Faithful, Hopeful, Worshipful Clay Pots

But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I  believed, therefore I spoke," we also believe, therefore we also speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.

 

2 Corinthians 4:13-15

 

 

Paul's desire for fruitfulness did not mean that he would compromise the gospel message, but instead he would remain true to his convictions and preach what he new to be true. With that, he declared that he had the same spirit or attitude of faith—he believed in the same things—as the psalmist who wrote, I  believed, therefore I spoke (Psalm 116:10).

 

That was Paul's response to the critics in regards to his bold preaching—an unwavering faith that compelled him to preach (See Romans 1:15; 1 Corinthians 9:16). It was impossible for him to believe the gospel truth but not long to proclaim it. True belief impels strong, consistent, unwavering testimony to the truth and does not seek the comfort of prestige and popularity.

 

As Martin Luther defiantly declared:

 

Unless I can be instructed and convinced with evidence from the Holy Scriptures or with open, clear, and distinct grounds and reasoning—and my conscience is captive to the Word of God—then I cannot and will not recant, because it is neither safe nor wise to act against conscience. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me! Amen.¹

 

Because the gospel provides the most glorious and important reality—the hope of resurrection for all who believe—Paul was bold and fearless in preaching it. Those who genuinely believe the truth cannot help but speak that truth. Paul willingly risked his life not only because of his own hope of heaven, but also for those who would hear and believe.

 

Clearly Paul's goal was never his own comfort, reputation, popularity, or ultimately the salvation of others. But instead, the final goal of Paul's selfless and sacrificial service was that more voices would be added to praise and worship to God.

 

God's astounding plan is to use common clay pots to carry the priceless treasure of the gospel to needy sinners. As they humbly and faithfully service Him, His power flows through them to others. The result is that more and more people will worship and glorify God, saying, To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever (Revelation 5:13).

 

 

[1] James M. Kittelson, Luther the Reformer (Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1986) 161

 

Sacrificial To Fruitful Clay Pots

Always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

 For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

 So death works in us, but life in you.

 

2 Corinthians 4:10-12

 

 

At the beginning of this Scripture we see the word always, which indicates the unrelieved nature of Paul's suffering… sacrificial suffering was a way of life for him. The truth that Paul was continually carrying about in his body the dying of Jesus was a powerful rebuttal to the allegations that others bestowed on him.

 

They argued that Paul suffered because God was chastening him for secret sin, but in reality he suffered at the hands of evil men because of his identification with Jesus Christ. Those who hate the Lord persecute His people. Therefore Paul's trails, far from being a sign of God's displeasure, were actually a badge of honor (See 2 Corinthians 1:5; Galatians 6:17; Philippians 3:10; Colossians 1:24).

 

Suffering for the cause of Christ should be of no surprise to us, as Jesus Himself predicted it:

 

Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved. But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes. A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master (Matthew 10:16-24).

 

 

Paul's suffering was not for himself but for the building up of the Body of Christ. He literally looked death in the face regularly so he could bring the message of eternal life to the Corinthians—he was even willing to die physically so that they could live spiritually. It was Paul's joyous privilege to suffer in bringing the gospel to others, who then became the fruit of his courageous endurance.

 

How many times have you had the opportunity to share Jesus Christ with others only to be shot down?

 

Did you get up dust yourself off and continue on boldly proclaiming the gospel for God's glory alone?

Invincible Power In Clay Pots

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

 

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

 

 

Paul's humility did not cripple or destroy him but instead strengthened him. Paradoxically, he found encouragement in his brokenness, because then the power of God flowed unhindered through him.

 

As we know, Paul was a mercilessly battered clay pot, whose many enemies sought to shatter him completely. He endured "afflictions… hardships… distresses… beatings… imprisonments… tumults… labors… sleeplessness… hunger" (See 2 Corinthians 6:4-5), and knew what it was to be "hungry and thirsty… poorly clothed… roughly treated, and homeless" (See 1 Corinthians 4:11).

 

Yet despite all his suffering, there was an aura of confidence about this noble servant of God, because though he lacked strength, the power of God flowed through him mightily. Paul's humanly unimposing persona posed an unanswerable question for his opponents: How could they explain the undeniable impact of his life?

 

Since he did not have the power in himself to accomplish what he had accomplished, the power must have come from God. And if Paul ministered in the power of God, he was a true servant of heaven, and his opponents' accusations against him were false. Paul's impact despite his lack of human giftedness was a powerful rebuttal to the false allegations leveled against him.

 

No one could withstand such an onslaught—as Paul did—in his own strength and still maintain joy and peace, let alone do the work of the ministry. The power of God enabled Paul to be fearless and formidable. God's sustaining power made it possible for an otherwise weak man to triumph over his difficulties and enemies (See 2 Corinthians 2:14).

 

Can this be found to be true of you?

 

Are you willing to be a clay pot that manifests the invincible power of God in your own life?

Humble Clay Pots

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

 

2 Corinthians 4:7

 

 

The "but" at the beginning of this verse introduces a contrast with the verse before it, which describes the immense and incalculable glory of God revealed in the incarnate Christ. As Christians we are entrusted with the priceless and divine treasure that is contained with in us once we become believers.

 

The treasure in view here is the same as the word "ministry" that we find in 2 Corinthians 4:1. Both terms describe the glorious gospel message that God came into the world in the person of Jesus Christ, and died on the cross and rose again to provide forgiveness of sin and eternal life for all who repent and believe.

 

The treasure is of incalculable worth, because "in [Him] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge… For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form" (Colossians 2:3, 9). The gospel message reveals the most profound truths the world has ever known, which produce the most powerful eternal effects. Through the gospel people are freed from the power of sin and death (See Romans 8:2 and Hebrews 2:14), released from condemnation (See Romans 8:1), transformed into the image of Jesus Christ (See Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18), and given eternal joy, peace, and satisfaction.

 

Yet, amazingly, this priceless gospel treasure is contained in simple earthen vessels—us.

 

By using common clay pots—us—God the glory, "so that, just as it is written, 'Let him who boast, boast in the Lord.'" The prerequisite for spiritual usefulness is to be humble, to see one's self for what one really is, and acknowledge that all the glory for one's accomplishments belongs to God, who placed the treasure in us.

 

The world is filled with people enamored with their own cleverness, importance, and ability to be used by God. But when God chose the men through whom He would give His Word to mankind, He did not choose the learned scholars of Alexandria, the distinguished philosophers of Athens, the eloquent orators of Roman, or the self-righteous religious leaders of Israel. No, He passed them all by in favor of simple Galilean fishermen like Peter, James, John, and Andrew, despised traitors like Matthew the tax collector, or obscure men like Philip, Mark, and Nathaniel.

 

Even the well educated people God chose to use, such as Luke the physician and Paul the rabbinic scholar, they were indeed humble and unimposing people. These are those common, earthen vessels which God entrusted the priceless treasure of the gospel.

 

Are you one who is open and willing to be an earthen vessel that God may entrust the priceless treasure of the gospel in you—a humble clay pot?

Treasures In Clay Pots

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you. But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I  believed, therefore I spoke," we also believe, therefore we also speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.

 

2 Corinthians 4:7-15

 

 

 

 

The old adage that you cannot judge the value of something by the packaging it comes in is certainly true of Christians. Like valuable treasure buried in dirt (See Matthew 13:44), or a precious pearl hidden in an oyster (See Matthew 13:46), the human container does not reflect the value of the gospel treasure it holds.

 

Paul communicated that truth not simply by principle but by example as well.

 

As he penned this epistle, Paul was under furious attack in Corinth. False apostles had infiltrated the church there, assaulting Paul so as to create an environment for purveying legalistic heresy. To that end, they launched an all-out blitz on Paul's character and ministry.

 

Their attack was merciless, relentless, and petty.

 

The false attacks on him put Paul between a rock and a hard place. If he defended himself against their slander, which he had to do to hold the church to the truth, he risked looking proud. And, in truth, no one was more acutely aware of his shortcomings than Paul himself. In fact, he was constantly amazed that he was in the ministry at all.

 

 How then was Paul to extricate himself from this dilemma?

 

Rather than deny the false allegations that he was weak and imperfect, he embraced them. Thus he declared that the priceless truth of the gospel was held in a humble container. In fact, his weaknesses, far from being reasons to reject him, were among his most convincing credentials. And in order to express this, he used the analogy of a precious treasure kept in a clay pot. Paul's imperfections stood out in stark relief against the shining glory of the gospel. But if God could not use imperfect people, there would be no one in the ministry.

 

Even the noblest saints were far from perfect.

 

Paul was merely another in a long line of clay pots that God has successfully used. In spite of his humanity it is evident not from his human abilities, skills, or achievements, but from his spiritual character of his genuineness. This Scripture unfolds seven spiritual characteristics that marked Paul as a very useful clay pot. He was humble, invincible, sacrificial, fruitful, faithful, hopeful, and worshipful.

 

Can these characteristics be seen in your own life as well?

High Places

Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord?

He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will trample down their high places.

 

Deuteronomy 33:29

One of the most successful movies of our time has been Star Wars, a futuristic movie where the forces of good battle the forces of evil in a far-off galactic solar system. In order for the forces of good to win their battle, they must enter the airspace of their enemies and find the central power source inside the enemy space station.

 

Their fighter jets must locate this central nervous system and fire a laser missile into its heart in order to destroy the power source. The final scene shows the hero sending a last-minute laser missile into the power source and blowing up the space station and all the evil characters who live on it.

Throughout history, cultures have recognized idols on the high places, on the tops of hills or mountains, as their power sources. God said these high places are an abomination to Him. When God brought the people of Israel into the Promised Land, He instructed them to destroy all the high places.

 

High places are anything that is elevated above God and is worshiped.

 

Are there any high places that take the place of God in your life?

 

Ask God to show you the high places so that you can confess them and turn from them towards God—the one true God in your life.

 

 

Celebrate With Time

Imagine for a moment that you are running a race and there are many people with you at the starting line. The energy of the race is in the air as everyone prepares for the start of the run. Soon someone comes over the loud speaker, "On your mark, get set, GO!"

 

And you are off.

 

Everyone is running and following the marked course. As you run you begin to wonder how much further to the finish line and you continue to run but the finish line never seems to arrive. You feel as if you and those in the race with you are not making progress toward completing the race and no one ever wins.

 

There is no champion and no reward, you just keep running.

 

What would happen?

 

Well, eventually you would slow down, lose focus, and probably drop out of the race because; after all, what is the point in running a race with no finish line? 

 

As believers in Christ we know that our eventual "finish line" is in heaven and our race here on earth is a slow process of developing, growing and changing to be more Christ-like. But, when we set goals for our lives—physical, mental, and spiritual—and choose not to celebrate our progress along the way, it's much like running a race and never reaching a finish line.

 

With no celebration we lose focus, motivation, and usually slump back into familiar old habits that may be harmful. Yes, daily life choices are necessary in this life. However, choosing to celebrate progress is a powerful tool to staying on course. As you progress on your journey to Christ-likeness, choose to celebrate your progress, successes and victories.

So what does celebration and time have in common here?

 

It's been said that time is our most expensive commodity and we can see it in the following ways:

 

• We trade time for money through careers and work.
• We offer time to others through volunteer work.
• We share time with those we love.
• We waste time on unproductive tasks.
• We have workout time. 
• We have drive time.
• We have down time.

 

Time is the only valuable asset we have that, once spent, cannot be recovered. Whether rich or poor, we all have the same amount of it to use each day. Therefore, choosing to celebrate with time is a valuable or should we say priceless.

 

Choose one or more ways to celebrate with time.

• Be alone and quiet– In our fast-paced, cumbersome world solitude, stillness and silence are very rare. Spend time without TV, music or voices in solitude if your life is full and crazy most days. Use this time to clear your mind, focus on God, reflect on your progress and set new goals.


• Call family and friends– Sometimes time doesn't allow us to stay in contact with those we care about. Call a friend you haven't spoken with in a long time and talk—catch up on life.

• Share with others– spending time with those you care about can be a great celebration. Invite them over or out for a meal, trip to a park or museum, or whatever you enjoy doing with them.  

Celebrating with time doesn't have to cost money and most importantly, choose to schedule the time for God. Keep your celebration simple and pleasurable, but find what will be refreshment to you and motivate you to stay on course toward Christ-likeness.

 

Pursuing Holiness In The Mind

Therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.

 

 

1 Peter 4:7b

 

 

 

It is self-evident that godly thinking is at the heart of communion with God, since the more one knows a person's mind, the richer the relationship will be (See Romans 12:3; Ephesians 4:23-24; Philippians 4:8). When we look closer to the words rendered "be of sound judgment" we see that it comes from the Greek word sophroneo, which means to be under control and not be carried away by errant view of oneself (See Romans 12:3; Proverbs 23:7), or undue emotion, or uncontrolled passion. (Side Note: The verb form of this Greek word also refers to guarding the mind [See Proverbs 4:23] and keeping it lucid.) The Christian mind must be clearly fixed on spiritual priorities and righteous living (See Joshua 1:8; Matthew 6:33; Colossians 3:2 and 16; Titus 2:11-12)—objectives that a self-indulgent, deceptive world, heavily influenced by Satan, constantly seeks to distract from, deflect, and destroy (See 1 John 2:15-16).

 

Holy living also requires spiritual alertness and "sober spirit", these words come from the Greek word nepho, which is closely related in meaning to "sound judgment", and denotes being spiritually observant. Jesus expressed a similar sentiment when He warned the apostles to "be on the alert" (See Matthew 24:42) and to "keep watching" (See Matthew 26:41).

 

Godly thinking and spiritual alertness are crucial for the purpose of prayer.

 

Prayer is the access to all spiritual resources, but believers cannot pray properly if their minds are unstable due to worldly pursuits, ignorance of divine truth, or indifference to divine purposes (See 1 Corinthians 14:15; Hebrews 10:22; 1 John 5:14-15). As believers, when we seriously study God's Word, we discover its profound truths about God and experience rich communion with Him (See Psalm 42:1; John 14:23; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 John 1:3)—this is what Paul called "the mind of Christ" (See 1 Corinthians 2:16).

 

This essential element in one's relationship to God is seen in the Spirit's relationship to the Father. Paul wrote, Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8:27). This verse illustrates exactly how the Holy Spirit and the Father know each other's minds perfectly; there is perfect agreement in the Spirits intercession.

 

Thus, we can conclude that holy living comes when believers read and meditate on God's Word daily, so as to know the thoughts of God and commune with Him according to His will—Jude calls this "praying in the Holy Spirit" (Jude 1:20).

Living Out The Expression Of God's Love

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

 

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Because God loves us:

He is slow to lose patience with us. 

So do we do the same with each other?

Because God loves us:

He takes the circumstances of our lives and uses them in a constructive way for our growth.

So do we grow in Him?

Because God loves us:

He does not treat us as an object to be possessed and manipulated.

So do we manipulate each other?

Because God loves us:

He has no need to impress us with how great and powerful He is because He is in control, nor does He belittle us as a child in order to show us how important He is.

So do we treat each other in the same manner? 

Because God loves us:

He is for us and He wants to see us mature and develop in His love.

So do we encourage this in each other? 

Because God loves us:

He does not send down His wrath on every little mistake we make, of which there are many.

So do we with each other? 

Because God loves us:

He is deeply grieved when we do not walk in the ways that please Him, because He sees this as evidence that we don't trust Him and love Him as we should.

So do we walk in His ways? 

Because God loves us:

He rejoices when we experience His power and strength and stand up under the pressures of life and persevere by His grace.

So do we persevere for God alone?

Because God loves us:

He keeps on working patiently with us, even when we feel like giving up, when we can't see His love for us, and when we can't see His plan.

So do we give up on with each other?

Because God loves us:

He never says there is no hope for us, rather He patiently works with us, loves us, and disciplines us in such a way that it is for our benefit.

So do we understand the depth of His concern for each other?

Because God loves us:

He stands with us when we have reached the rock bottom of despair, when we see the real "me" and compare that with His righteousness, holiness, beauty, and love. It is at a moment like this that we can really believe that God loves us.

So do we now see God's great love for each other?

Yes, the greatest of all gifts is Gods perfect love, and as Christians we should be living our lives in such away to be an expression of God's love to each other.

Christ-like Communication

Imagine a castaway on an uninhabited island, whose only hope of rescue is the weather-beaten short-wave radio he's found. The problem is, the transmitter is fouled up. Both his sending and receiving is confused, distorted, almost unintelligible. Every message is garbled by static and vital information is lost, and rescue is therefore uncertain.

 

Now, this is a pretty fair metaphor for human communication, don't you think?

 

As fallen men and women our transmitters and receivers are seriously flawed. How often what we say falls short of what we would have liked to have said, what we should have said, or what we later wish we'd said. We leave things out, or we speak them poorly. At best, we fall short in our speech of what might be called, in a court of law, "the whole truth," and at worst we give out false information, misleading our would-be rescuers.

 

Then again we misunderstand or misinterpret the words of others.

 

We mix in our own prejudices and presumptions. We're defensive, and hear insults where none was intended. Or we're prideful, and treat the words of others with disdain. Or perhaps we suffer from self-contempt, so that we fail to trust words of love or comfort, for we can't really believe anyone could possibly love us.

 

In these and a thousand other ways we garble the messages that are sent our way or that we are to send to others.

 

You see, our metaphorical castaway doesn't just have a hardware problem—he has a flesh problem. The distortion of his message is sometimes intentional and he can't seem to help it. He drives away hope with mixed signals, with lies, pridefully declaring that he doesn't need any help at all, thank you.

 

In John 7:1-5 we see Jesus's brothers speaking to Jesus in much the same tone as the Pharisees:

 

After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him.  Now the Jews' Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. His brothers therefore said to Him, "Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world." For even His brothers did not believe in Him.

 

If you are truly who you say you are, go up to Jerusalem and declare yourself publicly, they say. They seem to be goading Jesus in order that he might prove himself to them. And the John adds, For even his brothers did not believe in Him (John 7:5). Later, one of those brothers, James, would right: For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body (James 3:2). James, no doubt is speaking from experience, and is pinpointing the central importance of communication in our own growth in righteousness.

 

 He continues, Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh (James 3:3-12).

So, you see, our castaway is in a fine predicament.

 

Sometimes he thinks he might save himself by his own speech, but he condemns himself further. However, the important thing to remember here is that all is not lost, as believers we are to be daily seeking to become Christ-like in every area of our lives—this includes our communication through our speech.

 

Our castaway does have a rescuer... One who knows the exact coordinates of his little uninhabited island, and wants to transform his communication for His glory alone.

The Rose

Here is a beautiful poem we can all relate to… oh that we would trust the Father, in His wisdom, to unfold each petal of our lives in His time.

 

 

It is only a tiny rosebud,
A flower of God's design,
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I,
The flower God opens so sweetly,
In my hands would fade and die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of God's design,
Then how can I have wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?

So I'll trust Him for His leading
Each moment of every day
And I'll look to Him for His guidance
Each step of the pilgrim way.

For the pathway that lies before me
My heavenly Father knows
I'll trust Him to unfold the moments
Just as He unfolds the rose.

-Anonymous

Beliefs Influence Thoughts And Thoughts Influence Feelings

Females can be emotional... happy on one day, and feeling like the world is crashing around them the next. Smiling in the morning and then crying—sometimes for no discernible reason— only a few hours later.

 

And apparently, changing feelings are the norm for others and not just females.

 

Beliefs influence thoughts, and thoughts influence feelings. One way or another, all our emotions, both positive and negative, overflow from what we're inwardly convinced of. Think about it. If you believed that your mocha latte had been poisoned, would you actually consume it like you normally do—savoring every last sip?

So, what am I getting at?

As Christians, we often allow our emotions to wreak havoc with us:

 

We don't always feel like God loves us.

We don't always feel zealous for the gospel.

We don't always feel overwhelmed with joy.

We don't always feel forgiven.

 

We deeply desire to feel these things, but sometimes... well, the feelings just aren't there.

Take a look at Job. On a day during the height of his enjoyment of God's blessings—without any warning—two things happen that change his life forever. A breathless servant arrives, carrying a message: Job's wealth has been obliterated. Before he has even a second to absorb this, another messenger arrives, with even worse news. Job's children have met sudden, violent deaths. And what does he do? Not what most people would expect—he falls to the ground, and there, face down... he worships.

 

He worships!

 

In the midst of Job's greatest crisis, he exclaims, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised" (See Job 1:21b) springs spontaneously from his lips. Job's reaction doesn't make rational sense. In fact, it defies cause and effect.

 

How could his first, reaction be to praise God?

Acceptance is one thing, but adoration?

There's only one explanation—Job's emotional response came from a firm, unshakable conviction.

 

It was his belief in the goodness of God that compelled him to worship. Job's relationship with God wasn't based off of circumstances, or the feelings produced by those circumstances. The reason he "didn't curse God and die" (See Job 2:9), as his wife advised, was because his relationship with God rested on one solid, reliable foundation—truth.

 

If we allow ourselves to be directed by our feelings, we will quickly find ourselves obscured in fog, upside down, and probably headed for disaster. We need a stronger foundation—a foundation informed by the truth and supported by belief, not sustained by emotions. Only this kind of relationship will enable us to produce God-glorifying feelings in any circumstance.

In All Things

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

Do you feel misunderstood or forsaken by those around you—family, friends, acquaintances, or those in the work place—from time to time?

Joseph, who was sold by his brothers into slavery (See Genesis 37:28), went through such a time in his own life. Still, he was conscious that God was in it with him every step of the way. Though his life was not necessarily what he had in mind as each detail unfolded, he believed that it was not an accident.

Even though a lot of the things that were happening to him were not all good, he believed that God was making all things work together for his good. And it was indeed so, for Joseph eventually rose to the most powerful position in Egypt—second only to Pharaoh (See Genesis 41:40).

Probably, this consciousness that God was in it with him was the reason he forgave his brothers when they came back later in his life to seek his forgiveness. As well as, show favor on them by providing for them when they were in great need. Joseph told them, But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life (Genesis 45:5).

So like Joseph, whatever you are facing now, be conscious that God is in it with you. For when you are Jesus-conscious, though you may have nothing or not much now, you have everything when you have Jesus!

Water For Life And Health

With God's creative touch, water is the most used and needed form of non-nutrient substance for life and overall health.

 

Water acts:

 

• As a coolant to regulate body temperature.
• As a natural cleanser by flushing out excess chemicals, toxins, and wastes.
• As a lubrication to joints and protects organs.

 

Water helps:

 

• Maintain electrolyte balance (sodium and potassium).
• Maintain proper muscle tone.
• Maintain and aid in digestion and helps relieve constipation.
• Maintain and helps suppress appetite, aids in weight loss, and helps metabolize stored fat.

How Much Water Do You Need?

 

Clearly, water is the greatest elixir on the planet—which brings us to the question: How much does your body really need daily to flow smoothly?

 

One way to know, is to multiply 0.5 ounces of water per each pound of your body weight if you're sedentary, and 0.7 ounces of water per pound of body weight if you're active.

 

If you're one of the many who wait until you're dying of thirst before you reach for a glass of water, beware. By the time you actually feel thirsty; your body is already dehydrated, which can affect your physical and mental abilities. Dehydration is an even greater problem if you're big on caffeine found in coffee or soft drinks (which accounts for more than 27 percent of American beverage consumption). These beverages serve as diuretics by promoting additional urine output.

 

The signs of dehydration are:

 

• Dark, yellow urine (the more hydrated you are, the clearer your urine will be)
• Dry mucous membranes of the mouth and nose
• Blood pressure and heart rhythm changes
• Dry skin and poor muscle tone
• Decreased digestive efficiency and constipation
• Kidney stones and other medical complications
• Poor physical and mental performance  

Helpful Hints for Drinking Up

 

Here's how to do it:

 

• Carry a water bottle to work with you and drink it throughout the day.
• Squeeze orange or lemon slices into water.
• Drink one-third of your water in the morning, one-third midday, and one-third in the early evening. Try not to drink too much water in the late evening, because the more you drink in the evening, the more you'll have to go to the bathroom during the night.

When you look at it this way, drinking more water sounds simple, doesn't it?

 

What's keeping you from drinking the crystal clear beverage that God designed for our body's?

 

Exercise Caution

 

The more you exercise the more water your body needs.

 

Drink:

 

• 16-20 ounces two hours before exercising
• 6-16 ounces 15-30 minutes before a workout
• 3-7 ounces every 15-20 minutes during a workout

Teach Me Your Ways

Teach me your way, O Lord, lead me in a straight path.

 

Psalm 27:11

 

There's never a day that passes without us being taken to school in some way. Life is really all about teaching and learning. And there's a way in which neither stops from the first until the last day of our lives. So, perhaps one of the most important diagnostic questions that each of us should be asking is this, "Do I approach life as a student?"

If we are committed to know and understand, if we are committed to journey from ignorance to knowledge, and from foolishness to wisdom, if we are interested in more than our own plan and perspective, then it only makes sense to learn at the feet of the world's best Teacher.

 

Who could know more or be wiser than the One who put the universe into motion, who presently holds it together, and who controls its destiny?

 

Who could know more about the true meaning and purpose of life?

 

Who could know more about your identity?

 

Who could know more about the environment in which you live?

 

Who could know more about the foundational questions of life?

 

John Calvin's paraphrases it well, "There is no knowing that does not begin with knowing God." There can be no better place to go to school than to the University of the Lord and there could be no better course of study than the way of the Lord.

His way is wisdom and wisdom requires understanding His way.

 

So where are you going for wisdom?

 

Whose school have you been attending?

 

Who shapes your definition of the meaning and purpose of life?

 

Who tells you who you are and what you should be doing?

 

Who crafts the way you look at the surrounding world?

 

Who defines your problems?

 

Who instructs your ways?

 

Who helps you to determine your life direction?

 

Who tells you what's functionally important and what isn't?

 

Who shapes your relationships?

 

Who clarifies your thinking?

 

Are you really a faithful student in the school of the Lord, or do you just attend now and then when it's convenient?

Here are a few characteristics of a student in the school of the Lord:

1. A healthy cynicism toward your own wisdom– We were never created with the autonomous capacity to be wise. Wisdom doesn't come through research, experience, and study. Wisdom comes by revelation and relationship. You only get wisdom from the One who is it's ultimate source—the Lord.

2. A humble sense of need– We know more today than we did yesterday and then we quit working to know more tomorrow. Rather than gratitude for what God has taught us, motivating us to learn more, we get smug and lazy, quite content to consider ourselves to be God's graduates.

3. A willing and open heart– Willingness and openness are the essential characteristics of any good student. Why? Because learning not only shows us what we didn't know, but points out the places where what we thought we knew was, in fact, wrong. Willingness to listen, consider, and change are in the heart of every good student.

4. Discernment, focus, and determination– Discernment means that you have to make sure that you're submitting yourself to qualified teachers. Paul says in Colossians 2:8: See, to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. Once we are sitting at the feet of those who represent the Teacher of teachers, then continued learning takes focus—we live in a world of many, many voices. One truth opens the doorway to another truth. One truth functions as an interpreter of a truth previously introduced, but now understood more fully. Learning is a lifelong process and it requires perseverance.

5. Commitment to act on what is being learned– We all know that the real learning takes place after we leave the classroom and practice what we have been taught. God who is our teacher will orchestrate events, situations, and relationships for the purpose of causing us to live what we have been learning. Life is His classroom and every new location on each new day provides a rich and God-given environment to understand more deeply and to live more wisely. So, good students always carry with them the commitment to look for ways to apply what they've been learning and they know that as they do, their learning will continue and become more ingrained in them.

By God's grace we haven't been left to our own wisdom. We've been brought into personal communion with the One who's the source of everything that's wise and true. So, these questions remain:

 

Are you a committed student?

 

Whose school are you attending?