Lisa Miller

FROM KEN MILLER

(Mennonite pastor who helped Lisa Miller)

Our dear sister Lisa Miller is going through some very deep waters right now, especially since her motion for pre-trial release was denied on Nov. 3. The jail she is being held at does not have Christian services, there are no other believers in her immediate area, so she has very little or no fellowship. In addition, she has been unable to get visitors. Can we pray in our congregations that the Love of God would be poured into her heart and that somehow the love of God’s people could be conveyed to her—so that she would sense the love of God’s people just as though she had fellowship and visitors? Can we stand beside her and help her lift the shield of faith?

Dear Brethren and Friends,

Great is His Faithfulness:

What might your difficulty be?

·        Cancelled endocrinologist appointments

·        Brain surgeries put on hold

·        High blood pressure

·        Rebellious children

·        Debilitating health

·        Excruciating migraines

·        Blaring competing TV’s

·        Moms and Dads dying of cancer

·        Delta variant

·        Unutterable horrific crimes

·        Autism

·        City-destroying earthquakes

·        Home-rebuilding floods

·        Knockout electricity hurricanes

·        Sudden deaths

·        Abandonment

·        Lost keys

·        Flour shortages

·        Separated families

·        Prison terms

These are all things that are happening to my friends or to myself . . .

Fear?  “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].” (2 Tim 1:7 Amp. Version) And, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 KJV)

Worry?  “Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? . . . Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”  (Matt 6:25, 34 KJV) And, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  (Phil. 4:6-7 KJV)

Great is His faithfulness among suffering? I read in a Bible Helps* pamphlet that suffering is intended for 4 reasons:

1)     To keep our eyes on Heaven (2 Cor. 4:17, Is, 35, Rom. 8:18)

2)     To chastise/discipline us (Heb. 12: 5-11, Rev. 3:19)

3)     To learn how to give comfort (2 Cor 1:3-7)

4)     To give glory to God/increasing our strength to run the race (Rom. 5:3, 2 Tim 1:8, Heb. 2:10, I Pet. 4:16, I Cor. 4:19)

I think of Noah (remember his many years of preaching that it was going to flood, when rain as we know it wasn’t even known and not one soul converted), Joseph, Naomi, Job, Mary, John the Baptist, Martha,  Paul… Jesus.

Suffering is suffering.  Pain is not comparable.

May all Christ followers say as Paul proclaimed:

“Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: 25Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. … 1For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 5For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.”  (Col 1:24-29, 2:1-5 KJV)

Serving Him,

Lisa Miller #149005A