Friday, December 18, 2020

Path of Lights

“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. 

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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.

The warmth in Christmas, which is God’s love,

The radiance of Christmas, which is purity,

The belief in Christmas, which is truth,

The all of Christmas, which is Christ.

(taken from Wilda English’s poem emphasis mine) 

Psalm 91 by Renew Collective featuring Jacquelyn Owens

Merry Christmas Everyone! 

Until next time, may God’s favor shine light on your path!  

“I am the path Light that leads to favor.” Jesus Christ  

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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Psalm 91: Real-Life Stories of God’s Shield of Protection
and What this Psalm Means for You & Those You Love
by Peggy Joyce Ruth

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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