Tag: faith-and-worldly-influencers

1 Corinthians 3:5-15 Christian Standard Bible

The Role of God’s Servants

⁵ What then is Apollos? What is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given. ⁶ I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. ⁷ So, then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. ⁸ Now he who plants and he who waters are one,^[a] and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.  ⁹ For we are God’s coworkers.^[b] You are God’s field, God’s building.

¹⁰ According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder,^[c] and another builds on it. But each one is to be careful how he builds on it. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, ¹³ each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. ¹⁴ If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience^[d] loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire.

Word of God for the Children of God

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

I have often found that seeds are easier to grow in gardens than transplanted flowers.

One would think that the already growing plant would be simpler to add––dig a hole and pop the seed into the desired spot.

Yet when I tried to plant trays of marigolds, the small flowers quickly began to struggle.

The changes in soil, sun, and surrounding plants were too overwhelming for the young flowers.

Eventually, the leaves withered along with the petals. 

How much different when I sowed seeds!

Though preparing the soil bed required more work and planting the seeds took extra time, the result was worth the effort.

Not only did the flowers grow and survive, but they thrived.

Large, colorful blooms.

Greater height.

Fuller leaf growth made the patch of garden resemble a meadow.

Of course, there is a time to use transplanted flowers, and they can do well in the right circumstances, but some plants do poorly when transplanted.

Just because a route is easier does not always mean it is best. 

The same is true in our spiritual lives.

We can easily assume the best way to grow spiritually is through a premade, transplanted faith––one imported from the life of someone we admire.

We draw on their experiences, practices, and insights rather than prioritizing personal time with the Lord.

In Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth, he noted that many of the believers had formed separate sects based on who they wanted to follow, whether Paul, Cephas (Peter), or Apollos (1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4).

Christians today can do the same thing, aligning themselves with a particular teacher, pastor, author, or social media influencer.   

Yet, Paul warned them, of placing too much emphasis on human workers.

Paul, Apollos, and Cephas had merely been faithful in the task God had given them in spreading the gospel and discipling believers.

The Lord was the One who was ultimately responsible for any growth.

And none of the workers, us included, could replace the most important part: the foundation of faith, Jesus’ life, death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 3:11). 

We may admire certain preachers, teachers and media influencers online and maybe even find that many of their insights and suggested practices helpful.

However, if we should rely only on the second-hand nourishment of the faith of others, our growth will look more like withered marigolds than healthy blooms.

We need a deep rootedness in Christ to properly grow.

For it is He who died to give us life, and it is only in Him that we can truly boast (1 Corinthians 1:28-31).

Nothing can, nor will, replace a strong, personal relationship with Him. 

God loves us enough to meet us where we are, and loves us too much to leave us there. ​Growing in God’s grace is a lifelong journey.

Several important foundational points to ponder and pray over:

1. Following Jesus isn’t merely a one time decision but a way of life intended to change us from the inside out.  
2. God heals and empowers us to increasingly love others the way that God has loved us in Jesus, and in the process we are transformed into the image of Christ and made a new creation.
3. Following Jesus daily, we grow into deeper levels of love for God and neighbor, which changes the orientation of our hearts and how our soul sees the world.  
4. How have you defined your identity in Christ?
5. What steps can you take to deepen your spiritual roots this week?
6. In what ways can you reflect Christ’s teachings in your daily actions?
7. Pray for guidance to understand and embrace your identity in Christ fully.
8. Ask God to help you remain rooted in His word and teachings. Examine your daily routine: Are there moments where you can connect more deeply with God?
9. How can you make abiding in Christ a non-negotiable priority each day?
10. Reflect on a time when staying connected to God changed the outcome of a situation for you.
11. Pray for the ability to remain steadfast in Him, especially when facing challenges.
12. Ask for opportunities to encounter God’s presence in new and transformative ways this week. How do you view the concept of grace in your personal faith journey?
13. What are some areas where you can let go of the need for perfection and rely on God’s grace?
14. Reflect on how salvation has transformed your outlook on life and your relationship with God.
15. Thank God for the gift of grace and salvation, asking for continued understanding of its impact.
16. Pray for wisdom to let go of self-reliance and embracing God’s grace more fully. Parts of “old self” need to be jettisoned to embrace the new creation?
17. Reflect on how you can manifest this transformation in your daily life and interactions with others.
18. How can you nurture the new creation you’ve become in Christ?
19. Pray for strength to let go of old habits and embrace your new identity in Christ.
20. Ask for God’s guidance in manifesting the change within you in a way that glorifies Him.
21. How can you incorporate a regular practice of gratitude into your daily routine?
22. What are some specific blessings you can give thanks for this week?
23. Reflect on how gratitude has influenced your outlook on life and your growing relationship with others.
24. Pray for a grateful heart and ask God to reveal new blessings to you each day.
25. Offer prayers of thanksgiving for the specific ways God has impacted your life and the lives of those around you.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.….

Praying ….

Psalm 20

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

¹ The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble;
the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
² send thee help from the sanctuary,
and strengthen thee out of Zion;
³ remember all thy offerings,
and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.
⁴ Grant thee according to thine own heart,
and fulfil all thy counsel.
⁵ We will rejoice in thy salvation,
and in the name of our God we will set up our banners:
the Lord fulfil all thy petitions.

⁶ Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed;
he will hear him from his holy heaven
with the saving strength of his right hand.
⁷ Some trust in chariots, and some in horses:
but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
⁸ They are brought down and fallen:
but we are risen, and stand upright.
⁹ Save, Lord: let the king hear us when we call.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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