"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now" - Philippians 1:3-5 (NIV).
Partnership are very powerful and we see God always using them to achieve His purpose. Abraham and Sarah were a partner- couple and through their sojourn God will birth the nation of Israel. When Moses confessed to God a lack of oratory skills He blessed him with a partner- his half brother Aaron who had better eloquence. Once at war Aaron and Hur had to lift up both Moses hands, enabling him pray for victory. "When Moses' arms grew tired, Aaron and Hur brought a stone for him to sit on, while they stood beside him and held up his arms, holding them steady until the sun went down" (Exodus 17:12).
Joseph and Mary were a partner- couple who together raised Jesus. Throughout his missionary journeys the Apostle Paul was aided greatly with partnership. First he travelled with Barnabas and later Silas. At another point he had a young man Timothy as his travelling partner. There was a partner - couple Aquilla and Priscilla who once hosted him for more than a year as he went about his preaching ministry.
Why does God so often use partnership? Well, first we see they foster companionship, as any married couple is, which can boost the fledgling spirits of any on a mission. Alone one may not have all the gifts to carry through a given task as we we see with Moses and the assistance he received from Aaron. One could be limited in resources and it's a partnership that enables him carry through. The Apostle Paul would not have achieved much without the partners he referred to as co- workers in Christ, whose support was quite indispensable. For as he wrote, "we are co-workers in God’s service" (I Cor 3:9).
All this is to say do not ignore the partners in your life. Of course there are lots of things you can do all by yourself. But there is more too, God can use to achieve through a partner and partnerships. Seek them out and there will be a manifold blessings.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I thank you for the partners in my life, which I don't take for granted; help me profit from their companionship and support, to serve you better, this I pray in Jesus's name!
Related upcoming events
-
20/04/2024 - 21/04/2024 All day“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Cor 16:13)
Tourists who happen to visit Bukingham palace will be expected to notice the King’s royal guards. Dressed in colorful often red uniforms and adorning tall black helmets they stand on guard and no one dare cross them. Elsewhere in life we find guards in all manner of places quite firm on deterring any intruder wherever they may be.
For us Believers being on constant guard is a calling we must permanently observe. And why? Once in the course of his work, “Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” (Mathew 16:23). Peter had just protested that he would not deny Jesus only to be sported out!
There is something for us to note here. Satan had penetrated the ranks of Jesus and was going through his closest disciple. It is clear that Peter was not even aware that he was being used. Anyway, he found his target, Jesus, was on guard. Immediately Satan was sent packing.
No Believer is immune to attacks from Satan. After all when once the Lord asked Satan his whereabouts: “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it” (Job 1:7). Clearly the guy is out there 24/7 looking for whom to devour. “Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as you have warned us to be on “guard” help me ever to be on the watch out for the attacks of the enemy and with your word rebuke Satan, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
