"But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]."  -The Greatest Love Story Ever Told

God is the only way out of a recession.

He is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  I have been hearing reports that all over the world, multitudes who didn't know Christ are coming to Him having experienced a catalyst in their lives-the loss of an income, marriage, home or car. 

They want answers.  They want hope.  Because in adversity the enemy tries to take away the only thing that can help us recover and restore the vision or dream in our heart-OUR FAITH.  Faith is a powerful seed that matures in time to overcome greater things.

But the greatest fight is to believe that we received (what we confessed, hoped, dreamed and prayed for) BEFORE we get it.

So Paul wrote in Phil 4:8-13:

"For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].  Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you." 

He continued, "I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want.  I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who *infuses inner strength into me; I am *self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]."   

• I have strength for all things. 
• I can overcome all things.
• I can bind, restrict, reject and rebuke all things that would try to tear apart my life in any manner.
• I am equal to and ready for anything through Christ (Any season, any circumstance, any setback, disappointment OR challenge.)
• I have prepared.
• I have practiced the rules.
• I have rehearsed my victory with words-THE WORD OF GOD.
• Therefore, I will not quit. 
• I will not falter. 
• I will not relent.
• I refuse to dwell on the economy or the enormity of the problems I see or feel.
• I will change my thinking.
• I will renew my mind.
• I will think on things that edify, things that praise, things that justify, things that love, things that release grace, justice, kindness, virtue and excellence into my future.

And he said, when we do these things, the God of peace (of *untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with us.

King David added in Ps. 91: "There is a place of maturity in the Presence of God--a place of trust and shelter-- where you are no longer afraid.  You are NO LONGER AFRAID of the terror of the night; the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day; You are NO LONGER AFRAID of the plague or financial crisis that stalks in darkness or of the destruction and sudden death that surprise you in the middle of the day.  BECAUSE, a thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you.  ONLY A SPECTATOR SHALL YOU BE [yourself inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High] as you witness the reward of the wicked."

The recession was never intended for the upright. 

God's plan was to make you a spectator only:

• A spectator as He accumulated the wealth of the wicked to give you houses you couldn't afford before, businesses you have not built, vineyards you have not planted and promotions you've not asked for.
• A spectator as He vindicated you and spread a table among your enemies.
• A spectator as He lifted a standard against the flood the enemy would try to bring in your life.

Interestingly, in the Old Testament, each tribe or family held up a "standard." The Hebrew meaning of the word "standard" is: to raise up a flag or signal; to make something vanish away or flee; to chase or put something to flight.  It is to gleam (shimmer, sparkle, beam or radiate) from afar, to be conspicuous, seen through the idea of a flag as fluttering in the wind.)

It was a sign of the enemy's defeat from a distance.

But in the New Testament, WE ARE THE STANDARD.  We are the "sign" or "signal" the enemy has lost.  When we confess the Word of God in our region, industry and workplace, our words identify to fear and recession that, "No evil shall not befall us, nor any plague or calamity come near our tent.  This house, this business, this marriage is off limits; TURN AROUND, GO BACK TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM; our faith is undisturbed, untroubled, unfazed, unmoved, untouched by what we see."

Psalms 37:18-19 says: "The Lord knows the days of the upright and blameless, and their heritage will abide forever. They shall not be put to shame in the time of evil; and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied."

In verse 4-10 David added something powerful: "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions (THE UNSPOKEN DREAMS) of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass. For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait and hope and look for the Lord [in the end] shall inherit the earth.  FOR YET A LITTLE WHILE, and the evildoers will be no more; though you look with care where they used to be, they will not be found."

Today, I declare that nothing that opposes you will be found.  The tumor disappears, the cancer cells die; the effects of the bankruptcy and the depression of the layoff are hereby canceled. I expose every thief trying to steal your joy and finances.  I expose the lie and deception that says you won't be what God has called you to be.

RIGHT NOW, God is stirring up your spirit to do His will, to release new creativity and ideas as you dare dream again.  Ignite your faith. Do something you've never done before. 

You are a conqueror not a casualty.