Daily Devotional for Wednesday July 9, 2008

This Past Year More and More People are Struggling Financially

(Deuteronomy 28:7)

MONTHS AGO, I SHARED A SPECIAL WORD HOW IT WOULD BE VERY EASY FOR GOD TO USE THE ECONOMY AS A FORM OF HIS JUDGMENT ON THIS NATION. WITH THE DOWNTURN IN THE HOUSING MARKET, THE COST OF GASOLINE AND TRANSPORTATION CONTINUING TO INCREASE, THE RIPPLES ARE BEING FELT IN OUR ECONOMIC SYSTEM TO THE POINT A BLUE CHIP COMPANY LIKE GENERAL MOTORS IS IN DEEP TROUBLE FINANCIALLY, MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME SIMPLY PAYING THEIR BILLS. HOWEVER, NEVER FORGET THAT THE LORD IS YOUR PROVIDER AND HE HAS PROMISED TO MEET YOUR EVERY NEED!

This past year, I have been dealing with more and more people who have been struggling financially. One dear friend in the mortgage business who has been generously giving to Liveprayer for many years, saw his income go from $800,000 in 2006 to just under $100,000 in 2007. Several key contributors to Liveprayer who were home builders also saw their income drop significantly last year.

Sadly, it wasn't just the real estate market that suffered during 2007 and now into 2008. Many other industries and segments of the economy have been suffering as well. We all know what gas costs and it is going to continue to rise, making everything more expensive. I want you to know that if you and your family have been going through a difficult time financially as of late, that God will continue to meet your every need. HE IS YOUR PROVIDER!

I pray daily for the Lord to meet the needs of those in the Liveprayer family. I pray a special hedge of protection around the finances of those who sacrifice to give to Liveprayer, since I know satan loves to attack the finances of the faithful. What better way to slow down the work of God than to cut off the resources of those who make His work possible. But God is faithful, since He always raises up others who faithfully make the sacrifice to His work.

I love the great promise in God's Word in Deuteronomy 28:7 that tells us God will allow our enemies to be defeated, and how they will come at us from one direction, but flee in seven! Do you need to hear that promise today? Do you need the assurance that your enemies will be defeated and flee from you? My friend, we ALL need that promise today since every person reading this Devotional is fighting some kind of enemy in their life this very moment.

For some of you, your enemy today may be finances, for others it may be a health issue. For some of you, the enemy you are fighting today may be some sort of addiction, for others it may be dealing with the loss of someone you loved. For some of you, your enemy may be a problem in your marriage or close relationship, for others it may be the need for a job. For some of you, your enemy may be people who are coming against you at home, at work, or at school, for others it may be a legal problem. THE FACT IS, everyone who is reading this is fighting SOME enemy in your life today.

It would have been easy today to deal with some of the larger issues facing us as a nation and those who know Christ as their Savior. The war in Iraq, the ever present political battles in Washington, and many other important issues. But my focus today is on YOU and the enemies you face in your life today. We all need to be aware of, and doing our part in the larger battles we fight together, but I know for many of you, the most important thing happening is NOT what is on the news, but the enemies you are dealing with in your life this very moment.

I want you to know that you are not fighting your enemies alone today. The Bible tells us, "The battle is the Lord's!" WOW! Never forget for a moment that you have God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth fighting for YOU today! Also, I am here praying for you, believing God for victory over whatever enemies you are facing in your life. So my word for you today is to rise up, fight in the strength God will give you, and know that your enemies WILL BE DEFEATED AND FLEE FROM YOU, not in one direction but seven!!!

I love you and care about you so much. Jesus Christ died on a cross 2,000 years ago so that you could live TODAY in victory. That is why if you put your faith and trust in Jesus, you not only have the assurance of victory over death, but you have the assurance of victory over your enemies in this life as well! Jesus told His disciples that in this world they would have tribulation, but to be of good cheer because HE HAD OVERCOME THIS WORLD! What that means for you is that He has already defeated your enemies. No matter what the enemies in your life today may be, Christ has already assured you of victory!

I will be praying for you, praying specifically for those who are struggling financially and need God to move and meet their needs. The Holy Spirit told me today that so many of you needed a word of encouragement. You needed to be reminded that God has promised you victory. Instead of going through this day with your shoulders slumped, your head down, looking like someone that has lost, you need to stick your chest out, walk boldly and confidently forward, because you have already won the victory. God will provide!

In His love and service, Your friend and brother in Christ, Bill Keller