The backbone of our financial system in America and even around the world has been a little rocky lately. Ha. Okay, if we listen to the media and the politicians who are pushing to hurry up and "fix it" --- it is on the verge of collapse.
I've already given my views of the "rescue plan" in previous posts. I'm proud of the House Republicans for holding off the vote yesterday. More work needs to be done on the bill to give us real answers. Obviously something needs to be done but it isn't the plan that was originally proposed and it isn't the one that was put on the floor for a vote yesterday.
Hubby and I are taking a nice peaceful vacation in Northeast Florida this week. We are trying very hard not to be consumed with all the news so we can enjoy some much needed rest and recuperation. With hourly changes in the stock market, announcements of failed banks and Washington's misbehavior it has taken a concerted effort on our part to go about our planned vacation without worry. It's been a challenge even to have a sense of almost feeling guilty for having fun in such grave times.
As I observed the birds on a very quiet and almost deserted beach yesterday, I heard the Holy Spirit urging me to a place of comfort with scriptures softly speaking to my heart. Familiar scriptures. Nothing earth shattering about them. Nevertheless, God has whispered them to me in so many situations and seasons of my life, I know them well. Through them, I know Him well. They speak so profoundly of what Jesus knew to be true of His heavenly Father. They are powerful words that I have held onto in so many times of restlessness and toil over the years. Each time I read them and soak in the power of them, they minister peace to my anxious heart.
I share them today to remind myself and to remind every reader where our help comes from. God is my supply. He is more than enough. He knows what we have need of and is willing to ... and through His sacrifice has already provided.
I have a feeling everything we believe about God and scripture is getting ready to be tested in ways we might never have imagined to be possible in this great country we live in.
I pray I'm ready.
" Look at the birds.
They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?
Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing,
yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith.
So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing.
Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs,
and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdome of God your primary concern.
So Don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today. "
Jesus, Matthew 6: 26-34 NLT
2 comments:
one thing everyone including me can relate to is peace. everyone wants it. God is love but God is peace as well. thank you God for being our peace in all times. we all need to take a deep breath and breathe alot of Him into our thoughts, concerns, our lives. it is our only answer in these most extraordinary times.
thank you for sharing words of comfort.
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
John 14:27
Our peace cannot come from the world, or the things of the world - its artificial security, economy or false sense of 'I'm okay, you're okay'! We are to be as wise as wolves in sheep's clothing, relying only on the promises of God to make our way through this foreign land - earth. Most of the time, at least in the USA, it is not terribly hard or frightening. We go about our lives as good citizens, minding our own business and obeying the law, staying out of trouble and just taking for granted our privilege of being far away from war, want or intense wickedness and terror.
Now we find our country on the precipice of financial meltdown in the highest halls of government and on Wall Street. The prognosticators are grim, the news is foreboding. Can we weather a collapse of our stock market? Will we have a severe depression? Will it have worldwide repercussions? Are we, the people, going to lose everything we have worked so hard to save, acquire or count on to retire? Can anything be fixed? Questions, questions, more questions - and not many answers from the experts!
This is a time of real testing of our deepest heart faith - not in the system of our country, but in the kingdom of our Father. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us! He has promised to supply our needs! He has said to look unto Him, as the author & finisher of our faith! He has told us not to worry or be anxious for anything, but to bring our concerns to Him, and "if you do this you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus". Phil. 4:7 LNT
God also promises those who keep His Word that He will come and abide with them, settle down with them, and pitch a tent, or tabernacle, over them to protect them in this world. Like the old song says "Turn you eyes upon Jesus - look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace". What else can we do to change or prevent or fix anything that is out of our power or know how? Just trusting in Him gives me the peace I need to keep looking up, keep smiling and keep going! Shalom!
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