My brother earns his living as a potter. He makes all types of vessels. As I watch him work, I observe that the way he works with clay illustrates principles God uses to shape our lives. http://www.kimellingtonpottery.com/ 
As you read these principles and scriptures, reflect on how God is at work in your life.
1. Choice of the raw clay material is only a prelude to the real work of the potter.
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son. - Romans 8: 29
2. Strong measures are often necessary to remove impurities from the clay.
If a man cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. - 2 Timothy 2:21
3. Pressures on the clay are evidence of the potter's thoughtful hand at work. 
I have formed you, you are My servant, 0 Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me. - Isaiah 44: 10
4. Excess material must be removed from the vessel while it is being shaped.
But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all, things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ. - Philippians 3:7, 8
5. Vessels must be still, quiet, and trusting to let the potter work.
Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker — an earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth! Will the clay say to the potter, "What are you doing?" Or the thing you are making say, "He has no hands"? - Isaiah 45:9 
... Who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, "Why did you make me like this," will it? - Romans 9:20
6. Proper shaping of the vessel requires many turns on the potter's wheel. 
My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you. - Galatians 4:19
7. Strength and sturdiness come from both the outside and inside of the vessel. 
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. - 1 Corinthians 4:16-18
8. Shaped vessels must be set aside to dry.
Biblical characters like Moses, David, Jesus, and Paul spent extended time in thewilderness or desert.
9. Broken glass for glaze produces many areas to reflect light. 
We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. - 2 Corinthians 4:7-10
10. Fire changes the composition and appearance of the vessel.
The proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. - 1 Peter 1:7
Each man's work will become evident: for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. - 1 Corinthians 3:13
11. Vessels are made to use, not just for display.
...He will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. - 2 Timothy 2:21
12. Different vessels have different uses. 
Does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use, and another for common use? - Romans 9:21
No comments:
Post a Comment