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March 29th, 2020

3/29/2020

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​Dear brothers & sisters in Christ, 

This time of trial has caused some to be frightened while others may be bored, angry or depressed. But since it has been permitted by God, it is for our good. Trials build our faith and give us opportunity to be used as a testimony of God's grace. Keep praying and looking up! Our redemption draws near! 

I shared this with the men at our Bible study last year. I think it is appropriate for us today. 

"This sickness is not unto death." John 11:4 

"From our Lord's words we learn that there is a limit to sickness. Here is an "unto" within which its ultimate end is restrained, and beyond which it cannot go. Lazarus might pass through death, but death was not to be the ultimatum of his sickness. In all sickness, the Lord saith to the waves of pain, "Hitherto shall ye go, but no further." His fixed purpose is not the destruction, but the instruction of his people. Wisdom hangs up the thermometer at the furnace mouth, and regulates the heat.
1. The limit is encouragingly comprehensive. The God of providence has limited the time, manner, intensity, repetition, and effects of all our sicknesses; each throb is decreed, each sleepless hour predestinated, each relapse ordained, each depression of spirit foreknown, and each sanctifying result eternally purposed. Nothing great or small escapes the ordaining hand of him who numbers the hairs of our head.
2. This limit is wisely adjusted to our strength, to the end designed, and to the grace apportioned. Affliction comes not at haphazard-the weight of every stroke of the rod is accurately measured. He who made no mistakes in balancing the clouds and meting out the heavens, commits no errors in measuring out the ingredients which compose the medicine of souls. We cannot suffer too much nor be relieved too late.
3. The limit is tenderly appointed. The knife of the heavenly Surgeon never cuts deeper than is absolutely necessary. "He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men." A mother's heart cries, "Spare my child"; but no mother is more compassionate than our gracious God. When we consider how hard-mouthed we are, it is a wonder that we are not driven with a sharper bit. The thought is full of consolation, that he who has fixed the bounds of our habitation, has also fixed the bounds of our tribulations."
-Charles Spurgeon 

Five Reasons We Worry
1.     We don’t trust God Isaiah 26:3, 1Peter 5:7
2.     We look at our circumstances & lose sight of the Lord Matthew 14:30,
3.     We forget He is always with us Hebrews 13:5
4.     We try to figure things out in our own wisdom  Matthew 6:31-33, Philippians 4:6
5.     We look to human help Jeremiah 17:5, Hebrews 13:6
 
Look to others and be depressed
Look to self and be distressed
Look to Jesus and be blessed
 
"Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me"
Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Over life's tempestuous sea:
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rocks and treach'rous shoal;
Chart and compass come from Thee--
Jesus, Savior, pilot me!
—Edward Hooper
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A Letter From Pastor Miller

3/21/2020

1 Comment

 
Dear loved ones in Christ,

I don't know about you, but I am missing having services and meetings a lot! I miss you all and pray that this virus thing will end soon. 

No doubt you have spent a great deal of time seeking to digest the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic. It is good to stay informed and to avoid the virus, but being obsessed with the news is not helpful or good for our spiritual health. Paul in Philippians 4:8 encourages us to think on things that are edifying and uplifting and that honor the Lord. The best thing we can do to calm our fears and uplift our spirits is to read God's Word, especially the Psalms. In the Psalms we find that our situation is not unique and that many of God's people have suffered similar things. They not only have survived; they have thrived and shared their testimonies on the pages of Scripture. 

Psalm 91 has long been one of my favorites, and the author's words fit with the current crisis that we are experiencing now. 

First, he declares the special relationship and trust he has in God in vs. 1-2: He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." No one, but the believer in Christ can say this: The Lord is "my refuge", "my fortress", "my God" "in Him I will trust". 

In verses 3-10, he speaks of God's active protection. "He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you shall take refuge". These verses have often been claimed by servicemen in war, but it can be claimed by believers today as well. Not the words "pestilence", "evil" and "plague". You can properly insert "coronavirus" here. God will protect His children in times like these and at all other times. This is not a guarantee that we will escape the coronavirus, but that  He is in control. God will be right there with us in the midst of our trial. He may use it to punish the wicked, but for the saints, it is an opportunity to declare our faith and glorify the Lord (1 Peter 1:7). 

We see that even the angels are involved in our protection in verses 11-13. Note: Hebrews 1:14. 

The Psalm ends (vs. 14-16) with a reiteration that God cares for His own, that He answers prayer and honors those who trust Him in times of trouble. 

The bottom line is this: "God will take care of you!" 

Be not dismayed whate'er betide,
  God will take care of you!
Beneath His wings of love abide,
  God will take care of you!
God will take care of you,
Through every day o'er all the way;
 He will take care of you;
  God will take care of you!
 Through days of toil when heart doth fail,
  God will take care of you!
When dangers fierce your path assail,
  God will take care of you!
 All you may need He will provide,
  God will take care of you!
Trust Him, and you will be satisfied,
  God will take care of you!
 Lonely and sad, from friends apart,
  God will take care of you!
He will give peace to your aching heart,
  God will take care of you!
 No matter what may be the test,
  God will take care of you!
Lean, weary one, upon His breast,
  God will take care of you!


Love & prayers for you all, 
Pastor Dan

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    This is a blog reiterating Pastor Dan's: Letters to the Editor, Newspaper Articles, and etc... 

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Virginia, MN 55792





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