Monday, September 24, 2018

Pastor's Ponderings, September 24, 2018

Our God Is A Great Provider

Many of us may be looking to our government as the provider of last resort. However, the June 5th, 2018 issue of The Street Staff reported that the Trustees of Social Security and Medicare stated, “Medicare's hospital insurance fund will be depleted in 2026 -- three years earlier than trustees projected last year -- and, as they did last year, federal officials said both the Medicare and Social Security trust funds would be depleted in 2034.” According to the FY 2019 Federal Budget, at the end of FY 2018, the gross US federal government debt is estimated to be $21.48 trillion.  

Some of us assume that we can fall back on our collective savings. Unfortunately, it seems that at the end of 2017…“The average American household carries $137,063 in debt, according to the Federal Reserve's latest numbers. Yet the U.S. Census Bureau reports that the median household income was just $59,039 last year, suggesting that many Americans are living beyond their means.” 

The Bible tells us that despite these troubling numbers, God has already provided all that we need (2 Peter 1:3).  The government may be in debt, but God tells that us that He wants those who love and obey Him to prosper in everything that they do (Psalm 1:1-3).   While we may be afraid of future financial uncertainty, God loved the whole world so much that He gave His Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Since He gave His only Son, no doubt He will graciously give us all things (Romans 8:32). The Bible even declares that God is pleased to give to His children the kingdom (Luke 12:32).

It may be true that the future looks challenging. However the Bible assures us that God determines the steps of a good man or woman (Psalm 37:23) and therefore no weapon, financial or otherwise, will defeat us.  We do not have to rely on our government, our savings, our employers or other’s generosity.  Our God is a great provider.

2 Peter 1:3
New International Version (NIV)
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

Psalm 1:1-3
New International Version (NIV)
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.

John 3:16
New International Version (NIV)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 8:32
New International Version (NIV)
32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Luke 12:32
New International Version (NIV)
32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

Psalm 37:23
New King James Version (NKJV)
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.







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