I have something that I would like to share with everyone online. Even my online family in Brandon Bracey Ministries does not know this. A month ago I was told I needed to start looking for a new job. I worked at a private Christian school(K-12th) right outside of the Charlotte, NC area, but because of economic difficulties, the entire staff needed to start looking for employment immediately. We were a private school that had a few students. Since we were a private school, all of the funds for the staff pay came from the students' tuition. Well, guess what happens when you have a few students in a shaky economy? Somebody will probably be looking for a new job soon!

 

     I stayed on as long as I could! But times were getting hard! I had to borrow gas money, and even food from friends.  The school's executive director tried to keep me on, but things were so tight financially. The kids loved me and I loved them, but things had to change.

 

  You may be wondering why didn't I ask everyone online to pray for me right? Or why didn't I tell anyone? Well I told my close friends, family, and friends at church. But I did not want to tell anyone online.  Basically it was pride. I can be so prideful and stubborn at times! My family and friends will tell you that I am a very flawed individual. But that is no excuse! I was so scared of what you guys might think. I did not want you saying," Here is Brandon Bracey, the minister with a wonderful ministry, broke without a job". I was afraid I would lose people's respect online. Do you see how the devil works? The devil had me so caught up in pride that I did not want to share anything! But the root cause was fear.

 

   The devil's biggest tactic against the people of God is fear. He also uses fear to keep children of the devil trusting in a shaky worldly system.  This is one of the reasons why so many people have idols. People fear rejection so they make getting people's approval their god, just like I did. People fear losing their jobs, so they make hoarding their god, instead of continuing to tithe and give. People fear they will never be truly loved, so they fornicate and make sensual pleasure their god.

 

  Well...I do have a praise report! I have a new job! This job pays more than my previous job, is closer to my home so I save gas, and I get full benefits!!! Can somebody shout Hallelujah with me!!!

 

You may be saying to yourself," Brandon how did you do it with the economy the way it is? Weren't you afraid?" Heck, yeah I was afraid at one point. I had an anxiety attack two weeks ago! It can be tough to stand when you do not know where your next meal is coming from! But yet I had an inner peace that comes with knowing who God is and knowing who I am in Christ! I am the head and not the tail! I live by God's economy and not by the world's economy!

 

You may be in a situation right now where it seems like your life is crumbling. You may have been like me and have to look for a new job. You may have a family member whose life is falling apart and you do not know what to do. You may be dealing with an illness and the doctor said there is no cure. But I stopped by to tell you that there is hope because God is still on the throne! Here are some ways below to stay strong in trying times:

 

A) KNOW WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST:  You are not a beggar. You are not loser. You are a child of God. Has he ever let you down? I said has he EVER let you down! You may be angry with God for what you are going through. Meditate on the Word of God which says in Deuteronomy 31:6," I will never leave you nor forsake you." Also, meditate on Deuteronomy 28:1-13. I was so encouraged when I was going through to know that because I am a child of God, he would take care of me.

 

B) KNOW WHO GOD IS:  God is our strongtower. He is our place of refuge. I  know in my day of trouble he shall be with me, supply my needs, heal me, and protect me. When I was going through, my peace came from intimately knowing God.

 

C) KNOW TO PRAY:  God wants to be apart of every aspect of our lives. God wants to intervene on our behalf. Prayer is the key that unlocks God's supernatural power to work on our behalf. Sometimes we can often run and tell our friends and family things before we even talk to God. But often they can not help us. Also sometimes they give us the wrong advice. Why not run to the one who already knows your troubles? Why not run to the one who is your healer, restorer, and burden-bearer? Why not run to the one who can give you ideas and create open doors and new opportunities?

 

D) KNOW TO FAST: As I always say, fasting takes our mind off of distractions, and helps us to focus on God. God wants to give you that next step to take, but you have to be able to hear him.

 

E) KNOW TO WORSHIP:  Worship changes your atmosphere, and gets your mind off your issues. My countenance changes when I worship because I am now in a happy place. Praise and worship gives your issue a smaller place in your life because God is so much bigger.

 

F) STAND!!!: When you have prayed, fasted, worshiped, and done everything you know to do... then you need to STAND! Rest in the Lord and be confident that your breakthrough is coming! This is what true faith is all about!

 

  I now have a tesimony to share with the world!  But it took me operating in faith by trusting and believing God. God is not a respector of persons, and  what he did for me he will do for you! Step out on faith and I can promise you from experience that God will not let you down! Amen!

 

Heavenly Father,

      I will trust in you to supply my every need. Thank you for loving me and caring so much for me. I could sing of your love forever. In this time of trial, strengthen and encourage me. Lead me in your wisdom. I stand in faith believing that help is on the way. Thank you Father in Jesus name, Amen.

 

The best and most important decision you can make in your life is to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord. If you would like to do that today please pray with me:" Heavenly Father, I thank you for sending your only begotten Son to die on the cross for my sins. Jesus I repent of all my sins and ask for your forgiveness. Please come into my heart. I make you Lord of my life. In Jesus name, Amen." If you have just prayed this prayer, congratulations! You are saved and apart of the Family Of God! The next step is to get into a good bible based church where the Word of God is proclaimed. Please email me at: [email protected] so I can assist you in your new beginning!

 

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