February 14, 2021 ALWAYS ABOUNDING
1 Corinthians 15:57-58 “but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”
In the day in which we live with the seemingly never ending pandemic, plus all of the other troubles we face, we may find ourselves more in the survival mode than in the abounding mode. Perhaps the difficult times are the testing or proving grounds that reveal our level of faith and trust in God and the principles of His kingdom. As so often is the case, the scriptures present a clear distinction in ways of the world and the ways of God. No doubt, many believers feel as though they have one foot in the kingdom of God and one foot in the kingdom of the world. (I personally believe the next awakening will be fueled by believers discovering their true identity in the Lord and what it means to be living in the kingdom of God on this earth.) No matter our present circumstances, Jesus has made it possible for us to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” As believes, our perspective in life is critical; how we view our circumstances sets the stage for action or inaction. Have we concluded, perhaps subconsciencly, that we are helpless and that we can have little impact on the world in which we live? In the natural, things do look pretty bleak. BUT, as children of God, we can live in hope and confidence, knowing that God is ruling and working all things for His purposes! In fact, in the midst of trials and difficulties, we find golden opportunities to be about being light in the darkness, pointing people to the awesome God we serve. We all know that it is in the tough times, in the trials, that we experience spiritual growth. So-we are not called to have a survival mindset, but to always abound in the work of the Lord. And yes, we are all ministers; each of us have been giving assignments form God and have been equipped to carry out those assignments. We may be called to preach to thousands or go to a foreign mission field, OR we may be called to help a neighbor who is need. In His kingdom, it’s all the same; whether our mission is grand and glorious, or not even on the radar screen or seen by anyone, God is pleased and we all get the same reward. May we realize that we have been given the victory through Jesus Christ; we are victorious! The grand news is that you and I can rise above the current difficulties in which we find ourselves and can be those who reflect the love and care of God, displacing the darkness with the light of God. We are not called to sit back and watch, but are called to be a people who are engaged in the things of the Lord. May we always be abounding in His work.
2 Corinthians 2:14 “But thanks be unto God, who always leadeth us in triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest through us the savor of His knowledge in every place.”
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
Titus 2:7b “that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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