- backdated post dating 01AUG08

2Cor4:7-12

treasures in jars of clay

1Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4The 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. 5For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"[a]made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

being human, we sometimes have inclinations to think that our power/success we are experiencing are due to our own workings. we take credit for it rather than giving God the glory He deserves.

awestruck

--> that God even uses us mere humans to partner him in this great work that He is doing which brings me to psalm 8

4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?

at seasons in our life, when we feel like the world is turning in on us, nobody understands what we feel, being persecuted in even your own household, slandered at the workplace.

we remember the death of Jesus.

death of Jesus ---- brought us----> life, salvation, hope, reconciliation

the death of Jesus transforms us bodily, mentally, physically that as we recall the price Jesus paid (his death), something from within changes.

we are continually called to renew our minds, in the process of doing so, the life of Jesus is magnified for all to see & it will be a great testimony!