God gives the increase!

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord. We thank God for His goodness, His faithfulness, His joy, peace, and the salvation of our souls. We thank Him because we can be labourers in His vineyard.

Primary Text

“What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Ministering servants [not heads of parties] through whom you believed, even as the Lord appointed to each his task: I planted, Apollos watered, but God [all the while] was making it grow and [He] gave the increase.” 1 Corinthians 3v5-6 (AMP)

We are able to say something is fruitful, when we see the fruit that comes out of it. I like this verse that makes us know that it is God who brings the increase, who causes people to grow. He can use us His children and servants as instruments who plant the seed in the lives of people, who water it, but He is the one who brings the increase, causing it to grow. Psalm 127v1 (KJV) telling us “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” It is all about God. Ministers of God can easily fall into pride and think they are the ones that are making things happening, causing prayers to be answered. But it’s not about us at all now is it? Personalizing 1 Corinthians 3v5-6 (NLT) is a good way to put things into perspective: “After all, who is (your name)? Who is (…)? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and (…) watered it, but it was God who made it grow.” Hallelujah.

Supplementary Text

“It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3v7-9 (NLT).

Prayer

Father, we thank You so much for Your Word. We thank You for You are the One who brings increase and growth to every seed that has been planted and watered. We declare according to Your Word that no flesh should glory in Your presence. Be glorified in and through us forever and ever in Jesus name we pray with thanksgiving, amen.