Selah: Pause and Think on Thisनमुना

God Gives the Increase

One day my twins were taking a picture of the trees in my front yard. You have to look close to see it, but there is a smaller tree on the left side of a bigger tree. Both were planted when the twins were five years old, but one tree grew tall and the other stayed small. Both trees had the same sun, received good water, and were planted in the same ground - good ground - yet only one grew big.

As I was looking at those trees that day, the Lord quickened my spirit concerning increase. He said, "One will plant, another will water, but only God can bring increase!" (See 1 Corinthians 3:6). I believe that this is a word to those who are discouraged because they have been comparing themselves to others.

What God has for you is for you. Stop comparing yourself to people who have a different lot in life. We will not all have the same portion in life.

Both trees in my front yard have what God put inside them. Even though one is big and the other is small, each one is what He called it to be. The fact that one tree is bigger does not mean it is better. Big things come in small packages.

I pastor a church in Jacksonville, Florida. Is my church a big church? It depends on what I stand it next to or compare it with. To the mega-ministries, my church is small. To the storefront churches, it's big! I thank God for my portion! No matter the size, it's all right with me.

Be encouraged! Thank God for your lot in life and praise Him for your portion. If you compare where you are in life or ministry to the portion God has promised you, then you can never fail. "Thank God for the increase He has already given you in life, and new doors of abundance will be your portion," says the Lord of Hosts. Amen.

Today, pray ...
Father God, I thank You for my lot in life and praise You for my portion. As I compare my ministry only to the portion You have promised me, I know I cannot fail. I thank You for the increase You have already given me and new doors of abundance that will be opened unto me. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.