Treasures in Clay Jars

People are flawed. Shocker, huh? It's true! We are an imperfect race. We mess up, say the wrong things, hurt people's feelings. In short, we fail. But there is good news! Our value lies not in our package, but in what is contained inside the package! And if we have the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace living within us, WOW! What a treasure we hold!

2 Corinthians 4:7-8 says, "But 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."

I have some clay pots on my front porch. I know for a fact that if I strike one of them down on the ground, it will be destroyed. If I press on it really hard, it will break. We are like those pots - flawed and weak. But our strength need not come from ourselves! If we have God himself living in us, we are not crushed, we are not left in despair, we will not be destroyed, and He will never, ever abandon us! Without Him, our strengths and abilities are limited at best. But with Him, there are no limits!

Dear Father, help me to stop relying on my own strength for success in this life. Help me to just relax, and rest in the knowledge of the priceless, limitless power contained within me - your Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen

Do Not Fear

Do you ever feel afraid? I do. I worry about all sorts of things. I worry that I won't achieve my goals. I worry about my children. I worry about what other people think or say about me. I worry that I just won't measure up.

But did you know that God's word tells us we don't have to be afraid about anything? God will help us! Isaiah 41:13 says, "For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you.' " To me, that paints such a beautiful picture. Like a parent with His child, He will take hold of my right hand. He hushes away my fear, and tells me He is there for me, and that He will help me.

What scary things are you facing today? Reach up your hand, my friend, and let God take hold of it. Do not be afraid of any giant you may meet, for the God of the universe will help you.

Renae

I Can Do

Good morning! I am so grateful for this new day. And yet, sometimes the tasks before me seem overwhelming. That little voice inside screams, "You can't do this!" But I can. God's Word tells me I can. Philippians 4:13 says "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."

So, what exactly does that mean? It means that:

1. I can parent my children, and love them, and bring them up to be wise and wonderful followers of Jesus Christ.
2. I can keep my house clean. (Maybe not perfect, but I can keep it under control.)
3. I can lose that exra fifteen pounds.
4. I can exercise for 30 minutes every day.
5. I can drink more water.
6. I can reach out to my neighbors, show them love and friendship, invite them to church, tell them about Jesus.
7. I can build my husband up, and never tear him down.

I can do all of these things, and more, through Christ, who gives me strength!

May God bless you today and every day!

Renae

The Best Advice My Mother Ever Gave Me.

My mom was a school secretary. And a very wise woman. When I graduated from college and prepared to begin my first year of teaching, she gave me some wonderful advice. She told me, "Stay out of the teacher's lounge."

Now, that may sound odd to you. Why would a teacher need to stay out of the teacher's lounge? But my mother, the wise school secretary, knew something that a new teacher would not know.

She was not telling me to stay away from the coffee pot. She was not telling me to avoid the copy machines. She was telling me that hanging out in the teacher's lounge can be hazardous to one's health, and to one's career. My mother explained to me about the "Lounge Lizards." The people who have nothing better to do with their time than sit around the lounge, criticizing and gossiping about everyone from the parents to other teachers to the principal! And yes, sometimes even the students were victims. She was simply telling me to stay away from those people.

I taught public school for seven years. Now, I have been a stay-at-home mom for ten years. I have learned through experience that the Lounge Lizards don't exist only in the teacher's lounge. They are everywhere! They are at the ball park, in the grocery store, they clog up the phone lines, and yes! They are even regulars at church.

Ephesians 4:29 tells us, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up." Do you know any lounge lizards? Is it possible that you have become one? I encourage you today to edit your speech. Let the words that spill out of your mouth be a blessing to everyone concerned - the listener, the person being talked about, and to you.

May God bless your speech today, as you bless others!

Renae

My First Blog!

I recently attended a conference, and all these women were talking about blogging! Now, I am only 39 years old, but I consider myself to be internet-challenged. But here I am! I have taken the plunge. I am now a blogger! It sounds so young, so hip, so impressive! I am now not only a preacher's wife and homeschooling mom. I am an internet-savvy (sort-of) blogger!

So we begin. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you, oh Lord.

Amen