DAY EIGHT: Tuesday
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. (Phil. 1:27-28 ESV)
United you stand. Divided you fall.
It really is that simple. It sounds like an overused cliche. But it’s still true.
You’ve got to stand with others. Or you’ll fall by yourself.
The only way you’ll defeat the Enemy is by being part of a team. Putting aside what’s good for you for what’s good for the group. Sacrificing your goals for the team’s goals. You need others. And they need you.
Your family is one of those teams. Stand together. Work together. Serve together. Encourage each other. Support one another. Pray for each other.
Your small group is one of those teams. Stand together. Work together. Serve together. Encourage each other. Support one another. Pray for each other.
That little band you serve with, work with, or volunteer with is one of those teams. Stand together. Work together. Serve together. Encourage each other. Support one another. Pray for each other.
And your church is one of those teams. Oh how you need your church! And oh how your church needs you! Stand together. Work together. Serve together. Encourage each other. Support one another. Pray for each other.
Those who stand against me and my mission may be able to knock down you or someone like you. But they can’t hold back the whole group. They can’t defeat the entire team.
Every time they see you lining up with your group, they quake in their boots. Because they know your united community means the end to to their unwanted calamity.
Sure, every now and then, God works through a Lone Ranger. But that’s not the norm. Even Moses had his Aaron. Even David had his Jonathan. And Jesus–he had a whole roster!
So stop trying to do this all on your own. Stop cutting others out. Start inviting more people into your life and your ministry. Look for ways to involve others in doing life and mission together. Start today.
And start rooting out anything that’s going to divide you from those you serve with. Don’t let anything get in between you and those around you. Do whatever it takes to stay together. Start today.
Grace and peace,
Jesus
