Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
As I write this devotion, it is day one of the government shutdown. By the time you read this, the government could be back up and
Maybe . . .
The last time this happened, the shutdown lasted for three weeks. All the while, my husband, Danny, who works for the Environmental Protection Agency, had no job. No income.
It's the same scenario all over again.
Did we see this coming? Did we prepare? Yes, as best we could. And, now, with the uncertainty of the length of unemployment, and the question of whether or not federal workers will be given back pay for these missed days, we walk by faith.
Danny and I discuss this month's budget and examine any areas in which we can cut expenses. With his being our sole source of income, it's especially important to lay all the cards on the table. To separate needs from wants. Not that either of us are ones to splurge on anything, but being mindful never hurts.
Lucky for us, Danny keeps a monthly budget on Excel and makes sure it balances to the penny. This makes it easier for us to see where corners can be cut and modifications made.
While October will see a tightening of our financial belts, the one thing we won't skimp on is what we give to our church. I'd rather eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches every day of the week than deny my God His due. After all, it is He who will see us through these tenuous times. Give us hope and comfort in the day of trouble.
So, we will pray.
We will hope.
We will be confident.
We will trust.
And, always, walk by faith with our God.
~
Are you facing financial uncertainties today?
Will you pray with me?
We pray today, Father, for all those persons adversely affected by the loss of a job. In the midst of their troubles, give them hope and confidence. Lead and guide them in Your will and Your ways, and give them the faith to trust that You are working all things for good. Amen.
The Lord always provides. It is with faith that we get through anything. Hopefully the shutdown won't last long.
ReplyDeleteThe Lord always provides. It is with faith that we get through anything. Hopefully the shutdown won't last long.
ReplyDeleteYes, Kathy, He certainly does! Thanks so much for coming by today. :)
DeleteBlessings!
If we didn’t face financial uncertainty we’d be walking by sight, not faith.
ReplyDeleteLove and prayers sweet Martha. God will provide ALL your and Danny’s needs according to his riches in glory through Christ Jesus. “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.” Psalm 37:25
♥ ♥ ♥
Amen, Debra, amen! God will see us through, of that, I am positive. Thanks so much for visiting and for your encouraging comment!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Walking by faith and not by sight is not for the faint of heart. However, it's a time of growth, at least in the end. And of course, others don't seem to understand why we do what we do. At least I have found that to be true.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Kim
Kim, you are so right - it's not for the faint of heart! But, as Christians, we know that in our weakness, the Lord will make us strong. And, if others don't understand at the moment, maybe they will think of this the next time they find themselves in times of trial and trouble.
DeleteThanks so much for coming by!
Love and blessings!
I saw all about this in the news, Martha. Praying with you during this time of crisis...
ReplyDeleteLook at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ~ Matthew 6:26
Amen. ♡♡♡
Thank you, Irene, for your prayers and for sharing this most appropriate scripture. I know God will provide. He is already teaching us some valuable lessons in budgeting as we go through this time.
DeleteLove and blessings!
So true Martha, so true...
ReplyDeleteLove and blessing to you, too!
Thanks so much for visiting, Kim, and for your well wishes. We are hanging in there, trusting in the Lord.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I'm fortunate to not be directly affected financially. But whenever there are government cutback, people with disabilities, like my two sons, often have their services cut back or discontinued. The most vulnerable are the one most affected. Blessings to you during this challenging time.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for coming by, Galen!
DeleteYes, sadly, it is the most vulnerable who are adversely affected whenever something like this happens. I'll be praying for your sons!
Love and blessings!
Martha, you and Danny are in my prayers. My niece always works for the federal government and is not getting paid. She's struggling but with the help of family, is pulling through. I trust God will watch over all of you and continue to nurture your faith knowing he will never forget you. God will provide, my friend, He always does! Hang in there! Sending comforting and loving hugs your way! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for visiting, Gypsy!
DeleteOh, I do feel so badly for your niece at this time and will pray for her. I know God will see us all through this time of uncertainty. He is a constant comfort to us.
Love and blessings!
I am sorry to hear that. But yes our faith gets us through the difficult times. Praying for you and sending love and hugs your way.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Suzy!
DeleteThanks, too for your prayers. With God's help, we will get through this!
Love and blessings!
I'm praying for you and your family, Martha. God will provide a way, as you know and I can attest. Peace. <3
ReplyDeleteYes, Adriene, God will provide! Thanks so much for visiting today and for your prayers.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Not really to answer your questions. I was earlier in the year when the company I was working for closed it's doors, but someone was watching over me and opened another door. Phew! My prayers are with you.. hang in there, Martha.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by, Brenda!
DeleteYes, when God closes a door, somewhere He opens a window. Thanks so much for the prayers, and we will hang in there! :)
Love and blessings!
Prayers for you Martha. I'm following this on the news. Hope it ends soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, Kelly, and thanks for your prayers. Yes, we hope it will end soon, but think they will probably push it to the absolute deadline.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Thank you for the prayer.
ReplyDeleteI've been living on prayers & God's promises for a long time now. Xxx
I Believe.
Living on prayers and God's promises . . . What could be better than that?
DeleteThanks so much for visiting today!
Love and blessings!
Our faith will see us through, yes~ it'll keep us moving towards the direction of hope but at the same time, the Lord expects that we also act accordingly to our situations in life.
ReplyDeleteIt's a pretty tough life with the injustices that we see, unemployment and financial crisis surrounding us. We pray for more effective people to rule our government ~ for more heart to govern us...
I continuously pray with you Martha ~ may we see better days.
I do have faith, Melissa, that God will see us through this mess. I pray, too, that more of our leaders would have a heart for Him, not their own political gain.
DeleteThanks so much for visiting, my friend!
Love and blessings!