The economy is sinking fast. Isn't it amazing? One of the newscasters said today with a worried look on his face, "A year ago it would have been laughable to think that the Dow Jones Industrial Average would've been even around 9,000 or even 8,000. But here we are below 7,000. Where will it end? How low will it go? No one knows." Every day I see stocks going lower and lower. I hear about people losing their jobs... hanging by a thread... living paycheck to paycheck (or unemployment check to unemployment check). I watch people I know struggle with their worries, staying up all night with stress about how they're going to manage the next month of their life.

I don't worry. I honestly don't. And you don't have to either. Because if you're worrying, you're doing it all wrong. You're giving power and authority to money and stress. You cannot spend hours upon hours worrying about money and stressing out about the economy. Why? Because the economy isn't in control. The government isn't in control. Not even Wall Street is in control.

Let me let you in on a little secret. GOD is in control. If you're one of those people who are ready to break into sobs and pull out your hair at the sheer desperation of your situation, I urge you to sit still for a minute. Take a couple of deep breaths, and read this very simple verse:

Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household. (Acts 16:31)

That's it. That's all. Lean on God and trust in Christ. It doesn't get much simpler than that. Now that doesn't mean that Christians won't have problems or be stuck in a horrible financial bind. God tells us that He uses trials in life to refine us... to make us stronger, and to draw us closer to Him. But if you aren't already leaning on Jesus in hard times, then you're just going to fall right over -- flat on your face, onto the ground. If you're leaning on Christ in hard times, then he will gently push you back upright. I promise you this.

So what do you do? What does leaning on God mean? Remember, God and Jesus are one. You cannot have one without the other. You cannot be saved by one without the other. If you're in a desperate situation with no where to turn, and no where to go, listen to me. Stop wandering aimlessly because you'll get lost -- forever. I have a plan that can help you turn your life around. This is what I am going to tell you to do:

A) Open your Bible and read the teachings of Jesus, starting from the Book of Matthew and working your way right up until the end of the Bible. You don't have to do it in one day. Just take a couple of pages every night or when you first wake up in the morning. Yes, the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John will read very similarly. They are the writings of four disciples who walked with Jesus and learned from him. They each saw/heard/participated in the same things, yet they all have a little bit different perspective., Reading all four will help you reinforce the teachings of Christ. Read them slowly. Take them in. If you don't have a Bible, go buy one (be sure it's a New International Version). You can find a Bible at any bookstore -- you don't have to go to a Christian bookstore. If you can't afford to buy one, go to your local library and check one out. Read slowly, and open your heart and mind.

B) Pray. Every night or every morning as you read about the teachings from the Son of God, pray TO God. Talk to Him. Tell Him what's going on and talk to Him like He is your Father. Ask Him to love you and guide you and show you what you are supposed to do, and where you are supposed to go. Let Him know that you want to learn, and that you are desperate for help.

C) Open your heart and mind, and recognize your sins. EVERYBODY sins. Most likely, your biggest sins have to do with money or relationships. Not one person here on earth is without sin. As you are reading and praying to God, keep in mind that your soul had been disobedient. Even if you are currently a Christian, you are never without sin. The only difference is that you have accepted the fact that Christ is your savior, and without Him to wash those sins away, God sees you as impure... unclean.

D) Repent and sanctify yourself. Meaning as you are praying, talking to God and recognizing your sins, try your hardest to stop doing them. Whatever they might be -- anger, jealousy, lying, cheating, sexual immorality -- whatever. Just stop doing it. Realize the fact that you have been living a life that is unfit for God's eyes, and now you're caught up in all the world's chaos and calamity.

Do this, and reflect on it. Go to bed every night recognizing and acknowledging the good things that God has given you so far. Find peace, and get to know God.

And regarding the affairs of money, finances and Wall Street, read these previous posts of mine for a little more perspective about that topic: Dow Down 777 Points... What Does This Mean? along with America's Economic Crisis -- What Should We Do?

Whether you need saving from the current economy, or a job loss, or a disease, or stress and depression, or the Great Tribulation of the Book of Revelation, or even hell itself... you need Christ to be saved. It's the only way. You might make it through one calamity, but you may not make it through another.


Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.