One of the hardest parts about Children's Ministry is that many times we don't see the fruit of our labor. Of course, there are those moments where a child thanks you for something or gives you a hug. There are even those incredible moments when a child looks at you and asks how they can be saved and you can lead them to Jesus. Most often though we teach children who seem more interested in being a ninja than listening to the Word of God, but regardless it is not us but God who gives the increase.

"So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will recieve his own reward according to his own labor." 1 Corinthians

Like with witnessing it is not a matter of the results but of obedience. We are called to proclaim the Gospel of Christ and teach it to the body of Christ. We do this regardless of the result.

I grew up in a strong Christian family attending Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem. I was taken to church from pre-school up to graduating high school everytime the doors were open (and was even there in school for awhile). During my time there I sat through hundreds of Sunday School lessons and took part in all sorts of church activities. In my middle school days I was a rebel and would cut up in class and often get taken out of the class and be made to sit in the hall because I was a distraction. During the times I was not in the hall I was disinterested and even angry at having to be there, but still God used the words spoken and the relationships with those teachers to plant seeds into my heart and mind that I can still remember to this day.

I say all that as an encouragement to each one of you. Some of you will plant, some will water, but it is God who gives the increase. Even on those days when we come in tired, frustrated, and feel inept we can have a peace knowing that it is not our fancy speech or keen insight that will do the trick...it is God's Word and His power which changes a life.

Be encourage for the Lord our God is with you!

"But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise..." 1 Corinthians 1:27a

This morning as I was finishing up reading 1 Corithians 1 I was once again humbled by verses 26-31. In short, these verse remind us that God is not interested in choosing the wise of this world or the strong. He is using the foolish and the weak of this world for His purpose.

In my economy this makes no sense. If I were in control I'd have the strongest, richest, most intelligent people in the world working for me. I'd have an army of body building Donald Trump's with nice hair and IQ's off the chart (now you see why I'm not in charge).

But this is not God's way...and I'm thankful for that.

God says that He uses the weak. He uses the foolish. He uses the poor. WHY?

"that no flesh should glory in His presence. (1:29)"

When God uses the lowly of this world for His purpose, He is glorified. When the weak proclaim the gospel it is not them who gains credit but God. When the uneducated of the world stand up and speak of the power of God and the salvation through the cross they are speaking greater wisdom than the highest scholar...because it is truth from the word of God. We see this in action in Acts 4 when Peter & John are speaking the truths of God and the response from the crowd was, "they realized that they had been with Jesus.(Acts 4:13)"

This is an amazing thing.

At the end of 1 Corinthians 1, Paul quotes from Jeremiah saying, "He who glories let Him glory in the Lord." Since we have nothing to ourselves and all that we have has been graciously given to us by a loving God...we can only boast in Him. The whole context of that Jeremiah quote is awesome, check it out:

“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; ²⁴ But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD. "

As we join together to serve the Lord let us constantly be reminded that we boast only in the Lord. The gifts, talents, abilities we have are only from Him and therefore we can only boast in what He has done for us. This is also an encouragement to us, that He would use those who are weak to proclaim the most important news of all time and confound those who are wise. (27-28)

My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.  Let not mercy and truth forsake you;  Bind them around your neck,  Write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him,  and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes;  Fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. Proverbs 3:1-8

Welcome to The Disciple Ship's, Captain's Log!