list of articles #3

This article provides hope and evidence that God rules over the nations. Here are several scripture passages for consideration.  

Daniel 4:17 (NLT2) “For this has been decreed by the messengers; it is commanded by the holy ones, so that everyone may know that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world. He gives them to anyone he chooses— even to the lowliest of people.” 

Psalm 135:6 (NLT2) “The LORD does whatever pleases him throughout all heaven and earth, and on the seas and in their depths.”

If God rules over the nations, why does evil and injustice flourish? The prophet Habakkuk asked similar questions of God during the time the nation Judah was ruled by a king that did evil in the eyes of the LORD (2Ki 23:37).

Habakkuk 1:2-4 (NLT2) 2 How long, O LORD, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save. 3 Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. 4 The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted. 

God answered that He was raising up the Babylonians, a cruel and violent people that will march across the world and conquer other lands (Hab 1:6). The invasion of Judah took place in 588 BC and there was judgement for the sins of Judah. This area of the Middle East was controlled by the Assyrians, then by the Babylonians, then by the Persians and Medes, then by Alexander the Great (the Bible was translated in Greek at this time), then by the Romans, then by others. God rules over the nations and we do not understand His ways. Nevertheless, His purposes will be fulfilled sometimes by evil nations.

Here are several examples of God using the nations and allowing evil to accomplish His purpose. God used Caesar Augustus to call for a census of the people at the time of Christ. This forced Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem where the baby Jesus was born.

God allowed evil men to crucify Jesus, the son of God, to bring about redemption and the forgiveness of sins for all mankind. This terrible substitute punishment satisfied the wrath of God against all sinners. This one event should bring us hope beyond all doubts that God is in control and rules the nations. 

We should rise above our unpleasant daily experiences, including financial setbacks and trust God, not for benefits and blessings, but for who He is, creator and sustainer of all things. 

To rise above our circumstances requires a person to be born again receiving a new heart with a new temperament, a new faith, and an unwavering trust in God.  

Finally, we should understand that although the nations rage and violence, injustice, and cruelty are everywhere; nevertheless, there will be a day of punishment and God’s justice will prevail.   

This article deals with God using our circumstances especially difficult circumstances, financial setbacks, and big decisions as a test to determine whether we trust God to guide us through the situation. 

Here is a scripture event concerning testing. God tested Abraham in one of the most difficult situations in all of history. God promised Abraham that his offspring would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. Genesis 15:6 (NLT2) “And Abram (later named Abraham) believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith.” 

However, many years had passed after receiving this promise from God but not a single child was born. When Abraham was one hundred years old a son was born to him and his wife Sarah and they named him Isaac. 

Genesis 22:1-2 (NKJV) 1Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." 2 Then He said, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." 

As he was ready to kill his son for the sacrifice, the angel of the Lord stopped him. Genesis 22:12 (NKJV) 12 And He (the angel) said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me."

Abraham was obedient to the voice of God and believed with uncompromising faith that God was able to keep his promise of numerous descendants even with the death of Isaac.  

Now, if God was to test you by sending a competitor to buy out your company and lay you off, would you be obedient and believe with uncompromising faith that God is able to keep His promises to you? What promises come to mind?

1 Peter 5:7 (NIV2011) 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV2011) 10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

Matthew 6:26 (NLT2) 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?

Psalm 34:19 (NIV2011) 19 The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;

Romans 8:28 (NIV2011) 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

We know that God loves us and with faith God provides for us as He provides for the birds who work very hard every day. Besides sustaining us through physical food, God has another test for us. Do we desire spiritual food and look beyond physical needs to eternal life?   

John 6:28-29 (NIV2011) 28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” 29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” 

John 6:47 (NIV2011) 47 Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.

This article discusses the idea of social justice as described in the Bible. God wants everyone to participate in the life of the community where all people receive the benefits of life with Him. The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines justice “as the standard by which the advantages of social life are handed out, including material goods, rights of participation, opportunities, and liberties.”

1 John 3:17-18 (NIV2011) 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Injustice is the opposite and includes depriving others of their basic needs or failing to correct matters when those rights are not met. Injustice is either a sin of commission or of omission. 

Justice in the Old Testament attempts to restore the individual or family back into the community providing the resources for making a living. Land is not only restored but the means of making a living from the land. This is why millstones were prohibited from being used as a pledge and taken from the family. Millstones were used to grind the grain into flour for bread.

Deuteronomy 24:6 (NIV2011) 6 Do not take a pair of millstones—not even the upper one—as security for a debt, because that would be taking a person’s livelihood as security.

To provide justice to a family is to provide the means of making a living which allows the family to become self-sufficient and a productive member of society. Does America deprive individuals from making a living calling for social justice? 

Today it seems education and technical training are similar to the millstones of the past. Education and training are free through high school. After high school college and technical programs are available at a cost. On the other hand the Department of Labor is available. “Job Cops” is a no-cost education and vocational training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16-24 improve the quality of their lives by empowering them to get great jobs and become self-supporting. Many other programs are available. 

America is a land of opportunity and promise providing justice. Nevertheless, I see pictures of homeless in tents claiming to be victims seeking pity and receiving benefits funded by taxes. Food pantries have become an institution and a way of life. They do not incentivize people into self-sufficiency.   

How can this situation possibly change? Have we tried God? God of the universe, through faith in Jesus Christ, can change the despairing, discouraged heart into a dynamic energy of possibilities and empowerment. Pray to God for the Holy Spirit to enter the heart and receive a New Financial Nature which changes everything including thoughts of victimhood into positive energy, seeking opportunities, finding help, and understanding new possibilities. 

This article compares the fruits of the world to the fruits of repentance. The background is from the preaching of John the Baptist who spoke of the judgment of a sinful life and baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 

Matthew 3:7-10 (NKJV) 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, 9 and do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.10 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

The Pharisees and Sadducees were religious leaders who valued themselves as God’s gifts to mankind because they were descendants of Abraham. They kept very strict laws of purification and conduct such as washing bowls and giving a tenth of their garden herbs to God. However, Jesus said they have neglected justice and the love of God (Lk 11:42).  

The fruits or the visible results of a religious life should be more than following a list of rules. John the Baptist calls for the good fruits of our lives to flow from repentance. The good fruits are evidence to our families and to the world that our lives are changed from worldly standards to Godly standards. Repentance is the first step in the regeneration process leading to being “born again” (Jn 3:3) or in my focus a New Financial Nature. 

The fruits or results of a worldly life are self-centered and filled with pride. Ambitions and motivations in a worldly life are to become rich, famous, powerful, a business leader, a political figure, and an important person of the world. 

The fruits or results of a life of repentance are different starting with the understanding of personal sin and our inability to make ourselves acceptable to a holy God. We have a terrified conscience knowing that unless we bear good fruits we will be cut down and thrown into the fire. Our only hope is to beg for mercy and allow ourselves to be led by God through faith to believe that Jesus Christ, Son of God, died on the cross for our sins satisfying the wrath of God against sinners and to set us free to bear fruits worthy of repentance. 

The fruits or results of a life of repentance emphasize service to others. We become a servant to our spouse, servant to the family, servant to our employer, servant to others through the church and charity organizations. Through servanthood we become satisfied with our circumstances and our tasks rise to the level of a Godly calling      

Fear in general is an anticipation of personal harm from an outside force for which we have no or marginal control. In a lawless society the harm is physical harm with robbery, intimidation, gang violence, extortion, and threat of kidnapping. 

After the death of Jesus the apostles were gathered together in fear of the authorities and temple guards. The religious leaders had just crucified Jesus, their leader, and would probably come after them. Jesus appeared to them and said: 

Luke 24:49 (NIV2011) 49  I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

After receiving the Holy Spirit, the disciples become bold and proclaimed the word of God that repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name. God supported their changed behavior with miracles and wonders.

With our current topic of financial fear I desire for us to have the same change in behavior as the disciples. With the power from the Holy Spirit we become bold, trusting, and firmly confident that God will provide and will support our changed lives with financial miracles and wonders. 

Financial fear is the anticipation of financial loss and frustration from circumstances beyond our control. However, with the power from the Holy Spirit our attitude changes and we discount our poor circumstances compared to others and boldly move forward looking around for opportunities of service to others using the resources God has provided. 

We compare ourselves with families in foreign lands and are thankful for freedom and the possessions we do have and attempt to use what we have for the glory of God. In return God will support us with financial miracles and power to boldly move forward. 

The change in attitude is a New Financial Nature. This new nature is supported by scripture with the visual of God as the vine and we as the branches. 

John 15:5-8 (NIV2011) 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

These are verses to contemplate where God blesses his people.

Psalm 1:1 (NKJV)
1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 

Psalm 3:8 (NKJV)
8 Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah

Psalm 5:12 (NKJV)
12 For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.

Psalm 24:5 (NKJV)
5 He shall receive blessing from the LORD, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. 

Psalm 29:11 (NKJV)
11 The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.

Psalm 32:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit. 

Psalm 33:12 (NKJV)
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.

8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! 

Psalm 37:25-26 (NKJV)
25 I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lends; And his descendants are blessed. 

Psalm 40:4 (NKJV)
4 Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust, And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. 

Psalm 41:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Blessed is he who considers the poor; The LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
2 The LORD will preserve him and keep him alive, And he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies.

Psalm 45:2 (NKJV)
2 You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever. 

Psalm 65:4 (NKJV)
4 Blessed is the man You choose, And cause to approach You, That he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Of Your holy temple. 

Psalm 67:1 (NKJV)
1 God be merciful to us and bless us, And cause His face to shine upon us. Selah 

Psalm 68:35 (NKJV)
35 O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!

Psalm 72:17 (NKJV)
17 His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him; All nations shall call Him blessed. 

Psalm 84:12 (NKJV)
12 O LORD of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!

Psalm 94:12 (NKJV)
12 Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O LORD, And teach out of Your law, 

Psalm 106:3 (NKJV)
3 Blessed are those who keep justice, And he who does righteousness at all times! 

Psalm 107:38 (NKJV)
38 He also blesses them, and they multiply greatly; And He does not let their cattle decrease. 

Psalm 115:12-13 (NKJV)
12 The LORD has been mindful of us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron.
13 He will bless those who fear the LORD, Both small and great. 

Psalm 115:15 (NKJV)
15 May you be blessed by the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. 

Psalm 128:1 (NKJV)
1 Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways. 

Psalm 132:15 (NKJV)
15 I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread. 

Psalm 147:13 (NKJV)
13 For He has strengthened the bars of your gates; He has blessed your children within you. 

The writers of the Psalms are witnesses of God answering prayer and cries for help. God delivers and provides. The ancient days are usually cries for physical help or help with enemies. Today the cries are for financial help and financial enemies. 

Psalm 86:7 (NKJV)
7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, For You will answer me. 

Psalm 65:5 (NKJV)
5 By awesome deeds in righteousness You will answer us, O God of our salvation, You who arethe confidence of all the ends of the earth, And of the far-off seas; 

Psalm 118:5 (NKJV)
5 I called on the LORD in distress; The LORD answered me and set me in a broad place. 

Psalm 118:21 (NKJV)
21 I will praise You, For You have answered me, And have become my salvation. 

Psalm 119:26 (NKJV)
26 I have declared my ways, and You answered me; Teach me Your statutes. 

Psalm 138:3 (NKJV)
3 In the day when I cried out, You answered me, And made me bold with strength in my soul. 

Psalm 18:17 (NKJV)
17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, From those who hated me, For they were too strong for me. 

Psalm 18:19 (NKJV)
19 He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me. 

Psalm 18:48 (NKJV)
48 He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above those who rise against me; You have delivered me from the violent man. 

Psalm 22:4-5 (NKJV)
4 Our fathers trusted in You; They trusted, and You delivered them.
5 They cried to You, and were delivered; They trusted in You, and were not ashamed. 

Psalm 34:4 (NKJV)
4 I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. 

Psalm 34:7 (NKJV)
7 The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. 

Psalm 34:17 (NKJV)
17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. 

Psalm 34:19 (NKJV)
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORDdelivers him out of them all. 

Psalm 35:10 (NKJV)
10 All my bones shall say, "LORD, who is like You, Delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, Yes, the poor and the needy from him who plunders him?" 

Psalm 41:1 (NKJV)
1 Blessed is he who considers the poor; The LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. 

Psalm 50:15 (NKJV)
15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." 

Psalm 54:7 (NKJV)
7 For He has delivered me out of all trouble; And my eye has seen its desire upon my enemies.

Psalm 76:9 (NKJV)
9 When God arose to judgment, To deliver all the oppressed of the earth. Selah 

Psalm 91:14 (NKJV)
14 "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 

Psalm 97:10 (NKJV)
10 You who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. 

Psalm 107:6 (NKJV)
6 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He delivered them out of their distresses. 

Psalm 107:20 (NKJV)
20 He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. 

Psalm 116:8 (NKJV)
8 For You have delivered my soul from death, My eyes from tears, And my feet from falling.