If you want to, then hear me as a friend, sitting down with you with a light-hearted smile, with all seriousness, and years of research along with friends saying 'look at this (miracle, healing, etc.)' while redirecting you to be one not looking for any of those things but
“looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2 ESV)
since
“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He [Jesus] is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”? And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”” (Hebrews 1:1–6 ESV)
We do not worship angels as angels are by their very Greek word definition, a messenger of God, like the one declaring to Mary and Joseph about Jesus, confirming the Bible's Old Testament prophecies foretelling the Christ coming and to be named Jesus:
“But as he [Joseph] considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.” (Matthew 1:20–25 ESV)
If you have heard differently, then it ain't 'Christ' or 'Christianity.' Doubting that? Then take Jesus' word for it:
“For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect [believers or Christians].” (Matthew 24:24 ESV)
But what about those "signs and wonders" mentioned in the Bible's New Testament of Acts? Consider reading the New Testament prequel to Acts, Luke's Gospel, which Luke references in Acts chapter 1 to define "signs and wonders:"
“In the first book [Luke's Gospel], O Theophilus [c.f. Luke 1:4], I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me;for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses [Greek word μάρτυς for 'martyr,' one who will die, not live, for what they believe] in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”” (Acts 1:1–8 ESV)
Therefore, before defining "signs and wonders" or be deceived by teachers, leaders, and pastors, let Jesus teach you first. Read God's word with the author's intent and in context. Any teacher, preacher, pastor, and elder are suppose to ensure people are going to God and not intervening or being a mediator on God's behalf by misinterpreting, misleading, or manipulating God's word, world, or people. In an analogy way, they are an under-shepherd of the chief shepherd, Jesus, always redirecting people to follow the chief shepherd.
Remember, if anything good can be used for deception or falsified, then couldn't "signs and wonders" be falsified, especially to manipulate others into the "presence and voice of God?" Yes, yes they can be falsified. How can you beware? Beware by "looking to Jesus."
God is not trying to make our life better but revealing he is better than life, and his primary 'revelation' was the unfolding, making known, or sending of Jesus -- God the son divinely in flesh -- the One to truly 'behold!' We do not need a present proof of Christ like a miracle, healing, sign, wonder, or angelic message because the proof is in the past that has lasted to the present and into the future. The proof is in the person and work of Christ Jesus.
No matter the suffering or success, we become saved and sanctified (set apart, washed, cleansed) by God to be his 'witnesses' who live for him in real life. If we look to something else, either falsified things or even good things, we end up living existentially through mystical-spirituality hyperbolized as a 'spiritual awakening' or 'revelation' that is masked as 'Christianity' or 'Christ' commands while missing the mark of the gospel and the glory of God.
In God, you will find wisdom for real life like working jobs, being a truthful and loving friend, being characterized as enduring and steadfast, having faithful marriages, training children to mature into adulthood, teaching and learning from other's examples, and so on. Throughout life then, God 'Spirit'ually leads and characterizes us to love:
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.” (Galatians 5:13–15 ESV)
We learn what 'Spirit'ual love is not:
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
We learn what 'Spirit'ual love is:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.” (Galatians 5:16–6:5 ESV)
Meaning, when one follows Christ, they are not out of control, fickle, looking for the next best blessing, church, or ministry with the next healing or 'word from God,' and so on. We become 'Spirit'ually led in real life to be focused on Christ, truthful, humbled, and loving.
Let your life's aim be him.
