Weekly Macro Minute

Larry Briley authored this issue’s devotional. He served the Lord alongside his wife, Shirley, for 25 years.

At 33, I didn’t know anything about Jesus, God, the Bible or church. I had a wife and six kids, worked in the oilfields and made good money, but I wasn’t a good husband or dad. Life was all about me. I was lost.

One day, I was injured on a drilling rig and was off work for a while. Late at night, I started watching Christian programs on TV, hiding it from my family because I thought it made me look weak. I was depressed and hopeless. But through those programs, God began to convict my heart. I saw something in those testimonies that I wanted, but I didn’t know how to be saved.

One Sunday, I drove to a small church, planning to ask about Jesus. I sat in my car the whole service, too nervous to go in. Meanwhile, my boys went to church with my brother and sister-in-law. Later, one of my sons told me the preacher was coming to see me.

A couple of nights later, we were eating supper when that preacher knocked on the door. We talked, and he told me my son had accepted Jesus. Inside, I thought, “What about me?” Then he asked, “Larry, have you ever done that?” I said no, and he asked if he could read some Scriptures. He opened his Bible and read, “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 6:23 (NKJV). Then he read, “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” Romans 10:9 (NKJV). I told him I believed. Right there at the dinner table with all present, I knelt and prayed to God, accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord. It was like a million pounds lifted off me.

I told him, “God saved me for something, but I don’t know what.” He said, “When he wants you to know, he’ll tell you.” A year later, I surrendered to preaching God’s Word. Since then, God has opened doors—revivals in Oklahoma, Arizona and Texas; crusades in Argentina, Romania, the Philippines, Guyana and Guatemala; prison ministry; and pastoring churches, including FBC Moran since 2018.

I’ve served as a bivocational pastor all these years. In 2025, at 74, I was laid off. Thanks to Mission:Dignity, I can keep pastoring and retire. My wife, Shirley, and I thank God for this ministry. People ask how many I’ve led to the Lord. Truthfully, I don’t know. It wasn’t me; it was God using an old oilfield worker to touch lives in a mighty way.

Who in your life needs to hear about Jesus?

Equities finish higher despite tightening concerns

• U.S. equities posted modest gains, with the S&P 500^® rising 0.1% and the Russell 2000^® also advancing 0.1%.
• Investor sentiment remained cautious as stronger-than-expected labor data reinforced expectations for tighter monetary policy.
• Higher oil prices added to inflation concerns throughout the week.

Yields continue to move higher

• Treasury yields rose across the curve as markets increased expectations for a September rate hike.
• The 2-year Treasury yield finished at 4.37%, while the 10-year ended the week at 4.78%.
• Futures markets increased the implied probability of a September Fed rate hike following the employment report.

Oil surges on geopolitical tensions

• WTI crude climbed 8% to $91.35 per barrel.
• Renewed military exchanges between the U.S. and Iran increased concerns about Middle East energy supplies and global shipping routes.
• Rising oil prices contributed to renewed inflation worries.

European equities pressured by energy costs

• European stocks declined as rising energy prices pushed interest rates higher.
• Retail sales weakened while producer prices increased sharply due to higher energy costs.

Japan faces rising rate expectations

• Japanese equities moved lower as investors anticipated additional Bank of Japan tightening.
• Government bond yields reached their highest levels in decades before moderating later in the week.
• The yen strengthened as expectations for higher rates increased.

China remains soft

• Chinese equities declined as momentum in AI-related shares faded.
• Manufacturing conditions improved modestly but remained in contraction territory.
• Service-sector activity weakened to its lowest level since late 2022.

Payrolls surprise to the upside

• August nonfarm payrolls increased by 162,000, substantially above expectations.
• The unemployment rate remained at 4.1%, while labor-force participation increased to 61.6%.
• Revisions added 55,000 jobs to prior months, challenging concerns about a weakening labor market.

Labor data sends mixed signals

• ADP private payroll growth came in below expectations, while job openings also missed estimates.
• Initial jobless claims remained relatively stable at 206,000, suggesting limited layoffs.

Business activity remains resilient

• Manufacturing activity expanded for an eighth consecutive month.
• Services activity improved during August.
• Price measures remained elevated, highlighting ongoing inflation pressures throughout the economy.