From Lumps of Clay to These Earthen Vessels

2 Timothy 2:20
"Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor."

Although I am mainly going to talk about 2 Corinthians 4:7, I wanted to also point out a couple more verses of Scripture just to show that we are all vessels. Some are vessels of honor and some of dishonor. We are all vessels, though. We are also all the subjects of the Master Potter. He is a Sovereign God and He can do as He pleases when He is molding us. (Isaiah 64:8 "Yet, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our Potter, and we all are the work of Your hand.") It is comforting to me to know the my Maker, the One whose molding me and shaping my life, is perfect is knowledge and limitless in power and love. He only wants great things for us, but we must trust Him...not question Him.....

Jeremiah 18:3-7 ³ Then I went down to the potter’s house, and behold, he was working at the wheel.⁴ And the vessel that he was making from clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he made it over, reworking it into another vessel as it seemed good to the potter to make it.⁵ Then the word of the Lord came to me:⁶ O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does? says the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel."

I love this story from the book of Jeremiah. God chose such an interesting way to speak to Jeremiah. He wanted His people to know that He had the real power over their lives and destiny. Just as the potter Jeremiah watched, God could destroy the spoiled vessel He had made and start over, making the new vessel just as He wanted. God wants to make all of us to His liking if we will just allow Him and trust Him.

Now, I move on to my main point on "earthen vessels"; a topic I believe will be an encouragement to you........

2 Corinthians 4:7

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves"

Starting out, we are in no condition to be that honorable vessel with these special, valuable hidden treasures within us. After all, the “earthen vessels” holding the “hidden treasures” that are referred to in this Scripture are plain, clay pots that people of that day had in their houses and would hide their personal valuables in, with the idea that a robber would not look in these plain clay pots. Thus, their valuables were safe from theft. These clay pots were cheap, easily breakable, and not attractive in appearance; yet, they had within them the very treasures that were most valued by the person to whom they belonged. Their beauty and value were internal and not obvious based upon their outward appearance. It would only seem right that God would be so wise to choose this way, to choose to put those of His who are full of His "treasure", His Gospel of Jesus Christ and the message of the Cross, in us...these seemingly empty vessels, not catchy to the eye. After all, He does choose the foolish things of this world to confound the wise.

I am amongst these foolish things, one who the world would be unsuspecting of holding any value. And, I will boldly say that, in this world's view of things, I don't hold any value...not value that comes in the form of a price tag. I do, however, hold within me something that is worth more than any gold or silver, and that is the treasure of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, His salvation, and the great Word of God. If you have been around me even a little, then you can attest to this because you know that once I get started talking about the Lord, well, I have a hard time restraining myself. It may be annoying to some, but God has done so much inside of me that it's hard not to share. I look at myself and I see this huge mess that God transformed and created a message in--and I believe that I need to tell others my testimony when the door is opened. If I keep quiet, then all the suffering I endured along the way will have been in vain--for absolutely nothing. If you think about this in a Biblical aspect, it wouldn't make any sense at all. If our powerful God who has the might to do whatever He pleases, and is perfect in knowledge--if He chooses people who the world would think lowly of and even despise those things they have done in their empty lives--if He wants them and He turns their empty, broken lives into restored, wholesome lives, then why would He want them to remain quiet in times that their testimony could impact a life positively and glorify His name and the goodness He so richly pours into the lives of those who love Him?

I speak about my own life, but understand this, God has done a work and is constantly doing a work in all of His children. I personally feel such gratitude and have such a passionate heart overflowing with the goodness of Jesus Christ because I happen to have experienced a truly dark life before Him. Maybe everyone's story doesn't appear to them to be such a major transformation experience, but that's not the truth. Outwardly, perhaps you see many believers with a testimony that is so powerful that it makes you feel like yours is not so grand to tell people about, but we were all in darkness before we turned to the Light. We all had a miracle occur inside of us that moment we accepted Jesus Christ and received God's gift of salvation. We were all once dirt. Then we became His lump of clay--willing to be molded by Him into His likeness and prepared for His will. And we, after a little refining, become these earthen vessels--insignificant in appearance to the world, but filled by the one true God with His most precious treasures. It's a beautiful thing...a beautiful, miraculous transformation that occurs within the heart of every true believer. God does these miraculous changes in us, some which are very obvious and some which are more hidden in our inner self, for His great purpose...He wants us to tell those who know no real power or hope all about the greatness we have from Him and through Jesus Christ. We, as believers and as His children, have all undergone some changes, some refining, some reconstruction....some may be under construction now, walking through the fiery furnace---they may need some encouragement now...but we all have been called to be witnesses, to testify of His greatness and His power and salvation.

Now, I always love to read scripture in context with what is written before it and after it. And, I love to read several different translations...the Amplified happens to be one of my favorite translations, therefore, it will take an extra minute or two to read it. The following is 2 Corinthians 4:1-16:

4:1 Therefore, since we do hold and engage in this ministry by the mercy of God [granting us favor, benefits, opportunities, and especially salvation], we do not get discouraged (spiritless and despondent with fear) or become faint with weariness and exhaustion. ² We have renounced disgraceful ways (secret thoughts, feelings, desires and underhandedness, the methods and arts that men hide through shame); we refuse to deal craftily (to practice trickery and cunning) or to adulterate or handle dishonestly the Word of God, but we state the truth openly (clearly and candidly). And so we commend ourselves in the sight and presence of God to every man’s conscience. ³ But even if our Gospel (the glad tidings) also be hidden (obscured and covered up with a veil that hinders the knowledge of God), it is hidden [only] to those who are perishing and obscured [only] to those who are spiritually dying and veiled [only] to those who are lost.

 4 For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers’ minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God. ⁵ For what we preach is not ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves [merely] as your servants (slaves) for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth] the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah). ⁷ However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves. ⁸ We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair; ⁹ We are pursued (persecuted and hard driven), but not deserted [to stand alone]; we are struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed; ¹⁰ Always carrying about in the body the liability and exposure to the same putting to death that the Lord Jesus suffered, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown forth by and in our bodies.¹¹ For we who live are constantly [experiencing] being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced through our flesh which is liable to death.¹² Thus death is actively at work in us, but [it is in order that our] life [may be actively at work] in you. ¹³ Yet we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, I have believed, and therefore have I spoken. We too believe, and therefore we speak, ¹⁴ Assured that He Who raised up the Lord Jesus will raise us up also with Jesus and bring us [along] with you into His presence. ¹⁵ For all [these] things are [taking place] for your sake, so that the more grace (divine favor and spiritual blessing) extends to more and more people and multiplies through the many, the more thanksgiving may increase [and redound] to the glory of God.¹⁶ Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after day.

 

I believe it is important to take note that the Apostle Paul always encouraged the younger preachers and teachers to share their testimony boldly, just as he did. In reading the writings of Paul and being familiar with his own salvation experience and conversion, you know a couple of things. For one, none of these guys he spoke to shared a Christian walk even close to his, in terms of suffering affliction and persecution, but he still told them to speak boldly about all that they had been taught and all that they had knowledge of in regards to the powerful message of the Cross. He didn't think anyone's testimony was unimportant. He only used the examples of his suffering to remind them that they weren't alone in the difficult walk they were on, to encourage them to keep going, and to admonish them in teaching the whole truth of God's Word even if they were persecuted because, in the end, He would not only sustain them here on earth, but He would rescue them from this world in His time and reward them with eternal life in His presence. Even now, this applies to us. The God given ability to withstand all the hardships of life and continue on full of the joy of the Lord and His peace that surpasses human understanding--that speaks volumes to the world. Unbelievers want to know how this can be....it's a perfect testimony; living out the Gospel, not just talking about it!

Right now we live in a time when so many hardships that were spoken of in the Word are taking place. I have been studying in 2 Timothy and Titus for a couple of weeks; I'm sure I will be soon posting a word from this study. But, I will end on this note: Be aware that, if you are a true believer, you are one of God's chosen "earthen vessels" filled with the treasure of the Gospel and knowledge of the Lord. Your testimony is valuable and desperately needed. This generation of youth and children need to see your testimony in your life. They need to see the Truth and the love of Christ in our words and in our lives. Be bold. God has given us everything we need to be good witnesses for Him and to live a life of holiness. We have all the tools available to us from Him, we only have to ask and receive!

I pray that this has encouraged someone today. I also pray that everyone will learn to embrace the "treasure" that is within them as believers; a treasure that can never be taken from them. If everything in this world fails, if we lose everything, we still have this "treasure" within us...we still have all the promises of our God; we have His Word, Jesus Christ, in our hearts forever--that cannot be destroyed and the thief cannot steal....

Thank You, Lord, for loving us so much and seeing us as valuable, entrusting us with this treasure--a treasure, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not to hide and keep secret, but to live out in our lives and share with everyone. Thank You for making me something valuable when I was only nothing; for opening my eyes to see Your wonderful Light when I had lived in darkness for so long. Always keep my paths straight and give me courage to speak when You want me to speak....In Jesus' name, Amen.

Have a very blessed day, my friends!!!

  

 

God's Display of Love, Our Gift of Life; How Do We Treat This Great Gift?

I want to direct your attention to a couple of points that are very important to me, and to God. It's my heart's desire to encourage people in showing them verses in Scripture that reveal God's love for everyone and also to reveal other great promises, such as the power He gives us for right now...to live godly lives and as overcomers in a world full of stress, depression, and despair. It's not about church attendance or any legalistic human traditions. It's about a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ and living out His Word, which leads us into all Truth and understanding. Let's all make God the One we set our heart on and dedicate our affections and life to.......

 

1 John 4:9----in three different translations, all being worded beautifully. The key point I want to focus on is TRUE LIFE. I can speak (or write) volumes about the vast difference between life before accepting Jesus Christ as my Savior and truly surrendering every aspect and area of my life to Him and the magnificent and wondrous TRUE LIFE He gave to me once I called Him my Lord and His Father my Father and God.......So, read 1 John 4:9 here:

1)English Standard Version:

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

2)The Voice:

Because of this, the love of God is a reality among us: God sent His only Son into the world so that we could find true life through Him.

3)Expanded Bible

This is how God ·showed [revealed] his love to us: He sent his one and only Son into the world so that we could have life through him.

First, we see that "this is how God showed (revealed) His love..." or that "His love was made manifest among us". Jesus becoming the man-God or God in the flesh, is the greatest display of His love to mankind. There are so many complex aspects of just this one major event in the history of the world. Jesus living here amongst the filth of this world, leaving behind His heavenly home, and becoming one of us was pretty major. He was like us, yet unlike us, because He was sinless. He proved that He was God not only by the miracles He performed on earth, but in the fact that He could be here just like us, but overcome every temptation to sin and live a blameless life here. But, He invited all people to accept Him and follow Him so that they could enter the Kingdom that he taught about so much while on earth. He wanted everyone to believe Him and accept Him as the Messiah. That didn't happen though; not then and not now. Sure, you may hear or read that there are so many Christians in America now, but truly, that is speaking of all the people who profess to be Christians, not all of the true followers of Christ. Many say they are Christians, but that being more of a title than a true profession of faith. The truth is, people's lives reveal where their heart really is, or what their god really is. For the people who profess to be Christians, who say they love the Lord Jesus Christ, but don't follow His instructions are in direct disobedience to the Lord who sacrificed Himself even unto death for all of us undeserving people to be blessed now and have life for eternity in a perfect heaven, in His presence.

 

I don't know about anyone else, but I find myself perplexed and deeply disturbed by such a light weight people put on this--our salvation. Commonly, you will hear people make comments referring to how they are praying or that God sure is good to them, but they, in no way, live their life for the Lord or even to give Him glory. In fact, most of the time, they pick and choose to whom they even make these comments to--unless, of course, they are in dire circumstances. My problem, though, is not that people are this way--that is only to be expected. My trouble with it is that there are those in this category of "Convenient Christianity" that are involved in churches, in ministry--speaking about God's goodness, but not living it out in their own lives; making a mockery of our faith that we long to reach others with and, even worse, teaching this superficial "Christianity" to our children. Now, here comes my huge issue: Who has taught any person who is in this state or condition that Jesus died for us all and if you will only say that you believe in Him, you can live like a devil and it's okay? No one in their right mind, no one who has ever truly experienced a divine intervention of God and the gift of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ, would ever reduce that power down to such a cheap commodity that they are entitled to just speak about when it's in their favor for the moment.

 

Friends, think about it. Really put thought into the whole picture. Almost every American has some idea of the suffering of Jesus Christ during the last twelve hours of His life. Most do not truly think about it or meditate upon His torture and death, but they have a general idea--if for no other reason than their viewing of the movie "Passion of the Christ". I've never met a person who told me that they watched that movie and thought it was boring or foolish. No, I went to the theatres and watched it within the first few days of its release and there were people of all walks of life there to see this much anticipated, controversial movie. Not all of them were crying like I was, but they weren't laughing and throwing popcorn either. It was serious. It was violent. It didn't seem right or fair--this kind, innocent man being violently beat and killed. It's more than a story, though. It's more than a movie on the big screen. I like to watch movies about Jesus or any movie inspired by or about Christianity because I like to have a type of visual--a type, I say, because even the best movies about Jesus can't portray the whole reality of His life and, most definitely, His death and resurrection.

 

With all of this being said--yes, I am going somewhere with this--I am saddened, even appalled at times, when I see what picture that man is portraying about the Truth, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Just as people are moved by a major motion picture, they are also deeply impacted by the visual effects they see all around them. Most people learn by experience or by visually seeing. If you are reading this and you are a professing Christian, what does this make you think about? I, personally, catch myself getting upset and snapping at my kids or husband and it immediately grieves me. I'm so remorseful and disappointed with myself at that point because I want to always be a truly good example of abiding in Christ and becoming more like Him. Clearly, this isn't a great concern for a lot of people, a lot of Christians. I thank God that I know Him and He has given me a new heart, with which also came new eyes--spiritual eyes. I pray to only see with those eyes, for those eyes bring more clarity to everything we see or experience. It is only with those spiritual eyes that we can see the Truth in Him and the spiritual things all around us. I could write all day about various things that are missing, abused, or twisted in the messages that are taught in America today about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and salvation--but I would lose you (if I haven't already) right at this sentence.

 

I long to see the day when people go back to understanding the concept of self sacrifice and self discipline. Somewhere along the way the latter words got dropped and it became just "self". There has to be balance in this teaching we commit ourselves to--whether we are actual teachers of the Bible or we are leading by our life's display of the words we confess with our mouths (our example). Yes, God's love, grace, mercy, and goodness is needed to be preached amongst the people who have never known of such things and by hearing they may come to knowledge and then to repentance and salvation. However, if you teach these wonderful attributes of God, even if you add a little about His power and patience, but you don't teach anything about His other attributes, then you teach only part of the Truth. If you lead people to the point where they pray, repent, and receive salvation, but you leave it right there and move on--how does this new believer figure out where to go next. Sure, salvation, in and of itself, brings forth a new creature and there is a new power within the person receiving salvation. I'm a firm believer in that, and from personal experience, I'll add. But, it is then, once salvation has been obtained, a lifelong walk, a personal and moment by moment relationship with the Lord. I know that we are saved by grace and not by any works of our own, but that is not translated to mean that we are saved and nothing good is required of us. Aside from the fact that it is all laid out in the Bible about how we should live as believers, it is more important than just that. It is deeper. Why? Because if you have "truly tasted His goodness" as quoted by the Apostle Peter, you have the desire to please God. Knowing God's Word in addition to knowing Him, you learn what is pleasing to Him and you long to do what is right in His eyes. [2 Corinthians 5:15 says "He died for us so that we will all live, not for ourselves, but for Him who died and rose from the dead."] So, He died so we could have true life through Him, not so we could have an elated experience and then keep living the way we want to--for ourselves. Then: [John 17:16-17 "Like Me, they are not products of this corrupt world order. Immerse them in the Truth, the Truth Your voice speaks."] Now, we are no  longer products of this evil, corrupt world, but He wants us to be immersed in all Truth--which comes by the Word of God and our Guide, the Holy Spirit, who gives us the ability to understand and apply God's Word in our lives.

 

Here is my final verse that I will share, though there are so many that need to be pointed out. This is a very important one. I encourage you to really think about what it is saying--it's pretty clear, not a hidden message amongst a mysterious ancient language.... [1 John 2:5-6 "This is how we know we are in Him [Jesus]: Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did"]

 

I have never been so overjoyed as these past couple years when I have truly surrendered my life to the Lord. With no doubts about it, studying His Word and spending a lot of time alone with Him and seeking His will and Truth has kept me growing, kept me strong through terrible trials, and caused my heart to be passionate for Him. He has revealed Himself to me through His Word and the love I have for Him has made it a joy, not just a duty, to pursue holiness. [2 Peter 1:3 "In Christ Jesus He has given you all things that pertain to life and godliness"] God does not hold back from us anything we need in order to live a godly life. We hold ourselves back by not sacrificing time in our personal lives to set aside for Him. Today, I don't know how I survived day to day prior to living life abiding in Christ. I turned all my affections towards Him and away from the former, worldly things I was drawn to. God loved me so much that He not only sent His Son to suffer and die so that a person as undeserving as me could see His face in our eternal home, but He also gave me, and every true believer, power through the Holy Spirit to live in this world as ambassadors of Christ, living like Christ in character. He makes us victorious conquerors. After all He has done because of His great love, I can't help myself, I just want to know Him more and more. If I learn, I want to learn of Him. I want Him center of my life.

 

Christ loved so greatly. He loved us even to His torture and death on a cursed cross. He suffered immensely for me and everyone else in the world. Don't just think with our limited, finite wisdom that this same beautiful, lover of our souls only wants you to say that you believe in His existence. He wants you. He wants you to sacrifice your life for Him. That is why it is often said we must "die to self ", "crucify our flesh", and many other references to us sacrificing our natural, worldly instincts that are enmity to God and living in His Truth, abiding in Christ daily.

 

I pray that you will see the beauty of God revealing and displaying His great love for us by giving us true life through the ultimate sacrifice of His Son. It is beyond our grandest thoughts. It's awesome and incomprehensible. Grasp it and cling to this Truth. Never take for granted the greatest act of love ever--that was for your benefit, to give you life eternally.

 

1 Corinthians 2:2 "I have determined to know nothing except this: Jesus Christ (His person) and Him crucified (His work)."

 

Determine in your hearts to focus on all of Jesus Christ and to, more than anything, seek to know Him more and more......

 

"My conscience is captive to the Word of God."---- Martin Luther

 

Thank you for hanging in there and reading this. I ask that you would let me know you read it, leave some feedback. I'm trying to get an idea of how many people read my blog posts and also what the topics of interest are. I appreciate your time and interest!