Why Me, Lord?

As I've been writing about for the past few days--last week's funnel cloud attacked our neighborhood and tore up dozens of trees and damaged several homes.  Our home was not damaged.

 I began to wonder why ours was left untouched and others were hit.  Was it because we were better?  NO!  Was it because we were lucky?  NO!  Was it because we were blessed by God's grace and mercy?  YES!  Why not me....why them, Lord?  I only know that God sometimes "allows" bad things to happen to good people...and vice-versa.

Job was a very good, just (righteous) man--full of faith--yet, he lost everything quite suddenly (in a single day) when a fierce storm unexpectedly tore through his life.  His home, his children, his livestock--all was destroyed.....except for his nagging, negative wife!

Later Job was struck with a terrible affliction.  His close friends gathered 'round to comfort and advise him.  They sat by his side for several days.  They JUDGED him, gave him wrong advice and counsel, and--frankly--they didn't understand!!! 

"Why was this happening to me?"I'm sure this was Job's question to God.  God ALLOWED the devil to TEST Job's FAITH.   Faith has to be tested!  God even gave permission for the devil to test His Son.

Can you pass the test?  Would you stand up for your faith as did Daniel (in the lions' den) or the 3 men who were cast into the fiery furnace?

We've all heard it said:  "God doesn't give us more than we can handle!"  WRONG!!!  I believe that "God does give us more than we can handle"...but IF we walk with Him through the fiery trials (set ablaze by the devil), and hold onto our FAITH--we'll make it through to receive a BLESSING on the other side!

GO FORWARD WITH FAITH, my friend!!!

BROKEN-OFF BRANCHES

A few days ago a fierce funnel cloud whirled through our Senior Village.  Many trees were uprooted and damaged. 

This morning, as I walked the dog around our neighborhood, I observed how quickly the leaves on the fallen branches were drying out.  The branches are dying because they've been separated from the tree.

I then was reminded of a few years ago--following a storm--at harvest time, we went apple picking at MacQueen's Orchard.  As we walked in among the trees, we noticed several branches had been torn from the trees and were laying on the ground.  The leaves had dried up and the fruit was decaying on the branches.  The broken branches could no longer bear fruit.  So sad!

When we separate from "The Tree of Life"--we, too, become dry and cease to bear good fruit.  Read what it says in John 15:4-5--

Abide in Me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.  I am the vine, you are the branches.  He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Verse 16 goes on to say:  You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father, in my name He may give you.

                      Stay CONNECTED, my friends!

The Kingdom's Light & Power Service

Suddenly--without any warning--a funnel cloud tore through our neighborhood yesterday afternoon.   Over half of the trees in the complex were uprooted or broken to pieces; siding, deck furniture, tool sheds, shingles, etc. were blown asunder.  The houses on each side of ours suffered a good deal of damage.  But...praise the Lord...our house was not damaged (except for a small, fiberglass shed).  And, more importantly, NO ONE was injured.

This event reminded me of the biblical passage about "the house that was built on THE ROCK" that withstood the storms.  [Matthew 7:24-27]

I'd been praying protection for our home (and the homes of our loved ones) ever since the terrific wildfires and severe rains/storms all around the country have been broadcast on the news these past several weeks.  I believe God heard (and answered) my prayers--as He provided protection from this fierce funnel cloud.  I just wonder IF I hadn't prayed, what would've happened.  (Prayer is better insurance than STATE FARM!)

Oh--we were without electricity for about 10 hours, but thousands around the city are still without power.  Our POWER SOURCE is more powerful and dependable than Toledo Edison's!  Our LIGHT & POWER comes from The City of our King (Jesus)!

PLUG into His energy resources, people.  And remember:   THE WAY YOU PRAY TODAY DETERMINES YOUR TOMORROWS!!!