by Martin Armstrong, Armstrong Economics: QUESTION: What do you think of RFK’s sister? I can’t imagine her as a family member. GH ANSWER: Let me explain something that shocked me when I was a kid. My father had a client whose children never supported him. My father did his will, and he left everything to the live-in […]

August 28, 2024 Believing for Abundantly MoreSARAH GRACE HALLAS Lee en español "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us ..." Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)  In 2020, I moved halfway across the country to a city I'd never visited. I was in the middle of a divorce and discovered shortly afterward that I was pregnant ... six months pregnant. As I navigated the hardships of life with my new title of "divorced single mom," so many of my deep-rooted fears began to rise to the surface. Would I ever be enough or have enough? My prayers to God consisted of requests for my basic needs to be met, with an underlying message of, I don't have the capacity for more than I can handle in my own strength right now, so please keep anything extra to Yourself. I didn't realize just how debilitating this was to my ability to walk in the fullness God had for me - until He began speaking to me through Ephesians 3:20. This scripture promises God will provide abundantly if we fully surrender to His plan, willing to rely on His strength and to allow ourselves to be used by Him. "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us ..." (Ephesians 3:20). One morning during my prayer time, I felt God impress this upon my heart: You've been praying for just enough to get by. Why aren't you believing for more or praying for an abundance to give others? Don't you want to be a vessel for Me to flow through you? Don't you trust that I'll provide? Convicted, I fell on my knees, crying and begging the Lord for forgiveness for my self-centeredness. It had been easier to limit my beliefs about what God could do - thinking I could accurately predict the future - than to step out of my comfort zone and ask in faith, risking the pain of disappointment again. The comfort of feeling in control, living in my self-fulfilled prophecy of not having or not being enough, felt so much easier than walking by faith, living with such boldness that there could be no logical explanation for the events unfolding in my life except that God was in control. Have you ever felt this way? Daring to ask and trust God for abundantly more will result in circumstances beyond what you could imagine. My testimony is confirmation of this. When I least expected it, God reconciled my relationship with my son's dad, and just three years after our divorce was finalized, we remarried, and we are now expecting a beautiful baby girl! My challenge for you today, friend, is to recount all the times you've experienced God's faithful provision in the past - and ask Him to reveal if fear of disappointment is keeping you from asking for and receiving the abundance He has for you! Father, help me believe that Your plans for me are better than I can imagine. Thank You for abundant provision I can trust in, regardless of my circumstances. Please give me strength and boldness to walk in the fullness You have for me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.  OUR FAVORITE THINGS For more daily encouragement, grab Sarah's devotional, This Is Not Forever, for 90 days of hopeful reminders that God has abundantly more in store! ENGAGE Looking for community with like-minded Christian women who will pray for and encourage you in every season? Join Sarah's free Abundantly More Community! Enter to WIN your very own copy of This Is Not Forever by Sarah Grace Hallas. To celebrate this book, Sarah's publisher will give away 5 copies! Enter to win by leaving a comment here. {We'll randomly select 5 winners and then notify each one in the comments section by Monday, September 2, 2024.} FOR DEEPER STUDY John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (ESV). In what areas of life do you struggle to believe that God has more for you? Is it in your marriage or relationships? Your finances? Your health? Your career or business? Ask the Lord to reveal this to you and to strengthen your faith in His abundant provision in this area. © 2024 by Sarah Grace Hallas. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 MinistriesP.O. Box 3189 Matthews, NC 28106 www.Proverbs31.org The post Believing for Abundantly More –  Encouragement for Today – August 28, 2024 appeared first on GodUpdates.

A Prayer for the Man or Woman Who Feels InvisibleBy Christine F. Perry Bible Reading"Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me?" Genesis 16:13 NKJV There isn't a person alive who hasn't felt invisible at one time or another. Everyone has been overlooked, ignored, and passed over. I wish this ended in middle and high school, but sometimes, this becomes an even bigger issue as you get older. You get passed over for a promotion at work, overlooked as a potential partner, or ignored by your spouse or children. Before we are too critical of others, keep in mind that we have also been guilty of this.  According to NationsGeo.com, there are approximately 8.1 billion people on the planet, with a growth rate of 138 people per minute. With so many people sharing Earth’s hemispheres, it can be easy to feel insignificant and invisible. But I want to remind you that you are a miracle, and you are not invisible. There is no one on Earth like you.  If you're doubting this, I want you to read Psalm 139:13-18 which says: “For You formed my inward parts; you covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You.” Think about that. The God who made heaven and earth created you. He sees you. Just like in Genesis 16:13, when Hagar realizes that God saw her and the injustice she was facing, God sees you. You're never out of his sight. In Isaiah 49:15 it says, "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!" You're not invisible, my friend. God is still working. His eye is on you. You matter! Let's pray: Dear Lord,Thank you for being God and being intimately acquainted with all our ways. Thank you for not standing far off. Thank you for being as close as the air we breathe. Thank you for not only seeing us but also taking a record of every tear we cry. You know the number of hairs on our heads, and your thoughts toward us are more than the sand on the sea. Lord, if we could see ourselves through your eyes, even for a second, we would never doubt your love, care, and compassion toward us. Lord, please remind us when we are discouraged and feel invisible to others that you never overlook us. Please remind us that when others don’t choose us, you choose us, which is more than enough. Lord, with you, we can do and endure all things. With you, nothing is impossible. With you, we are more than conquerors. Lord, we know that you are our shield and our protector. I ask that when we doubt your love and care for us, your holy spirit will bring into our minds the truth of your Words. Help us to be diligent students of your Word so we can be armed for battle. Thank you for your patience with us. Thank you for your care. Thank you for never letting us out of your sight, and thank you for always having our back. We love you; please help us love you more. Amen.  Photo credit: ©Getty Images/francescoch Christine is just a lady who was given the gift of being raised in an incredible family. For reasons unknown to her, God has blessed her with an amazing life full of beautiful friendships, remarkable experiences, and a love from Him that is completely underserved. She desires to encourage others and share hope as we journey through the highs and lows of life. Christine is the author of How I Met Peace and For the Weary Life Traveler, a 31-day devotional. Check out more of Christine’s work at her website:  Learning to be fearless and her Patreon. Related Resource: Remember God’s Enduring Love for You in this Guided Meditation on Psalm 100! This guided Christian meditation from Psalm 100 will help you experience and praise God for his unending love for you. Become aware of God's presence with you, and praise God for his loyal and enduring love from the beginning of time and into the future. Listen to every episode of the So Much More Podcast on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode! Now that you’ve prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below! Visit iBelieve.com for more inspiring prayer content. The post A Prayer for the Man or Woman Who Feels Invisible – Your Daily Prayer – August 28 appeared first on GodUpdates.

A Prayer for the Man or Woman Who Feels InvisibleBy Christine F. Perry Bible Reading"Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me?" Genesis 16:13 NKJV There isn't a person alive who hasn't felt invisible at one time or another. Everyone has been overlooked, ignored, and passed over. I wish this ended in middle and high school, but sometimes, this becomes an even bigger issue as you get older. You get passed over for a promotion at work, overlooked as a potential partner, or ignored by your spouse or children. Before we are too critical of others, keep in mind that we have also been guilty of this.  According to NationsGeo.com, there are approximately 8.1 billion people on the planet, with a growth rate of 138 people per minute. With so many people sharing Earth’s hemispheres, it can be easy to feel insignificant and invisible. But I want to remind you that you are a miracle, and you are not invisible. There is no one on Earth like you.  If you're doubting this, I want you to read Psalm 139:13-18 which says: “For You formed my inward parts; you covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You.” Think about that. The God who made heaven and earth created you. He sees you. Just like in Genesis 16:13, when Hagar realizes that God saw her and the injustice she was facing, God sees you. You're never out of his sight. In Isaiah 49:15 it says, "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!" You're not invisible, my friend. God is still working. His eye is on you. You matter! Let's pray: Dear Lord,Thank you for being God and being intimately acquainted with all our ways. Thank you for not standing far off. Thank you for being as close as the air we breathe. Thank you for not only seeing us but also taking a record of every tear we cry. You know the number of hairs on our heads, and your thoughts toward us are more than the sand on the sea. Lord, if we could see ourselves through your eyes, even for a second, we would never doubt your love, care, and compassion toward us. Lord, please remind us when we are discouraged and feel invisible to others that you never overlook us. Please remind us that when others don’t choose us, you choose us, which is more than enough. Lord, with you, we can do and endure all things. With you, nothing is impossible. With you, we are more than conquerors. Lord, we know that you are our shield and our protector. I ask that when we doubt your love and care for us, your holy spirit will bring into our minds the truth of your Words. Help us to be diligent students of your Word so we can be armed for battle. Thank you for your patience with us. Thank you for your care. Thank you for never letting us out of your sight, and thank you for always having our back. We love you; please help us love you more. Amen.  Photo credit: ©Getty Images/francescoch Christine is just a lady who was given the gift of being raised in an incredible family. For reasons unknown to her, God has blessed her with an amazing life full of beautiful friendships, remarkable experiences, and a love from Him that is completely underserved. She desires to encourage others and share hope as we journey through the highs and lows of life. Christine is the author of How I Met Peace and For the Weary Life Traveler, a 31-day devotional. Check out more of Christine’s work at her website:  Learning to be fearless and her Patreon. Related Resource: Remember God’s Enduring Love for You in this Guided Meditation on Psalm 100! This guided Christian meditation from Psalm 100 will help you experience and praise God for his unending love for you. Become aware of God's presence with you, and praise God for his loyal and enduring love from the beginning of time and into the future. Listen to every episode of the So Much More Podcast on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode! Now that you’ve prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below! Visit iBelieve.com for more inspiring prayer content. The post A Prayer for the Man or Woman Who Feels Invisible – Your Daily Prayer – August 28 appeared first on GodUpdates.

August 28, 2024 Believing for Abundantly MoreSARAH GRACE HALLAS Lee en español "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us ..." Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)  In 2020, I moved halfway across the country to a city I'd never visited. I was in the middle of a divorce and discovered shortly afterward that I was pregnant ... six months pregnant. As I navigated the hardships of life with my new title of "divorced single mom," so many of my deep-rooted fears began to rise to the surface. Would I ever be enough or have enough? My prayers to God consisted of requests for my basic needs to be met, with an underlying message of, I don't have the capacity for more than I can handle in my own strength right now, so please keep anything extra to Yourself. I didn't realize just how debilitating this was to my ability to walk in the fullness God had for me - until He began speaking to me through Ephesians 3:20. This scripture promises God will provide abundantly if we fully surrender to His plan, willing to rely on His strength and to allow ourselves to be used by Him. "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us ..." (Ephesians 3:20). One morning during my prayer time, I felt God impress this upon my heart: You've been praying for just enough to get by. Why aren't you believing for more or praying for an abundance to give others? Don't you want to be a vessel for Me to flow through you? Don't you trust that I'll provide? Convicted, I fell on my knees, crying and begging the Lord for forgiveness for my self-centeredness. It had been easier to limit my beliefs about what God could do - thinking I could accurately predict the future - than to step out of my comfort zone and ask in faith, risking the pain of disappointment again. The comfort of feeling in control, living in my self-fulfilled prophecy of not having or not being enough, felt so much easier than walking by faith, living with such boldness that there could be no logical explanation for the events unfolding in my life except that God was in control. Have you ever felt this way? Daring to ask and trust God for abundantly more will result in circumstances beyond what you could imagine. My testimony is confirmation of this. When I least expected it, God reconciled my relationship with my son's dad, and just three years after our divorce was finalized, we remarried, and we are now expecting a beautiful baby girl! My challenge for you today, friend, is to recount all the times you've experienced God's faithful provision in the past - and ask Him to reveal if fear of disappointment is keeping you from asking for and receiving the abundance He has for you! Father, help me believe that Your plans for me are better than I can imagine. Thank You for abundant provision I can trust in, regardless of my circumstances. Please give me strength and boldness to walk in the fullness You have for me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.  OUR FAVORITE THINGS For more daily encouragement, grab Sarah's devotional, This Is Not Forever, for 90 days of hopeful reminders that God has abundantly more in store! ENGAGE Looking for community with like-minded Christian women who will pray for and encourage you in every season? Join Sarah's free Abundantly More Community! Enter to WIN your very own copy of This Is Not Forever by Sarah Grace Hallas. To celebrate this book, Sarah's publisher will give away 5 copies! Enter to win by leaving a comment here. {We'll randomly select 5 winners and then notify each one in the comments section by Monday, September 2, 2024.} FOR DEEPER STUDY John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (ESV). In what areas of life do you struggle to believe that God has more for you? Is it in your marriage or relationships? Your finances? Your health? Your career or business? Ask the Lord to reveal this to you and to strengthen your faith in His abundant provision in this area. © 2024 by Sarah Grace Hallas. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 MinistriesP.O. Box 3189 Matthews, NC 28106 www.Proverbs31.org The post Believing for Abundantly More –  Encouragement for Today – August 28, 2024 appeared first on GodUpdates.

…or the harmonica, as it’s better known

With their frontman now slimmed down and sobered up, Orange Goblin’s new album Science, Not Fiction is similarly fat-free, ferocious and muscular

In search of ways to reach the lost? Here are 10 ways to do just that.