THROUGH THE FLAMES
    by Doris E. Howie
    
    Opportunities abound in every circumstance around us - to witness, praise 
    or serve, to worship and obey, to rejoice in overtly untenable situations.   
    I know.  Like Paul and Silas singing in their midnight cell, I have come to 
    recognize that life's most trying moments are exactly that - trying - a 
    testing by God of our faith in His infallible will for our good, a divine 
    magnet drawing us closer to His wounded side.  
    
    "Whom the Lord would exalt, He first makes humble."  His methods vary, 
    but always, the severity of His discipline matches exactly the intensity 
    of our resistance to doing His will.  For my part, I was put through a
    wringer and squeezed free of every stubborn drop of self-sufficiency 
    (nasty process!) before learning that - always - we may rejoice in our 
    trials because we know we are being chastised as children of the King! 
    (Hebrews 12:11)
    
    Often our trials are sent to give our witness credibility, for having 
    overcome evil circumstances we are better fitted to help our fellow 
    Christians facing similar trials.  
    
    One vitally important asset appreciated only after His reliability
    has been tested through the flames of adversity is the ever-present Holy 
    Spirit.  This Comforter counsels, advises and corrects in every situation, 
    do we but listen for His guidance - and when we would witness, He gilds 
    (and guards, bless Him!) our tongue.
    
    Speaking of witnessing, be alert for every opportunity to tell others what 
    the Lord has done for you.  Remember always that these are the last days, 
    the  end times  of Revelation, as evidenced on every side by those who 
    "will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts . . . turn away 
    their ears  from the truth." ( 2Tim 4: 3-4)  Surely Christians in Ontario need no reminding of the fulfilment
    of this prophecy!
    
    Praise the Lord at all times and in every situation, trusting His loving 
    kindness to work for good through the most unlikely circumstances and 
    agencies.  Seek evidences of His bountiful provision for each daily need, 
    and give grateful thanks.  You will be amazed at the profusion of His 
    blessing!
    
    Above all, pray to be instructed in God's will for your life - and
    DO HIS BIDDING!  For years I prayed for my wants, completely missing 
    Christ's point when He gave us His prayer - the four indispensable words - 
    "Thy will be done."  Once I started to pray for the Lord's guidance so that 
    I could do His will, heaven's bounty of peace and contentment poured into 
    my life.
    
    "Seek ye the Lord, while yet He may be found........."

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Copyright 1994, 1996 by Doris E. Howie
E-mail dhowie@wcl.on.ca
URL: http://www.wcl.on.ca/~dhowie