Thoughts for Life: Through Jars of Clay

Carol Guthrie Heilman tells us, "Steve has been a missionary in a third-world country for over twenty-five years, but he wasn’t always the Lord’s willing servant.

In fact, at the tender age of seven when he lost his father to a tractor accident, he turned angry and bitter.

'By the time I was ten or eleven I had committed every sin there was except murder.

I had no direction in my life. I bragged to some visiting cousins that I could chew tobacco, smoke a cigarette, cuss, and drive a tractor all at the same time,' Steve said.

As a teenager he wasn’t ready to believe in a personal God or that He was the Creator of our universe.

He searched for answers in the scientific realms of evolution.

Later, when he enrolled as a student at NC State, he looked forward to the highly-educated scholars who would surely explain everything and answer all of his questions.

Steve received the biggest surprise of his life during his first biology class when an old gray-haired professor opened the Bible and read the story of creation from Genesis.

'I can’t explain how this works alongside some of the things you’re going to be taught at this school, but as for me—I believe the words in this book are true.'

Through that professor, God planted a seed in the heart of a man who later became an agricultural, well-drilling missionary to the Haitian people.

If you are a Christian you have your own conversion story, the moment you first believed.

Perhaps it was a quiet time between you and the Lord, or emotional and public, or anything in between.

You know where and when the Holy Spirit touched your heart and forever changed your life.

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." 2 Cor. 4:7

Your heart is the jar of clay that holds the treasure.

We were created to tell others about the mighty workings of the Lord in our lives.

If we do, God will use this treasure to spread His good news, the unconditional love found in Jesus.

You or I may never become missionaries in a foreign land, but if we are willing, God promises to use even us, though frail and fallible—mere jars of clay.

Ask the Lord to put someone in your path today, someone who needs to hear your story. Share your treasure and God will do the rest."

What’s your story?

Through Jars of Clay – Carol Guthrie Heilman

May 9, 2013

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net and africa.

Carol Guthrie Heilman is a published writer with articles and short stories in a number of newspapers, including Blue Ridge Country, Country Home, and Reach Out, a Christian magazine.

She is the co-writer of Just Go and is presently working on a novel.

Carol lives with her husband in the mountains of NC.

Read Carol Heilman’s devotions.

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Used by permission www.christiandevotions.us

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Let’s pray: Father, may I learn quickly to share my story with folks who need to hear about Your goodness and mercy, that You've shown me over the years. Show me who to speak to, what to say, and help me share how You've touched and changed my heart and life for ever. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: 2 Kings 14:3a "And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD."

Today’s quote: Frances Gregory Pasch

God's Blessings

As we gather round the table
We bow our heads in prayer
To thank You, God, for loving us

And for Your constant care.

We thank You for our blessings,
Our friends and families.
We thank You for Your guidance
And for Your perfect peace.

Your awesomeness surrounds us
In everything we do.
How blessed we are to have a God
A wonderful as You.

Our thought today: People who rebel against God are boastful.

Tomorrow’s post: #1 The Power of Personal Prayer Partners C. Peter Wagner

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