Volume 2021: Edition 5
Food for thought: Broken Vessel
Hello everyone, and welcome back. Thank you for continuing to read our updates as we continue to grow and dive into his word.
This week we are looking into Broken Vessels. While the song Broken Vessels by Hillsong may pop into your mind when you read these two words together, not that the song isn't linked to our discussion below, lets expand on why we are like broken vessels of the Lord, why this is not a bad thing, and why He wants to use us despite our brokenness.
As children of God, in whom each He loves dearly, we are made in His image. We are His beloved creation, a wonderful working part of His glorious kingdom. Our bodies are His temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) as He works in us and through us. He fills us and sustains us with His presence, like a cup overflowing. We are his treasured vessels, but we are not perfect. Each of us commits sin, and each of us have been hurt and scarred by those sins and the sins of others. However, God knows us completely and he understands our brokenness. He sent His son to die for us and to save us from the sins that scar and break his precious vessels; to heal our brokenness.
In Japan there is an ancient art form (Not Karate) called Kintsugi: golden (kin) repair (tsugi). It is an art that uses broken pottery and repairs it with precious metals such as liquid gold or silver, typically gold. This process not only revives the broken piece, but enhances the brokenness, adds value, and turns the broken pottery into a new beautiful creation. Like the process of Kintsugi, God not only wants to heal our brokenness, but use us in our brokenness to become a new creation in him. Though our scars may never be truly gone, those scars can help others,
"Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, so that no one may boast in his presence. It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, in order that, as it is written: Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
(1 Corinthians 1:27-31)
But first we must let go of our sins, our hurts, and our scars and let Him transform us and give us, the broken vessel, new life. Just some food for thought....
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
"If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work"
(2 Timothy 2:21)
"And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do"
(Jeremiah 18:4)
We are grateful to have you with us as readers, church members, and interested guests and we are always open to any suggestions and volunteers for our website, newsletter, and future activities. We hope to see you at our Sunday services, and stay tuned for our coming newsletters' and updates at church, at bible study, on Facebook, and on the website weekly!
Upcoming Events
Special Prayers
Aliyah and Gloria's Family
A safe and fun trip to and from Kentucky for Pastor Steve, Rachel, Co-Pastor Stevie, and Susan
Minister Antony from Eldoret Town, Kenya for their Church Covenant Kenya
Pastor Willis Mokaya Oruru's Congregation, Family, and the Families and Orphaned Children they support
Weekly Devotional:
Sit Quietly In His Presence
Sit quietly in the Lord's presence while He blesses you. Make your mind like a still pool of water, ready to receive whatever thoughts He drops into it. Rest in His sufficiency as you consider the challenges this day presents. Do not wear yourself out by worrying about whether you can cope with the pressures. Keep looking to God and communicating with Him as you walk through this day together.
Take time to rest by the wayside, for He is not in a hurry. A leisurely pace accomplishes more than hurried striving. When you rush, you forget who you are and whose you are. Remember that you are royalty in the Lord's kingdom and you can take your time and wait upon His words.
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass."
(Psalm 37:7)
"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;"
(1 Peter 2:9)
"The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together"
(Romans 8:16-17)
Do you take enough time in your day to sit quietly with the Lord?
Do you wait patiently on the Lord to lead you through your day?
Verse of the Week:
"O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel."
(Jeremiah 18:6)
Questions?
For any questions or suggestions regarding our newsletter please email berthoudfoursquarechurch@gmail.com or call (970)405-3053
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