Dema's Devotions

[dema]

Day 45 – One Thing

Matthew 6 (New American Standard Bible)
22"The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light.

It's hard sometimes, when we have so many things on our schedule, to keep our eye on what's important. And then there are the times when we feel like we should do SOMETHING, but we don't know what, or which of many things, to do.

Psalm 27 (New International Version)
4 One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.

We need to keep sight of God - all day every day. He can do anything. God is in control.

Today I am concentrating on the use of the phrase ‘one thing’ in the Bible. What is the one thing that was important?

John 9 (New American Standard Bible)
25He then answered, "Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see."

It is so easy to be distracted in life. If we seek the one thing that is most important, everything can be so much more clear.

Philippians 3 (Amplified Bible)
13I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

We need to strip away the distractions, particularly the old dead ones from our pasts, and get our eyes onto what is of greatest value.

[dema]

Day 42 - Health

Does God want us to be healthy?

3 John 1 (New American Standard Bible)
2Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.

I believe this is a clear indication that He does. However, we need to look at Bible passages in context. This verse says, 'even as your soul prospers.'

What is the soul? Our essence? Our personality? The part of us that determines who we are and what we do? Our innermost self?

Hebrews 4 (New International Version)
12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

I believe that soul is the personality, affected by spirit and body and mind, but yet separate from them. The soul is the essence that moves on, joined to God by spirit - if we so choose.

The Bible says that the soul can be saved from death:

James 5 (New American Standard Bible)
20let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Souls can die and souls can be saved from death. God requires that we believe in order to enjoy eternal salvation of the soul.

Hebrews 10 (New International Version)
39But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

The Bible also says that Mary's soul 'magnified the Lord' and that early Christians were of one soul.

God wants us to prosper and be in health even as our eternal inner being prospers.

What else is said about health?

Isaiah 58 (New International Version)
6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.

Helping others brings health.

Apparently, so does learning and speaking wise and positive thoughts:

Proverbs 16 (English Standard Version)
23 The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
Proverbs 15 (New International Version)
30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.

Praise God, think upon that which is good, increase your knowledge, do good unto all. In doing these things, you will benefit your soul and then you may prosper and be in health.

[dema]

Day 39 - God

God is in control.

Jeremiah 32 (New International Version)
17 "Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

Things can change in a moment. We tend to believe this for the negative: a loved one can be snatched away; a job can be lost; a fire can take away our home – but we have a lot more difficulty believing it for the positive.

Jeremiah 51 (New International Version)
15 "He made the earth by his power;
he founded the world by his wisdom
and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.

God IS the creator. He can. He is able. We need to remember that God has ALL the POWER. God IS in control. He grants us freedom to choose. He gave us life. It because He granted and gave that we live as we do.

Something which I have seen and also read in various biographies is how the worst mothers will never-the-less wield enormous power over their young because 'they gave them life.' The children acknowledge this fact and will be obedient and helpful to awful, awful people. There exists an inborn reverence for the gift of life.

This reverence of our creator should be so much more true with God.

2 Samuel 22 (New International Version)
33 It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect.

God makes us strong. God perfects what we do. Perfection totally eludes us otherwise.

2 Kings 17 (English Standard Version)
36but you shall fear the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt with great power and with an outstretched arm. You shall bow yourselves to him, and to him you shall sacrifice.

We should fear God, not just because He is awesome, but because without Him we are so helpless.

1 Chronicles 29 (English Standard Version)
11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.

We need God to make us great. We need God for power and might and strength. Riches and honor come from God.

2 Chronicles 20 (English Standard Version)
6and said, "O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.

God is great. God is powerful. God loves us. We need Him.

[dema]

Day 40 Shame

God has tremendous power - so why doesn't He get mad and squash the bad guys? In the Old Testament, He did do that a number of times. Drowned them in rivers, scared them so that they killed each other, gave people the power to hit them in the head with a rock or to beat them to death with an ass’s jaw. What a way to go!

However, the fact is, none of us is all that great on the God scale. So let's talk about mercy.

Exodus 20 (English Standard Version)
4 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

God states very clearly that He has the right to punish. But, even before Jesus came to spare us from that 'visiting iniquity' part, God still promised mercy to those who are obedient.

Mercy wouldn’t be mercy if we deserved it. He will forgive, let us off the hook, give us better than we deserve – if our hearts are obedient to Him.

Exodus 34 (English Standard Version)
6The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation."

There is punishment lurking for those who do not accept the gifts of God. How do we know if our heart is obedient? Jesus is the guarantee of forgiveness. Accepting Jesus as Lord provides assurance of mercy and not punishment.

For those who do not accept Jesus and who are not obedient to God, the punishment may extend to their children and grandchildren. Can you imagine having your children take on the spiritual guilt for your bad judgements? But we see this through the effects of poverty and alcoholism and acts too indecent to mention. The effects of our actions last.

We are going to make bad judgements.

Psalm 25 (English Standard Version)
2O my God, in you I trust;
let me not be put to shame;
let not my enemies exult over me.

We tend to bring shame onto ourselves. But when we serve God, we are protected, by His mercy and the gift of His son, from the shame that should come to us from our imperfection and our past willful acts.

3Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;
they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD;
teach me your paths.
5Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.
6Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.

These laments could come from us today. “Help me to do better, God. Teach me, lead me, I will do what you want, I will. God, remember how much you love me.”

7Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for the sake of your goodness, O LORD!

“Please, don’t remember all the bad and foolish things I have done. You are good, God, be good to me because YOU are good.”

8 Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.

Because God is good, He teaches us. He instructs us.

9He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
10All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

God will lead those who follow His instructions.

11For your name’s sake, O LORD,
pardon my guilt, for it is great.

God will pardon even great guilt.

12Who is the man who fears the LORD?
Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.

God will teach us how to make better choices.

13His soul shall abide in well-being,
and his offspring shall inherit the land.

Our children will be blessed and not cursed. Our souls will have peace.

15My eyes are ever toward the LORD,
for he will pluck my feet out of the net.

If we just keep looking towards God; He WILL rescue us from the traps that have snared us.

16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.

We make ourselves troubled. We get into messes.

17The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
bring me out of my distresses.
18 Consider my affliction and my trouble,
and forgive all my sins.
19Consider how many are my foes,
and with what violent hatred they hate me.
20Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!
Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.

God will rescue us and He will get us out of our messes – if we take refuge in Him. He will spare us from the horrible, stinking, sucking, quicksand of shame.

Romans 10 (New International Version)
9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

[dema]

I'm starting a new forum. Hope you will visit it. I will still post here occasionally. Hugs.

[dema]

God is in control.

Jeremiah 32 (New International Version)
17 "Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

Things can change in a moment. We tend to believe this for the negative: a loved one can be snatched away; a job can be lost; a fire can take away our home – but we have a lot more difficulty believing it for the positive.

Jeremiah 51 (New International Version)
15 "He made the earth by his power;
he founded the world by his wisdom
and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.

God IS the creator. He can. He is able. We need to remember that God has ALL the POWER. God IS in control. He grants us freedom to choose. He gave us life. It because He granted and gave that we live as we do.

Something which I have seen and also read in various biographies is how the worst mothers will never-the-less wield enormous power over their young because 'they gave them life.' The children acknowledge this fact and will be obedient and helpful to awful, awful people. There exists an inborn reverence for the gift of life.

This reverence of our creator should be so much more true with God.

2 Samuel 22 (New International Version)
33 It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect.

God makes us strong. God perfects what we do. Perfection totally eludes us otherwise.

2 Kings 17 (English Standard Version)
36but you shall fear the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt with great power and with an outstretched arm. You shall bow yourselves to him, and to him you shall sacrifice.

We should fear God, not just because He is awesome, but because without Him we are so helpless.

1 Chronicles 29 (English Standard Version)
11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.

We need God to make us great. We need God for power and might and strength. Riches and honor come from God.

2 Chronicles 20 (English Standard Version)
6and said, "O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.

God is great. God is powerful. God loves us. We need Him.

[dema]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aWIQFogJAc

Amazingly touching comedy routine.

[dema]

Day 36 - God’s Power

I believe from reading the Bible and history, that mankind goes through stages of maturity much as a child does. When a child is young, he or she usually believes his parents are wonderful. But, understanding is very limited and all rules must be clear, definite and without exception. As a child grows older, he/she asks about extraordinary cases and questions the parent. The child has trouble accepting on faith. There may be a period of disrespect and conflict. As the child reaches maturity, ideally, a deep respect develops for the parent.

There is a difference between God and our parents. God is GOD! Our parents made us - God CREATED us. We should have deep and awesome regard for Jehovah.

We need to get beyond the point of immature disrespect of our Father in heaven and need to develop a relationship that is both mature and awe inspired. We may surpass our parents in many areas. We will never even come close to meeting the standard of God.

It is important to realize that God is God.

Psalm 66 (English Standard Version)
3Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.
5 Come and see what God has done:
he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.

We have a short time here. And much to learn. This life is a test – and it isn’t just pass fail. Unlike most tests, the test isn’t about what we already know, the process of taking this test is supposed to teach us matters pertaining to life and godliness. And God DOES have expectations of us:

Psalm 90 (New American Standard Bible)
10As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,
Or if due to strength, eighty years,
Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow;
For soon it is gone and we fly away.
11Who understands the power of Your anger
And Your fury, according to the fear that is due You?
12So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.

No matter how badly the Hebrews behaved, no matter how badly we behave, God is faithful to continue to give us opportunities. Every day, every moment, is a new opportunity to accomplish what we have been put here to accomplish, so that we can present our hearts to God – hearts that have grown wiser due to following His leadings.

[dema]

James says that he who masters his tongue is a perfect man - well, that perfection has eluded me thus far. So, knowing what I know about myself and my tongue, how can I possibly be asked to use the same fickle tongue to speak out for Jesus?

Have you ever used an old piece of broken pot, or a sharp stone to dig up a plant? I've done this because I didn't want to go back for a spade when I found an onion I wanted, or when I wanted to get or give a start of a plant. The spade would have worked better, but the clay or shard served.

Timothy 2 (New American Standard Bible)
19Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness."
20Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.
21Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
22Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

I think this passage clarifies a lot. God knows who are his - that comes first. Then we are to abstain from wickedness. I'm not going to define wickedness. If it bothers you - then you should probably not do it. We need to read the Bible to discern what is right and wrong. And also we must listen to our heart. The Bible says that sacrificial meat is fine, but if eating it bothers you - don't. If you feel that eating sacrificial meat is a sin, then it is a sin. And if I try to make you eat it, then I am sinning, too. Your heart can tell you a whole lot.

If we don't abstain from wickedness, then we deteriorate from a spade to a shard. Does God still use us to dig onions? If we're willing, you betcha.

One of the strongest messages I've ever gotten is that sometimes worrying about the vice takes us farther away from God than the vice itself.

In my prayer life, I have frequently gotten the message, 'It's not time for the PhD, yet, let's get you through grade school.' I would be all worried about some fault of mine and God would basically say, 'Let's not tackle that quite yet. Let's work on this other thing.' Frequently, the vice which concerned me evaporated in the process of following God's direction in another area.

What are we to do? How are we to serve?

1 John 3 (New American Standard Bible)
17But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?
18Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

We need to love with our actions. We need to give. And, when we do this, God will give to us.

22and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.
23This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.
24The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

Keep the commandments. Love one another. Mortify the flesh by doing those things which express love to one another. What is enough? There is so much need. When have we done what we are supposed to do?

Listen to your heart. Listen for the peace. If the voice is loud and pushy and relentless – it isn’t the right voice.

1 Kings 19 (English Standard Version)
11And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.

Do good. But be guided in the good you do. Listen. And follow the peace.

[dema]

What is the opposite of trust?

Proverbs 29 (New International Version)
25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.
Fear defeats our goals.
Faith gives us courage. Faith gives us strength.
But, faith in what?

Isaiah 57 (New American Standard Bible)
13"When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you
But the wind will carry all of them up,
And a breath will take them away
But he who takes refuge in Me will inherit the land
And will possess My holy mountain."

Another translation says, “Let your companies save you.” Your idols are what you worship. Where do you spend your time? Where do you put your trust? In earthly investments that the wind can carry away?

We need to place our faith correctly. God is the only deserving recipient of our faith.

God is love.

1 John 4 (English Standard Version)
18There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

There is no fear in God.

2 Corinthians 1 (New International Version)
9Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,
The financial situation of 2009 made many people feel like they were under a death sentence.
Many people had put their confidence in financial gain.
1 Timothy 6 (New International Version)
17Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
But God should be our source of hope. And even in our times of greatest need, there is so much to enjoy. Look around. I'm sure there you will see many things that God has given you to enjoy. Thank God for them and rejoice in them. Play in your garden, eat your chocolate, swim your laps, hug your kids or spouse.
Praise God for your many blessing. Notice the nice things other people do for you. Notice out loud with a smile. Cast your bread upon the water by spreading joy and it WILL come back to you.

[dema]

I was very surprised when conversing one day that many Christians were offended about the preaching of the abundant life. They thought prosperity preachers were all charlatans. Though I do not debate that such exist:

Philippians 1 (New International Version)
15It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

I have followed many of these ministers for years. I see people who stay married, have many children, have all the children join their ministry in some way, and then the children marry, stay married and have many children who continue onward.

I don't know about you - but I think that having my children follow in my footsteps would be the highest vote of confidence possible.

Additionally, the lives of these people is testimony to a lifestyle that most of us want. They do prosper. They are healthy. They do appear to be calm and happy. But, the bigger proof is in the Word of God. Does what the prosperity preachers say hold up?

I am a natural skeptic. I run concordance checks against things that I read. When I think that something a minister says is questionable, I check it out. Sometimes, I find that the interpretation of the scripture seems to be heavily slanted towards the personal opinions of the interpreter.

Does God want His children to prosper and be in health? Absolutely – provided certain conditions are met. Not all preachers preach the context.

3 John 1 (New American Standard Bible)
2Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.

If we feed our soul – if we study spiritual things and grow spiritually – then it is God’s will that we prosper and be in good physical health.

(But sometimes, in order for our soul to grow and prosper, we have to go through the fire. And that fire probably means a period of challenge in an area that may be our finances or our health.)

This was said by Jesus as well:

Matthew 6 (New International Version)
33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

There are hundreds of promises in the Bible. These promises include prosperity, health, protection. And they each come with a requirement.

Even Salvation, that free gift, is not entirely free. Salvation requires accepting Jesus as Lord – in other words, Salvation requires a promise of obedience. No past payment is required. But at the moment of Salvation, the new Christian is promising a life of attempted obedience. Perfection isn’t required. Success isn’t required. But, the state of heart where one wishes to serve is a price that must be paid.

Deuteronomy 28 (New International Version)
1 If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God:
3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.
4 The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.

Do prosperity ministers teach a true message? Yes. Do they teach the whole message? Not always. Should we prosper and be in health? Yes. As our soul prospers.

What does that mean? Is sickness and poverty a curse for failing to obey? No. Health and prosperity are a miraculous reward for obedience to God. Sickness and poverty may be a means of growing us spiritually.

What can you do in order to receive?

Expect God to be good to you. Have faith that God wants to bless you. Talk to God often. Listen. Listen in your mind and listen in your heart. Do good to others. Believe.

Replace fear with positive thoughts. Keep your mind on God. Expect a continuing improvement in the important parts of your life. Be aware. Are you expecting things that aren’t good for you? Are you smoking and expecting great health? Are you living off donuts and coffee and expecting low cholesterol?

Be confident that God wants to bless you. Relinquish your fear – let it go - and do what you know you should do. Talk to God often and follow your heart. This is minute by minute service to God. Health and prosperity can come to you. They are within God’s will for you. But, God’s will is that you prosper spiritually first, last and foremost.

Prosper today in all that you do and expect great things.

[dema]

I wrote this years ago. Before I was coming here. I imagine that for people who were hurt as children, maybe this is a difficult devotional. Or for those who have suffered a large loss. I want to express, what happened to you as a child was not your fault. This isn't about children. It is about adults.

Day 29 - Faithful

Is God faithful? All my life I've heard people gripe about, "How could God let this happen?" I don't know about other people's lives, but I know in my own, either
1) There was a purpose, a very definite purpose, for the tribulation.
or, more often
2) I really wasn't involving God in the decisions that led up to the tribulation.

That's kind of like blaming your friend, who had moved out east, for your divorce, when the last time she saw your spouse was at the wedding.

"But, gee, I talked to her on the phone every week."

"You asked for marital advice?"

"Well, no. But, she's my best friend. She should have known."

“If she gave you advice you didn’t request, would you have followed it?”

“She should have made me take it.”

Anyway, I, personally, have found God to always be faithful - provided I am involving Him in that area of my life.

Deuteronomy 7 (New International Version)
9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

We need to be faithful in return:
Psalm 31 (English Standard Version)
23Love the LORD, all you his saints!
The LORD preserves the faithful
but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.

How about this one, for a little perspective?
Proverbs 28 (English Standard Version)
20A faithful man will abound with blessings,
but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

That goes back to: Where is your heart? What is your goal?

Luke 16 (New American Standard Bible)
10"He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.
11"Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?
12"And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?

We really need to let God hold our hand.

Psalm 37 (New American Standard Bible)
23The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
24When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.
25I have been young and now I am old,
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
Or his descendants begging bread.

1 Thessalonians 5 (New American Standard Bible)
24Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

2 Thessalonians 3 (New American Standard Bible)
3But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

Chin, up, smile, think about positive things and talk to God often - knowing He is listening and loving and has it all planned out. Be sure and find moments of peace to listen. He may be waiting for you to 'git it' - whatever 'it' is. If that's the case, and you've been a little slow - once you do git it - life may move so fast you can't get a breath in.