

 

In his letter to the Romans, he added this:

Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; ⁷ if  service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; ⁸ or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with  liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:6-8

 

Look at these spiritual gifts that are given to the Followers of Jesus:

Words of knowledge, words of wisdom, faith, healing, effecting of miracles, prophecy, spiritual discernment, ability to speak an unknown language and understand a language, service, teaching, exhortation, giving generously, leadership, and showing mercy.

 

These are the ‘NORMAL’ miracles that apparently should be happening in our churches, small groups, Bible studies, and anywhere two or more Christians are together. 

 

Did you notice the opening declaration in 1 Corinthians 12 regarding these supernatural empowerments that come from the Holy Spirit that resides inside us?

 

But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

This is what Paul was doing in Ephesus with his daily discussions and his miracle ministry.

 

 Everyone has a spiritual gift that must be employed for the benefit of others.

If you haven’t yet explored your spiritual gift, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal it to you. Then begin to exercise it. Listen closely to His voice. He will guide you and empower you. 

Then we will all notice greater results in our efforts to make disciples of those whom God has placed around us.  Those First, Second, Third and Fourth Century disciples understood and utilized these supernatural empowerments of the Holy Spirit, which resulted in a growth of the Church to 33,000,000 in the Roman Empire.

We can accomplish our mission my brothers and sisters, by using the abilities God has given each one of us. As Paul write to his friends in Ephesus:

 

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. Ephesians 1:18-19

 

Here are our recent discussions on the Great Commission.

 

 

 

 

Lamb Bleatings

 

I really appreciate knowing the Creator of the sunrise and the sunset.  It is so basic having Some One in my life who will never leave me, forsake me, betray me or forget about me ever.  From the day I was born, He designed me and made me for His enjoyment and delight.   Above all else God wants to have a personal and intimate relationship with me. 

 The very first commandment is ,” You shall have no other gods before Me”.

 I find this to be one of the hardest commandment to follow and keep because

I want to be god. Ruler of the throne of my life.

I want what I want and I want everyone to understand me, my expectations and desires....

 I  complicate my existence by taking charge and not trusting the One I declare to be my Loving , Perfect Heavenly Father.  He is the only One who has the perfect perspective for my life, thinking, attitudes and loving will for me.  No one can direct me as my Father can.  Yet, my focal Point gets robbed by circumstances, feelings, thoughts that do not come from my Number 1 Source.

When I lose my focus on the One true God and King of my heart, I flounder with a double mind lacking peace and The Answers of Wisdom that guide me and protect me. 

I have been trying to practice asking more questions of the Lord with each moment rather than just lunging forward in my usual self assertion and lack of foresight from the One who knows best, cares the most and can do everything about anything ...and anything about everything.  The miracle Worker wants to enter into my moments constantly because it is His will to be Known, seen and heard in this noisy evil world. 

We all get snagged by Evil as we go along where we lose our peace that comes from God.  We start looking around instead of looking to Him .  God’s word is very clear as to what we ought to be and where we need to focus.

God first, others before self, ask the question…”What do you think, God? How should I be thinking about this because right now I feel confused, angry, and …...my heart wants revenge and justice!  

God help me and deliver me !  God disciplines whom He loves and reminds me that Vengeance belongs to Him.

I know He loves me because I have been getting a lot of spankings and revelations of my inner wretchedness.  Falling short causes me to face and own my deeply embedded flaws.  I know how much I need the Great Physician to heal me and redeem me.   Free me from my violent movies I play in my head and have in my heart.  He alone works every detail out.

The Bible says, “Trust in the Lord with ALL of your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In ALL your ways, ACKNOWLEDGE Him and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes;  Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.  It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.“ Proverbs 3:5-7  

We all have triggers, ailments, flaws and wrong thinking. Basic sin that causes each one to fall short of God’s design for our lives.  I thank the good Lord for speaking in a language I can understand as I take the time to ask and listen for His response which is so gentle, kind and loving. 

He has assured me in my times of tantrums, lack of trust and going about deaf , dumb and blind...He gently says, “I got you...I know what I am doing and how I will get it all accomplished in Victory.  You don’t have to understand. Just trust Me . I am the same yesterday , today and forever. I will never leave you or forsake you . 

We are all tested upon this earth. I will bring about My good and perfect will.  My Love endures all things, Hopes all things, believes all things and Love NEVER FAILS.  I AM GOD AND THERE IS NO OTHER . Rest and be still. I cannot disappoint.”   Laura

 

Rio Coco Cafe Utila Honduras

Welcome top the Rio Coco Cafe Utila!

Our summer on Utila was filled with many new friendships!

We had Hondurans, Germans, French, Italians, Israelis, Canadians, Americans and  Here we are enjoying an Israeli meal made by our friends.

There were dinners at our home, Birthday celebrations, Sunday Bible study gatherings, along with the many meals and drinks served at the Rio Coco Café.

 ‘Nacho’ (Chip) Kendall brought his family from Manchester England and they spent most of August with us.

Rio Coco Cafe Life

 

We invited the Methodist Pre-School over to decorate cupcakes.

It was a very “sweet” event.

Chip and Hellen sponsored the entire Methodist school to a Biblical movie at the cinema along with popcorn.

God moves through our hospitality and service. Many of the scuba and free divers were touched by our time with them.

 

We have openings for our staff in 2027.

 Please email us at seekingthelamb@gmail.com if you are interested in joining our team.

 

Our August Rio Coco Cafe Utila Team

Podcasts

We are currently providing two Podcasts

Serving A Cup of Life hosted by Lukas Bagby and Michael Bagby

Lukas had been with the ministry sonce his birth in Honduras in 1992. He has a different life perspective that most young adults. He and his father discuss many relevant topics. Join us for our next discussion.

Serving A Cup of Life.

 

A Cup of Friendship hosted by Rhett Palmer and Michael Bagby

Join radio host Rhett Palmer and Biblical Historian Michael Bagby as they look at lessons from the Bible, trying to understand them as if they were in the room, on the mountainside, and with Jesus, His Discples, and those later disciples of the First Century.

Understanding the culture & politics of the time help us understand the message, as does the geographical setting and the nuances of the Hebrew and Greek language.

The audio versions of these episodes are available on Spotify under "A Cup of Friendship" podcast.

Cup of Friendship

How Can You Help This Month? 

1) Purchase Rio Coco Beans Coffee and have it delivered to your door.  Here is the link to our webstore.  riococobeans.com

2) Help with our repairs to the Utila Cafe septice system.

3) Support a Seek The Lamb missionary.

Here is our secure page for your donations. Thanks!

Seek The Lamb Giving

Spiritual Arrows / Your Prayers

Pleaase pray that God will:

1) Guide us in our discipleship efforts in Florida, Honduras and Nicaragua

2) Provide the funds for the Nicaragua Bible Clubs and Utila Honduras outreach

3) Provide us with missionaries on Utila in 2027.