Newsletters

Linda's thoughts and questions and ruminations on walking with God, as well as what's happening in the ministry...

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In light of the headlines…

If riches increase, do not set your heart upon them. (Psalm 62:10)

Have you seen the U.S. news lately? What in the world is going on? The last few weeks have shaken some of us to the core. And things may get a lot worse before they get better. I am so grateful that I am not trying to move or retire right now. But how do I handle all of this?

For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Tim 6:10)

It’s scary. Some people are saying we are looking down the barrel toward a season far worse than the Great Depression. Others say that the media is blowing all of this far out of proportion and that things are not nearly as bleak as they seem. Who knows what lies ahead? Who do I trust?

Thus says the LORD,

" Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind

And makes flesh his strength,

And whose heart turns away from the LORD.

"For he will be like a bush in the desert

And will not see when prosperity comes,

But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness,

A land of salt without inhabitant.

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD

And whose trust is the LORD.

"For he will be like a tree planted by the water,

That extends its roots by a stream

And will not fear when the heat comes;

But its leaves will be green,

And it will not be anxious in a year of drought

Nor cease to yield fruit.

(Jeremiah 17:5-8)

I can’t read the future. I don’t have the answers. But I know Jehovah-Jireh (“The Lord Will Provide”) and I know I need to study what He says is true—not Wall Street, not the 6:00 news, not what the money people say. He is the only one who knows the whole truth and the entire future.

How will we as believers respond when things shake, rattle and roll?

We’ve seen our knee-jerk reactions…

Fear

Do I really believe God is my Provider? Or do I say those spiritual sounding words but in actuality my security is in my retirement account, my job, my checkbook? It is very understandable that we might be fearful, but we must not let fear rule us and make our decisions for us.

God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change

And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;

Though its waters roar and foam,

Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.

(Psalm 46:1-3)

Anger

It isn’t fair. It appears that those who pay their bills, live within their means and handle money responsibly are paying for those who have not. And those who have scrimped and saved all their lives now see their savings shrinking. It’s awful. But nobody ever said life was fair.

This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20)

Hoarding

It’s tempting to lock it all down, stop giving to the Lord and to others, keep it all for myself, become cheap and stingy. But is that ever God’s plan of attack?

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. (Malachi 3:10)

Panic

Something that is certain is said to be “money in the bank”. Well, maybe. Maybe not. But freaking out, making sudden uninformed changes and worrying cannot be the wise move.

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. (1 Tim 6:17-19)

How can I respond (instead of react!)?…

Wisdom

The Bible speaks about money almost more than any other subject. Why? Because money can be a blessing, curse, stumbling block, distraction, gift or something that can separate us from God. Scripture has a lot to say about money and we might want to listen in.

Some of us have made some very bad choices when it comes to money, jobs, relationships and other bedrock decisions of life. And we are paying now. But that doesn’t mean we are beyond hope. It means we need to repent, stop living foolishly and start ordering our lives God’s way.

My son, if you will receive my words

And treasure my commandments within you,

Make your ear attentive to wisdom,

Incline your heart to understanding;

For if you cry for discernment,

Lift your voice for understanding;

If you seek her as silver

And search for her as for hidden treasures;

Then you will discern the fear of the LORD

And discover the knowledge of God.

For the LORD gives wisdom;

From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;

He is a shield to those who walk in integrity

(Proverbs 2:1-7)

Give

If my reliance is on God, I will continue to give to Him, to His work, to the poor, to the needy. We are so blessed compared to the vast majority of people. And tightening our belt must not mean closing our hand. Tight finances are never an excuse to be cheap. Wise, thrifty, good stewards, yes, but cheap, never.

Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure--pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return. (Luke 6:38)

The generous man will be prosperous,

And he who waters will himself be watered. (Proverbs 11:25)

Trust

I need to remain as informed as I can, but I must not place my trust in the newspapers, in the stock market, in the economic advisors, in those who predict doom or those who live with blinders on. The only one who knows the entire future is God.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart

And do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

It will be healing to your body

And refreshment to your bones.

Honor the LORD from your wealth

And from the first of all your produce;

So your barns will be filled with plenty

And your vats will overflow with new wine.

(Proverbs 3:5-10)

Security

God is our Rock, Refuge, Strength, Strong Tower, Security, Stability, Fortress, Life. I must choose second by second to place my security in Him as a matter of the will. I do not mean we will not be shaken and tested. But I must continually return to the still spot in a spinning universe.

My soul, wait in silence for God only,

For my hope is from Him.

He only is my rock and my salvation,

My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.

On God my salvation and my glory rest;

The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.

Trust in Him at all times, O people;

Pour out your heart before Him;

God is a refuge for us. Selah.

(Psalm 62:5-8)

I have no idea what the next few years hold. I don’t know how to fix the mess. But I know I need to return to the truth and rehearse and rely and obey God’s instructions and promises.

Keep deception and lies far from me,

Give me neither poverty nor riches;

Feed me with the food that is my portion,

That I not be full and deny You and say, "Who is the LORD?"

Or that I not be in want and steal,

And profane the name of my God.

(Proverbs 30:8-9)

This is what I am meditating on these days. If it helps you, memorize them. Meditate on them. Study everything Scripture has to say about finances. Jehovah-Jireh is asking us to trust Him completely and walk through these uncertain days in wisdom and security. Will we rise to His challenge? I hope so.

In His grip,

Linda

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