Do We Believe His Word?

I have a young friend who has recently moved here and had difficulty finding a job. More than just the 'economy' may explain why in this case. He has a slight handicap of stuttering which is about to be eliminated through an amazing device called 'SpeechEasy.'

While he has been trying to land a position, he has been staying with his mom who has been attending my church on Wednesday nights and enjoys going early for the supper that is served before bible study begins. As a result, he attends with us and we've had more opportunities to discuss 'spiritual matters'. I recently found myself reminding this young man, in light of his difficult day, that Satan knows when God plans good things and would like to 'discourage' him by afflicting him so that he would quit going toward the plans God has. Scripture bears that out when it says, "Satan goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour 1 Pe. 5:8."

Scripture also says: "So I tell you, don't worry about the food or drink you need to live, or about the clothes you need for your body. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes. Look at the birds in the air. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. And you know that you are worth much more than the birds. You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it........The people who don't know God keep trying to get these things, and your Father in heaven knows you need them. SEEK FIRST GOD'S KINGDOM AND WHAT GOD WANTS. THEN ALL YOUR OTHER NEEDS WILL BE MET AS WELL. Matthew 6:33"

We certainly should be diligent to work and provide for our families...that's biblical! But, we need to put God first by (1) making sure we're BORN again as Jesus taught by inviting Him into our hearts as Lord, as well as Savior and (2) asking Jesus to fill us with the Holy Spirit so we have the power to resist sin and also witness about Him to others.

Once we are in right relationship with the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, then the Bible tells us simply to "acknowledge Him in all our ways and He will direct our paths." As we become a part of a bible teaching church and read the bible for ourselves, our faith will increase and we'll better understand what God wants us to do. We'll be able to 'hear' His voice...not necessarily audibly, but nonetheless speaking to us in a way that we will understand.

God has said also, that He "wants us to prosper and be in health, even as our soul prospers." I guess that means we should see to it that our soul is prospering....so...get out that Bible and READ! A Proverb a day keeps the devil away...ha! Not necessarily! Try 5 Psalms,1 Proverb and several readings from the NT and even the OT. I like taking Ps 1 then add 30...and so on for each day of the month. It's quite varied that way.

I've been doing this now for more than 30 years and I can truthfully say...God is faithful! Eph. 6: 10 - "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His great power. PUT ON THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD SO THAT YOU CAN FIGHT AGAINST THE DEVIL'S EVIL TRICKS." Better read the rest of this one..to see what that armor is.