Today we will look into Acts 5 and start our discussion with one couple named Ananias and Sapphira who did not understand the power of the Holy Spirit nor the severe consequences of lying to the Holy Spirit.  Do you remember what happened to them?  They dropped dead when they tried to manipulate Peter!  (Acts 5: 1-11)

You see, the land they owned was theirs to keep and sell, but they were trying to impress others by participating in the giving but still keeping some for a rainy day.  They lied when they told Peter that they gave their all. Mothers of Nations, the Holy Spirit cannot be lied to nor manipulated to benefit man. 

What is important to note here is that both Ananias and Sapphira looked at Peter and lied.  Peter was the vehicle the Holy Spirit used to speak through.  When the anointing of God is on a person’s life and they ask you a question, do not lie.  You may find consequences will follow in your own life.  You cannot lie to God’s people and expect to not pay a price. Th...

As we move to Acts 4, we see that the anointing on the lives of the apostles and the early Church was now creating quite a stir.  The priests, Sadducees, and the captain of the temple had become extremely upset.  You see, the anointing brought a teaching that to some was new.  How could a dead man be resurrected?  These Sadducees did not believe in any form of resurrection, let alone a man like Jesus raising from the dead.             

But the complaints of the religious leaders did not hinder the Believers and more were coming to Christ daily.  Peter was put in custody with others and kept overnight.  The next day the whole religious contingency of the High Priest showed up in Jerusalem.  They brought Peter and his team out of jail and wanted to know by what power or by what name they had done these things. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power, or by what name, have you done this?” (Acts 4:7 NKJV)

Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, then started to tal...

As we follow our discussion of the anointing into Acts 3, we see Peter and John going to the temple to pray. The anointing on their lives did not separate them from the temple activities immediately.  They still followed some of the prayer habits from their past traditions.  This may have been a normal routine for them, but this particular day at the temple gate, a lame man was asking for alms.  This man was brought by someone and laid at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful.  As he reclined against the gate, he begged for a handout from passersby.

That day the anointing of God was present on two of God’s chosen people.  The lame man, however, looked at Peter and John and asked them for alms.  Peter, all of a sudden sensing the anointing of the Holy Spirit, spoke those profound words, “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have, give I unto thee.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”  Peter took him by the right hand and lifted him up.  Immediat...

The anointing has always been one of my favorite topics to teach. My first years of knowing the Lord introduced me to His Spirit and to the anointing.  Many people have ideas as to what the anointing is and many operate in the anointing in their ministries.  To me, the anointing is the manifested presence of the Lord in a tangible way that we might know He is present.

The anointing may manifest in unlimited, diverse ways, yet we often limit it to only our past experiences.  This is a mistake because whichever way God chooses to demonstrate Himself is His choice and certainly not ours.  We may stir up the Gifts of God by prayer or teaching the Word, but in all reality, God decides just how much of Himself shows up!

The anointing is so precious.  Therefore, we need to spend time learning about it so we can be more effective in our walk with God.

Acts 2 tells us that the early Church received power when the Holy Spirit came upon them.  They were, according to the scriptures, speaking i...

Today we will conclude this study of overcoming the storms of life. It has been such a great honor and pleasure to share with you some of my personal experiences and how I have learned about the promises of God and His character.

Mothers of Nations, we all face storms in our lives.  But as Believers, how should we respond to these storms that come our way?  The truth is that our responses determine our outcome.

Were any of you ever a Girl Scout?  Their motto could also be our motto as Believers.  The motto?  BE PREPARED.

One way to prepare ourselves for problems and storms is to live a life always standing on God's Promises.  We need to deeply imbed the Word into our hearts and spirits so that at a moment’s notice we can reach into that treasure trove of truth and pull out encouragement particular to any situation that arises.

Make it a practice to claim those promises aloud by faith daily. Sometimes Scripture is our only ground to stand on that keeps us from sinking in the mudslid...

Yes, we all experience storms in life, but let’s not forget this truth.

The Word of God declares that we are OVERCOMERS!

1 John 5:4-5 (ESV) “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.  Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

Mothers of Nations, Jesus puts our storms into perspective when He says in 1 John 4:4 “…for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

Paul reminds us in Romans 8: 37 that “… in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” In Philippians 4:13 we are assured:  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

We see that the Word of God has much to say about overcoming. Jesus tells us that a byproduct of the process of overcoming is the inner peace He brings us. John 17:27 (ESV) “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not yo...

Mothers of Nations, in today’s blog entry let’s look at a final example of how God can use storms to work all things together for our good. Have you noticed in your own life that the storms you walk through can reinforce that Jesus is our refuge? 

I believe that the Word of God and the Presence of Jesus Himself are our greatest refuge in the midst of storms. In John 16:33 (ESV) Jesus says, “In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Here Jesus is telling His disciples there is no doubt that they will experience trials and storms in life. However, He also promises them that He is more powerful than anything they will face.  Anything.

He has overcome all things and Christ “the Overcomer” lives in us!

Think about your own life right now. How has the Lord been your refuge in the midst of storms?  Let me briefly share how Jesus became my refuge during a “hurricane of health assault” I experienced in the fall of 2011.

I served as a church ...

In today’s entry let’s continue to discover more ways in which God unfolds the truth of Romans 8:28 in our lives. For example, have you considered that storms create opportunity for us to develop our faith in greater measures?

Let’s be real here. In times of crisis, we normally don’t throw our hands in the air and say, “Bring it on!" We know the Word talks about “the testing of our faith” and certainly, storms do test us!

But reading about and experiencing “testings of faith” are two quite different experiences. Our immediate reactions to storms may be feelings of shock, powerlessness, anger, confusion, deep grief, and other “faith-less” feelings.

Yet as we stretch our faith in these rock bottom experiences, we realize that Jesus is THE ROCK at the bottom! He sustains, anchors, strengthens and comforts us through it all, bringing us to victory and an overcomer’s testimony. Our task is to remain full of faith and hope – not losing our confidence.

How do we hold on to our confidence,...

In our entry last week I shared that my favorite “life verse” has always been Romans 8: 28.  The New Living Translation says it this way. ^“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”

One of the ways that I have discovered “good” to result through the challenges I have faced is this.  Storms give us opportunity to witness for Christ to others. Trusting God in our tough times is a great witness to the world. 

When people know that we serve the Lord and they see us handling difficulties by trusting in God, they see that our faith is real. The apostle Paul knew this well. His “thorn in the flesh” caused him great grief and three times he asked the Lord to be relieved of this affliction.

Yet, what was God’s answer? In 2 Corinthians 12: 8-10 (ESV) we read: “Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.  But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient to you, for My power...

Not only is God with us as we experience storms in our lives as we discussed last week, but we can be assured that God is also in control during these times as well. Probably my most favorite “life verse” is Romans 8: 28 (NLT). ^“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”

This verse has been my “rock” – my “bottom line” – many times during storms in my life. It is a promise from God to those who are committed to Him, that nothing will happen in their lives that God is not overseeing -- nothing.

Sometimes we may not understand God’s plan, but He is still in control and working everything out for our good and His glory.

Even when we are the cause of our storm, God can use it.

Even when other people hurt us intentionally, God can use it.

Even when the devil plans bad things for us, God can bring good out of it.

God's Promise is greater than our problem or pain -- always.

Psalm 37: 23 r...