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...

The Gift of the Word of Wisdom

Let’s continue our examination of the “revelation gifts” by looking at a second one, the gift of the word of wisdom. In last week’s blog we talked about the verses of Acts 9: 10-13. There we saw that Ananias hesitated to act at first, having heard of the evil Saul had done. But the Lord reassured him through the spiritual gift of the word of wisdom that this man Saul was a chosen vessel of God and would bear the Lord’s name to the Gentiles.

Actually, Ananias was hearing a word of wisdom through the gift of prophecy! The word of knowledge told the whereabouts of Saul and the purpose that needed to be accomplished. The word of wisdom revealed the future destiny for Saul. The gift of prophecy, coupled with the laying on of hands and the gifts of healing, changed Saul from a blind man who murdered Christians to a godly man who saved them and led them to the light of Jesus Christ. It is good to remember that all three spiritual revelation gifts are bestowed ...

The Gift of the Word of Knowledge 

This week we will begin our study of the three “revelation gifts” which are known as the gift of the word of knowledge, the gift of the word of wisdom, and the gift of discerning of spirits. Let’s start today with the gift of the word of knowledge.

The word of knowledge gift is defined as supernatural revelation by the Holy Spirit of certain facts in the mind of God. This knowledge is in part and only recalls a portion of the past or present. Sometimes the gift will inform us of impending danger, trouble, or judgment. At other times, the gift reveals secrets of men, recalls forgotten knowledge, converts a sinner, detects evil, or gives encouragement.

Once when I was counseling a young lady regarding her continual fear, I suggested we stop talking and pray for a few minutes. Immediately I saw a vision of a little girl on the ground and someone had fallen and was lying on top of her. These two people had been climbing up an embankment and in the proc...

The Gift of Prophecy

Prophecy is the third “inspiration gift” of the Holy Spirit. It is defined as a supernatural utterance in a known tongue. This gift is an opportunity to speak to man the Word of the Lord. 

Prophecy will exhort, edify, or comfort. As exhortation, the spiritual gift of prophecy brings encouragement and/or a beckoning toward God. The edifying prophecy removes fear, feelings of inadequacy, and increases strength. Comforting prophecy gives the feeling of assistance, hope, cheering up, or consolation.

In Numbers 11: 29 Moses said he wished that everyone could prophesy, and today in this Church age, that is possible. Prophecy is available to all. In the Old Testament, prophecy was mostly foretelling. But in the New Testament, prophecy is forth telling. Its main purpose is to make us better Christians.

My first experiences with the spiritual gift of prophecy were honestly personally scary for me. I was afraid that I might make a mistake or mislead someone. But a prophe...

The Gift of Interpretation of Tongues

As we continue our study of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, let’s now look at another of the “inspiration gifts.”  Tongues manifesting as one of the spiritual gifts often occur in meetings and large or small assemblies. This gift of tongues alerts an audience to listen for someone to then give an interpretation of the tongue into an understood language.

We might ask, “Why tongues and interpretation?”  The answer is that tongues and the interpretation of tongues is a sign to the unbeliever. More than once I have heard stories where someone has spoken in tongues, and when the interpretation came, the unbeliever was astounded to know that another person could speak his/her language.

One time I spoke in an unknown tongue in a chapel in Israel and then gave the interpretation of the tongue. Our tour guide recognized the language I spoke and was amazed that I knew the dialect so well. When I told him that I did not know how to speak the language, b...