Jesus Christ our firm foundation

1 Corinthians 3:9-15

For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

What a way to conclude 2022.  In this scripture Paul brings it under our attention that what we do is important even though we do not earn our salvation with our works, we do build something in our lifetime.  We either build in vain or we build with eternal results.  Paul reminds us that what we build will be tested at the end of time and we will be rewarded for it should it be able to stand the test of time.  God's intention is to reward us for our building in His Kingdom and with Kingdom purpose.  He wants us to be successful therefore He has given us all we need to build with, we just need to unpack those treasures.  

Point to ponder:

• What did I build this year?  When the test comes will it stand, or will it be burned away?  
• What is on God's agenda for me to build next year?
• Let us put our focus on Jesus as our firm foundation for everything we build.  

Maybe this is a good place to end off this year and take some time to contemplate where, what and how are we led by the Holy Spirit to build next year.  Consequently, this will then be the last Monday devotions for 2022 and it will resume again in January 2023.  Thank you to everyone who have journeyed with me this year, may you have a blessed, restful, peaceful holiday season and with significant encounters with Jesus as we slowdown and have more time to spend with him and our loved ones.  

For those who continue to work and find this time of the year some of the busiest weeks of the year, may Jesus meet you equally significantly in spite of the business of this season.  May you experience his hand of calm presence on your shoulder and his closeness and guidance to bring you safely though this part of your 2022 journey.  

Keep well and I bless you with being enfolded in His safe presence.  

Gerda 

Our firm foundation - Maverick City

Becoming mature

1 Corinthians 3:1-8 

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal? 5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants, and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

In this week's scripture I can hear Paul say to the church today (should he have had the chance) - you are as childish as the Corinthians were - if not worse - because Paul's criteria here for childish behaviour are 'are there envy, strife and divisions amongst you?'  We sadly will have to admit that 2000 years after Paul wrote this to the Corinthians, we have not grown into any more maturity.  

Point to ponder:  Let us remind ourselves this week that we are a body, that some of us plant, some water, but ultimately none of that would be of any use if God did not give the increase.  In verse 8 Paul equates those who plant and those who water, stating that they are one - in other words, of equal value, importance or actually of equal non-importance.  Let us give God the glory for the fruit of the increase rather than trying to be more important than another while we are supposed to be one body!

Let us ask God to increase our spiritual maturity so that we can receive solid food and not just survive on spiritual milk all the time.  

One People  - Philippa Hannah