Jars Of Clay

How’s your cardboard “box”? (2 Corinthians 4:1-15) "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, mthat the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are nhard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not oforsaken; pstruck down, but not destroyed, always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, rthat the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live sare always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you." 2 Corinthians 4: 7-12 As I listen to Paul discribing his struggles in (2 Corinthians 4:8-9) it is a reminder of how difficult life can be and at times has been. David, as the writer of many of the Psalms often protrays being worn out, I too at times have felt worn out from facing and fighting the troybles that come our way. Now ours may be nothing compared to Pauls and Davids,but none the less we all have our troubles that come and go.(Psalm 6:6). The Bible says trials will bring groth into our lives, that would not come but for those trials. Jesus backs this up Himself when He says, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). Then James carrys alone the same idea, in the fact that we should “consider it pure joy” when we “face trials” (James 1:2). Then He goes on to explain why. Because, He says - “the testing of [our] faith produces perseverance” and perseverance makes us “mature and complete” (vv. 3-4). I don't know about you, but my trials have drawn me closer to Jesus, through Him and the work of the Holy Spirit in my life I have found strength, courage, and joy to carry on in the good life. Hey,if it was always easy we would not consider it valuable. But because we have to strive for it, it becomes very valuable. LIke when Jesus says to us, Hey, don't sweat it,“Take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). (I've got your back. In God and being the second person of the Godhead, I have triumphed over death and have beaten the devil through my death and resurrection. Friends as believers in Him, we too have the victory. I encourage you tiday even while you are in the middle of a trial, submit to God and He will give you the strength you need to be a light to those who are in spiritual darkness. As believers in Jesus Christ we need to and should letting the love and grace and forgiveness of Jesus shine through us, in our speach, in our actions as we seek to bid the calling God has placed on our lives, to go into all the world and preach the gospel. This is done through the glass of our Jar Of Clay, in many ways through through the creases and crackes these earthen vessels that are collapsing with age. But in Gods strength we carry on following the words of Paul and we become the treasures that appear in those “jars of clay”, and these treasures reveal “this all-surpassing power is the power of God and not the power of "ME".(2 Corinthians 4:7). You see Paul said he was “hard pressed” and “perplexed” in his suffering, but the enemy couldn't crush him, and He could not “destroy”him (vv. 8-9). It was through his suffering he knew he would shine forth in his body, he knew that Christ’s life would be made known because of it. So as we think about this today, how is your light shining out through your vessel of clay, How is your temple standing for Christ? How is your cardboard “box”? As time goes by, you know the creases and grooves are getting larger on the outside of that box as you strive to overcome the wieght of old age, and the pain of loved ones lost and the pain of disease as it attacks your body. but we know, that our inner man is being renewed daily. Read (2 Corinthians 4:16) Yes, while the physical "outward man" is decaying, aging,and the waves of life beat upon this house, our "inner man"(our spiritual souls)they are continuously being strengthened and refreshed through the washing of the blood of the Lamb. Friends it is this that keeps us going, when our spiritual is renewed, daily, it provides hope for our humanity and resilience in our faith, sustaining our strength and continuing our transformation until Jesus comes again Yes, this is a daily renewing that is taking place even when we are facing significant hardships. So I encourage you today to keep the faith, keep believing and contiinue to grow one step at a time. Knowong that Jesus is being revealed through you, and in your body as you faithfully follow Him in obedience(v. 10). As we submit to Him, He will shine His light through us, so those who are lost in the storm of sin will see the light in the window of you vessel of clay, and come to the light out of the darkness to receive His love and His life offered to them. To God be the GLORY. Preasous Father, Jesus the Son of God, may the Holy Spirit shine through my “jar of clay” as you fill me with your spirit today. Please live in me, that I might shine with Your love and presence. In your name I pray AMEN