Farming and Building

What a long day. Annette and I both got home around 7 pm and collapsed. I guess we need to take more vitamins.

We had a good cell this AM. Had some guys missing but the fellowship and study of God's Word was great. We are studying 1 Corinthians chapter by chapter. Today was on chapter three where the Apostle Paul writes about the Christian work compared to the work of a farmer and a builder. I like where Paul says no matter whether you plant or water there are many involved in the process but God gives the increase - not man. Many times we applaud and promote the leader who is present when the increase comes. But the truth is its a team effort. It takes people who God uses to prepare the heart to receive the word. Then, he uses people to do some weed-pulling sometimes and to remove rocks. Then, there are the sowers which often comes in many different forms - not just preaching on Sunday morning. Then, there's the nurturing or gardening which includes the watering. Finally, God gives the fruit (the increase) of which he often prunes so that we might be more fruitful. But thats not the end of the process. What happens to the seed in the fruit? We must take it and sow it and the process begins all over again.

Then, there's the builder. God uses us to sometime build the foundation of Christ in people's lives and sometimes to build on that foundation. But the end result is God building a temple for His Spirit to live in. God puts great value on us as a temple that belongs to Him. Matter of fact, He says if anyone destroy it, he will destroy them.

Read 1 Corinthians 3 for yourself. I know the Holy Spirit will minister to you!

Have a great Wednesday!

-Pastor