Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Servants Prepared for Service




" I will speak of the glorious honor of thy majesty,
and of thy wondrous works!"
~ Psalm 145:5 ~

In my last post I shared with you how we should be
 "vessels fit for the Master"
clean, empty and available.
~ 2 Timothy 2:21 ~

Now to be vessels honorable for the Master, in the lives of
our family's ~ neighbor's ~ friends ~
and even strangers God brings across our paths.

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,
that the exellency of the power
may be of God, and not of us."
~ 2 Corinthians 4:7 ~

This is the exciting part!
As believers we are simply a jar of clay.
It is the treasure within the vessel that gives the vessel it's value.
Isn't that the most beautiful promise of God?

~ Acts 9:15 God said of Paul ~
"Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me,
go bear my name before the Gentiles,
and kings, and the children of Israel"

We must focus on the treasure and not the vessel (ourselves).
We are "earthen vessels" so that we might depend on God's power
and not our own.

This treasure of the gospel is currently contained within the
frail, fragile and fickle bodies of the redeemed.
When we allow ourselves to be servants prepared for service ~ 2 Timothy 2:21 ~
God's glory will shine through our humanity ~ and
it will be seen as His power, not ours.

God has beautifully fashioned each one of us to be uniquely different.
He wants us to be useable as His servants in the lives of others.
Like these beautiful bottles/ jars/ vases of mine 
they come in all shapes sizes and colors
made for different uses.
Some vessels may be chipped and broken, yet still useable.

" For thou hast possessed my reins; 
thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
marvelous are thy works:
and that my soul knoweth right well.
My substance was not hid from thee,
when I was made in secret,
and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Thine eyes did see my substance,
yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written,
which in continuance were fashioned
when as yet there was none of them.
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!
how great is the sum of them."
~ Psalm 139:13-17 ~

Oh the beauty of God's hand in each one of our lives.
May we rejoice with one another!

Then; as God's vessels unto honor, life will not always be easy.
Paul was not afraid of suffering or trial
because he knew God would guard the vessel. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:8 ~
What a beautiful promise; God guards the vessel.

God permits trials, He controls trials, and he uses trials and sufferings for His own glory.
Sometimes God permits our vessels to be shaken up
so that some of the "treasure"
will spill out and touch the lives of others.

When we ourselves have gone through suffering or a trial,
 God will use us to lovingly minister to hearting hearts
who may be going through what we ourselves went through.
Blessings come through pain, and God's glory shines in suffering ~ 2 Timothy 2:10 ~
through those who have given themselves to His use.
We are all different, and each of our lives has a story to tell.
It is God's love that is poured into the vessel,
and it will be His love that is poured out
into other lives.
We just have to be willing vessels, with a servants heart, desiring to be used.

May we be as Paul and see that
" the excellency of the power may be of God and not of ourselves."
All that we are ~ all that we have become ~ and all that we will be
is of the power of God, and NOT of ourselves.
May we rest in knowing that God will guard us,
He will prepare us, and He will use us for His service
so that we can graciously and lovingly
minister to others for His glory.

Our Precious Heavenly Father,
make us servants useful for Your service.
Help us to graciously accept who You created us to be
keeping our focus on the treasure, and not ourselves.
Give us a thankful heart
for whatever may come into our lives
so that we may be ready and prepared
by Your power to minister in the lives of others.
To God be the Glory.
Amen

Be lovely,
~ Debbie ~


26 comments:

Sylvia said...

Oh Debbie, what an inspiring post! It has to be inspired of God,for it touched my heart,soul and mind. I now know what I must do. Thanks so much for sharing this today just at the right time I needed to hear these words.
Hugs,Sylvia

Denise said...

Beautiful !

NanaDiana said...

Wonderfully said, Debbie. I think the crux of your whole post is where you say~We just have to be willing vessels, with a servants heart, desiring to be used. THAT is where so many of us fail. xo Diana

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Yes, it is a wonderful promise from God, dear Debbie, and you've put it all into words so beautifully. You've certainly been a blessing in comforting me with my loss, dear friend.
Happy Easter! xo

Stephanie said...

Another lovely post :)

Like you said, "Some vessels may be chipped and broken, yet still usable." I love the fact that God will use any of us whether we're broken, chipped, or in some way flawed because through those flaws He makes us beautiful - He makes us usable.

LOVE your photo. . .it's stunning :)

Love and blessings to you!

Debby Ray said...

What a beautiful post, full of such wonderful scriptures and truths! That is quite a lovely collection of bottlles and containers as well. Thank you sharing these words of wisdom. May your Easter be filled with peace and joy!

Wanda said...

You shared God Word so beautifully here, with words and with illustrations.

Many times with us women, we're visual learners..thanks for helping me to SEE things God has for me today.

Patty Sumner said...

Debbie, what an absolutely wonderful and "Inspring" post. So much "meat" in this writing.. I needed to be reminded that it is not the vessel but what is in the vessel that is to be treasured... So many times as women we place all our value in how we look, how we feel.. it is not about us.. it is about who we are as the redeemed... Love that! Great Lesson for all of us! So thankful to read encouraging and inspiring post.. keep on being faithful to post the truth! Blessings!

Patty Sumner said...

By the way, I am following along with you.. I love it when I find other believers for Christ who post unashamedly about thier faith.. Blessings!

Denise said...

you are a beautiful treasure straight from God's heart, love you.

Robyn said...

Debbie,

How lovely to take in your beautiful post at the end of a long day. It gave me a wonderfully calm feeling and I thank you for that.

Hope your day has been delightfully daffy. ;)

Anonymous said...

Thank you for a lovely post. I wish you and your family a blessed Easter.

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Thank you, Dear Debbie, for these heart lifting words and scripture - a wonderful reminder that it is not the outer self that matters, but rather the inner light that shines forth bringing God's love to share with others through unselfish deeds and kindness. Your beautiful image and words are very inspiring. Wishing you a lovely, blessed Easter. Hugs xo Karen

Sola Scriptura said...

Amen. To God be the Glory! I'm so thankful for your blog!

Anonymous said...

Dear Debbie,

So gently and beautifully written...thank you for this precious post.

:)Hope

living from glory to glory said...

Hello, I have been blessed! This has been two weeks filled of little trials, the Lord did tell me they were coming.
Praying and just resting and I know it is His strength getting me through and as He has said we are more than overcomers.
You have a gift for writing, and it is of a Devotional type and is much needed in the lives of so many.
I was blessed by this post and I know God had me read it just when it would minister to me the most.
Wishing You God's sweet peace and JOY! He is alive...
So happy you are sharing your gift and talents!
Yours, Roxy

Ceil said...

Hi Debbie! You have certainly 'poured out' the contents of your vessel here my friend. What a beautiful post...encouragement for me to truly look at the inside, not the outside.

We are fearfully and wonderfully made...all with the love and grace of the Father. To use for us, and for others, and that's what you are doing here. Thank you!
Easter blessings to you and yours,
Ceil

Anonymous said...

Others may consider my life as filled with trials that seem to never end...but for me they have become blessings. As each trial ends, I am closer to Him that never leaves me. Be blessed Debbie :0) mari

Anne Payne said...

Beautiful, Debbie! I love how you compared us to the bottles; different shapes, sizes and colors.

Have a blessed day, my dear!

Conniecrafter said...

A wonderful reminder that we can be used to spread God's love to everyone we come in contact with, and no matter where we are in life we can be of use to him!

magnoliasntea said...

Hi Debbie! I enjoyed your beautiful post, and the photo is perfect. Have a wonderful day!

Dianna said...

Dearest Debbie,
You have no idea how timely this post is for me today. :) HE knew. It is those gentle "love" reminders that He sends our way that makes life so very special...especially in the times of trial. Indeed we need not focus on the vessel but on that precious treasure that resides within the vessel.

Love to you, my friend,
Dianna

Sylvia said...

Reading this again has touch me. I am so thankful for your blogs they are always a blessing,Debbie.
Hugs my friend.

Bethany Carson said...

Excellent verses and encouragement. I'm feeling "fragile" today, as I seem to be fighting yet another cold; it's good to know that God is always strong and will help us through our weaknesses.

Anonymous said...

Such a lovely post and blog, Debbie. I've known Stephanie for a long time. I look forward to getting to know you better.
Blessings!

Ida said...

Beautiful thoughts. I would like to be a better "vessel" this year for Christ. - Speaking of vessels the one's in your photo are quite lovely.

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