TOUGH TIMES--> FEAR or FAITH?

Financial crisis, global meltdowns, huge investment banks falling apart, countries like Iceland and a few others tumbling down, over 600 thousand folks got laid off, etc etc etc! Sounds pretty bad don't it? Pastor Clarine spoke a really good message bringing into perspective how to deal with such a tough time. Below is just a gist of what I can replicate:

In Psalm 23:

v1: "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." --> 'The Lord' denotes He is SUPREME!

Think about it, who made this UNIVERSE? Is it massive? How many planets are there? 8? (or formerly, 9 including Pluto). And which part of the universe are we living in? In this tiny little planet called 'earth', right? If the 'earth' is tiny relative to a massive universe, then how big (or small) are we? You and I? And how supreme, do you think is the Creator of the universe compared to this tough financial crisis?

In Isaiah 45:21-22:

"Tell and bring forth your case; Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, the Lord? And there is no other God besides Me. A just God and a Savior; There is none besides Me.
Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other."

--> 'My Shepherd' denotes His testimony.

Did you know that a shepherd has to get up at 3 in the morning everyday to feed his sheeps? Or perhaps more accurately, a GOOD shepherd will. Why? Well, that is a time when the grass is greenest, freshest, most moist and delicious to eat. A sheep eats very very very veeeeerrrryyyyyy slowwwwww~ They may even take HOURS just nibbling on the grass. A good shepherd watches as every sheep eats. As soon as the sheep is contented and full, they will lie on the grass and just rest. A hungry sheep will not lie down/ rest.

v2: "He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters."

Are you shaken/affected by the economic downturn? Do you really know rest? Deep within you, are you struggling? Worried? Helpless? Restless? Emotional? If you are following a good shepherd, you will find rest despite a restless surroundings.

--> 'I shall not want' denotes His glorious sufficiency!

I shall not want (i.e. not be in need) for:

1. Health (for by His stripes, we are healed!)
2. Prosperity (my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus)
3. Security (for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind)
4. Power (for you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me...)
5. Peace (for You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You. Because he trusts in You)
6. Joy (for the joy of the Lord is your strength!)
7. Ability (I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me)
8. Blessings (Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ)

These promises are VALID only if Jesus is made VITAL in your life! God has proven to me in my own personal life, that He is faithful, not only providing me and my family with enough, but really MORE than ever enough. EVEN at a time such as this. I must admit I was at a verge of feeling really dry, restless, and really tired. But this msg really reminded me of the goodness of my God. I want YOU to experience it too. Try Him! ^_^

A song for you- Stand Firm (Chee Peng)