Molded by the Master

 

Romans 9

20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?  NIV BibleGateway

When the potter takes the lump of clay, he knows what he wants to do with it-whether he wants to create a beautiful vase, bowl, or pitcher. He already knows what it is going to become. He takes the lump of clay, places it on the pottery wheel, and begins to shape it. However, the only way the potter can form this piece of clay into something beautiful is by getting it to the center of the wheel...

   One of the reasons God is not able to make us into the people He wants us to be is because we rebel against Him-we insist on doing things our way and get out of the center of His will. If we insist on questioning and contradicting Him, we'll never experience God's best.

   Romans 9:20, 21 warns, "Who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, 'Why did you make me like this,' will it? or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?"

   God is daily molding us through our circumstances, and we need to trust Him-our faith in Him is absolutely crucial. To follow are six words to describe our Master Potter that will help us when our faith falters:

1 Power.

   God has power in our lives because He is omnipotent... He allows our free will up to a certain point; however, the Master Potter has the ultimate power over the day.

2. Purpose.

   God has a specific purpose in mind for each of us...

3. Plan.

   ...to conform us into the likeness of His Son Jesus Christ...

4. Patience.

   God never hurries...  because becoming like Jesus Christ involves a lifetime process of learning the ways of God.

5. Perseverance.

   ...God never discards us... our Father has the power to overcome any obstacle in our lives...

6. Personal.

   God forms each one of us individually...

   Therefore, trust the Master Potter!  Trust the One who is powerful, who has a purpose and a plan for you, who is patient with you, who perseveres with you, and who loves you deeply and personally. As He molds you, learn from Him... You're a masterpiece waiting to happen, so submit to His touch.

read the rest of Dr. Stanley's notes on page 1013. Stanley, Charles F. Life Principles Daily Bible: Biblical Principles for Each Day of the Yea. Thomas Nelson publishers, Nashville. 2011.

God’s Will

 

If necessary, God will shake up heaven and earth to get our attention and show us His will.

2Chronicles 20:12

¹² Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” NIV  www.biblegaeway.com

The following is part of Life Principle 10 by Dr. Charles Stanley. For the complete page with scripture references, please open your copy of the 30 Life Principles.

   God always wants the best for us, and He is committed to showing us how to follow the specific plan He has designed for each of our lives. He wants us to listen for His voice, to hear what He wants us to do, and how He wants us to do it (Isaiah 30:19-21).

   When we begin to wander from the course God has set for us, He will take all kinds of measures to capture our attention and protect us from harm. He has a wide variety of ways to help us to take notice, among them:

• A restless spirit
• A spoken word
• An unusual blessing
•  Unanswered prayer
• Disappointment
• Extraordinary circumstances
• Defeat
• Financial troubles
• Tragedy, sickness, and affliction

   The Father always knows exactly where you are in your journey of faith and precisely what it will take to get your attention. Stay alert; notice if any of these divine methods are occurring—or recurring—in your life. If they are, ask Him what He wants to tell you. Be willing to hear and obey what He says.

When faced with a decision, ask, “What does the Bible say?” and “Will my actions reflect God’s love to someone else?” These questions are for me and my “snapping turtle” personality. With all the turmoil, life moving faster and faster, as tragedy upon tragedy piles up, Dr. Tony Evans presented an encouraging message to the Christian National Broadcasters Convention in June 2021. Please pray and then listen to Dr. Evans. This video encourages my heart!!!

 

God presented the reading on Life Principle 10 and Dr. Evans’ powerful message at the National Religious Broadcaster’s Convention within days of each other. So, as Bill Gaither says, “Something Good is About to Happen!” Dr. Evans concluded his message with the example of looking at coming attractions. As a believer in Jesus Christ, we are to allow the Holy Spirit to demonstrate God to all people. Will someone look at me and want to see the main event? Will they ask, “How do I purchase a ticket?” The ticket has already been purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ. All someone has to do is accept the ticket.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world [including add your name] that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever [including add your name] believes in him, [add your name], shall not perish but have eternal life.  NIV   John 3:16      https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/John%203:16

United by the Gospel

Every one of us was created with a free will to think and choose; my belief is that we are ALL created in the image of Holy God. Sometimes I can and sometimes I cannot change my circumstances, but I can ALWAYS change my way of thinking or my focus in the circumstance. In this blog, I would like to share a few of my survival strategies learned in my 80+ years. Where do I try to focus? What am I learning?

  

Since January 1, 2020, I have been reading the LifePrinciples Daily Bible by Charles F. Stanley. This devotional combines a growing knowledge and understanding of God through His Word. Every reading combines something from the Old Testament, Psalms, Proverbs and the New Testament. Only by example can I hopefully explain how the four separate readings connect with knowledge and understanding. The first reading is Genesis 1-2, creation, Life Principle “Our Intimacy with God—His highest priority for our lives—determines the impact of our lives.” In Psalm 1, I learn “…in His law he meditates day and night…” In Proverbs 1, I learn “to receive instruction is wise behavior…” In Matthew 1, I read the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah.

A few examples of recent scriptures that have encouraged me:

Proverbs 21:2 “People think they are doing what is right, but the Lord knows the heart.” :10 “Evil people love to harm others; their neighbors get no mercy from them.” :30 “Human plans, no matter how wise or well advised, cannot stand against the LORD.” :31 “The horses are prepared for battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.”

John 13: 24-25 “A new commandment I give you that you love one another, even as I have loved you that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 17:20-26, especially “…that they all be one…” The following excerpt is from The Tony Evans Bible Commentary page 1057.

   He [Jesus] prayed that all believers would all be one —that is, experience unity. Legitimate unity is not uniformity or sameness. Rather, Jesus was talking about being unified in God and his purposes. That’s why he prayed, May they also be in us, so that the world may believe you sent me.

   A football team consists of different players filling different positions with different roles. But the entire team has one purpose: reaching the goal line. Their unity consists of pursuing that one goal according to the rules of the game. The church of Jesus Christ is composed of people from every race, ethnicity, gender, and walk of life. But we have the common purpose of proclaiming the gospel and pursuing God’s kingdom agenda. Our effectiveness is determined by our unity. That’s why Satan works so hard at causing division among Christians and within churches.   Please read the rest of this commentary.

1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” KJ biblegateway.com

Please listen to “Does Jesus Care?” by Frank E. Graeff recorded by Gaither Music.

United by the Gospel; how has the good news of Jesus Christ comforted you? I have written about how I am comforted during difficult circumstances. How do you find comfort in a time of turmoil? Please share your thoughts, where do you go for encouragement? The Gospel will unite us in prayer and action. Thank you.

The Gift of Prayer

Psalm 16:11

You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

New King James Version www.biblegateway.com 

Gift: a thing given willingly to someone without payment; a present.www.bing.com

Something offered to me, but I must accept it!

Have you sensed you want God’s guidance, but have no idea how to pray? In “The Gift of Prayer,” Dr. Stanley combines scripture and photography to acquaint the reader with down-to-earth direction.

In this brief review, I will only touch on one topic: praying for others. Has a friend or family member asked you to pray for them, however you have no idea what to say? Has God placed someone on your heart, you desire to pray for them, nevertheless you have no idea what is their issue?

Using the life-changing prayer found in Colossians 1:9-12, Dr. Stanley devotes the next seven pages to explain six parts of this prayer answering what is your responsibility and what is God’s responsibility. Each theme ends with a prayer. 

"Father, how grateful I am that I can talk to You about absolutely anything--including the needs of my family members, friends, coworkers, fellow believers, and acquaintances. I may not be able to help them, but I am thankful that through the awesome gift of prayer I can lift them up to You--and You can transform their lives in miraculous ways.
   You know who is on my heart right now, Father. I pray that this individual would be filled with the knowledge of Your will, would walk in a manner worthy of You, would bear fruit in every good work, would increase in the knowledge of You, and would be strengthened with all Your power and wisdom to stand against sin and embrace who You created him or her to be. I give thanks to You, Father, for this person's life. I know You formed this precious individual with great purposes in mind--even if this person is far from those plans right now. But with You, Father, there is always hope! Transform this situation in the way only You can.
   In Jesus' loving and life-changing name I pray. Amen." Page 128

After reading this 150 page book, I sensed encouragement, peacefulness, and calmness. Please read The Gift of Prayer and share your thoughts!!!     

Stanley, Charles F. The Gift of Prayer. Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 2019.