“Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah” Psalms 68:19 NKJV bible.com/bible/114/psa.68.1…

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. ” Romans 8:28 NKJV bible.com/bible/114/rom.8.28…

“And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. ” John 6:35 NKJV bible.com/bible/114/jhn.6.35…

“bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. ” Colossians 3:13 NKJV bible.com/bible/114/col.3.13…

““Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:7 NKJV bible.com/bible/114/jer.17.7…

“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 NKJV bible.com/bible/114/pro.22.6…

Jim Shoemaker, a retired Army Veteran and locomotive engineer, is facing serious health challenges, including Parkinson’s and a liver tumor, which have impacted his ability to work and support his family. This fundraiser is just getting started, and sharing helps so much in the early days. Even if you can't donate, a quick share can help it reach people who may be able to support. Please consider donating or sharing to help Jim and his family during this difficult time. Thank you so much! gofund.me/5d331ef01

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 NKJV bible.com/bible/114/jhn.10.1…

“The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9 NKJV bible.com/bible/114/php.4.9.…

“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. ” James 5:16 NKJV bible.com/bible/114/jas.5.16…

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. ” Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV bible.com/bible/114/jer.29.1…

What It Takes to Get Ahead in the Current Economy To cover basic needs, absorb inflation, and consistently save for the future, a single full-time worker in 2026 needs to earn between $25 and $40 per hour ($52,000 to $83,200/year). While the current national median wage sits closer to $23 to $24 per hour, that baseline often keeps workers trapped in a paycheck-to-paycheck cycle rather than building real wealth. The Local Cost-of-Living Reality Your target hourly wage depends heavily on your local housing market and regional costs: • Low-to-Mid Cost Areas (e.g., Ohio, Texas, Midwest metros) • $25 – $30 per hour ($52,000 – $62,400/year) • What it buys: Covers standard rent, utilities, and debt payments while leaving room to hit a 15%–20% savings target. • High Cost Areas (e.g., California, New York, Seattle, Boston) • $40 – $50+ per hour ($83,200 – $104,000+/year) • What it buys: Offsets extreme housing premiums and higher local taxes, allowing you to build an emergency fund without sacrificing essentials. The "Getting Ahead" Blueprint (50/30/20 Rule) True financial breathing room means your hourly wage can comfortably support this split: • 50% Needs: Rent/mortgage, groceries, healthcare, transit. • 30% Wants: Dining out, travel, hobbies, entertainment. • 20% Financial Goals: Retirement contributions, emergency funds, investing.

“Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” Psalms 55:22 NKJV bible.com/bible/114/psa.55.2…

“And on some have compassion, making a distinction; ” Jude 1:22 NKJV bible.com/bible/114/jud.1.22…

““Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. ” Exodus 20:8 NKJV bible.com/bible/114/exo.20.8…

“We love Him because He first loved us.” I John 4:19 NKJV bible.com/bible/114/1jn.4.19…

“casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, ” II Corinthians 10:5 NKJV bible.com/bible/114/2co.10.5…

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. ” Philippians 4:19 NKJV bible.com/bible/114/php.4.19…