Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- March 1, 2012
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:9-10
The Kingdom of God is recession proof, because the economy of God is based on the character of God. His commerce is not measured by man’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product), but by God’s Divine Provision. As we pray, “Your kingdom come”, our concern with productivity will be surpassed by the acceleration of His kingdom. God gains momentum, as man gets his eye off his earthly kingdom and onto the Kingdom of Heaven. Economic decline and distress are opportunities for God’s global advancement.
Indeed, Christ’s influence is counter-intuitive to a culture caught up in commerce, only to see its net worth evaporate into the thin air of materialism. Our fiscal slowdown is a prime time for the Lord’s Prayer to be answered, as it speeds up His kingdom’s progress. The gospel of Christ goes forth in prosperous periods, but it is especially appealing during difficult days. Don’t waste a recession; it is reason to reach out and represent Jesus well.
“Now therefore, our God, the great God, mighty and awesome, who keeps his covenant of love, do not let all this hardship seem trifling in your eyes—the hardship that has come on us, on our kings and leaders, on our priests and prophets, on our ancestors and all your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until today.” Nehemiah 9:32
Recessionary days are the right time for you to make things right in relationships. Reach out to those who, for whatever reason, are disconnected and distant. They may have been humbled by horrific financial failings, but now they are open to forgiveness and faith. Be the hands and feet of Jesus; go to them with a listening ear and caring heart. Christians were created to care during seasons of suffering. Perhaps you invite a loved one to live in your home. Consider a Bible study at work over lunch, to study God’s perspective in the wise management of money.
Feed the poor, care for the sick, connect the unemployed, be a generous giver, and all the while share Christ’s gospel of repentance and faith. Use this time of discomfort to bring comfort, and pray for those in pain to be healed. Above all else, invite and introduce to Jesus, those who have a fresh interest in heaven’s agenda. The Kingdom of God is robust, reassuring, and resourceful during recessionary days. Thus, reach out to the weary for rest.
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2, NASB).
Who has been displaced and discouraged in economic down times that I can reach out to on Christ’s behalf?
Related Readings: Daniel 7:13-27; Zechariah 9:9; Colossians 1:9-13; Hebrews 10:7-36
Post/Tweet this today: Christians were created to care during seasons of suffering. #care
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This is soo good! THANK YOU for posting!
Saint Boyd,
Since it is March 2 in Australia, I want to say God is seeing you though the cancer today. He has done this for me in 1994, when I had kidney cancer.
His purposes are like trying to explain the space station to our relatives when
they passed through Norcross, going west in a wooden wagon, in the 1700’s.
All said, your far from alone and most victorious, in this whole path of what we call “now”.
Maybe the book by Mike Mason, “The Gospel according to Job” will expand the picture for us both, even more.
Paul wrote, Jesus is all wisdom and maybe we are among the wisdom”found.”
Your position and writings are an encouragement to me. Carry on,
James Hicks
Please don’t forget the missionaries that maybe back in the states.
http://www.baptisttranslators.com/
My Cambodia family: The Schnell’s They have done some exciting work!
Some very wise thoughts for us ALL to take to heart! Always enjoy Wisdom Hunters!
Blessings
Great perspective on looking at the ups and downs of life as “opportunities for the Kingdom of God.”