Tag: precious treasure
One Lord, One Church, One Spirit
Scripture reading for June 8th: Ephesians 2, Psalm 114, Proverbs 21
Ephesians 2: 17-22 “And He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the Cornerstone, in Whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In Him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”
Paul, writing to believers, both Jew and Gentile, sought to enlighten the eyes of their hearts to understand the big picture God had revealed to all mankind through His Son, Jesus Christ. God was building a house and inviting all who would believe on His Son into His household. This privilege of adoption and citizenship would be through the “Cornerstone” of faith in Jesus Christ and repentance. No longer would there be a building, but each believer would be a “dwelling place” for God’s Presence by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would give both Jew and Gentile access to God as Father. What a “Precious Treasure” is the gift of the Father to all who will believe! God turns our rocky hearts into a river of “Living Water!”
Psalm 114:7-8 “Tremble, O earth, at the Presence of the Lord, at the Presence of the God of Jacob, Who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a spring of water.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for turning my hard and flinty heart to a river of “Living Water!” Thank You for the precious Treasure of the Holy Spirit, God the Spirit living in me. Thank You for Christ’s righteousness and eternal life. Use me to publish the “Good News” of one Savior, Jesus Christ, one Holy Spirit from the Father, and one new dwelling place of God, believers who make up Christ’s Body!
Proverbs 21:20-21 “Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it. Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.”
The obedience of faith!
Scripture reading for June 12th: Proverbs 19-21, Psalm 40, Romans 16
Key Scriptures: Romans 16:25-27 “Now to Him Who is able to strengthen you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writing has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith–to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Paul closed out his letter to the Roman believers with a benediction blessing. All glory goes to Jesus Christ and God His Father for their wisdom and revelation of God’s great plan of salvation. This plan was kept secret for long ages but was revealed by the prophets and their writings and now through the preaching of Jesus Christ. Jesus preached God’s eternal Word and through that Gospel of repentance He brings faith to all nations of men enabling them to obey God and become His children. To God be glory through Jesus Christ!
Psalm 40:3 “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I give all glory to You and my heavenly Father for the Gospel I received by the preaching of God’s eternal Word, Jesus Christ. Anoint me with the Holy Spirit today and with boldness to declare the Gospel to all You put in my path. You are my precious Treasure!
Proverbs 21:20-21 “Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it. Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.”
Treasure in clay jars!
Scripture reading for August 30th: 2nd Corinthians 4:1-12
Paul’s encouraging words about transformation by the Holy Spirit could have brought some spiritual pride. Paul wanted none of that in his life or the Corinthians! This ‘glory transformation’ was a gift to each believer because of God’s mercy. Paul preached the straight Gospel of Jesus Christ as Lord with no underlying motives of gain or manipulation. He appealed to men’s consciences in the power of the Holy Spirit seeking their salvation and transformation.
There were some who would not believe. “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2nd Corinthians 4:4) The Light of the World is Jesus Christ. The god of this world is the prince of darkness who blinds men to Christ’s glory. Men loved darkness, but God sent His greatest Light in His Son!
“We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be revealed in our body.” (2nd Corinthians 4:7-10) God has placed His Holy Spirit in us as this fragrance of life. Our human bodies are like jars of clay, fragile and breakable. Our life as ministers here on earth can bring lots of physical buffeting. It certainly did to Paul, but he understood the nature of his physical body. It was just a container of the glory of Christ! Christ’s glory was revealed to a greater degree as the troubles and pressures came.
Paul learned to walk by faith and not by sight. He knew that if he focused on the troubles and trials, he would be easily discouraged. He focused on the unseen world of the Spirit that was eternal, and not on his ‘clay pot’. This is a secret for our success as well. We have a wonderful treasure in the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is able to renew us day by day, using the troubles we face to bring ever-increasing glory! Soon our jar of clay will be transformed into a glorious body! Hallelujah!