Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. (Galatians 6:9 NAS)
When I was working in a startup some time ago, I was assigned the task of overseeing a project to conceptualize, strategize, implement, and regularly update the contents of an online service portal. After several months of planning, preparing, and laying the groundwork, the marketing campaign was ready to roll, but something happened that left the startup wondering whether it would ever see light at the end of the tunnel. Nearing the day of the launch, a sudden influx of competitor companies came into the market and offered similar services that had been planned by the startup. All of a sudden the concept of a one-and-only company providing such a service in the region evaporated into nothingness, and a soft launch was sought in place. By and by, the business fell into question of its viability to sustain, and cutting costs, resources and staff became inevitable. Thankfully, unlike the way the commercial world works, our service in the Lord never falls into question of its worth or viability. We need not be afraid we might not get to see light at the end because Christ Jesus is the Light of the world and of life (John 8:12; 12:46). Since Jesus dwells in us and we sow to the Spirit, we will from the Spirit reap eternal life and a harvest in due time if we do not lose heart or grow weary (Galatians 6:8-9). For behold, the Lord’s return is coming quickly, and His reward is with Him to repay to us according to what we have done (Revelation 22:12). Be steadfast, immovable and always abounding in the work of the Lord, therefore, knowing that our toil is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). We are God’s handiwork created in Christ Jesus for good works which God had prepared beforehand, so let us shine in our works that God might be glorified before men (Ephesians 2:10; Matthew 5:16). Dear Lord, thank You for the assurance of Your light and presence at the end of the tunnel. In You O Lord we know we have our inheritance and reward. You O God are the everlasting God, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. In Your Spirit, we will sow and reap bountifully, be steadfast, immovable and abounding in good works. You alone are worthy to receive all the glory and we put our complete trust in You.
I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. (Philippians 4:12 NAS)
I used to live a life of plenty when I was working as a software support engineer until I was laid off because of corporate restructuring and had to move on to do something else. I learned then to live humbly, yet once in a while when I became too comfortable in a job, I was reminded of my dependency and had to go through times of waiting upon the Lord. On occasions, out of desperation for the livelihood of my loved ones and mine, I was tempted to go back to my old ways to work in jobs that were not entirely according to the will of God. I refrained, however, because I was constantly reminded of King Saul and the consequence he had to face, after he disobeyed God because he could not wait (1 Samuel 13:8-14). Perhaps some of us are going through similar situations right now, desperately in need to make ends meet to provide for ourselves, our loved ones and dependents. We have waited for a long time and our prayers seem to be unanswered. We are tempted to give up, go back to our old ways, or go ahead without consulting or the blessing of the Lord. God is saying to us He knows the plans He has for us, plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). As we do our part to look for the means to keep ourselves and our loved ones alive, let us also look beyond the mountains; for our help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1-2). In the meantime, learn to get along with humble means and to comprehend the secret of being filled and going hungry in any and every circumstance (Philippians 4:12). Keep God’s word and do not deny His name, and God will open for us a door to meet all our needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19; Revelation 3:8). Dear Lord, forgive us for the times we chose to get on ahead without consulting You or waiting for Your reply. Help us Lord not be tempted to return to our old ways during desperate times, but to push on in keeping Your word and not deny Your name. Keep us humble Lord to understand the secret of being filled and hungry in any and every circumstance. Open the door to the plan You have for us Lord that we might walk in Your will all the days of our lives.
The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, But the stomach of the wicked is in need. (Proverbs 13:25 NAS)
As I was not a brilliant student, I spent much of my time in the relentless pursuit of reading as many books as possible in my attempt to get good grades during my high school days. Consequently, I neglected my duties as a youth ministry leader and Bible study in church. Then one day, the pastor-in-charge of the youth ministry approached me. Quoting the verse Ecclesiastes 12:12, he read to me “But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.” His advice for me: let God work His plan in my life to balance my studies and service in the Lord. Devoting ourselves to books or something else that means a lot to us is of course nothing wrong. Many of us pursue after things of our own desire, interest or to better ourselves. Whether it is wisdom, knowledge, fame, popularity, beauty, wealth, a hobby or things that are ‘in’ or ‘hot’ at this point of time, we can enjoy what we like doing. When our pursuit becomes relentless, and sometimes endless, just to satisfy our appetites, whim or ego, however, such can distract us from what really is important. Are we in endless pursuit to satisfy our desires and appetites? Are we frequently feeling we are not having enough and always asking God for more? The Bible says to delight ourselves in the LORD and He will give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4). Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to us (Matthew 6:33; Luke 12:31). For the righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the stomach of the wicked suffers want (Proverbs 13:25). So let us set our priorities right. If we seek to pursue after our own foolish and harmful desires, be aware that like those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare, we might plunge ourselves into ruin and destruction (1 Timothy 6:9). For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, and they are in conflict with each other that we may not do whatever we want (Galatians 5:17). Taking the advice of my pastor, I chose to seek God first and God saw to it that my grades were better than before. What is our choice today in our endless pursuit to do better or to satisfy our heart’s desires? Dear God, forgive us for the many times we fail to set our priorities right in our endless pursuit to satisfy our own foolish and harmful desires. Help us Lord to always put You first in all we do and to delight ourselves in You to fulfill Your will. Guide us Holy Spirit so we might not set our desire against You in doing the things we please. Lead us O God that we might not fall into temptation or a snare, but seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness.
When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. (Mark 1:32 NAS)
After a hard day’s work, we usually hope to come home to an evening of rest and meaningful time with our family or doing the things we like. The necessity of livelihood and work expectation, however, often leaves us with little time for ourselves. From morning to evening, day after day, we rush to get on with the day, and we rush to complete our tasks and to meet deadlines. By the end of the day, we are left exhausted, stressed and worn out. Yet for some of us, we continue to do things hurriedly even at home, and sometimes even work through the night. Such a minute to minute lifestyle bears consequences and depletes health, even with the young and energetic. Much like the circumstances we face today, Jesus also experienced the difficult situation of finding time to rest at day’s end. Even after the sun had set, people were still bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed (Mark 1:32). Jesus said, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Matthew 8:20; Luke 9:58). Yet, our Lord never let life circumstances dictate His resolution to spend quiet time with God, and frequently urged His disciples to go to a secluded place with Him and get some rest (Luke 5:16; Mark 6:31). Are we finding ourselves too busy for our own good that even at the end of the day, we are still stressed and worn out? If we are, we need to find time to rest. Spending a few minutes to take a break, relax and rest amid the rush is important if we hope to live our lives to the fullest to enjoy the abundant life God has intended for us (John 10:10). Whether it is in the evenings or at a time that works best for us, let us set aside time to free ourselves from the distraction of this world—the mobile phone, wireless devices, TV and the like—and rest. Like Mary, let us sit at the Lord’s feet to listen to what He has to say rather than keep ourselves busy like Martha (Luke 10:39-42). “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest,” Jesus said. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29). Dear Lord, forgive us for the many times we let ourselves become too busy to the point of failing to listen to You. Help us Lord to refocus on You and to know Your will as we resolve to spend meaningful time with You and take time to rest. Grant us renewed strength each day O Lord that we might face our challenges boldly without misgivings or distractions. We desire to live our lives to the fullest Lord and enjoy the abundant life You have intended for us. Thank You, Lord, for giving us rest.
Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. (Psalm 40:4 KJV)
Waiting on God is good. There are blessings attached to our continuous trust in God even when it seems as if our prayers are not being answered. Waiting on God is not a single, momentary act of expectation or hope; it is a continuous act of exercising our faith and trust in the Lord. There is no length of days, months or years for waiting on the Lord. The kind of prayers that is associated with waiting on the Lord is called PUSH (Pray until something happens). In Psalm 40:1-4, David said he waited patiently on the Lord. Waiting involves a lot of patience. It is designed to kill our anxiety (Philippians 4:6) and to test the level of trust we have on God. There are amazing blessings emanating from continuous fervent prayers even if they seem not to be answered from the beginning. First, God always pay attention to those who patiently wait on him. David did wait on God and he was not disappointed. God took notice of him and inclined unto him. When we think in our heart that may be God does not understand what we are going through, he actually does and if we persevere in prayer like David, we shall soon reap the fruit. Second, God ultimately answer the prayer of those who wait on him. Jesus gave us a parable in Luke 18:1-8 that we should pray always without ceasing. He understands the spiritual far more than we know the physical. Jesus knows that effectual fervent prayer cannot go without being answered. He knows that if we continue knocking the door of heaven without ceasing, our prayers will surely be answered. God answered the cry of David; the supplication which he had presented before God. David was delivered. His feet were set upon the solid rock and songs of praise filled his mouth. That shall be our portion this season in Jesus name. Beloved, God has a lot of promises for whoever is ready to wait upon him and you can be a partaker of those promises today if you are ready to wait and trust in him. “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. (Psalm 27:14)” If you haven’t received salvation yet, please do so today by praying this short prayer of salvation. —Joseph Iwaye Everlasting God, I come before you today, please give me the grace to trust and wait on you. Let me not wickedly depart from you. Teach me how to follow you correctly even in this world that is full of evil (In Jesus name I pray, amen).
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11-13 NIV)
I don’t know if you make New Year’s resolutions or not, but if you do, perhaps this is the year to bypass that and offer up a prayer for the year instead. I can’t think of a better thing to pray for than what Paul shares in Philippians 4:11-13. Paul was in jail, a depressing situation if there ever was one … and he had been there for some time and wasn’t expecting release any time soon. He had faced beatings, attempts to kill him, imprisonment. Still, he was contented. What a great example for us to follow. You see, contentment doesn’t just happen. It would be great if everything in life went well, if fairness and justice abounded, if all we wished for occurred. But we live in a broken world. Things do not always go as we plan and certainly not always as we’d like. Bad things happen; disappointments come frequently. One of my favorite bumper stickers reads, “Man plans; God laughs.” I don’t think God laughs at our misfortunes; I think he weeps with us. But the futility of so much of what we plan and work for is there all too often. We plan, we work, and things still go wrong. So how does one get contentment in those circumstances? Paul says he “learned” to be content. How can one learn that? Well, like any kind of education, it takes some work on your part. First, pray—but not selfishly; pray for God’s guidance, and believe in your heart that He wants the best for you. Trust Him. Without that, contentment is lost. Use your Bible. Look for examples within it that you can lean on. When you find something, pray it, make it your own. When my eldest son was a rebellious teenager and we were constantly locking horns, I claimed Isaiah 54:13 as my own—“All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children’s peace.” I would tell God that I was failing to reach him, so I was trusting God to take care of things. And he grew to be a man in whom I take great pride. I’ve often said of both my sons that they are men I’d want to know, even if we weren’t related. And remember—when times are frustrating, dismaying, chaotic, remember the good times and trust in your heart their return. Take whatever life hands you and learn from it, so you can use what you’ve learned when you face your next trial. One thing I learned through my separation and divorce from my husband is that, even when I think something is too great for me to get through, I can get through it. My coping skills are much, much better now than they were before that all happened. I learned first-hand that, when you hit the bottom in life, there’s nowhere else to go but up. So when you’re spinning your wheels, when you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember what’s come before and how you got through it. And trust God to get you through this time, too. Finally, claim verse 13. You really can do amazing things through God. He empowers you with strength not your own. You need only claim it from him. Isaiah 40:29-31 is a favorite of mine. “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might, He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary; They shall walk and not faint.” God has blessed me with contentment. It has been a long road getting there, but we travelled it together and now I can claim, along with Paul, that I have learned to be content in all things. I pray that you will get there, too.—Emily Montfort Abba, Father, thank you for being there in all we go through. Help us to see your hand in whatever we’re going through and help us to learn, like Paul, to be content in that knowledge. In your holy and blessed name we pray, Amen.
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29 NAS)
Christmas is a time for family warmth and home coming, but for some people, it is the season of much stress with traveling, spending, preparing, among other things. Thankfully, these days, keeping in touch is no longer limited to a telephone call or occasional meeting up. We can stay connected with our loved ones and friends through channels such as the social media or online video calling. We can also communicate, share text, photos, videos, music and other media files with just about everybody around the world using mobile phones, digital tablets, or computers. Nevertheless, when we share about our private lives to the public, we need always to be careful because such sharing can affect others and how they think of us. Our bosses, colleagues, relatives, and friends, for example, might see us as weak or ill-mannered reading some of our status update on social networks. Leaks through words of mouth by people sharing what they read from our social media postings and blogs can also spread and cause damage to relationships. When I first started a blog, it was not something I wanted to do, but because I was assigned as a journalist by my editor to write an article on blogging and to interview people to find out their thoughts on the subject. A number of people I interviewed gave their reason for blogging as wanting to make friends who share similar interests, while some said they blog to de-stress or fight for a cause. “Of course, we run the risk of facing ridicule and criticism from people posting their comments,” said an ardent blogger. “But we can deal with it.” Like many bloggers, I frequently offload my burdens writing about the things that happened in my life. Many people came to know me and my innermost thoughts reading my blog. Today, my life is an open book, found within the pages of my devotional writings. Blogging is my way of serving God and His people, a medium of choice to reach out to the masses in the world. With my Christian blog linked to various social network communities, every blog entry I post gets to reach out to the masses and the targeted people for the Lord. Of course, once in a while, I would receive some argumentative or negative comments at my blog or social network pages. But by the grace of God through the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the wisdom of our Lord, those were dealt with without quarrel or hurtful feelings. What about the rest of us? How do we participate online? Do we turn the social media into avenues by which we serve God, His people, and the people who are yet unsaved? Or do we put to shame the Lord’s name by the things we write on our blogs and social networks’ status? As we prepare ourselves for the coming year, let us remember not to let negative words proceed from us (Ephesians 4:29, 31), for such can hurt others and expose us to ridicule. Remember, we are to give account every careless word we use (Matthew 12:36). Whether we are conversing, sharing videos, images, music or other types of media files, let us share only whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, or praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). Dear Lord, forgive us for too often sharing to the world things that do not edify or minister. Help us not let our bitterness, wrath, anger, thoughtless words, and private lives hurt or mislead others. Remind us constantly Lord to share words of encouragement and things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable or praiseworthy. As we prepare ourselves for the coming year Lord, protect us from the vices that constantly attempt to lure us away from You or into unnecessary commitment. Do not allow us to fall prey to the evil one Lord but guide us by Your Spirit to wisely use online tools such as blogs and the social media carefully for the extension of Your kingdom.
For many people, Christmas means a lot of things. For some, it means lots of shopping, traveling, and scrambling all over town to get those special gifts for special people. For others, it may mean getting together with family that they are unable to see throughout the year. These are great things. There is nothing wrong with wanting to get special people gifts. It is greatly important as well to spend time with family. However, Christmas marks a day much more important than gifts or family. It celebrates the day that God sent Hope back into the world. Picture this. From the time the prophet Malachi, which is the last recorded Old Testament book, to the time of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) there was 400 years of silence. God’s chose Israel as His chosen people. Starting with Abraham, God promised a linage that would never perish and would bless all people. Abraham descendants were enslaved by Egypt for over 400 years, when God sent a leader, Moses, to bring them out of Egypt. After leaving the bondage of Egypt, Israel remained faithful to God for a time. Unfortunately, the longer Israel lived around the pagan nations, the more they grew into to practices of those nations. They eventually started worshipping and serving dead idols rather than the one, true living God. God began sending prophets to various parts of Israel. Those prophets began speaking the words of God and pleading for people to turn back to the Lord. Eventually Israel, was broke into two nations (Israel and Judah). Israel was wiped out by the Assyrians and Judah was taken into captivity by Babylon for 70 years. The prophets began giving snapshots of a Messiah that was to come and lead God’s people and save them. After the people of Judah were liberated from Babylon, the people turned back to God. But their worship to God became nothing more than dead religion. So with the last of the prophets, Malachi, God did not speak to Israel for almost 400 years. The people of Israel, however, still held on to the hope of the coming Messiah. Although the Pharisees of that time taught hypocrisy, there were still those in Israel who were looking forward to the coming Messiah. Then one day, prophecy started being fulfilled. The forerunner of Messiah spoken about in Isaiah, “A voice is calling, ‘Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness; make smooth in the desert a highway for our God” (Isaiah 40:3). John the Baptist was born. Not too much later, Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit, was born in Bethlehem by the virgin Mary, in a manger because there was no place in the town inn. This fulfilled the Scripture that said, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Hope came back into the world when Jesus was born. Jesus came and ministered to all of Israel, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again three days later from the grave, overcoming death. He not only paid the ransom for Israel, but opened up the door of salvation to all who believe in His name an turn from their sin. He now seated at the right hand of God and He will return for His Church. Jesus came in the most humble of ways. He came as a baby. He didn’t come in with an army. He didn’t come in as a conquering king. He came as a baby, in human form, to relate to us and give us hope that once seemed lost. So this Christmas season, really reflect on the fact that Jesus chose to step out of divinity, and live as a human only to be hung on a cross for the sin of the world. I encourage you to read the Birth of Christ in the book of Matthew and Luke. When you are unwrapping your gifts, spending time with family, and eating hearty meals, remember Jesus this year. Jesus is the reason for the season. Truly. —Joey Coons
I have to admit it—I have a weakness for Christmas tree decorations, but I drew the line when I saw this ornament in the department store the other day. It was the most original one I had ever seen—glass in the shape of a teardrop with etched gold curling in a spiral pattern all the way around the edge—the perfect balance of tastefulness and originality. It would be placed front and centre on my tree, and those noticing it would comment on its beauty. The price tag was nowhere to be found, though, so I waited in line three people back in order to get the price from the cashier. Imagine my surprise when I got to her and she said, "This is our original brand. It's a bargain at $25.00." No way, I ranted inside my brain. I was so disgusted with the price that I didn't even offer to put it back. Instead I said, "Thanks anyway," and stalked out in a huff, leaving it on the counter. At least my bitter thoughts did not roll of my tongue! Hours later, with the whole scene still mulling through my head, the Lord brought a convicting thought to my spirit. That first Christmas was celebrated so differently than we celebrate it now. There was nothing ornamental about it, other than THE Ornament, which was Jesus Himself. He was not wrapped up in bows, but in a simple cloth. The scene was not lit up with blinking, chasing lights, but illuminated by the stars alone. There was no finely decorated fir tree with pine-scented potpourri filling the room; instead, the air was filled with the odors of animals and hay. Yet even without such sparkling accessories, that first Christmas was the most beautiful and glowing Christmas of all time. The presence of Jesus is what made it so magnificent. The Holy Spirit also showed me that this doesn't just apply at Christmas, but to every other month of the year as well. We decorate ourselves in so many ways, don't we? Not just in our outward appearance, but also in our hearts and minds. We do so with such things as jewelry, fashionable clothes, a fake sense of humor, flattery and pride. This is the opposite of the example Jesus set for us when He was on the earth. He was humble and genuine in every way, pointing to God and His Word every time He spoke. My heart's desire is to do the same.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT) "So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord-who is the Spirit-makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image."
No frills about it: Jesus is the grandest Ornament of them all. His beauty will shine through us as we ask Him to redirect our attempts to decorate our lives with anything other than Himself. Let's wrap ourselves in His glorious image today! —LauraLee Shaw
Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. (Matthew 7:15 NAS)
When a job seeker responded to an online ad for a customer service job opening, he thought it would be one of a hundred small acts he did that might get him back to work. With most of his e-mail messages to prospective employers going unanswered, he was relieved when a company replied with a work-from-home job. To help him get started with his home office, the company sent him money orders so he could purchase via money wire the requisite laptop and other equipment from several different people. The job seeker deposited nine United States Postal Service money orders into his bank account and wired a total of nearly $8,000 to the various vendors. Neither the laptop nor anything else however was received, and the money orders turned out to be already cashed or counterfeit. This scam was reported in The New York Times by Riva Richmond on August 5, 2009. Scams such as this are still prevalent today. “Looking back at the whole thing I was very, very naïve, but I needed a job so bad,” said the victim of the scam. “I’m behind in everything. I’m behind in my rent. I’m behind in all the bills I’m responsible for. It has wiped me out financially.” Many people have fallen prey to scammers and criminals out of desperation seeking for jobs or ways to even the odds amid financial setback. The fraud-fueled bank crisis which precipitated the recession that lingers till this day, for example, is a case of what could happen if we unwittingly fall victim to moneymaking schemers who might have set sophisticated traps to draw us in. Suggestions given in The New York Times article on protecting ourselves from common frauds include being skeptical, doing our homework and research, limiting our personal information online, and going low tech via local want ads, agencies or personal networks. Like the need to protect ourselves against scammers and criminals, Jesus warned us to beware of the false prophets who come to us in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. We will know them by their fruits, for a good tree cannot produce bad fruit nor can a bad tree produce good fruit (Matthew 7:15-16, 18). Any prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in the name of the Lord, and the thing does not come about or come true, is a false prophet. Such a one, we need not be afraid (Deuteronomy 18:20-22). For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. Many will in Christ’s name say “I am He” and mislead many (Matthew 24:5, 11, 24). Such will on the day of the Lord say, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?” Then our Lord will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness” (Matthew 7:22-23). Are we at risk of falling into a trap in our desperate need for a job to make ends meet or to tide over a financial setback? If we are, let us not in our haste fall prey to scammers or criminals but do our homework well in researching and knowing all parties involved. Are we hearing strange teachings or predictions from people who claim to be of God? Beware of false prophets and teachers whose aim is to mislead many, even the elect. Rather than fall victim to con artists, let us like sheep in the midst of wolves, be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16). Help us dear Lord to be shrewd in recognizing frauds, scams, false prophecies and teachings. Do not let us fall prey to the schemers or deceivers O Lord. Tide us over our times of desperation Lord that we might not foolishly get ourselves into greater trouble or crisis. If we have fallen prey Lord, show us the way out of the situation. In You Lord we put our complete trust for You alone are our sufficiency.
