Oct 28, 2008

I was listening to National Public Radio today as they discussed the U.S. economy. The analyst used the words "scared" and "afraid" more times than I can count. People are scared he said, and understandably so. People are wondering if their retirement accounts will have any money left for them to retire on. People are wondering if their college savings funds will have enough money to send their children to college. People are wondering if they will lose their job, if they will be able to pay their bills, if they will be able to put food on the table. How can we as Christ-followers mix Jesus into this scary time? Trust, Generosity, Witness. //TRUST The Bible calls us to trust in God! And in case we were slow to do that as Americans, we have stamped it onto our coins and our bills. "In God we trust" Or as Psalm 56 puts it. "When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?" and Psalm 62 "Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." whatever happens or does not happen with our economy we can always trust God to be our refuge. Do you have this trust in God as the bedrock of your faith? God will take care of you, even if you lose your job, or lose your 401K or watch your IRA tick rapidly down. God does not promise to spare us from these things but he does promise to walk through them with us. As Christ-followers in today's economy we should not be scared. Instead our trust in God should cause us to stand out as people with peace of mind and heart. This is actually a great OPPORTUNITY for us to be there for others who are scared and who do not have God in their lives to give them hope and peace. By talking with neighbors and co-workers about the economy we can bring up spiritual things and present the good news about our trustworthy God. //GENEROSITY The Church is not a building it is the people on mission with Jesus. And we are that people. Acts 4 tells us how the early Church lived out their mission with amazing generosity Verse 32 tells us "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need." In addition to God, we also have each other. We the church are here for each other, to help each other through whatever it is that comes our way. You are not facing this situation alone. We may not understand all of the pressures you are facing in your job, or in your finances, but we can sure pray for you and share with you the many resources and finances that we have been blessed with. Though we are a small church, we do have financial resources with which we can help each other as the Lord leads. This is not every man for himself but rather the body of Christ where all the parts have equal concern for each other. //WITNESS As we live out our radical trust in God and his goodness during this time, and as we model generosity to those in need, we inevitably become better witnesses. Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Let us then, by the power of the God's Spirit within us, step out in trust and generosity. Let us then by the power of the God's Spirit within us open our mouths in witness to our great God and Savior Jesus Christ who is a refuge to all who will call on him. For if we hold back now our fellow citizens will only grow more and more scared and the world will only become more scary.

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