The Trial of our Faith

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:1-5

Duane Mayfield, my husband, stayed in three different hospitals and a nursing home, beginning April 29, 2007, when he collapsed. We arrived in the U.S. in April 2007, from Israel, to begin our fund raising tour for Horizon Ministries. While serving in New Orleans for two weeks as Chaplains with Billy Graham Evangelical Association, Duane became very weak. A week later he collapsed and was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Houston, TX. During the following weeks he suffered with a severe blood infection, double pneumonia, aortic heart valve damage, two strokes, brain swelling and an aneurism any of which could have killed him. May 17, the doctors placed a shunt in his head to relieve his severe brain swelling. May 24, he had brain surgery to remove the aneurism. On May 28, the shunt was removed from his brain. May 29, he was transferred to a Rehab Hospital. They believe all this was as a result of spider bites in March, in Jerusalem, which caused severe blood poisoning but which we had thought was healed after treatment.

I, Ruth Mayfield, Duane’s wife and co-minister, have been held up a shield of faith for Duane and our ministry. Together with our prayer partners and friends we trust God to miraculously intervene in order that His plan and purpose for our ministry, our marriage and our lives will be fulfilled.

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf. 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

God has a plan, not only to heal and deliver us, but God has promised that our latter days shall be greater than the former days (Haggai 2:7-9). We live by faith, trusting God to receive enough support through our ministry website ( www.horizonministries.org) and occasional speaking engagements in the US, in order to continue to serve in Jerusalem, Israel. God is our provider. Duane, after pastoring many years in CA, volunteers on the leadership team at Narkis Street Congregation, Jerusalem (www.narkis.org ). Our personal ministry in Israel takes many forms. We network with other ministries as well as minister to individuals. We have the privilege of serving Jews, Arabs and Internationals in our ministry. We also minister in Uganda and have several invitations to other countries. In the U.S. we share about our experiences and walk of faith, and how all this enables us to live by faith in Israel.

Throughout Duane’s medical ordeal, I continued to stand and pray to expose the enemy and reveal God's glory as we have traveled through this valley of trial and miracles. Through all of these events from one hospital to the next, we saw the signature of God in various places as He has put believing doctors and healthcare workers there to encourage us when we needed it most while providing for all our needs. If Duane’s collapse had happened in Israel, they would have transported him to the states because of insurance issues and he probably wouldn't have survived. Instead, the Lord directed our steps to be in Houston, TX where the best medical care could be received. The Church at Houston which had invited us to speak, hosted us during the initial two months of this trial, welcoming us into their homes and their hearts. They visited us in the hospital as if we were their own family—the family of God as in the Book of Acts. God bless each one of them, our family and our ministry partners, who have faithfully prayed and stood in faith with us through all of this.

God could have healed Duane instantly, but He has chosen this path of faith to full recovery for us and those who are praying with us. Medical professionals continue to be amazed as they look at his medical history and his current progress. Brain trauma as extensive as Duane has experienced, takes many, many months of intensive therapy to achieve the best recovery, depending on the amount of permanent damage to tissue. (There was a lemon size area in the right frontal lobe of Duane’s brain that was caused by the first stroke, and unknown amount of damage from the severe swelling from the center of his brain, the second stroke and an aneurism.) Amazingly, the neurosurgeon gave permission for Duane to travel a 6 hour flight only one month after surgery—normally this amount of recovery would take 3-5 months. Duane has no paralysis, no motor skill impairment, no speech impairment and only diminishing, minor memory issues. His strength and endurance though abated continue to improve. Praise you Jesus!

Duane spent a month in the hospital and ICU, another month in a rehabilitation hospital, then 5 weeks in a nursing home. He was released in August from the nursing home into home care. In mid-October he was released from all home therapy. He completed medical tests for his heart and brain in November. As a precaution doctors will continue to monitor the heart valve damage, but he has no restrictions to his activities or diet and requires medication only to alleviate the heart valve leakage. We expected to return to Israel in November. However, December 6, he had successful surgery for a blocked urethra. December 28, he was taken to emergency and admitted for sudden excessive bleeding—a late result of that surgery. At that time, Duane received four units of blood and another severe infection was discovered. God intervened again. They determined that the infection was confined to his bladder requiring only strong oral antibiotics.

The total hospital and doctor bills were close to $500,000. To our surprise, Duane did not have adequate insurance. God used government and charity resources to eventually cover 90% of the bills. We are confident that the Lord will make a way to cover every last medical bill. Duane now has medical coverage for all future treatments as well. Father God is an amazing provider as we diligently serve Him and place our trust in Him.

We spent ten months living with gracious friends and family, having to move every two-to-three weeks from place to place for Duane’s treatment. We returned to Israel February 5, 2008 to gradually resume duties at Narkis and our ministry. Duane is now recovering from overall weakness. His endurance increases with each passing day. We are seeing God's Hand and giving Him Glory every single day as we see Duane respond to therapy and gain strength and stability on the road to full recovery. He is an awesome God! His Ways past finding out!

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth allthine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life fromdestruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who
satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the
eagle's.PSALMS 103:2-5

Pray with us:

• That Duane will have the mind of Christ, full clarity of mind and without ever having any residue of weakness, exhaustion or confusion.
  
• Speak the Life of God into every cell of Duane's body and brain. All brain trauma and heart valve leakage will disappear without any residual affects and he will be stronger than ever.
  
• Wisdom and Direction—That we will continue to allow the Lord to direct our steps and provide for us His way.
  

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

To God be the Glory, Great things He is doing every day!!

Copyright © 2007 by Ruth Mayfield All rights reserved. These articles may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, by including this notice.

Do Not Be Afraid

Strengthen ye the week hands, encourage the feeble knees. Isaiah 35:8

This has been the scripture that has been my motivation for two years. The Lord gave Isaiah 35, the entire chapter, to read and meditate on in December 2004. This verse jumped out at me. It became the confirmation for my ministry to Israel, Uganda and to then nations from here. There are so many people in the body of believers who need solid encouragement. I began an intense time of crying out to God for the right words, His Words, to speak to every person and situation I encounter.

I began my own journey toward being encouraged by trying to follow in King David's example. He was so close to God, that he could encourage himself in the Lord, when all 400 of his friends were trying to stone him! (1 Kings Chapter 30) In 2004, I was successful in a job that was very consuming and stressful. I had learned the ability to juggle it all and still have a rewarding ministry, and even felt good about my Christian witness to a corporate world. I had a good balance of personal time and ministry through my congregation. But I knew there was not the freshness which David had, of spending quality time with the Lord. When we go through really difficult times, we have to find the scriptures to stand on to pull us through--they become alive to us. I lived through many of those times, but my life was now comfortable. Time to light a fire under myself, and find ways to bless and encourage others! But the words have to be fresh, alive and anointed by God.

So I jumped into His Word and spending more time with Him.

Of course my conclusion was to encourage everyone to read the scriptures for themselves. You know, teach a man to fish, don't just give him a fish. But there are times when anyone can become so distraught, that if they haven't hidden the Word in their heart ahead of time--and sometimes even if they have--they just can't get past the situation in their face, to reach God. Those are the ones, I want to reach.

I agree with Spurgeon, who delivered a sermon on this verse back in 1859, that week hands and feeble knees are a sign of one shaking with fear. The Bible tells us that the enemy of our souls comes to steal, kill and destroy our faith, hope and joy. One of his best tactics is through fear. It takes a great amount of fear to make you shake and tremble. I met some people here in Israel that were literally shaking, worrying about the war with Lebanon last summer, and fearing escalation. Jerusalem is a safe distance from the fighting, but the entire country was filled with people displaced from their homes bringing their fear to the atmosphere of the entire country. In those kinds of times we all must remember God's faithfulness. He has promised to never leave nor forsake us. And He has given us words like those in Psalm 91, which we can read again, and again, and again until they penetrate our darkest fears. The Bible tells us the the Lord Himself watches over His Word to perform it, the Word never returns void--but always accomplishes that which He intends.

So to the dear ones the Lord has placed in my path, and to those reading these words. I speak peace.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, don't lean on your own reasoning, acknowledge Him in everything, and He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5,6

The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, [and] the excellency of our God. Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 35

Spurgeon's sermon on Isaiah 35: http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0243.htm

Shalom!

What does the Lord require of us?

It hath been told thee, O man, what is good, and what the LORD doth require of thee: only to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God. Micah 6:8

So what does this mean? Clearly God is Holy, and we are to be holy like He is-the Bible tells us this (Leviticus 11, 19, 20; confirmed in 1 Peter 1:16). But does this mean we have to be perfect, forgiving everyone who wrongs us, loving even the most unlovable, never getting angry, never making mistakes, etc., etc.? I have asked God many times how do I walk through life with imperfect people hurting me, and me being so imperfect myself- How can I ever be worthy to follow God?

It seems many people are contemplating these questions today. Islam is suddenly challenging the complacency of Christianity in America and many nations. This religion, based on strict rules and earning your way to heaven, appeals to many today that are tired of the loose interpretation of scripture in churches and moral relativism that has pervaded in our society. The Koran calls for all to convert to Islam or die. The Bible speaks of God's wrath and plan of salvation for the Jews in the Old Testament and Jesus' love and forgiveness for Jew and gentile(all non-Jews) in the New Testament. Though the Koran is inconsistent, calling for Jews to be honored for being the keepers of the Book and then later calling for their destruction, it always depicts Allah as a harsh god to be obeyed. The Bible is an amazing book, not written by a single man, but by some 40 men over a long period of time, beginning with Moses. Yet when examined as a single work, inspired as it claims to be, by God himself, it becomes an amazing work that allows anyone to get to know the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. His is a holy and righteous, yet loving and merciful personality. A God who wishes to become man's friend (as King David was) is seen through the entire book. This is a religion, and a God, of faithfulness and love.

I am not a Biblical scholar, but I have read the Bible at least 50 times. When you read a book so much, you do get to know the author. So as I have walked with God over these now, many years, I ask questions and He answers. Not in an audible voice, like my husband, but in many subtle ways. Lately I have been contemplating these questions as I have seen them voiced in the world media as well as by individuals. The verse I quoted at the beginning is the main answer to the question posed in the title of this article. God expects us to be faithful to our vows, as He is to His vows to us. Beginning in Genesis you see these characteristics of God, yes, He is righteous and holy and demanding as much from us, but He is also El Shaddai-the Provider. His grace and mercy, combined with His faithfulness, are the foundation and sign posts of our faith. He has given us righteousness and holiness through providing the Blood of His sacrifice, His son Jesus. In the New Testament, Gospel of John chapter 1, it says the Word of God is God, became flesh and dwelt among us-speaking of Jesus.

How awesome! So as I read the Bible, the Word of God, I really can see His face and get to know His character. This is what the scripture in Hosea is speaking of. It is not what we do, or don't do. It isn't that we never make mistakes or selfish choices. It is our attitude. We are to "be" like Him-not "act" like Him. Though our actions will follow, and are in fact, evidence of what is inside of us. If we trust in the faithfulness of God and His promises of grace and mercy, we will trust Him to bring justice, peace and good out of the chaos and brokenness of our lives. Do you trust Him to orchestrate your life in truth and righteousness, desiring to please Him and be His representative to this broken and hurting world? If you seek these things as your goal- truly to become more like Him, see from His perspective and carry out your life with His motivations, seeking no glory or attention for ourselves, He promises to direct our paths and walk with us each and every step. This is more than my mind can comprehend! Yet as I look at the last 30 years of my life, I see the hand print of God in all that I have done.

Be merciful and gracious to me, oh God, according to your great mercies, may Your mercy and grace be shown to all I encounter. Thank you Lord, for You are faithful!

Reflections

Who is in control?

Your browser doesn't support EMBED, but you can still listen to the background sound of this page by<a href="http://horizonministries.org/sound/Thedesperationtoknowyou.wma"> clicking here.</a> A little girl only 2 or 3 years old stands before the big blue glass ornament in the center of her yard. She can see the tears on her own face when she looks at the pretty ball. Her face is distorted in the spherical blue reflection. She automatically looks down and then sees the snapdragons and daisies, other flowers she has no idea what they are called. They are pretty, and it distracts her. She has come many times to sniff the pretty flowers. Some don't have any smell, but today she doesn't care, she is sobbing silently.

Little girls don't understand things like puppy dogs that run under cars and then have to be "put down" in mercy. Little girls who feel all alone in the world don't run to their favorite adult for comfort and explanations that don't make sense at the time. The hugs speak more than words but she doesn't understand. This little girl would refuse any lap in the pain that confronted her knowing her daddy had killed her puppy, Moochie. If she spoke, her words would have been, "Leave me alone."

This little girl grew up but maintained this sentiment for her entire childhood. Alone even when she was at her own birthday party. She felt no one understood or cared. The pain was something to learn to live with. She decided she would grow up enough to take control and not be subject to these feelings. A sad goal, as she could not see that there was One in control all the time. A loving, living Saviour reaching out, watching her, crying with her, saving her tears to redeem each one.

She didn't see the Lord Jesus that day at the garden. He wanted to comfort her, but she would not. So the Lord spoke quietly that He would comfort her in the flowers that she loved and would touch and smell. And that He would always be near. She grew up with a love for growing things. She even loved hoeing the long rows of corn and weeding. Mowing the delicious green grass so that it looked like a luxurious carpet. There weren't any nice flower gardens to enjoy at her house, but she loved to visit any she got a chance to.

She met the Lord as a teenager and the Lord began to heal the wounds and redeem that fragile life even as she lived through ensuing difficulties and tragedies. She didn't think she was suffering, she grew in her trust for Jesus until one day in her 40's the Lord brought her back to that day, just to let her know He had ALWAYS been there for her. He even provided a wonderful sister in the Lord to take her in her arms and just hug her and hug her. Forty years of tears and refusing to be comforted melted away in this woman's embrace. What a gift the Lord has given people like her!

The little girl was me. She is an image that is so faint to me, it's as if it was someone else.

I love flowers! To this day when I see flowers, it always reminds me of God's unfailing love for us. He loves us where we are at, as we are able to receive Him and His love. I now realize that it was the Lord who was always in control, not my situation, not my emotions-certainly not me! My expectations that my parents, or a husband, or a pastor- someone should fix things- have all now fallen to the side. This realization allows me to be free to blossom and grow much like a beautiful flower.

A garden is my favorite place to pray because God feels so close. I pray that you will know God as your protector and friend as well as your Heavenly Father through all of life's challenges and joys. The closer we live to Him, the more comfort we are able to receive. My favorite picture of Father God is me cuddled up on His lap, as if I was His favorite little girl.