Have you ever watched a Trapeze Show? This fascinating and breath taking event has entertained audiences for centuries because of the skill and timing of the two highflying partners. I think the most difficult aspect of this event is when the "flyer" must let go in mid-air and trust and wait on the "catcher" to come to the rescue! although the routine has been practiced a multitude of times, the "flyer" must have trust in the "catcher" each time. He cannot become panicked or impatient or else the who timing of the event will be thrown off!! I am reminded that this is a picture of what it means to trust in the Lord as we wait for Him work out our circumstances for His glory and our good (Romans8:28). We are encouraged to "wait on the LORD" in over 40 times in the Bible, and there are many examples of those who "waited on the LORD" like Abraham & Sarah, Hannah, Joshua and many other portraits of those who "waited on the LORD" in the gallery of Scripture. Waiting has never been an easy exercise for people at anytime in history, but the 21th Century Christian seems to be the most impatient of all saints because of our instant gratification culture! We want our prayers answered now, our problems solved now, and out trails over now. We forget that one of the great spiritual disciplines is learning to wait on the LORD. Yes, it is a discipline that must be learned and developed as we allow the Holy Spirit to teach us through the Scriptures "Ways of God" so that we may have spiritual stamina for the journey(Psalms 27:14 & Isaiah 40:31).. Too many Christians want to see the "Works of God" without learning the "Ways of God". A great example of this is seen in the Exodus of the Children of Israel. Despite seeing miracle after miracle, the people were anxious, angry, bitter, and depressed every time they encountered a new challenge on the journey to the Promise Land. They had seen the "Works of God" but had failed to understand the "Ways of God"! In each and every challenge along the way, the LORD had a purposed to teach His ways so that they could learn to trust and obey Him in all that they would encounter as they conquered the Promise Land! Every time I write the phrase "trust and obey" I think of the old hymn we sang when I was a child. I vividly remember the chorus, "there is no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey". It is true! Over the last 20 months, the events Angie and I have experienced are not what we had envisioned early 2017. However, we are learning the "Ways of our LORD" as we wait to see the "Works of Our LORD" We spent much time praying, praising, and studying the Word on our journey through the doctors appointments, procedures, tests, and one horrific surgery. We have experienced the strenuous stretching exercise of "Waiting on the LORD". We have learned we have much to learn about the "Ways of God". It has not always been easy to do so, but the Holy Spirit has renewed our Hope time and time again Furthermore, as we learn the "Ways of God" we have experienced the overflowing joy of seeing the "Work of God"! In the Summer of 2016, I did not realize the significance that a "supply preaching appointment" would have on our lives over the next three years. I was to preach for Antioch Baptist Church on Father's Day 2016. I continued to supply the pulpit for the fellowship in between revival that Summer and Fall. I accepted the opportunity to be their Interim Pastor for four months beginning in November 2016. However, the Fellowship of "Amazing Antioch" put no termination date upon the interim; I was away preaching a revival during that Business Meeting! This was nothing short of the providential working out of the ways God. I continued to preach revivals and to lead the fellowship as they searched for a pastor. It was during this time my health issues , which had already began to appear in early 2016, continued to become more severe. Yet in all of this uncertainty and concern over my health, the LORD was preparing a way for us! I had to cancel my whole 2017 Spring Revival Schedule because of my HIP REVISION SURGERY and 5 month rehab. At the same time the Fellowship was seeking a pastor. The LORD closed the doors on the Pulpit Committee. I aged to stay for one more year as Interim, My REHAB was slow and painful. after 6 months I was able to preach a limited Fall Revival Schedule. I had no idea that in just a few months I would experience heart arrhythmia issues that would cause me to cancel most of my Spring 2019 schedule. Why was all of this happening? Have you ever asked yourself that question and even asked the Lord Jesus in your prayers? I had all kinds of thoughts go through my minded, and most were from the Devil! As we prayed and sought godly counsel, the LORD revealed his immediate will for us. I was to stay at "Amazing Antioch" and continue the work of the DMEA on a limited basis as I regained my health. The LORD prepared the Fellowship and us for this part of the journey. After four weeks of prayer and discussion with the Fellowship and the DMEA Board, the "Amazing Antioch" Fellowship voted to call Angie and I 100%! Looking back, I can see the Ways and Working of the LORD in all those circumstances! I echo the words of Paul in Philippians 3:12-15! We are "pressing on" as we learn to trust the Lord. Let me challenge you to allow the Holy Spirit to teach you the "Ways of God" so you can experience the "Works of God". The Lord Jesus is preparing you today for what He has prepared for you! This is part of the jy of the journey! Press On Brothers and Sisters I Jesus!
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Doug MillerEvangelist Archives
May 2021
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