The Year of The Lord's Favor

So, this year at our annual Elder Retreat God showed us that our focus for 2009 would be Luke 4:19- "To proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." The funny thing about this is that it was about 3 months before all of the "recession/depression" talk hit the air waves.

Today I was with a group of pastors who meet in Richmond once a month called the Innovative Church Network. I was introduced to this group a couple of months ago, and look forward to continuing to grow in my involvement with this encouraging group of pastors from around the state. Well anyway, this months topic was about how to fund growing ministries in a declining economy.

Everyone is facing an increase in need and a decrease in resources. So what are we supposed to do about it as followers of Christ? Why on earth did God speak to our heart to spend 2009 proclaiming the year of the Lords favor in the midst of a financial crisis like America hasn't seen in most of our lifetimes?

Because he is still on the throne and his promises extend beyond any economy, any crisis, and market shift, and any political landscape! That's why!

Today I heard a lot of ideas about how churches can respond to the shift in the economy and how it is impacting the offerings. As I listened I considered the fact that two weeks ago, during a sermon series about expressing our faith at work (not a stewardship Sunday or sermon series about money) Freedom Life had one of its biggest offerings ever. It wasn't planned. It wasn't sought after. It just happened. I believe this is the reality of standing on the promises of God.

There is no need to worry, no way to plan. Just rest on God's promises and practice the principles of reaping and sowing. As long as our church does this, we have nothing to be concerned about because God is the one who is left in charge of our bills. As long as I do this, I have nothing to worry about, because God is the one who is left in charge of my bills.

So how do we respond to the economic downturn? I believe we bust out the checkbook and purpose ourselves to give even more! That's my two cents (cheesy pun intended).

Some people call that prosperity theology. Some people call it the "American Gospel." Whatever. I call it a Biblical principle found all over the Bible! The spiritual law of reaping and sowing. I call it gas lasting longer, and the fridge having food in it. I call it freedom from financial turmoil and debt. I call it the best retirement plan on this planet. I call it moving from glory to glory through the blessings of a Daddy who owns cattle on a thousand hills!

Why? So that we can be "the lender and not the borrower" during these difficult times. So we can "give to each as they had need." So we can be a source of encouragement and strength to so many who are searching during this "crisis." So we can be a witness of unprecedented generosity during this countries greatest hour of need. So we can get over ourselves and use our blessings to be a REAL blessing to others so that they would, "see our good deeds and praise our Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

That, I believe, is a way to Proclaim the Year of the Lord's Favor in the midst of the Nations Crisis. It starts with us getting over ourselves, it is empowered by us getting on God's economy plan, and it is carried out by us offering the blessings we receive to those in need!

OK, gotta go check my stocks on yahoo now, bye....just kidding :)