A treasure in a jar
(Text and illustrations by Geonjubu, Image source: Canva)
Shalom
~ This is Geonjubu , a real estate expert specializing inhealthy stocks
.
May the peace of the Lord be with you always.
I start my day by writing down one chapter
from the New Testament and meditating on it (QT).
We thank you for giving us the gift of the Holy Spirit and grace as we read the Word every day, and for making us healthy both physically and spiritually.
Today’s reading is [2 Corinthians 4 (verses 1-18)].
Present Weakness and Resurrection Life
Our inner self is renewed day by day.
(Text and illustrations by Geonjubu, Image source: Canva)
1. Therefore, we do not lose heart, considering that by God's mercy we have this ministry.
2. But we have renounced hidden and shameful things, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by making the truth manifest we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God .
3. If our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
4. As for them, the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, cannot shine on them.
5. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.
6. For God, who commanded, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Jesus Christ.
7. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassing power belongs to God and not to us .
8. Therefore, even though we are troubled on all sides, we do not despair, and even though we are perplexed, we do not lose heart .
9. Even if we are persecuted, we will not be abandoned; even if we are struck down, we will not be destroyed .
10. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal body .
11. For we who are alive are always being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal body.
12. So death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
13. We have that spirit of faith, because it is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke.” Therefore we believe and speak.
14. Because we know that he who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you .
15. Everything is for your benefit, so that God's grace may abound to more and more people, overflowing with thanksgiving to God for his glory.
16. Therefore we do not lose heart, because though our outer person is wasting away, our inner person is being renewed day by day.
17. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
18. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal .
QT Contemplation of the Lord: The Pottery and the Glory of God
◆ Thoughts and Realizations
"7. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassing power belongs to God and not to us ."
The Apostle Paul likened us to clay vessels.
Earthenware is a crude and fragile vessel, used to hold low and worthless things rather than precious ones.
God chose these earthen vessels and filled them with the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Jesus Christ.
We are insignificant, but what is contained within us is very great and beautiful, containing the glory of God, which is infinitely powerful.
We are made of clay and can easily be broken and appear shabby on the outside.
But the glory of the Lord within it is the precious glory of God, who is light, truth, hope, and love.
That is why the Apostle Paul
said, 'We fix our eyes not on the things which are seen, but on the things which are unseen .'
We are poor earthen vessels, but we have been chosen by the grace of the Lord and are precious vessels containing the glory of God.
The usefulness of a vessel is determined not by its shape but by what it contains.
If it contains treasure, it is a treasure box, and if it contains trash, it is a trash can.
When we realize that we are earthen vessels and approach God humbly, He gives us the light and life of Jesus Christ in our vessels through His precious grace.
Then we are no longer shabby clay vessels, but precious treasures.
Just because we grow older and weaker, it does not mean that my inner self, Jesus Christ, also grows weaker and older.
'16. We do not lose heart, for though our outer person is wasting away, our inner person is being renewed day by day .
Hold on to the precious words of grace and do not be discouraged or despair when you see your outer self, your earthen vessel, becoming weak and withered. Instead, look to your inner self, the eternal inner self.
Please believe that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is my resurrection, the life of Jesus Christ is my life, and the glory of God is my glory, and give joy, hope, and thanksgiving.
I pray that today will be a day filled with vitality and grace as you see your inner self being renewed day by day .
[Precious enlightenment given by the Holy Spirit]
2 Corinthians 4 is a passage that proclaims the amazing truth that although we are like weak clay vessels, within us is contained the glory and power of God.
" We have this treasure in jars of clay " (2 Corinthians 4:7)
Earthenware may break easily and look shabby, but its value is determined by what it contains.
No matter what our outward appearance or circumstances may be, the light
, truth , and lifeof Jesus Christ that God has placed within us
is the source of our true value and power.In particular, the words, “ Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day ” (2 Corinthians 4:16) make us certain of the work of the Holy Spirit, who gives us new strength every day even in the midst of our physical weakness or the hardships of life.
Even though our lives may seem full of hardship and weakness at times, we must not lose heart but move forward in hope, looking to the resurrection power of God working within it.
Intercessory prayer for the construction workers
I ask for your precious intercessory prayers.
(Text and illustrations by Geonjubu, Image source: Canva)
Thank you to our neighbors who have taken the time to visit us.
Please pray for the construction workers for a moment. Your prayers will be a great help.
And after the intercessory prayer for the construction workers, please add your name and pray again.
Dear Father God,
We thank the Lord for His grace that holds precious treasures even in our fragile and worthless earthen vessels.
Lord, I pray for your beloved servant, Geonjubu, who offers this prayer.
Remembering the grace of God choosing the lowly and insignificant to be His servants,
Please add the power of the Holy Spirit to it and use it as a tool to accomplish God's will.
May the Lord give you the power of writing and the gift of prophecy to speak words of comfort to your neighbors.
Please give us the ability to sow seeds so that many souls may return to the Lord.
In particular, grant us the gift of discernment of spirits, so that we may see the inner person, not the outer person.
Please give me strong faith and the ability to discern, resist, and defeat evil spirits.
In the name of the Lord, grant us the strength and courage to fully fulfill our mission of loving souls and leading them to God.
May the life of this praying servant be held in the hands of the Lord and used completely,
May the Holy Spirit personally guide you at every step and establish you as a precious tool for the kingdom of God.
All this I pray earnestly in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
I will continue to pray for the life and ministry of the Lord. May you always be strong in the Lord!
출처: https://talk6617.tistory.com/entry/Gospel-질그릇에-담긴-보배고린도후서-4장 [건강 주식 부동산 정보 블로그(hsrinvest.com):티스토리]
