Duration 4 Weeks
Stagflation. That made up word was first used in 1965 in the British Parliament to talk about the double whammy of rising inflation costs coupled with stagnant wages. As many today use that same term to describe the conundrum we experience in our own economy, as Christians, we put our trust not on economic forecasts or change in the GDP, but rather in that simple phrase that can be found on all of our currency, “In God We Trust.”
Since the Civil War, the motto, “In God We Trust”, was added to U.S. coins as a reminder of what remained important to us even as this country went through turmoil. With the political and economic uncertainty today, we do well to remember that as nations and economies rise and fall, our generosity is based on the God who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Hebrews 13:5-9; John 1:1-5
When considering the security of your future, where do you place your faith? In the parables of the bigger barns, the wealthy man placed it on the abundance of his possessions. Unfortunately, in doing so, he neglected to see the scarcity of his soul.
1 Peter 1:22-25 (NIV); Luke 12:13-21 (NIV)
“Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus love and righteousness…” That beloved song is based on the story told of Jesus about a house built on rock instead of sand. The winds will fall and the water will rise, much like this economy, but the house that is built on Jesus as the rock is one built on hope.
Romans 5:1-5 (NIV); Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)
On this Reformation Sunday, we return back our theme, “In God We Trust,” as we remember Luther turning the hearts of believers away from putting their trust in human rites or tainted good works or good intentions. The only thing that we have that is our rock and our salvation is Christ and Christ Alone.
ohn 8:31-36 (NRSV); 1 Corinthians 1: 20-25 (NRSV)