Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Today we’ll focus on appreciating that we are not alone in serving God.

In today’s scripture, 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 (KJV), the Apostle Paul wrote…
[6] I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. [7] So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. [8] Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. [9] For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.

Consider…
It’s easy to get fixated on our contributions to an organization, project or family. At times it can feel like we’re the only one doing anything or at least like we’re part of the 20% that’s doing 80% of the work.

One story that epitomizes our feelings at times, is Martha and Mary. Recall Martha was busy preparing for Jesus’ visit to her home, whereas Mary simply sat with Him, when He arrived. This caused Martha to complain in Luke 10:40 (ERV)…
[40] But her sister Martha was busy doing all the work that had to be done. Martha went in and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

I imagine many leaders make the same complaint to the Lord. I envision a prayer like, Lord You know what we’re trying to do, please make the congregation help.

However, I humbly submit there are two flaws in that thinking.

• God uses what we individually offer Him, not the multitude. I refer you to two fish and five loaves of bread from one little boy. (John 6:9-13)
• And, we are justified by faith, not works. I refer you to Galatians 2:16. God responds to our faith, not our actions. Think about the number of times Jesus said, your faith has made you well or healed. (See Luke 8:48 & Luke 17:19 for examples).

…The Holy Spirit is highlighting one major difference between the world and God. That difference is that the world says do something, whereas God says trust me.

James 2:18 (ERV) explains the faith and works dynamic. James wrote…
[18] But someone might argue, “Some people have faith, and others have good works.” My answer would be that you can’t show me your faith if you don’t do anything. But I will show you my faith by the good I do.

Sometimes we can become so obsessed doing things to prove ourselves to God, that we miss the simple fact that without faith it’s impossible to please. (Hebrews 11:6) Thus, He wants us to do good things because we trust Him not because we’re trying to convince Him to trust us.

Recently I heard Evangelist Joyce Meyers share a transformational truth. She said, “God will always give us what He wants us to do for Him. For example, He makes us righteous so that we can live rightly.”

2 Peter 1:3-4 (ERV) explains…
[3] Jesus has the power of God. And his power has given us everything we need to live a life devoted to God. We have these things because we know him. Jesus chose us by his glory and goodness, [4] through which he also gave us the very great and rich gifts that he promised us. With these gifts you can share in being like God. And so you will escape the ruin that comes to people in the world because of the evil things they want.

It’s imperative that we always remember that Jesus is the strength of our life and source of our strength (shout out to Richard Smallwood’s ‘Total Praise’).

So the next time you feel compelled to complain to God about all that you singularly do for Him, I caution you to remember Jesus’ admonition to Martha in Luke 10:41-42 (ERV)…
[41] But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are getting worried and upset about too many things. [42] Only one thing is important. Mary has made the right choice, and it will never be taken away from her.”

I am also reminded of Peter’s complaint about being singled out by Jesus to glorify God by dying an excruciating death in John 21:19-22 (ERV)…
[19] (Jesus said this to show how Peter would die to give glory to God.) Then he said to Peter, “Follow me!” [20] Peter turned and saw the follower Jesus loved very much walking behind them. (This was the follower who had leaned against Jesus at the supper and said, “Lord, who is it that will hand you over?”) [21] When Peter saw him behind them, he asked Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” [22] Jesus answered, “Maybe I want him to live until I come. That should not matter to you. You follow me!”

Jesus is still telling us to do what I told you to do.

Lastly, the Holy Spirit gave me the following story about Elijah, as a reminder that we’re not alone in serving Him. 1 Kings 19:13-18 (NLT) says…
[13] When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” [14] He replied again, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” [15] Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. [16] Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet. [17] Anyone who escapes from Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and those who escape Jehu will be killed by Elisha! [18] Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!”

The Holy Spirit is admonishing us to stop comparing and complaining, and instead focus on showing your faith by doing the good things that He has programmed and planned for you to do.

God wants us to work in unity with others, not in comparison. The Holy Spirit gave me 1 Corinthians 12:25-27 (ERV) to drive home this expectation. The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write…
[25] God did this so that our body would not be divided. God wanted the different parts to care the same for each other. [26] If one part of the body suffers, then all the other parts suffer with it. Or if one part is honored, then all the other parts share its honor. [27] All of you together are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of that body.

Christ has one body that we are simply a part of. Therefore appreciate and honor, rather than compare and complain about, the other parts while doing the part that God has blessed and allowed you to do.

Today’s Song is…
Comparison Kills

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)