Recession, Depression, what do you do?
I havent blogged in a while but I have some thoughts on the current events regarding the economy. Check out this scripture…
Gen. 26:1-3 Now a severe famine struck the land, as had happened before in Abraham’s time. So Isaac moved to Gerar, where Abimelech, king of the Philistines, lived. The LORD appeared to him there and said, “Do not go to Egypt. Do as I say, and stay here in this land. If you do, I will be with you and bless you. I will give all this land to you and your descendants, just as I solemnly promised Abraham, your father.
I want to preach on this before the end of November if I can work it in. This will be the preview. Notice this verse starts off with the word severe. In these days recession-depression didn’t mean having to forgo your dining out times, or cutting down on your grocery bill or even living in a smaller house, or worse an apartment…It meant survival. Notice also on how the Bible compares it to a past “bad experience.” Im sure Isaac heard the stories of the “great depression” his dad went through much like my 88 year old Aunt tells me of the great depression she lived through in the 1930’s. Now Isaac wakes up and it isn’t a bed time story his dad shared with him or some story out of a history book but he is living it! But notice what happens, God steps in speaks and begins to give Isaac some direction. How important is it to hear God’s voice in tough times? How important is it for us to get nearer to God when things get tougher? I’ll give you the punch line. In a time of famine, In time of fear, watch what the wisdom of God does for Isaac…
Gen. 26:12-16 Now Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. And the LORD blessed him, and the man became rich, and continued to grow richer until he became very wealthy; for he had possessions of flocks and herds and a great household, so that the Philistines envied him. Now all the wells which his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines stopped up by filling them with earth. Then Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are too powerful for us.”
In a land filed with recession-depression, the Bible caused Isaac to prosper so much that those around him began to envy him. He became powerful when everyone else was becoming weak. How? By simply hearing the word of the Lord, walking in his word, and experiencing his blessing. I don’t have a crystal ball that tells me the future, I don’t know what tomorrow holds but I do know that no matter what the stock market does or what my paycheck is God is on the throne and he will see us through whatever life throws our way. So to that I say press in to God, pray more & give more. Lets put our faith in God who is able to prosper us no matter what the situation.
C3 Coming to Malta, NY (Ed & Lisa Young)
This Monday we are bringing our entire pastoral staff to Northwaychurch.tv for Ed Young Jr’s C3 Conference. Buddy Cremeans is the pastor there and is becoming a great friend of mine. I appreciate it so much when the body of Christ can come together and learn from each other. Many people have come and visited our children’s center in the past few weeks. It has been awesome to see the data of first time visitors that are coming and checking it out. I have to say that Ed Young Jr and Fellowship Church have been a HUGE inspiration in us doing what we did. He made a statement on his Leadership Uncensored CD one time that stuck with me. He said when kids come to church they typically have a neutral or negative experience, it is our responsibility to give them the best positive experience they can have. As a kid who grew up in the church, I whole-heartedly concur. I have learned so much from Ed over the years, but what I appreciate most it he fans the flames of evangelism in my heart, which in turn translates into our church. The great thing about Monday is it is one day and it’s not to late to register. If you are interested and you can make it, GET THERE. Cancel something if you have to. It’s going to be a great time!
Congratulations Mount Zion!
It looks like Mount Zion has officially broke the 1000 barrier (Utica-Rome campus). Since the grand opening of our kids center and the official end of summer we have had record attendance. Great Job Uptown! Great job Pastor Sam Their average weekend was about 150 kids, this week they had 217! Thats almost 50% increase in just three weeks. We use fellowship one to track numbers as well and it showed us we had 22 new families visiting the church this weekend! WOW! We kicked off Servolution this week and it seems people are more excited than ever about this new series. I cant wait to see what God does!
