New Testament in a Year

2 Corinthians 4:1-12
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I love Second Corinthians chapter 4 verse 1 today.  In fact, if there is nothing else you remember from today’s readings I hope you will remember the last 4 words of this verse always – “And so, since God in his mercy has given us this wonderful ministry, we never give up.”  We never give up.  That is powerful for each of us to remember.  Why?  Because we will have good and bad days.  Days when we are happy.  Days when we might be feeling sad.  And there will be days when we make mistakes.  When we will stumble.  When we will fall.  But you know what has often gotten me through days like those?  This simple prayer or statement or something that fortunately comes into my mind – “I’m not giving up!”  We shouldn’t say this as justification for our falling short of God’s plan for our life.  But, when we do fall short, I have found it helpful.  Or, if I haven’t fallen short, but bad stuff is happening to me, I say it.  And I don’t say it just to myself – as if my own will power will get me through the tough times.  I say it to God.  I say it really as a prayer.  I say it almost as a statement against the devil, who would love nothing more than for us to give up.  The devil would love it if we stumbled and stayed on the ground.  If we decided this Christianity thing was just not for us.  But you know what – don’t give up!  When times are tough.  When you stumble, pray it to God – “I’m not giving up.”  Tell it to yourself.  We’re not giving up!  We’re never giving up….  (go frog!)  🙂

Verse 7 today is indeed a wonderful reminder that we humans are but jars of clay – “But this precious treasure–this light and power that now shine within us–is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own.’”  We really do have very fragile bodies.  They are wonderful!  But they are fragile.  They break.  They will die.  As one writer puts it, “our condition is terminal.”  And it’s true.  This side of heaven, our bodies will eventually wear out.  But – as Paul tells us in this verse – there is light and power that shines within us when we are in relationship with Jesus!  The Holy Spirit indwells our earthen vessels.  Our jars of clay.  And hopefully we and others recognize that the glory within us is not our own.  It is of God.  And it is a glory that is available to anyone.  Free of charge.  It is grace and it beckons us to receive God’s glory in our jars of clay so that we will live eternally in heavenly bodies.  But for now, we are simply in the hands of the Potter…

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Second Corinthians about “Jars of Clay” reminds me of this Jars of Clay 🙂 song called “Two Hands:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUBn1_A_XPU

How are you using your two hands? Click here to raise them High!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that though you may be hard pressed on every side that you will not be crushed, through your saving faith in Jesus. Pray that that though you may find times in your life that you are perplexed, that you will not despair. Pray that if you are ever persecuted, you will not feel abandoned, but know that Jesus holds you in His hands.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

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