Daily Devotional for Wednesday August 5, 2015

An Economy in Crisis - A God Who is Not

(Matthew 6:25-34)

***DAILY PERSONAL PRAYER FOR YOU: Lord, thank you for meeting my daily needs as you have promised in your Word. I look to you and your alone for my sustenance through life, and thank you for your faithfulness. Please help me to be a good steward of the funds you entrust into my care during this life, and give me favor in my finances, and wisdom in my decisions. In the name of Jesus I pray...AMEN!

An economy in crisis, a God who is not! Despite the FACT this nation is $18 TRILLION in debt, with a real unemployment number around 23% due to the lowest labor participation rate in the history of the nation, and millions of people still struggling 7 years after the housing bubble burst, we serve a God who has promised to meet our daily needs and is our provider! Do not fret, He still owns the cattle on a thousand hills and all the gold and silver. While the US and most nations are technically bankrupt, HEAVEN IS NOT!!!

I don't normally give out financial advice, but let me share just a couple of basic thoughts. Unless God continues to unleash His wrath on this nation through the economy, in which case everyone will be affected in a major way and the current system as we know it will be destroyed, be patient through this time of turmoil. Most people have already seen their 401k and stocks come back. There are prudent long-term investments so hang in there and don't panic and sell.

Try not to add on any more debt. Take it easy with your credit cards. Don't worry about the value of your house for a while if like millions it is still under water. It is going to take a while for the real estate market to come back if it hasn't in your area, so don't worry if your house has depreciated. We may be in for a few more years of economic hard times, but it will eventually bounce back unless God chooses to use the economy to ultimately judge this nation ,in which case nothing will matter. Patience and discipline are the keys during these troubled times.

It is during these unsettling times that we must learn how to really become dependent upon God. We must never forget that it is God who opens the door for our employment. I know many people are still unemployed or under-employed. It is God who gives us wisdom and discernment in handling our finances. Everything we have is simply on loan from God and we are simply stewards over the things He entrusts into our care during this life. God is our provider and our source.

God has promised in His Word to meet our daily needs. In Matthew 6:33 Jesus said, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." What things? All of the things the Lord spoke about in the preceding verses, food, clothing, and shelter. God has promised to meet your daily needs. Our job is to seek Him and His Kingdom.

Listen, I am well aware of the hard times many in the Liveprayer family are going through. People are still out of work. People are still losing their homes. People are still struggling just to pay their basic bills. Many people are still going through very difficult times. I pray daily for God to meet these needs of employment and the basic finances just to live. I want you to know that if you are struggling today, God has not forsaken you and will not abandon you.

Just the opposite. He has promised to never leave you nor forsake you. Now is the time to make your faith real and to trust Him to provide for your needs. God is amazing how He works. His promises are true. Please know that I am here and praying for you as God gudies you through these difficult times.

Liveprayer has also been dealing with the fallout of the economy for the past 7 years now. From 2003 thru the end of 2006, we have had a group of apx 30 people who love the Lord and had a real burden for His work here at Liveprayer. This group was blessed financially and were able to send between $5k-$10k when I called on them with an emergency. During 2008, we lost about half of this group since they were involved in some way with the housing industry. They were home builders, people in the mortgage industry, real estate agents, appraisers, and others whose finances were tied to the housing industry.

During the course of this past several years, we lost another 10 from this group who were connected to Wall Street and have had horrible years financially. In 2010 our largest donor over the years passed away after a long bout with cancer, and several others special friends of the ministry have gone on to be with the Lord. So this special group that I depend on and gives me so much peace just knowing they are there, is now down to only 1. *If the Lord has blessed you financially, please pray about being part of this special group. I have never called on anyone in this group for help unless it was an emergency. If God is leading you to be part of this group, please let me know.

The good news is the donor base to keep Liveprayer.com going is very solid. We have a wonderful group of people who love the Lord and faithfully send in their $25, $50, $100, or more each month to keep our base internet operations solid. The TV program is doing well, and the syndication deal starting this January will enable us to pay off the last of teh debt we are carrying and help us to cover some of the expenses of Liveprayer.com along with the TV program.

So we keep pressing on, doing our best to be faithful each day as we reach out to the lost and hurting with the hope and love of Jesus Christ while bringing His Truth into the marketplace. I never forget for a moment that without your love, prayers, and financial sacrifice, Liveprayer would not exist. So I am thankful each day for the opportunity we have to serve the Lord, knowing HE is the ONLY hope and ONLY answer for this nation, the nations of the world, and for each person!!!

I love you and care about you so much. I know many people are very concerned about the current economic crisis we are facing. As painful as this time is for so many, I also see it as a great opportunity to share the hope and love of Christ with people. It is in these types of times, people start to realize that there has to be something greater than themselves. Let me encourage you to look for the opportunities to share His hope with people as you discuss these economic problems we are facing.

Unless God continues to pour out His wrath on our nation for our wickedness, using the economy as His instrument of judgment, it will eventually get better. In the meantime, I will be praying for those who are dealing with difficult financial problems in your life today. I can only pray that during these trying days, you find the peace, strength, and hope that only the Lord can provide. I will be praying for you and your family as HE gudies you through these difficult days and meets your every need.

Thank you for praying for me and the work of God here at Liveprayer. For those who God has blessed and are able, please pray about making that sacrifice during our anniversary month to insure God's work here continues to move forward. Thank you for helping me! Now more than ever we have got to press forward. These are the moments God has raised up this work. To be His voice and shining light in the midst of the darkness and turmoil of this world and lead this nation back to our Creator and His Truth!

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

Bill Keller