Ephesians 6:12-13 (New King James Version): For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
I wrestled in Jr. High and my sophomore year of High School. I can tell you that the most physically tired I have ever been, was not in the Marine Corps, it was on a wrestling mat. I actually won the match, but to do so I had to hang on to my very tall opponent and not let him break free of my hold. When it was over, I could barely draw a breath! I was completely exhausted, spent…done.
The same is true in the Spiritual realm. We have been in a long and grueling wrestling match for the last few years. Don’t give up! Don’t give in! Don’t let go! We are going to win!!!! As we said at the beginning of the year, we are going to get everything we can possibly get out of this year regardless of the circumstances. Amen?
I was very excited about the Soup and Sandwich Fellowship. It felt like we were reclaiming something the enemy has tried to take from us. With that in mind, I am looking forward to the Valentine's Day Banquet on the 16th of February and even to the Chili Cook-Off on March 21st. Anytime we gather for Fellowship, we win! Sign-up for the Banquet is located on the bulletin board in the hallway of the church. The Chili Cook-Off sign-up will be available in mid-February.
We are already planning for the Easter Resurrection Eggstravaganza, annual community outreach. Please see Joni Roubion or me if you would like to be involved! We will need a lot of help! Also, there will be Fellowship opportunities in the form of Church Workdays and
Community Garden preparation and planting. Please be looking for announcements for those events.
God is moving in our church. We are growing. As we grow, let us keep in mind that we are growing so we can make a greater impact on the Kingdom in our community and the world. Growth is not the goal, growth helps us better strive for the goal, which is sharing the gospel and the love of Jesus with everyone we can!!!
It may feel sometimes like we are losing the wrestling match. We are not.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
God bless, Pastor Rob