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The Stress Test

  • Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1 ESV

    As the treadmill stepped up to another difficulty level, it became more and more difficult to keep up with it. Every three minutes it increased the incline and speed until I was literally running uphill. I had monitors taped all over me and the hospital staff was closely watching a computer screen with little jagged lines that scrolled by while it recorded my progress.

    Before I started, I had asked them if there was a time limit or a difficulty goal and they said just run until you cannot run anymore. When I asked about a level cap, they just smiled and said no one beats the machine. After four or five increases, I totally agreed and finally told them that I could not go on. At that point it was more like torture than a stress test. They began to slow the treadmill where I could get off but that took a little while. (For those wondering, they said I did excellent).

    When walking with God there are times when we will endure a stress test. Jesus Himself did because it was written that he endured the cross and His sweat was as great drops of blood (Luke 22:44). During these times, there is a great cloud of witnesses watching us take this test and no matter how much faith you have, God has a test for that level. At a point in my life, I thought that I had great faith but God had a great test for it. In the end, I was a broken man. No one beats the machine because it scales accordingly. If you disagree, read the book of Job again and picture yourself in his place.

    God knows how much you can take and He is not out to kill you. When you have finally reached your limit He will slow the treadmill. Like me though, you may find that you can go much further than you thought you could and you will be stronger in the end.

    Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me grace and strength to serve you with all of my heart. Help me face the challenges that come with the right attitude, in the name of Jesus I pray.

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24 comments
  • 1
Mark Duell
Mark Duell

Amen

January 21, 2017
  • 1
Mari Kaufmann
Mari Kaufmann

Amen

January 21, 2017
  • 1
Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt

God does allow our circumstances,and wants us to react the right way, and He helps us to please Him.

January 21, 2017
  • 1
Nitza Savage
Nitza Savage

Amen!

January 21, 2017
  • 1
Lynn Brown
Lynn Brown

Amen! I pray to do His will today. To be the hands and feet he wants to help others.

January 21, 2017
  • 1
Kay Collinsworth
Kay Collinsworth

Amen!

January 21, 2017
  • 1
Carol Pady
Carol Pady

Amen when the heat is on, drink the Living Water and it will sustain you.

January 21, 2017
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen

January 21, 2017
  • 1
Yvette York
Yvette York

Amen 

January 21, 2017
  • 1
Mary Luter
Mary Luter

Thank you Pastor!! Love the prayer!

This is true for today especially because I have an overnighter w grandkids

January 21, 2017
  • 2
Joseph Adams, Jr.
Joseph Adams, Jr.

Speaking of stress tests, I had the chemical stress test in which I had to have an I.V. They would shoot some chemical in my arm which would make my heart feel like it was about to burst through my chest and then another chemical to slow my heart done to normal. This went back and forth for about 12 minutes and it is by the Grace of God that I survived. I will NEVER again submit to that kind of testing. It reminds me of the times in my life where I went through one trial after another. But God..........

January 21, 2017
  • 1
Debbie Bible
Debbie Bible

Thank you for the encouragment. I pray not to wonder or doubt that God has my best interests always.

January 21, 2017
  • 1
Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler

To face the challenges with the right attitude...Says it for me...

January 21, 2017
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Yes ma'am Amen!

January 21, 2017
  • 1
Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann

Amen it is so comforting to know in my heart that Jesus has my back and is helping me to get stronger both physically and spiritually through lifes tests, I know if I just keep hanging on relief will come maybe not as soon as I would like but it do come, Thank you again pastor for your love and your devotion to God from where I sit your a great teacher, Jesus has spoken to me through RHM .

January 21, 2017
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen 

January 21, 2017
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen! Pastors prayer, Heavenly Father, give me the grace and strength to serve you with all my heart. Help me face the challenges that come with the right attitude, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray Amen!!

January 21, 2017
  • 1
Diane Symborski✝
Diane Symborski✝

Amen!    Thank you Pastor Dion for todays devotion. :-)     

 

I claim this prayer over me for the challenges in life you have for me. Amen. Thank You Father. <3

 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me grace and strength to serve you with all of my heart. Help me face the challenges that come with the right attitude, in the name of Jesus I pray. Amen and Amen. <3 

January 21, 2017
  • 1
Loriann Riley
Loriann Riley

Amen 

January 21, 2017
  • 1
Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams

Amen.  Praise God!  Thanks Pastor Todd!  Heavenly Father, give me grace and strength to serve you with all of my heart. Help me face the challenges that come with the right attitude, in the Name of Jesus I pray.  Amen.

January 22, 2017
  • 1
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer

Amen Lord Jesus. 

January 22, 2017
  • 1
Janet Marsh-Lord
Janet Marsh-Lord

Thank you Father for being with me through all the challenges and heartache and pain of life. Please give me the grace and strength to serve You with all my heart and help me face the challenges that come, with the right attitude. Amen.

January 23, 2017
  • 1
Myrna Gonzalez
Myrna Gonzalez edited: January 24, 2017

Amen ,Pastor Dion i just want  to ask  you a question isn't this year the beginning of the tribulations. Yahshua (Jesus) saids that by the signs we will know so we see how things are getting worse the climate change, ,earthquakes etc... and doesn't he say that we shpuld start preparing ourselves storing food ,water and so on.Just want to make sure iam right. Yahweh bless you.and may the Holy Spirit reveal to you.

January 24, 2017
  • 1
Rosemary Marsh
Rosemary Marsh

Amen.Heavenly Father help me and by your grace to face up to all my challenges with the rightful attitude.To see things as you see them,and to serve you with a heart filled with love and thanks giving.for all that you are doing and have done.In The Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Thank you Pastor for this devotion and prayer,and words of encouragement.

January 25, 2017