Last night in his address to a joint session of Congress, the President vowed to lead our shuddering economy from this "day of reckoning" to recovery. Much debate continues over the recently passed "Stimulus" legislation. Regardless of our individual opinions on public policy, we all share a sacred duty to pray for those in governmental authority, that we might lead a "peaceable" life. (a)
But are we praying? We sure don't seem very peaceful. Professing to be courageous Christ-followers, our response to these current challenges doesn't look much different than those outside the Church. Tragically, we are caving in to fear. (b)
God shows us a better way. I call it His "Kingdom Stimulus Plan..."
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth ... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven ... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.... do not worry about your life ...seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.... with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.... (Read Matthew 6:19 - 7:12)
GOD DOESN'T WANT to just bless us; He wants to bless us beyond our ability to contain it! He challenges us to test Him in this specific area, by demonstrating our trust in His financial plan through our obedience. So let's walk by faith, in His power and love, overcoming fear. (c) (d) (e)
As the CHURCH goes, so goes the nation... so let's remember...
Where we live.
Even though we reside in the most-blessed and to date, most-free nation in the world, we are still just sojourners passing through this earthly life. While we are ever-thankful for God's sovereign hand of grace and mercy on our nation, we remain mindful that we are not, first and foremost, Americans, but Ambassadors... of Christ. Our short life on this planet is but a vapor and ultimately, our true and eternal citizenship is in heaven! (f) (g) (h)
How we live.
As we walk out this on-the-job-training for eternity, we must guard our hearts, lest we become enamored or envious of those who put all their stock in this temporal life. "Keeping up with the Jones'" is a dead-end, counterintuitive to the character of Christ. He warns us that the not-yet-saved are often more faithful and diligent to their materialistic paradigm of success than we are to His plan for our authentic and never-ending spiritual prosperity. (i) (j) (k) (l)
What we live for.
Do our daily lives radiate with zeal for the Great Commission? Our individual gifts or callings should ultimately connect to this "ground zero" assignment. The shaking of visible economic foundations gives us an unprecedented opportunity to shake the invisible spiritual foundations in others, that we might reap the greatest harvest from the ripest fields for generations to come. (m) (n) (o)
WE THE PEOPLE are trillions in debt, but WE, THE PEOPLE OF GOD have our debt paid in full!
Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.
But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
(Isaiah 53:4-5)
ALMIGHTY GOD, we come before You greatly humbled. We confess that the current economic and political crises in our nation have held sway over our hearts... hearts which belong to You alone. We have allowed the torment of fear to intimidate us, dampening our zeal and even embezzling our gifts and resources. We profess that as Your Spirit-filled sons and daughters that we are well-able to overcome this strongman of fear, that we might perform Your will to new and glorious heights, exceedingly abundantly beyond our greatest dreams. Once again, we exchange our anxious hearts for Your perfect peace. We thank You that You make all things new. In the name of the Jesus, AMEN.
Thank you for your love and support. It means so much to Deanna and me.
Your brother in His all-sufficient grace,
Tom
P.S. Starting this summer... the NEXT 10,000 miles of prayerwalks begin ... stay tuned... |
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SCRIPTURE FOOTNOTES
(a) Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
(b) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18)
(c) Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the Lord of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field," Says the Lord of hosts; "And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land," Says the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 3:10-12)
(d) For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)
(e) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
(f) Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. (1 Peter 2:11-12)
(g) Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)
(h) For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. (Philippians 3:20-21)
(i) A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones. (Proverbs 14:30)
(j) Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the wicked; For there will be no prospect for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out. (Proverbs 24:19-20)
(k) For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. (James 3:16-17)
(l) ...For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. (Luke 16:8)
(m) And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:15-16)
(n) Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! (John 4:35)
(o) Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 2:20-21)
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