“You’ve got to be kidding! Seriously?” That was the response I gave my husband when
he went to plug in the Christmas lights along the alley fence.
We were decorating for the path of lights
people would take enroute to the Christmas parade when he discovered something
horrible had happened.
I had just finished adding more lights to our display
making sure they were not actually strung along the top of the fence.No … placing them where they should literally
go would be a problem for our neighbor’s cats who climb it into our yard to
terrorize the birds while drinking from the bird bath!
Like good citizens to the pet community, we made sure the
decorative items are safe for our furry visitors when hooking up the
lights.That’s about the time we discovered
God’s angels continually watching over us.
I had finished putting the last strand of colored lights
in place to please my eight-year-old neighbor; all that needed to be done was
plug them in and stand back to watch the display come to life. The “oooh-ahhh” moment was about to happen!
Hubby lifted the outside cover on the electrical box and
to his surprise it was black … charred actually, melted with a big hole right
through the center!Obviously, there was
evidence of an electrical fire in a brand-new outlet that had never been used.
Quickly he ran inside the shed to turn off the breaker.Returning to the outlet he began to dismantle
it to assess the damage when it arced and a big spark landed in the side of his
shoe burning his ankle.This time I ran
inside to shut down the main breaker making sure all power was cut off at the
source.
Praying Psalm 91
There was nothing else to do except call for help. We were blessed to get hold of an electrician
who happened to be a Christian. He would
come on his way home from work that evening.
“Wow, this is really bad!”Mike said as he took out the receptacle from
the box.He looked at my husband and
handed him the burnt outlet showing what had happened.
In his line of work, Mike confessed that he had seen
other outlets that didn’t trip all the way.They usually just kept humming, but nothing like this, especially with
no load plugged into the circuit.
As he finished removing the destroyed box, in amazement he
declared, “The Lord was watching over you folks in all of this.It will make quite a testimony!”He was right.
Making sure the area was safe, the electrician arranged
to return in two days to fix the problem.Having witnessed the evidence I knew that God’s protective shield was
visible for all to see.Our daily Psalm
91 prayers for His favor over us had clearly been at work.
“He
who dwells (lives) in the secret (sheltering) place of the Most High, shall
abide (find rest) under the shadow of the Almighty.I will say of the LORD (declaring), He
(alone) is my refuge and my fortress (place of safety); My God, in Him I will
trust.
Surely,
He shall deliver (rescue) you from the snare (trap) of the fowler and (protect
you) from the perilous pestilence (deadly disease).He shall cover you with His feathers, and
under His wings (of shelter) you shall take refuge; His (faithful promises of)
truth shall be your shield and buckler (armor of protection).
You
shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day,
nor of the pestilence that walks (stalks) in darkness, nor of the destruction
that lays waste (disaster that strikes) at noonday.
A
thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it
(these evils) shall not come near (or touch) you.
Only
with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked (and their
punishment). Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most
High (God), your dwelling place.
No
evil shall befall (or conquer) you, nor shall any plague come near your (home
of) dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge (orders) over you, to keep
(and protect) you in all your ways (wherever you go).
The
LORD says, I will rescue (and deliver) those who love Me.I will protect those who trust in My
name.He shall call upon Me, and I will
answer him.I will be with him in
trouble; I will deliver (rescue) him and honor him.” (from Psalm 91:1-11,14-15
NKJV & NLT)
Double Blessings at Christmas
When we compared the good outlet with the bad one, it was
easy to see how God stayed the work of the enemy by extinguishing that fire.There was no way we could credit this act of
favor to anyone else but God alone.He
truly encamped around us with His mighty acts of grace and mercy.
“The
angel of the LORD encamps (guards) all around (sets up a circle of protection)
those who fear Him (honor the LORD), and delivers them (from danger).” (Psalm
34:7 NKJV)
“The
LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures
forever.Do not forsake the works of
Your hands.” (Psalm 138:8 NKJV)
“In
Your mercy cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul
(life); for I am Your servant.” (Psalm 143:12 NKJV)
After the work was finished on Wednesday, my husband
asked for the bill.Smiling Mike kindly
replied, “No, charge. Our gift to you in this Christmas season. God bless
you.”
Through this experience God had shown us favor in
protection.Mike’s company showed us
favor by not charging for the repairs or materials, doubling the blessing.
Celebrating Salvation Has Come
We don’t know when the fire happened, but know that it
wasn’t of God.The enemy satan, tried to
prevent the lights from working so no one would be drawn to that part of the
parade route.Darkness doesn’t attract anything
or anyone, and the devil knows that people would naturally turn down a lighted
path to their destination.
In the end, the Christmas lights could be seen from
several streets away giving us opportunity to share the message of salvation
through “kid” friendly gift packs.Visitors would come to see the festive lights and witness the joy of
Jesus sign before, during and long after the parade passed by our little dwelling.
As you plan for the holiday season, make sure that Jesus
is the center and reason for your celebration.Create an environment around your place that will draw others to Jesus, the
true Light and meaning of Christmas – the celebration that salvation has come to all.
“…
behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.For there is born to you this day in the city
of David a Savior,
who
is Christ the Lord (who will save people from their sin).”
(from
Luke 2:10-11 NKJV emphasis mine)
Believe in the Lord.He is truly the only refuge that can be trusted.When God is the center of your life and plans,
He will make sure a hedge of protection through His shield of favor is present
for all to witness.
“For
You, O LORD, will bless the righteous;
With favor
You will surround him (them) as with a shield.”
(Psalm
5:12 NKJV)
Path of Lights to God’s Favor
The Lord is my refuge, strength, tower and hope.I securely stand firm that He is my shield
and deliverer who covers me with His unfailing love.He is my hiding place in whom I place my trust.
This Christmas as I testify of God’s faithfulness and
goodness, it is my prayer that no matter what you are experiencing in this
world, the Light of Jesus overcomes any darkness and leads you to His unmerited
favor.
May God grant you:
The light in Christmas
to light your path, which is faith.
Maybe you don’t know the
Living God that I know, but would like to have this kind of favor in your life
also. Click on the above tab “Tell Me About Jesus” for more information on becoming a child of the
Savior.
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Image Copyright from Favored1. Do not copy. Scripture reference was
taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Bible
Gateway.
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Disclaimer Notes: Results may vary due to lack of belief.
Labels: Path
of Lights, Psalm 91, Shield of Favor, Fire, Favored1, Faith, Promises of God,
Prayer, Favor, Christmas Lights, Christmas, Holiday, Fay Ann Daniels, Guidance,
Before the Parade Passes By, Protection
