We live in a broken world. Pray for our country that God's light will shine in all we do.
Blessings,
Jan and Corinne
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Today's Devotional
"TREASURE WITHIN THE TRASH"
by
Jan Andersen
We are all inhabitants of decaying physical bodies. No matter how well we take care of ourselves, at some point our bodies fail. Even very healthy individuals have suddenly died unexpectedly. Others have done everything they could to live healthy lives, and their bodies still slowly fell apart on them, gradually losing functions and independence. Either way, suddenly or gradually, our bodies eventually give out or fall apart like a broken clay pot thrown on a trash heap. Throw on top of that our actions and our inability to be flawless there, too. All have sinned and fall short of perfection. No matter how hard we try, we cannot be perfect physically or in our actions. Sounds rather depressing.
But there is one who is perfect and eternal. He is our everlasting God! When we are baptized, faith in Jesus as our Savior is placed in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. That spiritual part of us is like a jewel inside of an earthen jar. That treasure is quite unlike the clay pot that houses it, especially when the vessel is cracked and falling apart like trash. However, if that gem shines and reflects the light from above, it would be hidden from view unless that jar were cracked. Because of our brokenness we can be witnesses to the world. If our lives were perfect and flawless, we would not be able to relate to others. When we are cracked and broken, we show the world how our God lovingly forgives us in spite of our mistakes and sinfulness. He pulls us out of the junk pile and puts us back together enough to hold his light shining in our hearts, peaking through the cracks as a light to the world.
2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (NIV) For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
The main thing required from us is that we do not reject this free gift of forgiveness and salvation, and out of thankfulness we are to shine his light to the world. Each time we fall short and fall off the shelf and break again, God is there to forgive us and put us back together. And what about our broken body that is decaying on this earth? Our awesome God promises to give us a new and perfect body in heaven! In the meantime, don't lose heart...
2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 16-18 (NIV) We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed... Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Dear Father in heaven, may master potter, thank you for your Spirit placing the jewel of faith within my heart and for your loving forgiveness for all my shortcomings. May my broken shell on this earth serve you well. Help me to shine your light to those around, sharing with them the Good News of salvation through your Son, Jesus Christ, in whose name I pray. Amen.
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Prayers are lifted up daily for
you by the Devotional Writers
and the Monthly Writing Staff
of Women's Focus Ministries.
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