Stand and Testify, Part 2
I'm glad you were blessed by yesterday's testimony. Yesterday's writer chose to remain anonymous, but today's writer is our own Bread Baker, Mark. Enjoy the blessing:
Matthew 6:19 (ESV)
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, "
The day after Thanksgiving is usually a time of family celebration and, in our American culture, a day of shopping. Not so for my family in 1998. We were in between houses and most of our worldly possessions were in a storage facility. Early that morning a three alarm fire destroyed the warehouse including our belongings and those of some fifty other families.
We were so blessed by this event. What? Does that shock you? It should, just as it did us. Immediately we knew we were under His protection. Firstly, no one was injured in the blaze. Secondly, the fire was not at a house forcing people to flee for their lives. Finally, we had insurance, well not enough to cover the entire loss but we had enough for what God intended.
Immediately He used this event to bring glory to His name. God even introduced humor into the scenario. Our tax records were about the only thing that survived the flames and water. As we sorted through what was left, media outlets interviewed various victims. We were able to share our faith in God during this difficult time with words that made their way into newspapers and onto people’s TV sets.
Did we understand why this had happened? Not immediately. As the years have gone by, the reasons have become clear. This was an opportunity for the community of faith to share with us. I still have the toy car that a six year old boy thought that I might want to play with. There were boxes of toys sent to my nine year old daughter. This was an opportunity for glory to be directed to God. This was an opportunity for God to get my attention and to focus on Him.
Victims. That is what we were called. Blessed is what we really were. I have an entirely different perspective on things now. Possessions are not so important, people and relationships are. With God’s help, my attention is on his kingdom, not mine.
This experience is not unique. You have had and will have instances like this in your life. You must decide if you will listen to what He has to say to you and be obedient to his calling for your life."
Thank you Father for situations that, while they may seem tragic at first, help us to focus on the things that truly matter. We praise you for your love and mercy.
Blessings,
Bill
Matthew 6:19 (ESV)
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, "
The day after Thanksgiving is usually a time of family celebration and, in our American culture, a day of shopping. Not so for my family in 1998. We were in between houses and most of our worldly possessions were in a storage facility. Early that morning a three alarm fire destroyed the warehouse including our belongings and those of some fifty other families.
We were so blessed by this event. What? Does that shock you? It should, just as it did us. Immediately we knew we were under His protection. Firstly, no one was injured in the blaze. Secondly, the fire was not at a house forcing people to flee for their lives. Finally, we had insurance, well not enough to cover the entire loss but we had enough for what God intended.
Immediately He used this event to bring glory to His name. God even introduced humor into the scenario. Our tax records were about the only thing that survived the flames and water. As we sorted through what was left, media outlets interviewed various victims. We were able to share our faith in God during this difficult time with words that made their way into newspapers and onto people’s TV sets.
Did we understand why this had happened? Not immediately. As the years have gone by, the reasons have become clear. This was an opportunity for the community of faith to share with us. I still have the toy car that a six year old boy thought that I might want to play with. There were boxes of toys sent to my nine year old daughter. This was an opportunity for glory to be directed to God. This was an opportunity for God to get my attention and to focus on Him.
Victims. That is what we were called. Blessed is what we really were. I have an entirely different perspective on things now. Possessions are not so important, people and relationships are. With God’s help, my attention is on his kingdom, not mine.
This experience is not unique. You have had and will have instances like this in your life. You must decide if you will listen to what He has to say to you and be obedient to his calling for your life."
Thank you Father for situations that, while they may seem tragic at first, help us to focus on the things that truly matter. We praise you for your love and mercy.
Blessings,
Bill
posted by BreadBakers at 12:38 PM
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