We Are In This Together

***This post was written by Pastor Robbie Ashlock***

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. -1 Corinthians 15:58  

I like the way that Eugene Peterson summarizes this passage in the Message translation, “With all this going for us, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.” What if this could become the battle cry for us during this season of our lives. Not with all this going against us, but with all this going for us!!!!  

Let’s try something.  Let’s each take a quick spiritual inventory of our life.  Whether we realize it or not, God has and is doing some amazing things in each of our lives.  He is at work in you and me making all things new.  God is always at work in our lives bringing glory to His name.  He will never leave us nor forsake us.  Take a few moments to list out a few things that God has revealed to you during this time. What is the evidence of God at work in your life?  What do you see Him doing?  
Now, remember even if you can’t see it, God is at work in your life!  God is love. He proved His love for us at Calvary. God the Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die in our place forever taking away the sting of death for those who believe in Him.  Sin no longer has power over those who are in Christ Jesus.  We are free!  Not only that, but He also sent the Holy Spirit to lead and strengthen us in every way.  We are not alone.  The power of the resurrection is the same power that now fills our lives. We are not the same.  Once you come face to face with who Jesus truly is and what He has done for you, you can never be the same.  This is our testimony, “I once was lost, but now I am found.”

Now, “with all this going for us,” with the love of God and the redeeming work of our Savior Jesus Christ at work in us, we can stand our ground.  Remember that in these times of struggle.  The same power that conquered the grave lives in you and it lives in me.  We are more than conquerors.  We have the Creator of the universe on our side.  Remember how much you are loved by God, enough to sacrifice the life of His precious Son for yours.  God’s love for us is motivated by who He is, not who we are. God’s love for us is perfect. Do everything you can to stay grounded in this truth.  

And don’t hold back in your service to the Lord.  He has placed a specific call on each of our lives.   “We were each chosen for a particular, cosmically important task that can be done by no one else.  We need to be diligent in listening to God’s voice calling us to that task-and in encouraging others to be similarly obedient.  But we won’t-we can’t-help others know they matter unless we first recognize how much God loves and chooses each of us.  And that’s a challenge we must face inside” –Christine Caine.  Be confident that you matter to God and that everything you do in His name and for His glory has worth to it.  

My prayer is that we would begin to remember all the things that we have going for us.  That we would call to mind in times of struggle, “That if God is for us who can be against us.”  We are not alone!  We have God and this body, the church, that God has specifically gathered together for His glory all of us.  Though we are more spatially and socially challenged at this time we are still  a FAMILY, living life together for the glory of God.  

I pray that we will remember how much we are loved.  I pray that we will do everything possible to stay grounded in Christ and to stand our ground holding nothing back, living fully for the glory of the Lord. May we run the race, not in vain, but with perseverance, the race that God has specifically laid out for each of us, individually and corporately.  

May we throw ourselves into the work of sharing the love and gospel of Christ with our city!  I pray that confidence would fill each of us and we would know that nothing we do for the glory of the Lord is a waste of time.  My prayer is and will always be that we would know that we are fully known and fully loved by God.  I pray that we would know and believe the truth of God, namely Jesus Christ.  That we would resolve in our hearts to live for Christ.   Continuing to be connected to other believers and active in the body of Christ.  Most of all, I pray that we would live our lives with intention for the glory of Jesus Christ our SAVIOR!!!

You are not alone, during this time we want to walk with you. You can contact us at 355.9100 or email me at [email protected].

Love you all, and keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Robbie

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