The Potter's Hands

Sunday, July 31, 2011. Reading: Isaiah 63, 64; Psalm 107; John 2


S: Isaiah 64:8 – But now O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay and you our potter; And all we are the work of your hand.
O: We are like clay in the potter’s hand.
A: This verse fills me with such awe. Have you ever watched a potter at work? It’s messy work. The potter’s wheel spins, sometimes fast and sometimes slow but it’s not the wheel that does the work. It’s the hands. Those hands are carefully wrapped around a lump of clay and with a little pressure here, a little pressure there something begins to take shape. There is no formula. What is being created is born out of the heart and vision of the potter. The potter’s hands are sure and steady gently creating something only the potter can see. Just like God’s work in us - A little pressure here; A gentle nudge there. Creating something out of a messy lump that only He can see; sometimes realizing something isn’t quite right and bringing us back to the form of the “lump” and starting over. All we need to do is stay pliable in the hands of the potter – by realizing the clay has no power of it’s own. All power comes from the hands and all we have to do is surrender ourselves to the process. A little pressure here; a little trim there. I can’t wait to see what this lump is going to turn out to be!
P: Father God – Thank you for being in control. Thank you for your love and vision that are over my life – molding, shaping and forming me into the person you would have me be. This lump of clay is often marred with imperfections but you see only the vision you have for the vessel I will be one day. I surrender my heart, my soul, my life, my “imperfections” to you today. Amen.

The Power of Sons!

by Cathy Weymouth

Saturday 7/30/11 Isaiah 60-62; John 1 - The Power of Sons!

S= Scripture; O= Observation; A= Application; P= Prayer

S - John 1:11-12 JBP, He (Jesus) came into his own world, and his own people would not accept him.  Yet wherever men did accept him he gave them the power to become sons of God.  These were the men who truly believed in him ...

O - John is describing Jesus creating the world and them coming to the world he created.  When people accept or receive Jesus by believing in him, not only do they become God's children, but with that position comes power!  Being God's child includes gaining the power of a son.

A - I love reading a different translation because things pop out that I didn't see in the one I have used for years.  My version doesn't use the word power, so it stood right out to me! (JB Phillips New Testament has been a joy to read this year!).  In the Greek, this word power includes authority, liberty, power, right and strength.  These are the features we gain as God's sons.  We have the right to be God's sons!  We have authority and liberty and power. Sometimes life becomes overwhelming and we forget who we are in Jesus.

P - Father, thank you for the gift of Jesus.  Thank you that you gave me the opportunity to accept Him and thus gain all this power.  May we all rise up in that authority and not limp along in life. Amen.

“BUILD UP BUILD UP”

Isaiah 57-59; Psalm 103; 2Peter 3

S=Scripture=Objective. A=Application, P=Prayer

S--Isa. 57;14 “…Build up, build up, prepare the road. Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.”

O--The people declare they were followers of God….yet they continued to worship idols. They felt hopeless in the ability to change.

A--I think about the Christian church today and believe that God is calling us to BUILD UP not tear down, to remove the roadblocks and not set them up…to stop judging and start reaching out in love to His people. We should be people of compassion, “re“-presenting Christ through love, compassion, mercy and grace. It doesn’t matter how a person dresses, talks or where they come from…they need God’s mercy. God loves them. We need to help to build up…and not tear down, that is how they will see God in us.

P--Oh God…help me to see with your eyes of love, mercy and compassion, and help me to reach out to others without judgment.

WE WIN!

Thursday, July 28, 2011 - Isaiah 53-56; 2 Peter 2

S - Isaiah 54:17 "No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.  This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me," declares the Lord.

O - God is speaking to His people (us) through the prophet Isaiah.  Serve the Lord and be victorious against your enemies.  Woot!

A - You will refute every tongue that accuses you.  How's that for building your confidence?  If you serve the Lord, you will prevail over your enemies.  Period.  You win!  So, where is your fear?  It should be far from you because God said it.  He didn't say "some" of the tongues, He said "every."  Be confident, even when people accuse you.

P - Thank You, Lord, that I have seen this played out in my life.  Help me to prosper, Lord, that You may be glorified.

SING FOR JOY

Wednesday, July 27, 2011 - Isaiah 50-52; Psalm 92; 2 Peter 1

S - Psalm 92:4 For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done.

O - When we focus on what the Lord has done, we can have joy.

A - Jesus healed my husband after he had suffered for 22 years with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  My expectation was that he would hit the ground running and I wouldn't be able to keep up with him.  My reality is that I am still quite capable of running circles around him and more often than not, I am waiting for him to catch up to me.  When I focus on what my husband is NOT doing, I get discouraged and down - trust me, it's not good.  But, God consistently reminds me that He healed my husband, who suffered with pain, brain fog and constant fatigue every day for the first nine years of our marriage.  He has none of this now.  :-)  When I focus on THIS, I have joy!

P - Lord, help me to remember all that You have done, and give me hope for all that You will do.  Thank You for the joy, Jesus!

I am His Personal Concern!

by Cathy Weymouth

Tuesday 7/26/11 - Isaiah 46-49; 1 Peter 5 - I am His Personal Concern!

S - 1 Peter 5:7 JBP, You can throw the whole weight of your anxiety upon him, for you are his personal concern.

O - In the context of talking about humility and how God gives grace to the humble, Peter mentions that since God so intimately cares for us, we can totally dump our anxiety on Him!  I love the wording, "You are his personal concern!"  This describes and reveals an intimate God.  In the HCSB versions, it says, "Casting all your care on Him because He cares about you."  In the Message it is worded, "Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you."

A - Casting, throwing the weight, of anxiety on someone else who is in control sure sounds better than carrying it ourselves! Let's dump it right on Him.  Give it right back!  I have been struggling lately and sometimes I'm overcome with anxiety, fear, and tears.  But I let the tears flow and I come back around to realizing I'm not trusting again. So today I throw the whole weight of my concern on my God who cares about me, for me, and is personally concerned.

P - Lord, forgive our unbelief and our human tendencies toward anxiety and worry.  I want to live the carefree life.  If I could remember that you are most careful with me, you have every hair numbered and every detail under control, then maybe I wouldn't walk so in fear.  Thank you so much for caring this deeply.  Love and hugs, Cathy!

Be Present to the Moment

by Diana Kriesel

Monday, 7/25/11 – Isaiah 43-45; 1 Peter 4 – “Be Present to the Moment”

S= Scripture; O= Observation; A= Application; P= Prayer

S– Isaiah 43:18-19 - "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”

O – The prophet had been talking about the deliverance from Egypt and passage through the Red Sea; and now promises something even greater. He calls them to forget the past and know that God will do a new work. He is saying that God’s intervention on their behalf will be so much greater than what they have known; and they shall know His provision and care like never before.

A – We look back to see the past faithfulness of God, but we must be present to the moment to see His guidance and provision. We can miss the hand of God when we are focused only on the past, even when it is good. The past should serve as a foundation for new expectation of God’s providence in our lives. Check out the Message version of these verses: Isaiah 43:18-19 - "Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.”

P – Lord, alert us to Your movement in our lives! Cause us to see all that You are doing so that we don’t miss a thing! Show us the roads You make through our deserts, and the rivers You forge through our dry places. We don’t want to miss any of Your works!