“What is going on with our trees?” I asked the Lord after a recent storm. Violent winds had shaken the beautiful big tree in our back yard. Several large branches had broken off and fallen to the ground. This was the third storm this year. We were getting a little tired of cleaning up after our trees.

We had also decided to hire someone to cut down two old trees which stood pretty close to the house. After an ice storm this past winter that left our back yard looking like a war zone we didn’t want to take any risks of these older trees falling onto the house.

I learned a lot from the tree guys who did the work. One of them who had training in how to trim trees properly showed me how broken branches can leave a “wound” on a tree. Those jagged edges allow water to enter which can cause the tree to rot from the inside. He said it was important to cut a branch right so that the tree can form a protective ring around the “wound” allowing it heal itself.  The tree compartmentalizes the wounded area with a special type of calloused wood, like a scar, which keeps out bacteria and helps the rest of the tree recover.

The tree guy pointed out several branches to me. He told me where to look. As I did I could see that these branches were dead even though they still had leaves and looked healthy to the undiscerning eye. Storms have a way of revealing which branches are dead. They are the first to break.

I love trees and God has often used trees to speak to me (see my last post). As I pondered at all this I saw so many analogies to our lives. Like the dead branches – I don’t want to be a dead branch not able to survive the next storm.

Just as wounded trees need proper care so we need someone to help us take care of our wounds, lest bitterness festers and causes more damage on the inside.

When the tree guy cut off several lower branches that looked vibrant and healthy, I asked him why he was cutting them off. He explained to me that they were sucker branches that took valuable sap away from the rest of the tree. By cutting them off the sap would be going to the higher branches that needed it.

This made me think of activities and other things that are time wasters – like those sucker branches.  Maybe I need the Holy Spirit to cut out some of those things in my life so that the areas that need to be strengthened can get the proper nourishment.

One last thought. Since I became aware of all these “tree issues” I cannot go anywhere without seeing trees in need of care. It annoyed me until they Holy Spirit pointed out to me that seeing the trees in need was like seeing people in need of care. When we are awakened to the truth of how wonderful our heavenly Father is and how much he cares for our souls, we can no longer be blind to the hurts and needs around us.  The world needs people who are trained and equipped to care for the wounded ones among us. First, we need to go to God to let Him heal our wounds, but then He also desires us to be healers. Let’s go do it!

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This is a time in history where we all need to have a Fail Proof Emergency Plan. The only Fail Proof Plan is God’s plan and He made His plan plain and clear.  When you find yourself in an emergent situation your first reaction is filled with either faith or fear.

God responds to your faith and if you will remember that the First thing that you must do is Seek first the kingdom of God.  Ask Him for His help and assistance first. Including the Lord is always the first thing to do. God will always respond to your request. (Matthew 6:33The Voice 33 Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then all these things will be given to you too.)

The second thing that you must do is to Shout Shalom Storm.  When we do what Jesus did –  we get the results that He did. With no doubt – declare and decree for that storm to stop. ( Mark 4:39 The Voice 39 He got up, shouted words into the wind, and commanded the waves. Jesus: That’s enough! Be still! And immediately the wind died down to nothing, the waves stopped.)

The third thing that you must do is to Trust in the Lord with ALL of your heart. God knows your heart and He sees how you respond. Trust in Him – have the God kind of faith be of good courage. (Proverbs 3:5-6 The Voice (VOICE) 5 Place your trust in the Eternal; rely on Him completely;  never depend upon your own ideas and inventions. 6 Give Him the credit for everything you accomplish,     and He will smooth out and straighten the road that lies ahead.)

The fourth thing is to Be still and know that He IS God. No matter what it looks like – be still and listen for God to give you guidance and know that He will because He is faithful. (Psalm 46:10 The Voice (VOICE) 10 “Be still, be calm, see, and understand I am the True God.   I am honored among all the nations.  I am honored over all the earth.”)

The fifth thing that you need to do is to Give Thanks with a grateful heart because He is Good and His merciful loyal love lasts forever.  Thank Him for leading you and guiding you on His well lit path for your life – follow His well lit path for your life and do not ever step out of His light. (1 Chronicles 16:34The Voice 4 Give testimony about the Eternal because He is good;    His loyal love lasts forever.) (Psalm 119:105 The Voice (VOICE) 105 Your word is a lamp for my steps; it lights the path before me.)

The sixth thing is to know that God will supply all of your needs. Every time that you include Him  – He will always come through. (Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.)

The seventh thing is very important and please do not forget to rejoice in the LORD and never tire of saying it.  Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice. Praise Him and Give Him all of the glory for He is faithful. (Philippians 4:4The Voice 4 Most of all, friends, always rejoice in the Lord! I never tire of saying it: Rejoice!)

Remember not to fear – fear is the opposite of faith and Jesus said Fear not!!  Luke 12:32 The Voice 32 My little flock, don’t be afraid. God is your Father, and your Father’s great joy is to give you His kingdom.
Don’t be afraid – Seek the Kingdom First because it is Our Father’s great joy to give us His kingdom – Jesus said so and therefore it is so.

So Seek, Speak, Trust, Be still and listen, Give thanks and walk on the well lit path, Know that God will supply all of your needs and receive what He has supplied,  Rejoice in the Lord and testify of His goodness to others so that they can walk through life with God’s Fail Proof Emergency Plan.