building relationship with God

1 Corinthians 3:7-8 – It All Starts with a Seed

“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.” (1 Corinthians 3:7-8)

We often hear people say they “brought someone else to faith.” These verses would suggest otherwise. We should not take credit for something God is doing, should we? Our job, then, is to plant seeds of faith or water them. It’s God’s work that grows those seeds and brings people to faith.

Context (1 Corinthians 3): Paul is teaching his audience about spiritual growth in this chapter. It’s a process that starts with first hearing the Word of God and then being nurtured as we learn more. As believers, we each have a job to do, and it isn’t we who deserve the glory or attention but God. Paul equates his ministry with laying a foundation of faith. It is on that foundation that we each become the temple of God, also described by Paul in this chapter. Continue reading “1 Corinthians 3:7-8 – It All Starts with a Seed”

Daniel 3:1-18 – Stand Firm

Read Daniel 3:1-18

King Nebuchadnezzar’s massive golden statue was as tall as the distance between bases on a baseball diamond and as wide as an alligator. It’s helpful to put the size into perspective, realizing what an “eyesore” this would have been. Especially for Daniel’s friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego!

Word of their refusal to worship the king’s golden idol reached the kings ears. Nebuchadnezzar became furious and sentenced these men to burn up in the furnace, just as he had warned would be the case for anyone who refused to worship the idol. Continue reading “Daniel 3:1-18 – Stand Firm”

2 Chronicles 23:12-21 – Bye-Bye Evil Queen

Read 2 Chronicles 23:12-21

With all the rejoicing underway, the evil queen was bound to realize some momentous occasion was happening in the temple. Before she could plot any sort of revenge, the priest, Jehoiada, had the queen removed from the festivities. Queen Athaliah met her demise that day, some distance away from the Temple.

How do you think the young king felt when he received so much attention? The Chronicler does a good job of describing the scene. It sounds like the people were fed up with the evil queen’s leadership. God had prepared their hearts to be ready for Jehoiada’s plan to play out. “Then Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and the king and the people that they would be the LORD’s people.” Note how the priest inserts himself into this covenant, it wasn’t just between the king and God. Jehoiada’s desire is clear. He wants to reinstate the godly kingship of David.