Yikes! Look At The Dow Jones!

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17

The past couple weeks the New York Stock Exchange has gone haywire plunging to record lows several days in a row. Our reaction, for those of us blessed enough to have 401k and retirement funds, has probably been one of fear and concern for the future. Riches and wealth are only temporary. We are not to trust in our money, for one stock market plunge or depression could send it right into the toilet so to speak. 

God is our source of being able to attain wealth and even maintain it. When we are blessed with abundance we are not to forget to help others too. Not in a socialistic government grab  but we should want to in our hearts. The government is not God nor should they play God. Every person has to decide on their own what and how to give. Scripture tells us those who give are also blessed. Do a word search on money, giving and other similar words in the Bible and you will find a host of valuable promises. 

In the meantime do not sit around worrying or bury your money underneath your house. Continue to give to the kingdom of God and to share when you are able and God will take care of you. It tells us that in Matthew 6:30-32. Give it a read.

PRAYER: Thank you for the abundance in my life. I know it is humanly easy to fear when we see savings accounts going down the tubes but I know in fact my hope and trust is ultimately in you, not in money. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Money Has Wings

 Command those who are rich in this present world to not to be arrogant or to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17

 It is very easy to trust in our money. In these uncertain times or at any time, riches could disappear. Proverbs 23:5 says they could "sprout wings". No one should trust in their wealth. Paydays are nice but a financial default could send everyone's bank account plummeting. Would you be happy if you did not have money to rely on?  Even the poorest person in America is rich compared to many parts of the world. We are blessed then we can bless others.

Many of our grandparents and parents went through The Great Depression beginning in 1929 and those folks can tell you what it is like to do without. We have it so good now. Never take God's blessings for granted, and find ways you can help others not so fortunate. God is the one who gave us the ability to gain wealth and we are to be good stewards of what he entrusts to us.

Take time today to thank God for the abundance He has blessed you with. Never assume it will always be there. Trust in God and He will take care of you.

 PRAYER: Lord you are good and you provide us with so many things. Forgive me if I have ever been stingy with your blessings. In Jesus' name. Amen.

MONEY....IT IS NOT OURS REALLY

Why is it when a preacher gives a sermon on money or a Bible teacher on TV or radio mentions donating to their ministry it does not set well with people? We know there have been a few "bad apples" who have led others astray and misused money but frankly that is between them and God.

All we have is from God. We are only to be good stewards of it. It is God who gives us the power to get wealth. If you do not have a heart to give and just grudgingly put a dollar or two in the offering plate as it passes by, then God would rather you keep your money as your heart is not in it.

Money is indeed a reflection of where our heart is. If you were to die and someone saw your checkbook ledgers what would they "say" about your life ? Where did your money primarily go? Would it show you had a heart for helping others or only helping yourself? The Bible says "Give and it shall be given to you, reap and you will sow".

The following are all verses on money. Read them all and then search your heart and if you do not have a giving spirit ask God to change that. Do not give to show off as that displeases The Lord. Give even if no one ever knows and try your best not to "toot your own horn" and point out what you have done. Ask the Lord to keep you humble.

So here are your money verses:
Psalm 112:5 'It is well with the man who gives generously and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice.'
Proverbs 10:4 'Poor is he who works with a negligent hand , but the hand of the diligent makes rich.'
Proverbs 13:11 'Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles but the one who gathers by labor increases it.'
Psalm 23:1 'The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.'
Philippians 4:11-13 ' For I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances may be. I know now how to live when things are difficult and I know how to live when things are prosperous. In general and in particular I have learned the secret of eating well or going hungry of facing either plenty of poverty. I am ready for anything through the strength of the One who lives within.'
Hebrews 13:5 'Keep your life free from the love of money and be content with what you have.'
Psalm 37:21 'The wicked borrows and does not pay back, but the righteous is gracious and gives.'
Proverbs 22:7 'The rich rule over the poor and the borrower becomes the lenders slave.'
Luke 6:38 'Give and it shall be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use it will be measured to you.'
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 'Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.'
Matthew 6:21 'For where your treasure is there will your heart be also.'
2 Thessalonians 3:10 '...If a man is unwilling to work then neither should he eat.'

There are many, many more verses dealing with money. This gives you some to read and ponder and decide perhaps that you need to maybe make some changes when it comes to "God's money".

Go now and share what God has blessed you with. Make a budget even if you do not need to and put Jesus first. Next set aside savings for your emergencies as we should not live like the government needs to help us. Share with others. For instance, right now there are many opportunities to help Oklahoma tornado victims. And finally take care of your bills and
then go do something fun. God will bless you for helping others before always thinking of yourself. Try it and see! It kind of makes you feel good to be unselfish with the treasures God has given to you.

PRAYER: It is is easy and human nature to want to hoard, be stingy, and be selfish with my monetary assets. I know all I have was given to me by God. He is the one who gives the power to get wealth in the first place. Satan is selfish and wants me to follow suit. Help me Lord remember that it is you who have poured blessings upon me. Thank you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

UNCERTAIN TIMES

Today is the big day here in the USA where "mere men" ,with too much
power, have put fear in us with a word called Sequestration. Here in
a military town this is especially causing stress not knowing whose
jobs will be safe or if the whole town will fold. Defense cuts affect
not just the military and their family and defense contractors, but the entire US and the

civilian town the military is near. But God is bigger than this crisis created by man. Remember
the verse in 1 Timothy 6:17(NIV) which says 'Command those who are
rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in
wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who
richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.' Elsewhere in
Proverbs 23:5(NIV) further drives this point home when it says 'Cast
but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout
wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.'

For those "awake" and paying attention to world events and things in
our own country,we are living in uncertain times. A country of
freedom, prosperity, and independence is slowly being controlled by a
domineering tyrannical government trying to seemingly take over all
aspects of our lives. Many people are frightened today because this day was hyped by the media so much as doomsday.

 

When and if doomsday does come, as a believer we are not to

trust in riches or man to help us or save us. Our hope is to be in the
Lord who made the heavens and the earth and who is in control of it
all. Sometimes He allows men to reap what they sow and has warned us
many times. In scripture it says in 2 Chronicles 7:14(NIV) 'if my
people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and
seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from
heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.' Are we
truly humbling ourselves and seeking God's face or are we way too busy
to have time? Many may be so busy in their careers or at home that
they do not even realize what is happening in the world around them
especially not getting info from the right sources. Many are oblivious

to the impending economic, military, and moral downfall of America

around them. But once again we are not to be frightened by what "mere
men" can do to us as our trust is in God. (See Psalm 118:6 and Psalm
56:4).

Psalm 23(NIV) is often just thought of as a passage of scripture read
only at funerals but there is much more within the words of that
chapter. I have copied it here. Take a moment and read it over and
think about something other than the funeral context you often
probably hear it in.

'The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down
in green pastures,he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my
soul.He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no
evil, for you are with me;your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You
anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love
will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house
of the Lord forever.'

Today do not be afraid and read out loud the following scripture from
John 14:17(NIV). It says 'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be
troubled and do not be afraid." God will take care of us. Do not focus
on evil and bad around you but get into his word and let it transform
your heart and give you peace.

PRAYER: Lord we do not know what is happening. We in America have
always seemingly never had worries or fears like other countries and
have taken much for granted. Our morals have started to slide because
we chose back in 1963 to kick you out of our public schools. We did
not give heed to your precious lives you created and since 1973 have
killed millions of babies in the name of women's rights or choice. How
sad this makes me Lord. Please forgive our country for ignoring you
and turning its' back on you. Get us through the stormy days ahead
Lord and bring revival to this land. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on the link below and please take a moment and be comforted by
the words of the attached song.
http://youtu.be/2ZuVtA7Vyk8

YOUR CHECKBOOK

Your checkbook ledger tells a story. What does yours tell about you? Where do you spend your money in other words? If you were to suddenly pass away and your family and friends saw your check book ledger would it show a kind and generous person or a Scrooge? When we do good deeds we are not to announce them on the street corners it says in Matthew 6:2. Read it for yourself. But in fact, if someone were to see where your money went would you be proud of it or embarrassed?

The money we have is God's anyway. We are not to keep it all to ourselves but then again tyrannical governments are not to come in and confiscate it either pitting the well to do with the poor. It is not the governments money but OUR money. This scenario, I am sad to say, may be transpiring as a result of this last election in the USA, where voters were subjected to class warfare tactics.

As a believer we are not to be jealous of another's wealth. He or she has worked hard for what they have. Those who have not often are envious of this not knowing the whole story. We are to be cheerful givers and as I often say to myself if we can not be cheerful then keep your stinking money. If you have problem hanging on to your wallet too tight then ask God to help you in this area.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7  (NIV) says the following: 

Remember  this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

So today take a look at your checkbook ledger. What story does it tell about where your heart is? 

'For where your treasure is there will your heart be also.'  Matthew 6:21

PRAYER: Lord thanks you for providing  for my physical needs. Help me share with others in need. In Jesus' name. Amen.

LOTTERY FEVER

This past week it seemed the world went crazy over the half billion dollar jackpot in the lottery, which was billed as the largest ever. Crowds lined up to buy tickets hoping for the chance at this huge jackpot. Many think, when and if, they would come into this windfall of money all their troubles would be over when in fact there are numerous accounts of past lottery winners and how it has ruined their life.

Why is it money seems to be the cure all for everything? When you work hard and go to school for degrees you are rewarded for our efforts normally by a good paying job. The Bible says in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 "even while we were with you we gave you this command. If a man does not work he should not eat."  Now that does not sit well with the 'redistribute the wealth class warfare crowd' trying to pit  classes of people against each other instead of realizing the people who work hard should get to keep their money. The lottery seems to prey on poor people. Many out there truly do not want to work and want the government to take care of them and many do want to work but maybe can not find a job right now. Do not be jealous of another's wealth or seek to be rich.

It says in 1 Timothy 6:9 "People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into  many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction."  Proverbs 15:27 says " A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live." Gambling can be an addiction that can hurt the family finances and break up marriages. Proverbs 23:4 says " Do not wear yourself out to get rich, have the wisdom to show restraint."  In 1 Timothy 6:10 it goes on to say "For the Love of money is the root of all sorts of evil. Some people eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves many griefs."

Matthew 6:19-21 says where our real treasure should be. It says "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Money can bring lots of heartache if that is all you are striving for. Seek first God's kingdom.

PRAYER: Lord I want my treasure to be in heaven and in your word. Help me not purposely be striving for wealth but when it does come to remember it is through you we get the ability to do work and earn money. You bring true riches. In Jesus name. Amen.

YOUR MONEY OR GOD'S MONEY?

Many people when they go to work say this is "my money"or "my paycheck". Is that really true? Even in some marriages the breadwinner, who in most cases is still the male, may think it is his money but when you say "I do" you have a shared joint life which includes a 'joint' checking account with your wife. She is not to be treated disrespectfully or like a second class citizen and the two should have a plan for how money is spent. It is the source of lots of major conflicts in marriages.  For a man to make a stay home mom feel she is not earning, so therefore, it is not her money too, is wrong. Marriage means equal and a man and a wife. Trust is necessary and commitment. But the point is that the money is really not who earns it but it belongs to God anyway. We are to be good stewards of what God has given us. If we have an abundance too then hopefully you would share with those experiencing a need through no fault of their own.

Deuteronomy 8:18 says "But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today."
1 Samuel 2:7 says " The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts."  Proverbs 10:22 says "The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it."

Matthew 6:24 says "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."  When God blesses you with money make sure to give him some back. Malachi 3:10 says " Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."

Luke 6:38 says " Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Enjoy the blessings God has given you but do not keep it all to yourself. Remember it is his anyway. So next time you see a person in need and you give money to them or something to help them through their hard time be sure to give God the glory as it is not your money anyway.

PRAYER:  All I have is yours Lord. Sometimes I tend to forget that. Forgive me when I have used my money for things that would not please you. Help me to not abuse credit cards and give me the ability to not buy things I do not need. Help me have a more generous heart and a cheerful giver heart. In Jesus Name. Amen!

IDEA FOR MY LOCAL READERS: WAY FM RADIO HAS The Drive Thur Difference. Go to their website and down load a letter that you hand the cashier at your local drive thru like Mc Donald's or Arbys and pay for the person behind you. No strings attached. You drive off feeling good and the person behind is blessed. Click link below for more info and bless someone today.
http://wayh.wayfm.com/on-the-way/137-drive-thru-difference.html

HIDDEN TREASURE

I am not sure where I first heard this story but there was a tale of an old woman who had died and left a family member an old Bible in her will. This made the person receiving it very angry as the woman had great wealth and all they got was this silly Bible. Unknown to this person receiving the Bible, because they failed to look inside and read it, was that tucked inside was the 'earthly treasure' of a check of a huge sum of money  hidden within its' pages not to be found until the real treasure was uncovered in God's word. This reminded me of the movie "The Ultimate Gift" http://www.theultimategift.com/ about a young man who found the 'real treasure' in life was not monetary.

Matthew 6:21 says "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." The real treasure is not in earthly things that rot and decay and rust but it is in an imperishable everlasting gift. Money will not satisfy. Lots of folks say "it sure is kind of nice to have though" but many times it brings false happiness too. Things will not bring happiness. We in America are extremely blessed and even the poorest person here is wealthy in the eyes of the world.

Money in itself is not bad and as Jimmy Stewart's character ,George Bailey said to Clarence Oddbody the Guardian Angel in 'It's A Wonderful Life', "Y-You don't happen to have eight thousand bucks on you?"  Clarence replied "Oh, no, no. We don't use money in heaven." George responds "Oh, that's right, I keep forgetting.Comes in pretty handy down here, bub."  In this movie 'Bailey Building and Loan' had a short fall of $8,000 after his Uncle Billy lost a deposit he was going to make.The evil rival banker in town, Mr. Potter, took advantage of the situation and threatened to have Stewarts' character arrested. George Bailey decided he would be worth more dead than alive due to a life insurance policy that could be cashed in so decided to commit suicide. That is when Clarence the Angel Second Class appeared to save George and let him see how silly it was to kill himself over money. Consequently he showed George what a 'wonderful life' he did have and in turn earned his wings.

Money can put pressure on people. In 1 Timothy 6:10 it says "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." So yes we need it to pay bills but we are not to get in a habit of consuming our lives to be wealthy. God is the one who blesses anyway.  In verse 17 of this same chapter it goes on to say "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment."
Do you focus too much on money and making it big in the world? God is going to take care of you. If you have been blessed then do the right thing and help bless others too. Do not be selfish with your blessings. Luke 12:18-21 talking to the rich fool says "And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.  And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’  So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God."

So where your treasure is there is your heart. What is your priority in life?  Make sure you remember who it is who gave you the power to gain wealth and give Him the glory due His name. Just remember what Philippians 4:19 says "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

PRAYER: Father God I thank you for the many blessings I enjoy. I thank you for having a roof over my head. Forgive me when I have been ungrateful and compared myself to others and wanted more. I thank you Lord for the blessing of just being alive and healthy. I thank you for family and friends. I thank you that you meet my needs. Help me share what I have if I see someone in need. IN Jesus Name, Amen.


HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: Read Psalm 49

401K...BAH HUMBUG

Today in light of the financial stress lots of folks in America are going through  I thought it appropriate to remind all out there that God has a plan and He is in control. The government may try to terrorize us and control us but ultimately God is on the throne. Americans these past couple years have been fighting a battle trying to remind the Representatives in our nations' Capitol that they are there to 'represent'  and not to dictate. Thankfully after the last election it got somewhat better but we are still fighting an uphill battle to save our nation from financial default. We know who really is in charge. A 'mere man' can not take this land down on his own.

God may allow certain things too in order to get our attention. Americans have had it quite good for the past couple hundred years. That is why so many  have wanted to move to our shores. We are a unique nation with freedom and many opportunities. Somehow things are changing and apparently those in DC want to control us more.Besides our freedoms we see vanishing in different areas such as health care and banks we see our retirement accounts and stock markets taking major hits. It is worrisome to many who have put so much trust in their riches. We know from history that we can in fact bounce back. Like I said, God is the one really on the throne, not anyone else. Man may try to exalt himself over God or deny Him but in the end God gets the final say.

There are many opinions out there. Some say those in charge are trying to dominate and put us down to size. We see evidence of class warfare tactics such as displayed on a grander scale during WWII in Germany. This is not a democrat thing or a republican thing and it is not a devotion about a man but it is a devotion about trusting in God and not your wealth. Believing what the Bible says and following its' principles.

Psalm 62:10 says " Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them." Psalm 73:26 says "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." God is your portion. He will take care of you. Further in Psalm 16:5 it says "LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure." See the word secure. God is our security, not the stock market, not a human man or woman. When we take eyes off of God we start to get worried and wonder what is going to happen to us. Psalm 56:4 says "In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?" See that word 'mere'. No matter what the rank or how  high the office, man to God is called 'mere'. That should make you feel a little bit better.

But you say "I have a family to feed and a mortgage. What am I going to do? What about the college fund?" Once again 1 Peter 5:7 says to "Cast all your care on Him for He cares for you."  "But that won't pay my bills" you say "this casting you speak of". Just trust God and believe He will see you through things. See there is another magic word "through' meaning it will be over sometime.

There is a promise in the Bible that says in Psalm 37:25 " I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread." God will not let us starve. No matter what He is there and He will see us through. Proverbs 23:5 says "Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle."

So who do you trust? God or the stock market and your 401K? Just remember this is not a battle against flesh and blood but against evil forces trying to take out this great nation. Ephesians 6:12 says "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Pray for those in authority over us whether you agree with them or not and keep believing God is in control and He has a plan.

PRAYER: Uncertainty, particularly when it comes to money, is unsettling. Father help us to lean on you and not our checkbooks and savings. We know it could be gone in an instant. Father with the money we do have help us not hoard it but let us use it to bless others while we can. In Jesus Name. Amen.


NOTE:At the bottom of this devotion is a worship song to remind us who is really in control. Turn up your speakers and worship the Lord.




http://youtu.be/HCuaQCr0hws

Today in Houston there is a day of prayer and fasting for the nation at Reliant Stadium and it is being simulcast in places across the land. You can also watch it live streaming ...
http://theresponseusa.com/