Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – June 15, 2016
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 1 Corinthians 3:6-7
Many things in life require a process. Pregnancy is typically a nine month process. Students (with grateful parents), graduate four years after beginning their undergraduate studies! Healthy dental hygiene is a two minute daily process of flossing and brushing. Boot camp is a ten week process of army basic training where recruits transform from civilians to soldiers. Farming is a seasonal process of plowing, planting, cultivating and harvesting. Maybe the most familiar is the lifetime relational process of growing in grace and love with family, friends and co-workers.
Paul uses agricultural imagery to illustrate the process of character development in Christ. He and Apollos were servants used by God to further His will. They were part of the Lord’s process, but their giftedness did not produce the results—the Spirit working through them bore the fruit. Instead of caring who received an allocated amount of credit—Paul and Apollos worked together for God’s greater mission. Their oneness of purpose galvanized and inspired those around them to work together and trust God with the right results. A Holy Spirit led process is totally reliable.
“For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law” (Galatians 5:17-18).
What are you facing that requires you not to strive, but to rest and trust the Lord is at work in and through the process? Maybe you are on hold, while someone else is deciding on whether to offer you a job or not. If this is not the job for you—God has something more suitable. Perhaps you are trying to get pregnant, but nothing so far. Why can’t you be blessed with a baby? You may be in a scary process—the outcomes are out of your control. Chronic worry only contributes to frustration and fear, while daily waiting on the Lord’s will to be revealed, grows a heart of peace.
How do you know if a process can be trusted? You can trust a proven process like discerning the best decision by prayer, scripture and wise counsel or the trusted process of Christ-centered pre-marital counseling to build a solid foundation for a lifetime of marriage. Thorough preparation for anything worthwhile is a smart expenditure of time, energy and resources. Stay faithful to the business discipline of remaining in the process at work. A proven process protects you from pride and from taking a short-cut that compromises the best outcome. Wisdom trusts the process.
“Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house” (Proverbs 24:27, NLT).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I trust You with the process, keep me patient and faithful.Application
How can I better understand the Bible and apply transforming truth to my life?Related Reading
Ecclesiastes 8:6; Luke 6:40; Acts 22:3; 1 Corinthians 9:1, 25; Ephesians 6:4Post/Tweet today
We are a part of God’s process—our giftedness does not produce the results—the Spirit working through us bears the fruit. #WisdomHunters #trusttheprocessWorship Resource
4 minutes – I Am They: King of Love Check out Boyd’s newest devotional book Two Minutes in the Bible for Men. Order now! If you are blessed by these daily devotionals please prayerfully consider a donation to support Wisdom Hunters Resources. We are trusting the Lord for His provision. Learn how to help. Our free Apple app Our free Android app
