BW our little "Welcome Wagon" |
My schedule was planned out pretty well so I could make
my writing obligation deadlines, when something totally unexpected was thrown
in my path. Work would have to wait.
It was Holy Thursday, the day before Good Friday when our
little rescue kitty Mercy ran to the garage door. She had a sense something wasn’t right with
her “bud” so my husband followed to see why she was fussing.
There he was lying on the floor gasping for breath …
rushing to his side it was only a few seconds, and then our friend was
gone. BW had crossed over without any
signs of him being sick.
Welcome new friends this week from:
See if your city/state/country made the list.
New on DFB – Algeria; Botswana; Cameroon; Guyana;
Ecuador; Uganda; Honduras; Guatemala; Vietnam; Belgrade; Serbia; Cebu City, Central Visayas, Philippines.
USA – Frewsbury,
Kennedy, Chautauqua & Gerry & Panama, NY; Erie, Warren, Sugar Grove & Mount
Lebanon & Linglestown, PA; Saint Robert, MO; Brookings, OR.
I am so happy for your visit and hope that you come back
each week to participate in the weekly challenges. God has been faithful and we expect His favor
to abound in the lives of those who chose to Journey with Jesus on Daily Favor
Blog.
You are welcome to leave comments or prayer requests below. All are private. I would love to hear from
you and how Daily Favor has worked in your life. Contact me by leaving a message in the box at
the bottom of this week’s post.
Don't miss
out on this week's challenge (below).
Facing the Cowardly Lion
To say the month of March comes in like a lion would have
been an understatement this year. It
began with my father being in the hospital, gaining another rescue cat who had
been shot, a rescue with feline herpes went blind overnight, the passing of BW
kitty, then our beloved pastor who married us met Jesus on Easter, internet
problems, car issues … I could go on but why keep feeding the lion?
Through all of this I kept going to my kitchen
window. You know … the one I talk about
so often? No matter what’s happening
inside, beyond that glass pane I see Jesus alive and working all around me.
When I look out my window God calms my spirit reminding
me of John 10:10. He describes the desire of satan is to destroy, tear down and
consume all that is good. Like a
cowardly lion he uses things, people and events to weaken God’s people into thinking
they have lost favor in the Lord’s eyes.
“The thief comes only to steal, slaughter, devour and destroy.
I (Jesus) come that they might have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10 TLV)
Ah, but something happens to remind me the Lamb of God conquered
that cowardly lion and finding that place of rest restores my faith. God showed His favor through all the devil’s storms
that tried to get me frustrated and weary.
God’s Favor is Always There
Wiping away the tears over the sudden loss of BW there
were things that had to be done immediately.
Praying that the storm and rain be calmed, my husband set out to get the
things he needed to lay our pet to rest.
When hubby got to our car there was a paper stashed under
the wiper blade that read, “You have a
flat tire.” Great, now before he
could get what he needed the tire had to be repaired.
God blessed my husband to be able to get the tire fixed
right away with little waiting. Since
the tire needed to be replaced hubby asked for the others to be rotated and
balanced. The bill total was $10.00 and
that was for the new tire warranty. Thank You Jesus!
Before returning home my husband needed to pick up a
specific bottle of CoQ-10 vitamins I needed for the next day. Not being able to find it where I first sent
him, he went to another store. There was
a super sale going on that we weren’t aware of, not being a regular customer of
the establishment.
The product I wanted was in stock and on sale as “buy one
get one free.” When hubby took the
product to the sales clerk he told them that they only had one bottle of the
item I wanted in that size. In the end,
we were given favor with two smaller bottles (along with the larger size I
originally wanted) that totaled even more pills (170 for the price of 80).
He called me in excitement over the favor he received,
but the devil wanted to snatch it and steal our joy. When hubby got out of the car at the store he
noticed the hubcap on the new tire was missing.
The mechanic didn’t put it on properly and it fell off somewhere on the
road.
Retracing his steps my husband looked to see if it he
could locate it, but it was to no avail. Returning to where he got the tire,
hubby reported it to the mechanic who became extremely upset. The last thing we would feel good about is
costing someone their job, so my husband assured him this would go no further
and left the store.
When hubby returned home he was able to finish his
responsibilities and the rain remained tucked in the clouds until the job was
finished.
Who Let the Devil In?
The weekend passed and although our household was still
in a state of unrest, I was able to accomplish some major milestones. When I went to share them I stopped to think
who in the world would even be interested or care. That unloved, unwanted feeling started to
cross my thinking when I recognized that the cowardly lion was trying to steal
my peace and favor from God.
It started happening again … the lion was loose in our
home. I didn’t see him enter, but none-the-less the devil was roaring and
trying to eat away at hope of “good things” to come.
There was a battle with an insurance company, my new
phone was defective, and hubby was upset about his ladder not being delivered
on time.
They said it would take three days, but eleven days later
the ladder still hadn’t arrived.
Listening to him on the phone with the customer service department I
thought, “What’s the big deal if it was a
few days late?” With it being the
holiday weekend I could understand it happening.
He was on the phone a few hours going back and forth
explaining how it should have been here, where it had been shipped across three
states and that his name was spelled wrong on the tracking stats. All that frustration and worry for a few
dollars to be knocked off the price. Was
it worth it?
Waiting for Victory
“Victory” the most recent rescue cat at that time who was shot was
scheduled to have his cast removed on Tuesday (March 29th, 2016) at
9:00 a.m. I gave him that name because the
world believed he wouldn’t make it. However, I prayed for God to give him victory over the inhuman act that was
committed on his life.
"Victory" rescue cat at Animal Hospital |
The Lord heard my prayer. With hubby out of the house for
the day I was looking forward to my time with the Lord and getting some writing
done.
Morning was spent when my husband called explaining that the
vet hadn’t been able to see Victory, because there were some emergencies. We understood completely, but were concerned that
Victory kitty still hadn’t had anything to eat that day.
It was the end of the work day and the vet was exhausted
with his chaotic schedule. I felt so bad for him; he was trying his best to take
care of all the animals and please everyone. With limited help there’s just so
much he was able to do.
By the time he was examined, Victory had already removed
his own cast and now had to stay overnight so he wouldn’t walk on his leg until
fully examined. Apparently Victory wasn’t
willing to wait for his freedom and chose to have “victory” over circumstances
right then.
Covering in the Storm
After cardio physical rehab on Wednesday hubby went to
see Victory at the Animal Hospital.
Before I got a chance to work on the computer, we were surrounded by
terrible thunder storms. Once more I would
spend time at my kitchen window, where Jesus would join me.
The rain was coming down in sheets as if someone was
standing outside with a garden hose pointed at the window. Flashes of light and rolls of thunder echoed
in the house as the storm was directly overhead.
Not long after, it tapered off but was still raining steadily. In the distance I could see birds playing and
a squirrel eating at the feeder under a small roof that was broken and
disheveled. They weren’t fazed at all
and went about enjoying their day through the storm.
In my spirit I could hear the Lord explaining the actions
of the birds and how they are at rest under the covering. I backed away from the window and looked
around me and connected the two situations.
Plenty of storms have taken place this month, but we were
never without a covering from God. Sadly
we didn’t always receive it, even though we pray Psalm 91 over our lives each
day.
1 Those who live in the shelter of
the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 This
I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him.
3 For He will rescue you from every
trap and protect you from deadly disease. 4 He will cover
you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. (Psalm 91:1-4 NLT)
My husband shares how Christians fall prey to the lion
(satan) because they have removed themselves from God’s protective
covering. That’s a hard thing to grasp,
because we don’t want to believe we are the cause of some situations.
Whether or not we are the cause of a problem, believers in
Jesus cannot lose faith thinking God will not work things out for His glory and
our good. Favor is still active, God has
never left His Throne of Grace and Jesus has promised to be with us for the
entire earthly journey if we let Him.
By journeying with Jesus we can be sure that there will
be havens of rest along the way.
Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble , and He brings them out of their distresses. He calms
the storm, so that its waves are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet; He guides them to their desired haven. Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! (Psalm 107:28-31 NKJV)
Finding Your Place of Rest
The roaring lion (satan) continues to show his teeth
trying to make us believe that the Lamb that was slain was also devoured.
We know that’s a lie, because God’s Not Dead!
Jesus Lamb of God is very much alive and
working on our behalf bestowing favor, grace, mercy and blessings to all who
will join Him in that place of spiritual rest.
I’ve learned that when my spirit (inner man) is at rest
with God, He gives me strength to continue the journey with Jesus no matter where it
leads. So every time we were confronted with another situation I found myself
back at my place of rest … the kitchen window where hope is restored like Job’s
was.
“You have granted me life and favor, and Your
care
has preserved my spirit.” (Job 10:12 NKJV)
Our challenge this week requires finding that “haven
place of rest” in the middle of a trial, test or storm. Seek out a resting place where God can care
for your spirit when you can’t leave a situation.
Look for a place that is near where you can go to as
often as needed during the day and nobody has to know a thing.
It must be a place that takes you away emotionally (not
necessarily physically) from what you are facing at the moment, so you will be
able to stop feeding the lion devil your doubts and fears.
A place where you meet up with the Lord to get
a “breather” from the frustration, chaos and turmoil of the events that may be
happening in your life at the time.
There have been times in teaching and work when I needed
that place of rest immediately. I would retreat
to my car, the playground, backstage of the auditorium or staff lounge to literally
take in some deep breaths.
Other close places where I’ve found quick solace and “serenity
now” have been the backyard, bathroom, porch and even a closet. Go to a place where you can quietly talk to
Jesus and let Him comfort you.
The change of scenery will remind
you that God is right there and His favor on you fully covers this situation. Breathe in the Holy Spirit and go back to the
task empowered.
Some awful things were happening outside my “world” window,
but I was safe, dry and in a place of protection because Jesus was there for
“my” journey. Storms don’t frighten or throw
Him off course.
Even though we look for tangible favor, it’s the unseen favor
of God that carries us through to the other side of the storm.
Remember God’s faithful promises are part of His
favor armor (covering) on believers. With Christ by our side, there is
always a haven place to find rest (especially during
storms) under the covering of His favor umbrella by faith.
Rest in You – Hillsong
Kari
Jobe - Be Still My Soul (In You I Rest) [Lyrics]
If this article has encouraged or helped you please
consider sharing it by using the social media icons provided at the end of this
post.
Until
next time, rest in God’s favor!
“Rest in my favor.”
Jesus Christ
*Unless
noted, the names in articles are changed to protect the individual(s) privacy.
Note: The
words satan or devil are not capitalized deliberately, because we give him no
place in our lives.
Disclaimer:
Article information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental or physical
issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness.
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reference was taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Bible Gateway.Image credit: Google Images or Dreamstime Creative Common License if not specified.
Image: Cowardly Lion Kitchen Window Psalm 91 Swan
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Thank you for such an inspiring message of trials & tribulations!! Your unwavering faith and love for our Savior is beautiful to read and embrace. Your strength and courage are an example for all who cross your path!! Hallelujah!! �� ��������������������
ReplyDelete❤️Margaret
Thank you Margaret for you kind words. It's people of faith like you that bring words of hope and encouragement to help us forge forward. I am thankful the Lord placed us along the same path his part of our journey.
ReplyDelete