From My Heart

Now for another voice: I just received a letter from my dear friend and brother, Terry Mize. Here is an excerpt: Dear Jim & Patsy, Wow! What crazy times we are living through right now. Thomas Payne said, “These are the times that try mens’ souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” Proverbs tells us, “If you faint in the time of adversity, your strength is small.” These are the days we are made for. This is our time to shine! We are not as the Apostle Paul said, “just mere men.” We are not like the world. There should be a difference between atheists and disciples. I have always told my family: when difficulties come, hardships come, tragedies happen, they will test your metal. Your spiritual metal. Whatever tragedies come, how big, how terrible, how unthinkable, they will at some point, pass. It will at some point become a testimony. Whether or not it is a good testimony or bad testimony depends on how you handle it during the crisis. As you know, I have buried a son and a wife, I know something about tragedy. I came through both with a good testimony. They were definitely a violation of covenant, but did not change what I believed, preached or lived. Anyone, (the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot,) can live in Faith and be victorious when things are going great, going your way. But when the chips are down is when the true patriot, the true Christian shines. Ecclesiastes 7:14 “ in the day of prosperity, rejoice, but in the day of adversity consider.” God tells us that when things are going wrong......CONSIDER! I don’t know how long this current crisis with the COVID19 virus will last. Not long I’m sure. Even shorter if the Church will stand up and take her authority. Speak death to this virus, in the name of Jesus! The power of life and death are in the tongue, the Word tells us. But, the fear is worse than the virus. The Word tells us God has not given us a spirit of fear, but He has given us the spirit of Power, the spirit of Love, and the spirit of a sound mind. Fear is dangerous, it is a faith stealer and faith blocker. ****************************************************************************************** Wow, Bro Terry sounds a lot like me but even better. Remember, the same Angel that appeared to Gideon is looking at you and saying the same thing, “Thou mighty man of Valor, the Lord is with you! Food for Thought. STAND BY ME! PJ