Welcome!
Date: Friday, September 10, 2010
Today: He (God) is more than enough – for me!
Passage: 2 Cor 4:7 NIV
7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
Paul is taking a look at himself as a minister/worker of God
In the first and second verses of this chapter, he makes it clear that he was about to be broken, but he did not, because this ministry was given to him by God and by the grace of God he is able to overcome the various challenges
If Paul had not stepped into this ministry, he would have decorated some very high office in the government or so
Even as a Jewish scholar, he would have got a highly reputed position
In today’s context, he would have had his own security, driver, and even a jet plane to travel, if he had not left his former position
But now, as a minister of God, he is in a totally different setting
Unlike many modern ministers, Paul’s life was never a comfortable one
His comfort was Christ and his fellow believers and ministers
Paul did not get a red carpet welcome in most places
But that was O.K. He knew all of that when he stepped into this ministry
“Jars of clay” refers to human weakness; we are fragile, vessels of clay
The other day, a minister was sharing; when someone who is close to him corrects him, he would go to his room and cry
We are fragile. We cannot hold much
But the power of God is a treasure that God allows us to contain/hold
He is not demanding a gold or silver vessel, and His kingdom is very different
The principles of God’s kingdom cannot be understood by the world
In God’s kingdom, there is no exhibition of worldly power, possessions or possibilities
Everything may look so weak and insignificant, to somebody outside
But real Love, wisdom and Power is found in Christ and His kingdom
Today, so much of the “world” has crept into the Church. We can see ministers justifying themselves for every pleasure and sin they have/do
But God is a God of fire. This is serious stuff. His kingdom does not end here
Any one can make mistakes. But willingness to repent and to get rid of the sinful habits is what we need
We should identify the enemy that is within us, and deal with it
We need the Agape Love of God, humility, wisdom and Power of God
Even if nothing happens when we pray, we are O.K, because nothing much is happening in the other places around us either!
But that is not where God expected us/them to be
If someone studies in a school where nobody is competent, they may be happy with that; but they will be struggling in the future years
Instead of being happy with where we are today spiritually, we need to know where He wanted us to be, and strive to reach there
Let our life, doctrine and ministry bring glory to God
His Power, His Love and His wisdom will take us through
36As it is written:
”For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Rom 8: 36-37, NIV-emphasis added)
12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.(Phil 4: 12-13, NIV-emphasis added)
What more do we need?
God bless you
BG
Prayer: Lord Jesus, now I know that I cannot do without you. I am sorry for thinking that I can do it all without you. Fill me with your attitude-your Love, wisdom and Power. Amen
Thanks be to God for resolving the Terry Jones (Florida “Pastor” who was saying he would burn…..) issue. I hear that he is backing up from his plan to do what he was planning to do. Don’t stop praying yet!