Dear Lord, You know the kind of day I’ve had today, filled with rejoicing in Your good works and protection yet filled with heart wrenching sadness. As I start this blog much later than I should, fill my heart and mind with what You and ONLY You want to say through me. Thank You my kind Father for already filling me with your peace. In the precious Name of Jesus I pray. Amen 1 Corinthians 3:6-11

New International Version (NIV)

6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

If you look at the title the NIV gives this section, its “The Church and It’s Leaders”. I back up to verse 1 to find out where the scripture for today is coming from. Paul writes, “Brothers and sister, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly - mere infants in Christ”. Ouch! Paul goes on in verse 2-5 proving the people are “worldly” because of their jealousy and quarreling among them and that the people follow mere humans in Paul and Apollo.

We viewed the training video on having Spiritual conversations from “Explore God” this past Sunday. Well verse 6 - 11 certainly supports how it should be done!!! I would bold “ONLY GOD” and how cool is it that we get to be co-workers in God’s service? It’s just a perfect match to that video.

Well, I know another near perfect match to these verses that God keeps speaking to me. I found out this afternoon that a dear friend, amember of POG, and a brother in Christ is now being “rewarded according to his labor” (verse 8) forevermore. He is rejoicing like never before, like we cannot imagine, in his true Home, with his Lord. My friend shared his journey of being that “co-worker in God’s service” with us in small group regularily. He humbly created a Bible Study class at work. He was that person they talked about in the video about people coming up to Christians asking them why they had the joy and hope they do - and he was ready with an answer! My friend did not live in this world, he lived in God’s Kingdom. He was a “wise builder” as Paul said he was in verse 10 and he knew it was only by the grace of God.

Thank You, our Dear, Dear Father for the true blessing of my friend, and while my heart is crushed, there is also a peace so real, knowing that he is Home with You. Lord, please protect and comfort his family and friends with Your Peace that passes all understanding. Father, I so want to be Your co-worker in service - please stop me in my tracks when I start acting “worldly”. Thank You Jesus that You “laid the one true foundation”. Take away ANY pride in me - this is so no way about me!!! In Jesus Name I pray. Amen

Please feel free to comment however the Spirit leads.

cindy