" DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES OFTEN LEAD TO STRESS "

I have to tell you that my head is spinning. If it's not all these candidates taking shots at each other, it's our economy and every action is some how related. I truly feel for those who have taken their eyes off of Jesus. Are you really listening to what people are saying and what their immediate concerns are? When my children were much younger people would say "Chill" or they would say "Take a chill pill". All I hear in my spirit is "I've got this" friends Jesus is still on the throne, no matter what things look like on the surface...TRUST GOD.

It seems that every time we turn on the computer, talk with someone, read the newspaper or even watch television we get our daily dose of stress.

Those of us who are head of household must cover our wives and protect her from added stress. We must reassure our families that no matter what, we must Trust God. Jesus always says.... " I've got this ".

Is your trust in man or in the Lord ? Are you waiting each day to see what happened on Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange, what kind of shape are we truly in ? Where is your confidence... Is the 700 billion dollar bail out working or is it just going to take much more time. Is the domino effect about to happen - when no one buys things, then lay offs happen. OK we've been through recession, now will their be a depression, and if so one might say where is God in all this? All of you who are Small Business Owners, God Bless You. Some may have lost your line of credit at the bank, and it might be wise to keep retained earnings, pre-pay for supplies and re-evaluate your business plans.

I have to wonder if anyone is reading and studying the Word of God anymore. God's way to riches: " But Seek First His Kingdom"... Matt. 6:33
Man's way to riches: Overcome every obstacle by our own wits.

God is more than willing to pour out His heart and make known His thoughts to us. To inherit His advice, we must be willing to listen, refusing to let pride stand in our way. Pride is thinking highly of our own wisdom and desires more than of God's. If we think we know better than God or feel we have no need of God's direction, we have fallen into foolish and disastrous pride.
Back in 1977 I read a book I believe was called "Think And Grow Rich". I was in the direct sales field. The one thing that I got out of the whole book was "What the Mind Could Conceive and Believe the Mind could Achieve".

This concept is based on the false idea that a man can achieve financial independence and true happiness apart from God. It puts confidence in human ability rather than giving proper recognition to God's enablement. God has given special power to man, but it must be used in accordance with Godly principles.

Some of us have done well for ourselves and our families and their is nothing wrong with that. A person who has unlimited funds can sometimes find it more difficult to detect God's leading through finances, because of this, God gives special warnings to the rich. "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..."

Friends those with money must be generous, but they may not be arrogant just because they have a lot to give. They must be careful not to put their hope in money instead of in the living God for their security. Even if we don't have material wealth, we can be rich in good deeds. No matter how poor we are, we have something to share with someone.

Psalm 62:3-6 David expressed his feelings to God and then he reaffirmed his faith. Prayer can release our tensions in times of emotional stress. Trusting God to be our Rock, Salvation, and Stronghold (62:2) will change our entire outlook on life. No longer must we be held captive by resentment toward others when they hurt us. When we are resting in God's strength, nothing can shake us.

No matter what your bank statement or portfolio reads, Trust God... "After All, It's Only A Test".

Until Next Time,
Jim