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...

Isaiah 43: 1-2 (ESV) says, “But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:  Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” 

Mothers of Nations, God promises to protect, comfort, strengthen, and guide those who love Him – those who have a personal relationship with Him. His Word confirms to us time and time again that no matter what we go through, He is always on our side and always with us. In Romans 8:3b we read. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” We also find the promise in 1 Kings 8:51 that He will never leave us or forsake us. 

I love the example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace of Daniel 3. 

Daniel 3: 16-18 (NLT) -- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not ...

How many of us have ever experienced a “storm” in our lives?  It is fairly safe to say that we are all in one of three positions today. We just came through and overcame a storm. We are in a storm right now. Or, we will be headed into a storm sooner or later. Storms are part of our journey in life. 

What is the definition of a “storm?”  The dictionary says that a storm is a disturbance of the normal condition of the atmosphere, often accompanied with one or more of these conditions:  strong winds, rain, thunder, hail, lightening or snow.  A second definition is this:  a tumultuous reaction, an uproar, a controversy, trouble, or a violent disturbance of affairs in life.

The ”storms” we are going to look at in the next several blog entries are of the second definition’s description.  Some of our “atmosphere disturbances” in our lives aren’t that surprising and are more like inconvenient interruptions.  We recognize warning signs.  For example, other people are getting laid off as your ...

The Gift of Working of Miracles

Today we will conclude this study of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit by looking at the third “power gift” called the working of miracles. It is a power gift where supernatural intervention in the ordinary course of nature occurs.

This spiritual gift is extremely outstanding, unusual, and beyond human reasoning. Working of miracles can turn water into blood, stop a hurricane, lift a tornado, dissipate a tidal wave, still a storm, or feed a multitude on a small supply.

Hebrews 2: 4 (NKJV) tells us that signs and wonders follow the believer. “God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will.”

Working of miracles is sometimes so natural that it barely seems supernatural. When Moses parted the Red Sea, science tries to explain it as an ice storm. When Moses hit the rock and water gushed out there are those who say this was a trick that desert people knew how to perform. ...

The Gifts of Healing

Along with the spiritual gift of faith we often see the other two “power gifts” operating at the same time. Today we will look at the “power gift” called gifts of healing. This gift is exercised supernaturally when diseased and infirmed people are healed without natural means.

Jesus operated in the gift of healing all the time. Matthew 4: 23 (NKJV) tells us that Jesus “went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.” 

The leper was healed in Matthew 8: 3 (NKJV). “Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’  Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.”

When Jesus healed a man with a withered hand in chapter twelve of the book of Matthew, He stirred up religious controversy with this particular spiritual gift.

Matthew 12: 10-14 (NKJV)

10 And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, s...

The Gift of Faith

Today we will start discussing the last grouping of the nine spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit, the “power gifts.” These “power gifts” include the gift of faith, gifts of healing, and working of miracles. Let’s start with the spiritual gift of faith.

Hebrews chapter eleven records some of the fruit of operating in the gift of faith. It can help us obtain a good report and help us understand that the worlds are framed by God. The gift of faith will offer a sacrifice to God, cause us to be translated without seeing death, prepare an ark, or take a step of faith. The faith gift will have us leave our homeland, bring us to an unknown destiny, and lead us to conceive a child when we have been barren. It will bless our children, help us identify with the poor when we could be rich, and so on.

We see the gift of faith in operation when Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den. Despite the decrees of the land, Daniel could not compromise his dedication to his God. He believe...

The Gift of Discerning of Spirits 

Today we will look at the third “revelation gift” called discerning of spirits. This gift is defined as supernatural insight into the realm of the spirits. When this spiritual gift operates, we can see and discern angels or demons, the human spirit, or God’s Spirit.

There are two worlds. One is the visible, natural world and the other is the supernatural, invisible world. The powers at work in these worlds are either of God, man, or the devil. The natural world is affected and perceived by our senses, whereas the supernatural world is perceived by discerning of spirits.

There are many examples of demon spirits in the Bible.

Luke 13: 10-13 (NKJV) talks about the spirit of infirmity. “Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, ‘Woman, you ar...