Comparing themselves among themselves

2Co 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

Good morning dear friends, I had a wonderful time in the house of God last night listening to some great preaching on the return of Christ, our Blessed Hope! What a way to put away all the troubles of this world and refresh our minds that there is an end to all the physical, and mental misery. I had been reading another blog from a friend of mine and the above verse came to mind after reading it. The blog was about being just an ordinary pastor, what a way to think in life, however I find myself thinking about just that daiily. I think to myself, wow that man can preach will I ever sound that good, or wow they have a lot in attendance over there at that church is it better than mine, wow look at what is going on over there again? All this is foolishness my dear friends if you stop and think about it in the long run. Now I am not saying that we should slide back on our bottoms and become non-chalant in our preaching and teaching, no we must just apply ourselves for the glory of God that He may give the increase. We have as human nature an inate desire to break the little man syndrome and you will always meet that person who has the better story, or the I done that plus this attitude, but the more I read my Bible it is by humilty and obedience that God blesses. In humilty you can see that God is working and not yourself, for it is not by our power that any are saved, or by our power that the message is applied to a persons life. It is in our power to make decisions to yield ourselves to God and watch Him work. Friend it is about staying obedient to God and preaching the Word unashamdely, there are enough false teachers and preachers making luke warm soup for the Savior. Most of these great mega churches and the lot are so wishy washy that whenever there is true preaching on the doctrines of the faith the people want to run! I have to be careful for my flesh wants to become prideful in wanting to compare myself with what is going on with the other pastors that I am around. Whenever I think about myself comparing myself with another, I want to get that much more determined to show that person up, or the devil slides in and says you'll never measure up to that level, that my dear friend is when we are not allowing the fruit of the Spirit to manifest itself in our lives. We then get offended, we get bitter, and worst of all our testimony could get damaged! Friend just allow God to use you for His glory where He has you in your life, and as Paul the Apostle said, Php 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Friend let us learn to be content, but let us also have goals and a desire to see great things done for God, not to appease men, or to have selfish pride! Remember the Bible says to study to shew thyself approved unto God, nowwhere does it say to get approval of men for the work that you do for the Lord. If God is honored then I truly believe that we as preachers and pastors have no right to hang our heads in shame, we should be able to sleep well at night knowing that all we have done and all that we are going to do is for Him! The work you do cannot be measured against another mans, but against the Word of God and the convition of God. Are we doing all we can for God, or just to appease our selfish appetites, do we have programs for the sake of programs, or are we investing into peoples lives that they might know a Holy God? What is it that is motivating us, pride, contention, or the love of God. Let us not forget the foundational truth of discipleship,
Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Friends I truly hope this has been an encouragement to you today!