G-20 Summit

All eyes interested and concerned about the current global economic issues will be directed to our own Steel City on September 24-25. Appropriately, leaders of the top twenty economic nations of our world will gather for discussion, planning, and collaboration on next steps in dealing with the financial challenges now being faced.

There are three points I would like to make on this blog.

First, prayer for our leaders is called for in Scripture and this provides an opportunity to exercise the God-given mandate around a specific issue that has very practical implications. If we as believers can't be motivated to pray for our President and other leaders of the world during this event, I doubt much short of a threat of war or terrorist attacks will prompt us to action. Therefore, I encourage us to take some time on these two days to petition the Lord for protection, wisdom, and His favor during these gatherings. These leaders may or may not seek the Lord's guidance, but we can pray for that for them regardless.

Second, a reminder is in order that the kingdom of God is not dependent on the economic conditions of the world. While we all realize that fact, we sometimes allow the news media's reports to give far to much influence on the way we think of our work and service for the Kingdom of God. Nations rise and fall, but the promise of our Lord remains that He will build His Church.

Third, when was the last time your family had an economic summit? Perhaps I could ask it this way: Is your financial house in order? Finances are tough for many in our nation and that is true for those of us in ministry as well as those in secular employment. Do all you can to eliminate debt. Credit card debt is the worst method of financing family needs. We must all take personal responsibility for our finances. If we want God's favor on our finances, we should be Scriptural and give the Lord our best, not our left overs.

May God grant His blessing and favor as we seek first His Kingdom. He will add all these other things to us as well.

Jesus, Others, You

As a child, we were given the real definition of joy; Jesus, Others, and You. What a wonderful way to spell joy!

It seems the older one gets the more significant those early lessons of life become. Simply put, when life is all about our own issues, concerns, even interests and passions, we easily become focused on self. It doesn't seem that way at first because we are so taken with the important issues close at hand that we loose sight of what is really important. Our goals, ambitions, even calling from God drive us to activity, efforts and they capture our attention. In our maturity, we easily 'grow' past the weightier issues in our walk with Him.

I am not advocating an anti-intellectual approach to our walk with Christ. I do not believe the Lord wants us to put our brain on a shelf and not use it, after all, we are called to love the Lord with alll our heart, soul, mind, and strength. However, over thinking, analyzing, complicating the simplicity of Christ we can forfeit the joy of the Lord that is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

Maybe it is time to return to the definition of joy. Rather than trying to find joy in what we do, even what we do for the Lord, it is time to get back to the relationship that really matters. Rather than being so busy for the Lord, take the time to be with the Lord. Let your joy be restored and with it you will find your strength will be restored as well.