The last sixteen months have been a time of testing for us. Buddy Replogle, my close brother in the Lord and DMEA Board Member went home suddenly to be with Jesus at the end of 2019. Soon afterwards, we found ourselves, like you, caught in the grip of COVID-19 Pandemic and the rip tides of politician and cultural upheaval of 2020. Churches pivoted to Online Services, and most of our schedule for revival meetings was cancelled. My Dad was diagnosed with Cancer and began his cancer treatments in June and continued to lose ground to Dementia. Angie's Mom had to have emergency Open Heart Surgery in June as well. Angie and I contracted COVID in September, and it was the worst illness either of us has experienced. In December, my mom contracted COVID and the Lord Jesus called her home on January 4, 2021. Since Mom's "Home Going" Service, I feel like we have been running the "Rat Race"! We have been settling her Estate, which is far more work than I ever knew, and caring for Dad. Dad finished his last treatment in March. Just when we thought we could see the light at the end of the tunnel, our water filtration system burst in our garage at Four A.M in late March.! We were able to shut off the water before it completely flooded everything. However, Angie fell and broke her foot and damaged the soft tissue. She is still unable to walk because the bone has not healed completely 9 weeks later. She is going to REHAB, and we hope she will be walking by the end of June. I have only outlined the major events that have happened. There have been many other personal trials and struggles with the Enemy! However, through it all the Lord Jesus Christ has been faithful to sustain us! PRAISE THE LORD! How have you coped over the last year and a half? I know Angie and I are not the only ones who have been in a time of testing. Although we have struggled at times, the weight of the burden has driven us to our knees and we have found "Rest in the Test". The Apostle James gives us a guide on how to find "Rest in the Test" (James 1:2-8). This passage has four imperatives that every Christian should obey when in a season of testing. First, "COUNT IT ALL JOY"- The LORD has allowed or caused this testing for our good and His glory! We must have the right attitude- OUTLOOK DETERMINES OUTCOME. Does this mean I should be joyful that there has been cancer, death, heartache, injury etc. in my life? No! I can choose to be joyful by counting on the LORD to be faithful to His Promises to me, and HE HAS! The LORD has shown me on several occasions that I needed an attitude adjustment! We all do from time to time, Second," KNOWING"- Know what? In midst of the testing, God is at work to grow and strengthen our faith in Him! Someone once said, "A faith that can't be tested, can't be trusted". Tests are God's mirror to show us how we really are and how much we need to grow! It is in the test that God gives us a greater testimony of His transforming power. We are challenged to not waste our sorrows! Let God use it to transform us to be more like Jesus! I am do not have perfect faith yet, I confess there is till room for me to grow. Third, "LET PATIENCE"- We are called to yield to God's timing and purpose in our testing, and we are to be patient! It is in the hothouse of the fiery trial that patience is grown! If you and I want to find "Rest in the Test", we must yield to our Lord Jesus in surrender and say, "not my will but thy will be done"! There is no other way to have victory than to surrender first! Are you fighting against the LORD? I am not naturally a patient person, and the LORD is revealing to me the depth of my rebellion in this time of testing. I want God to work on my time and my way. Do you struggle with this? Finally, "PRAY"- If we are going to have "Rest in the Test", we must pray! We must stay in an attitude of prayer. We must make time to pray and listen with our Bibles open. What should we ask for at the Throne of Grace? James says we should ask for WISDOM. We need the Holy Spirit to open our eyes so we can know how to apply the Word of God to our situation! We must ask in faith knowing our LORD will guide us and guard us through the test. I need wisdom and you do too! Have you been talking to everyone but God about your problems? If so, there is the reason you are angry, depressed, stressed, and discouraged! The Devil can't keep God from answering your prayers, bur he can keep you from praying! When we neglect to fellowship and worship with the LORD during times of testing, we open the door to the Devil to establish a stronghold from where he launches his attacks upon us! I have had to confess my sin of prayerlessness many times over past several months. Pray in faith knowing God is faithful! Angie and I have found the rest of "Blessed Assurance" in the Test, You can too if you will obey the admonition of James! Hallelujah, What a Savior!
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Doug MillerEvangelist Archives
May 2021
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