Fear not!

As the news breaks from Wall Street about the financial crisis in the United States we must remind ourselves not to give place to fear. The devil would like us to run scared, to start hording and worrying about ourselves, our future (“what about me” syndrome) - God says the opposite! The second thing is (and most important in my books) to remind ourselves that we need to be hooked into His economic system.

God’s financial principles for a stable economy do not fluctuate!

He says our hope comes from Him and not from the stock market. He says He is our provider - Jehovah Jireh, not our companies, our bosses or our pensions. The Earth is the Lord's and everything in it! God has a particular financial system that we need to adhere to and not to doubt He is who He says He is.

God says over and over, "Do not fear", “Fear not”, “Do not be afraid”. In order to do more than just merely survive, we need to learn to walk by faith and not by our senses, not to allow the spirit of fear to take root in our soul (mind, will and emotions). Fear is a spirit and it doesn’t come from God. God is the author and finisher of our faith! You can be assured that fear will destroy you; it is the devils tool that he uses to try to take you out! It is meant to bring torment - so don't allow it in any area of your life.

2 Tim 1:7, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control."

Do not be fearful!! Don’t be deceived that a little bit of fear can’t hurt you. Fear and Faith cannot operate together. Don't let the enemy win! We MUST stand firm NOW!! He is our provider. Rely on Him, lean on Him, trust in Him and be obedient to what He is saying.

Fear is not just the opposite of faith - it is contaminated faith (Matthew 8:26; Mark 4:40; Luke 8:25)!! Fear's objective is for you not to trust in the Word of God, to doubt who He says He is, to question the truth He has made available to us. Believers cannot continue to operate effectively while living in fear. It is something we need to take seriously!!

This does not mean, close your eyes tight and put your head in the sand. It means you have to get active, you have to read the Bible to find out what He says about faith, you have to open your ears to what others say about faith, you have to work at increasing that faith muscle!! You have to eradicate the fear that is present and replace it with faith.

The bottom line is that when you know that God is on your side - there's nothing to fear!!

If what is going on right now doesn't convince you that you must connect to His economic system - what will it take? His ways are not our ways. Have you positioned yourself with a Heavenly storehouse? Are you seeking first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness (His ways of doing things and being right)? He says if you do... all these things will be added unto you! He is a God of increase. His plans for you are for good and not for evil!

Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not fret (do not fuss, get upset, worry, do not loose sleep, agonize, be bothered, torment yourself, dwell on) or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

And God's peace (shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace) which transcends all understanding shall garrison (a fort, defence force) and mount guard (protect, safeguard) over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

Thank you Lord that the spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might and knowledge of who You are - guide me in all of my financial affairs!

Amen