100 Days In To 2025

Scripture

15Nor do we boast and claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended. 16Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else’s territory. 17As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.” 18When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.

2 Corinthians 10:15-17

Observation

Paul was doing his best to remind his fellow ministers that they were not in competition with each other. He was making it clear that when they are doing well that means he is doing well.  When their church is growing, people are being discipled, God’s getting the glory and His Kingdom is expanding. HIS Kingdom! Not our little kingdoms. This was not about Paul’s name being known or Paul getting the credit or Paul commending himself. This was about reaching as many as possible by any means possible through as many as possible. Paul was tearing down the human arguments that were trying to limit the work of God to one man or method. This wasn’t meant to be a petty competition, but a Kingdom collaboration.

Application

Today marks 100 days of 2025 and it’s a good time to stop and ask the Lord if I’m on track.  He gave me the word “Restoration” over this year and I’ve seen Him doing exactly that. On the large scale there’s been a restoration of hunger among the youth and young adults all over the country that has resulted in rumors of revival. Personally, there’s been a restoration of humility in me. As I was reading obout these prideful ministers in Corinth I was thinking I was glad I wasn’t like those guys. Then, Holy Spirit reminded me of something this morning. San Marcos is the fastest growing city in the greater San Diego area and yet only 10% of residents claim Christ as Lord. You’d think in a scenario like this that we need as many church plants as possible. Church planting is still the most effective form of evangelism. So, when my friend Kyle says he’s planting at church at Mission Hills school in The Fall I should rejoice. When my friend Jason says they are expanding their Carlsbad church to another campus in San Marcos I should be happy to hear this news right? I love both of these guys and have no doubt that hundreds if not thousands will come to know Christ as a result of their obedience. There’s a couple other church plants from other denominations being planted here in the area as well. We need them and others to preach the Gospel. So why wouldn’t I be overjoyed? It’s only insecurity and pride that would keep me from coming alongside them to support any way I can.  The only reason I’d be threatened by this is if this was about my kingdom, comfort, and reputation. It was Count von Zinzendorf (coolest name ever) who said, “Preach the gospel, die, and be forgotten.”  Zinzendorf sent missionaries around the globe including to the North American Indians. He knew his one job. “I have but one passion—it is He; it is He alone. The world is the field and the field is the world; and henceforth that country shall be my home where I can be most used in winning souls for Christ.” President Ronald Reagan said it this way, “Its amazing how much gets accomplished when it doesn’t matter who gets the credit.”

Prayer

So, 100 Days in I lay it all down again Jesus. This is Your Church, these are Your people, this is Your harvest field, and You alone get the glory.  Forgive me for the times I’ve ministered with a clinched fist instead of an open hand. There are so many going in to a Christless eternity and You’re bringing in reinforcements for the battle.  I pray blessing on provision on them and that I would continue to remember this was never about me.  This is all about You and I pray that no matter where people are attending this Easter more would come to know You than ever before! Turns out I have some strongholds of pride that I need to keep tearing down in my life. Forgive me for letting comparison steal the joy I should feel at the expansion of Your Kingdom.