Philippians 4:6 (NIV): Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
We all deal with struggles in life. Finances can be one. Sometimes we get ourselves in financial trouble due to living beyond our means. We may see something that we really want, but don't necessarily need it and we buy it using a credit card, because we don't have the cash for it.
Sometimes things happen that are beyond our control and cumulative. Water pipes freeze, one of them splits open due to the expansion of the ice. The only vehicle breaks down and a new engine is needed.
But, we have an advocate - God. We can bring our prayer requests to the Father, through the Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit. We must bring our requests to Him with thanksgiving. Thank Him for what He will do in this situation.
At a time in my life, I wasn't hearing from God. Someone asked me if I was thanking God. I wasn't and didn't know I should. I began thanking him for blessings, for getting me through struggles, etc. Then I began hearing Him answer questions I had. Oftentimes, when I ask what I should do in the direction of my life, He answers me right away.
Ask for guidance, direction, wisdom in the decisions you must make. Pray expecting, in faith that God will meet the need. He is Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord provides. Maybe God tells you to take on another job part-time to pay for these expenses (repairs of water pipes, car engine). He may not meet the need for our frivolous spending, but He will be there to console us through something we cannot rectify quickly.
I spoke of God being our advocate. Do You have this advocate in your life? If not, we can take care of that right now, by you praying the prayer of salvation. “Lord Jesus, thank You for dying for me. Thank you for shedding Your blood on the cross so that I could be cleansed of my sins. I ask You to forgive me for every sin I ever committed and those sins of omission because I didn’t do something You wanted me to do. Come into my life. Help me to get to know You through reading the Bible, praying, gathering with other believers for church and fellowship. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!”
Make a decision today to bring all requests and concerns to Almighty God, with Thanksgiving. Spending time with God is never a waste of time. And, He always has time for you!
If you are local, in or near Redwood Falls, MN, come visit us at Northwood Church. We’d love to meet you! We’d hope you would get plugged in with us. You can also watch us on YouTube: Northwood Church Redwood Falls, MN - YouTube.
Thank you for reading this devotion.
Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV): 24 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Pastor Vicky Conklin-Johnson
Prayer Ministries Pastor