THE GREAT POTTER

By: Gloria Lucy Fernandez Canque (Chiriqui, Panama)

Jeremiah 18:1-6 (NRSV) The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: "Come, go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words." So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.Then the word of the LORD came to me: Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the LORD. Just like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.

O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.- Isaiah 64:8 (NRSV)

IN our ceramics class, we worked on various flowerpot and planter designs. While one of my companions was putting the finishing touches on a beautiful flowerpot, a sudden movement caused it to break in her hands. The instructor told her it could not be used. She was given fresh clay to start on another project. As I worked on my project, I thought how much we are like clay in the hands of the Lord. When we accept the Lord, the Lord guides us and, like a potter, gives shape to our lives. But unlike the pot my friend made, when events in our lives break us, that is not the end. Jesus Christ takes the shattered pieces and remakes our lives. Though we cannot accomplish it ourselves, the Lord can transform us into a new creation.

Prayer: Merciful Lord, take us in your hands; mold and transform us. Make us a new creation as we pray, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil."* Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:When we allow the Lord's transforming power to work within us, we are continually being made new. --

Mothers and Their Children

It never ceases to amaze me.....Mothers and their Children. A Mother's love for her child never sees the true child. It is because they always see through a Mother's eyes, eyes that see through love and they only see their baby when they look at the little monster.

It doesn't make any difference that their child or children have been suspended from school, picked up by the police, or even arrested for drunkeness or theft or drugs or vandalism or fighting. Even despite the fact that their actions and doings have been seen by everyone else.

When asked, the mother will always say my son or daughter is a good boy or girl. And inevitably it is always the other person's fault. To them their child is still their baby and there is nothing wrong with the child. Mothers will push their children on everyone friends, family and yes even strangers because everyone should love their child, pay lots of attention to their child and above all compliment them regardless of what they've done.

Mothers cannot comprehend that there is no humanly possible way for ANYONE other than themselves, not even their Fathers or Grandparents to love that child or see that child the same way they do. Everyone else can see the child for who or what they really are while No one else, but their mother sees them through a mother's eyes....The Eyes of Love.

With Love This Strong, would you believe there is still another Love is that even greater? That is the Love that God has for his children. God loved us before the foundation of the world even existed (creation). He loved us and knew us before we were even conceived. He loved us so much that sent his son Jesus to Die on the Cross and shed his innocent blood on our behalf. And what is so wonderful is that he loves us still regardless of who or what we are and freely invites each of us to accept him into our hearts as our Lord and Savior and have eternal life.

Forgiving Others

It is so hard to forgive those who hurt us so deeply. We may “SAY” we forgive them, but we don’t leave the hurt feelings and the issue at the feet of Jesus. Each of us tend to pick them right back up and stuff them in deep hidden place only for Satan to find our hiding place and bring them up again.

I’ve even heard people say, “I have a right to be angry and hate them after what they did to me”. But God has a very different view in the matter.

This is the email Word for the Day I received.“You are not among those who seek revenge. Some carry their revenge and vengeance for the rest of their lives because someone offended or transgressed their "rights." There are believers today who live by the law "and eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth." They did not learn this from Me. I gave a better way when Jesus died on the cross. He introduced grace and mercy with unconditional love. I say unto you, examine yourself today and see if you have any revenge or vengeance in your heart. If you find any at all, repent quickly and bring those offenders with you to My throne of grace. There you will find grace in your time of need.”

OPENED AND CLOSED

I received this email forward from a friend and wanted to pass its power message along.....


We need to learn to thank the Lord for closed doors just as much as we do for open doors.
The reason God closes doors is because He has not prepared anything over there for us. If he didn't close the wrong door we would never find our way to the right door.
Even when we don't realize it, God directs our paths through the closing and opening of doors.
When one door closes, it forces us to change our course. Another door closes; it forces us to change our course yet again. Then finally, we find the open door and walk right into our blessing.
But instead of praising God for the closed door (which kept us out of trouble), we get upset because we "judge by the appearances."

And in our own arrogance, or ignorance, we insist that we know what is right.
We have a very present help in the time of need that is always standing guard. Because He walks ahead of us, He can see trouble down the road and HE sets up roadblocks and detours accordingly.

But through our lack of wisdom we try to tear down the roadblocks or push aside the detour signs.

Then the minute we get into trouble, we start crying "Lord how could this happen to me?" We have got to realize that the closed door was a blessing.

Didn't He say "No good thing will He withhold from them that love Him?"
If you get terminated from your job - don't be down, instead thank God for the new opportunities that will manifest themselves - it might be a better job, or an opportunity to go to school. If that man or woman won't return your call - it might not be them, it might be the Lord setting up a roadblock (just let it go). One time a person had a bank he had been doing business with for many years tell him "NO" for a $10,000 loan.

The Lord led him to call another bank. That bank approved a $40,000 loan for him at a lower interest rate than his own bank had advertised. I'm so grateful, for the many times God has closed doors to me, just to open them in the most unexpected places.

The Mountaintop is glorious, but it is in the Valley that I will grow! Always Remember God gives you...
Ø Enough Happiness to keep you Sweet
Ø Enough Trials to keep you Strong
Ø Enough Sorrows to keep you Human
Ø Enough Hope to keep you Happy
Ø Enough Failure to keep you Humble
Ø Enough Success to keep you Eager
Ø Enough Friends to give you Comfort
Ø Enough Wealth to meet your Needs
Ø Enough Enthusiasm to make you look forward
Ø Enough Faith to banish depression, &
Ø Enough Determination to make each day a better day than the last. Life must be lived forward but can only be understood backwards.

HE IS THE FIRST AND LAST

HE IS THE FIRST AND LAST (an email forward)
~author unknown~

He is the First and Last,the Beginning and the End!
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times.
He always was,
He always is,
and He always will be ...
unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!
He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!
The world can't understand him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him,
and The leaders can't ignore Him.

Herod couldn't kill Him,
The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him,
and The people couldn't hold Him!
Nero couldn't crush Him,
Hitler couldn't silence Him,
The New Age can't replace Him,
and "Oprah" can't explain Him away!

He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.

His ways are right,
His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging,
And His mind is on me.

He is my Redeemer,
He is my Savior,
He is my guide,
andHe is my peace!
He is my Joy,
He is my comfort,
He is my Lord,
andHe rules my life!

I serve Him becauseHis bond is love,
His burden is light,
and His goal for me is abundant life.

A Woman’s Price Tag
By Bonita Lillie

Scripture
“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” Proverbs 31:10 (NIV)

Devotion:
I looked like a peacock strutting in full splendor, displaying regal feathers. I was wearing my “coat of many colors,” a plaid sateen jacket, a gift from my sanguine mother who loves color and flair. It felt awkward wearing my mother’s personality. I err to the conservative side, preferring that all eyes not be on me. Uneasily, I slid into one of the front rows of the church, hoping the shine of the jacket wouldn’t distract people from the sermon.
I became engrossed in the service and it wasn’t until after church was over that the jacket came to mind again. My neck was itching and as I reached back to scratch it I was horrified to discover that the price tag to my new jacket was hanging down my back. Worse yet, I wasn’t just on sale, I was on clearance! I guess my fellow worshippers were too embarrassed to tell me.
Unfortunately, many of us are like that jacket. We look good, but we have an imaginary price tag hanging not on our clothes, but on our person. We see ourselves as cheap, not worth much, possibly even on God’s clearance rack. We don’t believe anyone could ever love us and certainly, God could never use us in His plan, but nothing could be further from the truth.
It’s interesting that in Proverbs 31 before God ever addresses the godly woman’s “to do” list, he establishes her worth. Before she ever says or does anything, He deems her worthy, apart from all works and He does it in such a way that we can never forget it. He doesn’t just label her adequate, but He raves about her, ranking her superior to the rarest, most exquisite stones. God’s woman is worth more than costly gems. That woman is you!
Your worth isn’t wrapped up in your accomplishments, possessions, job title, popularity, or looks. It isn’t about what others think of you, good or bad. It doesn’t even matter what you think of yourself. We can be our harshest critic, can’t we? Your worth has nothing to do with any of those things or even your ability to carry out the duties listed in Proverbs 31. You are precious to God simply because you are His child.
The truth is that one day you did have a price tag hanging on you. I Corinthians 6:20 says, “you were bought with a price.” Yet, you weren’t cheap. In fact, it cost God everything to purchase you for Himself. You are one valuable lady, a woman deeply loved and valued by God. You mean the world and all to Him!

Prayer:
Father, when I’m tempted to look down on myself or feel unworthy, help me to hold my head high, knowing that my value doesn’t come from my own feelings, but from You. You say I’m valuable and that is enough. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Application Steps:
Make eye contact with yourself in a mirror and repeat after me: I have value. I have worth. No matter how I feel, God’s word is true. He loves me. He values me. I am important.

Reflections:
Do you have a favorite piece of jewelry or maybe a certain type of stone that sets your heart a pitter-patter? Take a few moments to think about the beautiful facets of those gems. Ask God to bring this picture to mind when you start to thinking negative thoughts about yourself.

GOD IS FAITHFUL TO US

“Bucket of Blessings”
By Zoë Elmore

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

Devotion:
It was Friday afternoon and Tom arrived home early from work carrying a beautiful arrangement of cut flowers. I took the flowers from him, placed them on the counter then threw my arms around his neck squealing with delight and kissed his face.

Tom lowered my arms and he lowered his head as he began to tell me that his job had just been eliminated, and in a few short weeks, he would be unemployed. I couldn’t breathe or even speak.

We spent much of the night crying and discussing the details of what we would need to do while we waited for the Lord to open the next job opportunity. Over that next week I enjoyed carrying my beautiful flower arrangement from room to room not wanting to miss one moment of their beauty. Sadly, the blooms on my beautiful arrangement began to fade and I removed the wilted and brown flowers from their container and placed them in the garbage. I thought about holding on to a few of them as a memory of my husband’s tenderness toward me, but the Lord whispered, “Throw the blooms away but save the little blue container. I am going to fill it to overflowing.” Reluctantly I threw out the flowers, placed the little blue container in my kitchen and named it our “bucket of blessing”.

Throughout the long ten months of waiting for Tom to begin working again we received many cards, e-mails and phone calls encouraging us to persevere. Month after month we placed these encouragements in our bucket of blessing and before long it was filled to overflowing. It contained words of encouragement from friends and family, and stories of my husband’s integrity in his former job. Additionally, we placed in there reminders of kind gestures, unexpected gifts of kindness and nuggets of gold from God’s holy word. When either of us was tempted to feel discouraged we would remove one of those blessings from the bucket and read it. Each one was not only a reminder of God’s faithful provision to us but also God’s very presence with us.

Although Tom and I did not know what our future held, our confidence that God’s hand sustains and provides through times of uncertainty was greatly magnified. Although the flowers in that container were beautiful, their beauty only lasted a few days; however the blessings now held in our bucket will last a lifetime. Our circumstances may have changed, however God’s faithfulness does not ever change. The Bible is filled to overflowing with rich words of encouragement to trust the One who created us and who is faithful to sustain us.

Jehovah Jirah - He is faithful to provide!