The sky was black and menacing, the angry clouds were rolling in a rage. The thunder was deafening

and the lightning was splitting the sky. I carefully opened up the door to the deck to get a closer look. It

looked even worse than I thought so I quickly closed the door. I had my little old portable radio on and there were no severe thunderstorm warnings at the time. From what I was hearing and seeing, it didn't make sense. Then…BANG…the radio began to screech its sounds of alarm. My heart skipped a beat and I was about ready to take off to the lower level, when the radio announcer stated,

"This is a test. This is only a test by the National Weather Service. If this had been an actual weather emergency, you would have been advised to take shelter immediately. This concludes the test of the Emergency Broadcast System."

That's all I heard. Completely emotionally frazzled at this point, I thought, "As bad as the sky looks, you are telling me there is nothing to be alarmed about?"

I don't know about you, but we have had too many "tests" in the past few years. Often I cry out, "God, is this the BIG one? Is this trial going to try and take me down?" So many of our family and friends are going through sad and difficult trials. I truly believe these are the last days…that which can be shaken will be shaken according to Hebrews 12:26 ""Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven." NKJV

Friend, it is shakin' season. Everything in the world is shaking: morally, spiritually, economically, politically, physically. Tragically there are doctrines today being preached telling those that love God that they will never suffer. If you read your Bible, it is clear that the heroes of faith suffered, were tortured, beaten and even beheaded. We like to think we are exempt but the scripture says, "for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.", Matthew 5:45. God's Word tells the truth in 1 Peter 4:12-13, NKJV, "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy."

In 1973, I faced an unforgettable deep valley in my life physically that caused organs in my body to shut

down. I was told I wouldn't make it…except for a miracle of God. (Thank God for miracles!) The doctors told Larry, "You may as well plan her funeral and pick out her coffin because she isn't going to make it." I cried out to God, "Please heal me. Let me live. I have two children and Larry. I need to be here." I then proceeded to try and convince God further, "Look at all I have done for you in ministry. I've traveled 340 days a year; I've sang, spoke, written articles, appeared in TV specials, and on and on my list went." I kept throwing out my badges in desperation hoping that recognition would earn me a well-deserved healing. In the deafening stillness of that hospital room, God spoke so loudly to my heart, "It's not what you do to deserve healing, it is Who I AM…the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings." I sank into the mattress and begged God for forgiveness. I knew I was at death's door and my health was out of control. I repented, "God, I am so sorry. If you choose to raise me up and heal me, that's OK, but if you choose not to heal me, I will love You and serve You until my last breath because I know my next breath I will be with You for all eternity." Thank God for miracles. I don't fully understand why God chose to raise me up from that deathbed when others I have prayed for and longed to see healed have not been. I know that God is not a respecter of persons; I just know it was because of God's mercy and grace He healed my body and I thank Him for it.

You and I will continue to come in and out of these tests. But, with God's help, we must stand firm trusting Him and serving Him no matter what! I know that if God has been faithful to carry me through this far, He will continue to be with me. Yes, all of these "This is just a test" life experiences will continue to happen, but I will continue to trust Him through it all. I will remain faithful to my precious Lord until my last earthly breath. It is all about Him!