Not Boasting

2 Cor 10:15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
2 Cor 10:16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.

Not boasting of things outside of our sphere of influence, not boasting in another man's work. Are we taking glory for anothers work? Yet this is another man's work; what have you done to fulfill your ministry for Christ? So long as Christ and the cross is preached, that is most important. 

Php 1:15  Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 
Php 1:16  The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 
Php 1:17  But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 
Php 1:18  What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. 
Php 1:19  For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 
Php 1:20  According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 
Php 1:21  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 

2 Cor 10:17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

The Lord receives the glory. He is the head of the church, the body of Christ. All ministries and callings are from him to build up the church. The Lord gives the increase and receives the glory.

1 Cor 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
1 Cor 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
1 Cor 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
1 Cor 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

2 Cor 10:18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

Don't fool yourself and others with false pride, saying that you hear from Jesus or God as some do and they do not believe in his word in the Bible. The fruit of your labour will perish, if it is not built on the foundation of God's Biblical truth. Preach the gospel; Jesus Christ through his death on the cross has made the way for our salvation. He is risen and by faith in him we are given new eternal life to do his good works.

Spiritual Orchestra

Sometimes when reading a music score that is unfamiliar for the first time with an orchestra it can be confusing. I look at the music and if it is not followed note by note, in the correct rhythm and the right key signature and tempo I can get lost. The conductor waves his arms , the wind blows the music and I am not with it. Can this be true of a Christian who does not follow the word of God in order? Every jot and every title is there for a reason and should be read in order in it's proper context. The conductor is the Lord, he knows the word, but are we following Him in the proper order and context? If in an orchestra, you must be in the right place to be in the correct lead or harmony with the score. We play as the composer intended the music composition to be heard. As a Christian in the body of Christ we are to be where God has assigned us a part and we are to play lead or harmony in unity with the whole group that we are a part of.

2Tim 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

 1Co 12:12  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 

1Co 14:33  For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Confusion may come when we are separated from the body, and when we are tired and distracted. Stay in tune, stay connected, study, pray, be diligent,  look carefully at where you are, and are you in the proper place in the LORD's orchestra? As a member of the body of Christ you have an assigned position, do not be distracted from God's direction and purpose. Keep your eyes upon Jesus. A final thought, to fail is to be ashamed. When someone is counting on you and you do not do your part, there is shame.  We must abide in Christ to do his work.

Mark 8:38  Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. 

1Jn 2:28  And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 
1Jn 2:29  If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. 

Rom 10:10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 

Rom 10:11  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 

Are we all in our places? The conductor has his arms up, get ready to play your part. Some are too loud some are too quiet. Some are not paying attention and some are right with it. We are to perform with confidence.

Php 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: