Little Pieces of Clay-Making a Christian-4.Surrendering the Body

Surrendering the Body

Romans 12:1 "I beseech (beg) you therefore, brethren (brothers and sisters in Christ) to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable (logical) service."
Continue reading through the end of the chapter.
Exodus 20:1-17 Relates to us the commandments which God gave Moses. While many see this as a list of Do's and Don'ts, even in the church sector, this is the law of love which is fulfilled in Christ. We are the body of Christ and this law of love should be evident in us.
Colossians 3:1-25 Instructing the Christian how to surrender their body to a life of love.

    The Old Testament is the old covenant. Animal sacrifices are no longer needed to atone for one's sins. Cutting yourself is not necessary to release your internal pain. Chopping off a person's hands for stealing; cutting off a person's foot for trespassing and removing a person's eye for lusting are under the law. The law has been fulfilled through Jesus Christ. Like the purple mantle placed on His shoulders to mock him, the sins of the world were placed on His back through the whipping He got from the soldiers. His body took the punishment for our sins. His blood, which spilled upon the ground, at the foot of the cross, paid the debt for our unrighteousness.
     The New Testament is the new covenant. Jesus Christ is Lord. He is the only begotten Son of God. He surrendered His will to His Father's will in the mount of Olives when He prayed. Matthew 26:26-44 After telling His disciples to pray that they would not give into temptation while He was away from them, He went into the garden and prayed: not one, but twice: V.39 "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as You will." and V.42 "O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, Thy will be done." Mark 14:26 "Abba, Father, all things are possible unto Thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what You will."  Luke 22:42 "Saying, Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will but Thine, be done."
   The new covenant is through Jesus Christ. While all other covenants foreshadowed this event, they are now past, for Jesus Christ lived for us, died for us and rose from the grave for us. He became the sacrificial lamb that was required at Passover. He is the firstborn of His Father. His blood is on our hands. It is only when we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, that He is the only begotten Son of God, that He is the Messiah; then is our salvation through Him applied to the thresh-hold of our homes, of our lives.
     He is our example of surrendering not only our will (our desire, our 'want to'), but our lives. And our life is lived in our body. We only get one. And it is how we choose to live here that determines not only our destination after death, but our reward. Colossians 3:24, 25 "Knowing that of the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for you serve the Lord Christ. But he that does wrong shall receive for the wrong which he has done: and there is no respect of persons." Regardless of your status in life, we all will receive a reward, whether for good or bad choices.
     The key word in Colossians 3:1 is 'IF'. IF you are risen in Christ...." Here Paul is speaking to the Christians in Colossus. But we know that the Word of God goes on forever and so the Word is applicable to us also. Are you risen in Christ? Have you accepted Him as your Lord and Savior? Have you repented of your sins and surrendered your mind, your emotions and your will to Him? If you have made these decisions,  he is speaking to you. And he is speaking to me. And because I know that the Word of God is to be applied to me personally, I can read it like this (and so can you):
Colossians 3
v1. Because I am risen in Christ, I seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.
v2. I set my affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
v3. For I am dead, and my life is hid with Christ in God.
v4. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall we also appear with Him in glory.
v5. I submit my body to clean living. I choose not to engage in fornication; not to participate in unclean (corrupt, dishonorable, inhealthful) actions; irrational or unrestrained affections; not to give in to sexual desires or lusts; and not to covet anyone or anything, as such would be idolatry. 
v6. By choosing to live an unclean life, a life of disobedience to God, His wrath would be my reward.
v7. Once I walked that life, and lived in unrighteousness.
v8. But now I also put off of me verbal abuse and ignorance: anger (being or getting: mad, annoyed, furious, exasperated, indignant, violent); malice (meanness, vindictiveness, bitterness, hostility, spite, venom), blasphemy (abuse, cussing, cursing, swearing, profanity); filthy communication (obscenities, offensive, repulsive, impure, sleazy).
v9. We do not lie to each other; for we have put off the old person that we were before we knew Christ;
v10. And have put on the new person we are in Christ, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created us.
v11. We are no longer defined by our ethnicity, our circumcision (baptism, initiation, rite of passage, status changes), our geography (where we live) or class (free or slave); for Christ is all, and in all.
v12. I put on therefore, as the elect of God, Who is holy and beloved, bowels of mercies (in the Bible it is the bowels that contain the emotions of a person, not the heart), kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
v13. Forbearing one another (exhibit self-control), and forgiving one another, if I have a quarrel with anyone: even as Christ forgave me, so I forgive you.
v14. And above all these things, I put on charity (advocacy, benevolence, encouragement, guidance), which is the bond of perfectness.
v15. We, you and I, let the peace of God rule in our hearts, for we are called to be one body, and be thankful.
v16. I am to let the Word of Christ live in me richly in all wisdom; teaching (demonstrating, nurturing, training) and admonishing (exhorting, forewarning, reprimanding) each other in psalms (poetry in all its forms which praises God) and hymns (sing the praises of God) and spiritual (devotional) songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord.
v17. And, whatever we do in word or deed (action), we do all of it in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God, and the Father by Him.
v18. As the wife, we submit ourselves to our own husband, as it is fit in the Lord.
v19. As the husband, you love your wife, and are not bitter against them;
v20. As the children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
v21. As the father, do not provoke your children to anger, for they will be discouraged (intimidated, confused, depressed, distressed, troubled, scared).
v22. As the servant, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, how we see you behave; but with singleness of heart, fearing God:
v23. And whatsoever I do, I do with all my heart, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
v24. Knowing that of the Lord I shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for I serve the Lord Christ.
v25. But he that does wrong shall receive for the wrong which he has done: and there is no respect of persons.


     My body is Christ's body. And as such, by His example when He prayed, I surrender my body a living sacrifice. For it is the only logical thing that I can do for Him. Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. The "I" in me dies daily, when I disciple my mind and my heart and my emotions to surrender to His will.


See also, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17; Romans 13:9-14; 1 Corinthians 13; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 2 Corinthians 10:3-7 and 13:11. Philippians 2:1-16 and full circle back again to the Book of Colossians, which is where we started. But don't stop there; the whole New Testament enriches our souls with God's Word on how to live a life that is pleasing to God.


Surrender  Dictionary and Surrender  Thesaurus. 


Song:
I surrender my vessel to You, to You
As an offering, I lay it down, it's Yours;
As You gave to this world,  Your only Son,
I surrender my vessel to You.

I surrender my family to You, to You,
As an offering I lay them down, they're Yours;
As You gave to this world Your only Son,
I surrender my family to You.




     

Little Pieces of Clay-Making a Christian-My Body is Christ's Body

3. My body is Christ's Body - 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

     Just as God created our bodies for a purpose, each part of our bodies have a specific function. I type with my fingers, not my elbows. The heart pumps blood throughout the entire body. The liver acts as a filter, deciding which is useful and which is waste. The pancreas creates insulin and glucagon and the blood cells distribute these throughout the body except for your brain. While we associate our noses with the sense of smell, that is only a small part of its job. The nose's primary purpose is to help us breathe.

     While the ear is associated with the sense of hearing, its other function is to help us maintain our balance and remain upright when in motion. Eyes are the organs of sight; the cornea is the lens through which we see images, while the pupil controls the quantity of light entering the body.

    The body contains more than 640 muscles and each one is controlled by nerves.  Each muscle is made up of millions of tiny protein filaments working together. In order to move at all the muscles need the nervous system to function properly. Acetylcholine is the chemical required to transfer information from one nerve cell to another. 

     And while all of this is quite interesting, it is just another reminder that not only do we not know how our own bodies work, we also have little knowledge of how the body of Christ is supposed to work. What we do know though, is that when we study the different structures and layouts of how the body works individually, we are able to see more clearly how the body works as a whole. 

     The body contains 3.5 liters of blood. The heart weighs 3 pounds. The pancreas weighs about 2.5 pounds. There are 206 bones in a skeletal structure, between 600 to 850 muscles, 100 trillion cells and about 45 miles of nerves run through our bodies. And just by sharing all this with you, I am reminded again just how amazing our God is. Our bodies are not created by accident, but on purpose. And with purpose.

     Just as our bodies, which are God's handiwork, are created to function for specific purposes and work together, so the body of Christ is created through the Holy Spirit of God to function properly. Each of us has a purpose within Christ's body. And we need each other in order to work properly. Some teach, some preach; some sing, some write; some evangelize, some heal; some build churches, some prophesy. All are called to minister in some capacity . None are greater, none are lesser. 

     I sing while I clean toilets. Because my heart is right with God, God is glorified by my services: both in song and in service. One speaks in a tongues (a heavenly language given to a person after being baptized in the Holy Spirit) and one interprets the tongue spoken. Our talk of being the body of Christ is backed up by our walk with Christ. The evidence of our salvation and unity of spirit is visible to all who see us. We are recognized by total strangers as being Christians. Even if we say nothing at all.

     Have you ever been accosted by someone you do not know in a parking lot? I have. A woman walked right up to me and said, "You're a Christian aren't you?". Flabbergaste, I'm like, "Yeah. How did you know?" And she said, "You shine. I could see right away that you were different." 

     I shine. My body is Christ's Body. It is His light which shines through me that all the world may be drawn to Him. It is His love which moves through me, giving me strength to love the unlovable in the same way in which He loves me: unconditionally. 

Little Pieces of Clay-Making a Christian-Creating Me

2. Creating Me - Psalm 139:13-16;  Psalm 119:73; Job 10:8-12

     I am covered with the fingerprints of God. My Bible tells me His hands made me and formed me while I was yet inside my Mother. I have been created for a purpose. Every person on earth has been created by God for a purpose. It is our responsibility to seek God and ask Him to reveal our purpose to us. 

     It may take several years before our purpose is unveiled to the point where we can not only see it, but understand it. Though,  history has shown us that sometimes children are better able to hear God and know what His purpose is for their lives. 

     Joseph knew he had a purpose; he just didn't understand it at such a young age. Even as a slave in Pharoah's kingdom, he knew God had not left him. Though he was imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, he knew God was still with him. It is Joseph's faith, love and knowledge for God that kept him close to God and thus kept God close to him. And when it was time, God revealed His purpose for bringing Joseph to Egypt. 

     Samuel had a purpose. Before he was born his Mother prayed for him. She sought God in the temple; her prayers were so intense that the priest saw only her lips moving and accused her of being drunk. But her desire to have a baby was so visible to him, he asked that her prayer be answered. And it was. Samuel stayed with his Mom until he was weaned. I would think that she prepared him for his purpose by talking to him before he was born. 

     As Moms, we all talk to our babies. It's nothing to be bashful about either. We sing. We talk. We thank God for this baby inside of us. We praise God for choosing us to be this baby's Mom. And when our child is born, we continue him or her on that same heritage. We sing. We talk. We pray and glorify God for all that He is doing within our child(ren). Hannah did this, too. Samuel grew up knowing not only is there a God, but that God loved him and had chosen him to serve Him. And when he was ready, Hannah brought him to the temple and handed over his keeping to the priest. She didn't abandon him; she continued to bless him while she lived.

     You and I have been created for a purpose. Our purpose is to glorify God in all that we do. We cannot glorify God if we are living a sinful life. I grew up in a Christian atmosphere. I knew of God. I knew about God. But I did not know God. To glorify God we have to know God. A person can fulfill part of God's purpose on their life even if that person does not know God. We see in the Bible how he would put ideas into some kings' heads that God's purposes would be accomplished at that time. But that's not enough for me. And it shouldn't be enough for you either. 

     God is not finished working on me. His thoughts for my life are greater than my own thoughts for my life. My choices have not always lined up with His. But I have learned from my mistakes; I have not repeated them. I must continually seek God on a daily basis that I may know what He desires of me or what He may choose to reveal to me. He is more than my oasis, God is my well. I draw from Him daily to quench my thirst. And, I am thirsty. It seems as if I will never get enough.

     By sharing my Bible studies with you, I am fulfilling part of my purpose for which I have been created. For this purpose I have been created and am constantly being transformed moment by moment into someone that only God can see, as yet. Greater is He that is in me: God works on me not only on the outside, but also on the inside. God is faithful; I am getting there.

     

Little Pieces of Clay-Making a Christian-1. In the Potter's Hands

Job 1:20 "THEN Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down to the ground, and worshiped." 

The art of worshiping comes from the heart of a worshiper. True worship comes from a heart that remains broken before God. Anyone can sing a song of praise; but God knows the heart. So, even if the song sounds good to our ears, it is just a clanging noise to God's ears. 

1. In the Potter's hands: Job 1

     The book of Job begins with a description of who Job is: that he is an upright man, perfect (righteous) and honorable. A man of Integrity. He fears God and does no evil. We are shown his children, his livelihood, and his abundance. We see that Job interceded for his children on their behalf to God. 

     But one day Satan and the Lord have a conversation regarding Job, resulting in Satan being allowed by God to test Job. Satan hopes to destroy us through our trials and tests, as he tried to do to Job. But God knows our hearts. He allows us to be tested that our faith may be strengthened. And revealing to other people in our lives that God is God through our actions while be tested. 

     Satan is allowed to bring death and destruction to Job's family and property believing that Job would curse God and thereby sentence himself to death. But Job did not. He got up from where he sat, tore his clothes off, shaved his hair off, and fell to the ground, WORSHIPing God: I was born naked, I will die naked: the Lord gives and the Lord takes away: BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD." 

     Everything I have, I have because God gives it to me. Everything I am is a culmination so far of the changes I have allowed God to make within me. I am not who I was: no longer do I wallow in the pits of sin.  I do not drink. I do not get high. I do not sleep around. I do not even want to any more! God changed me because I asked Him to. When I was baptized in His Holy Spirit, He took away the desire to self-destruct. I am His daughter and He is my God. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.

Have A Heart

HAVE A HEART

If being a Christian were easy, more people would participate.

Serving God with a Surrendered Heart means laying aside 

my desires, wants and thinks-I-needs, for what God desires,

wants and knows-I-need.

Serving God with a Committed Heart means going the route

He has chosen, which winds through Valleys, Hills and Rivers,

and not giving up on His direction.

Serving God with a Dedicated Heart means enjoying my Journey.

Serving God with a Loving Heart means I need to love everyone, 

not just people I like or the people in my sphere.

Serving God with a Faithful Heart means I must trust Him daily, 

all day long and into the night. God knows what is best for me,

even when I do not.

Serving God with a Tender Heart means I need to extend the 

Hand of Mercy to all.

Serving God with a Servant's Heart means I cannot serve myself,

only others and under the Lord's direction.

Serving God with a Broken Heart means I allow the Touch of God

in my life: poking here, dusting there; sweeping the cobwebs of time

and searching the nooks and crannies of my life 

to remove and uproot all that is not of God.

Even if it hurts, knowing His touch also heals 

at the same time.

Serving God with a Forgiving Heart means I can't hold grudges,

get even or seek revenge.

Serving God with a Peaceful Heart means that even in the darkest

hours of my life, anxiety, worry and fear take a back seat to

Hope and Trust.

Serving God with a Seeker's Heart means that when every Heart wedge

is in working order, I am able to witness the Gospel of Salvation 

through Christ to the world around me. In all capacities:

First, as Lightbearer, allowing Christ to shine through me.

Second, as Lightwalker, allowing Christ to light my path.

Thirdly, as Lightgiver, allowing Christ access to you by my obedience to Him.

Christmas Lives Here

Christmas Lives Here

I can't find the Christmas spirit,
He's nowhere to be found.
Busy homes in busy towns,
I've looked all around.

Christmas lives inside the heart
Where love and joy abound,
Not just one day of the year
Should Christmas ever be found.

Nativity and Star on tree
Have no meaning here;
The Way in A Manger
And Peace on Earth
Don't come just once a year.

"I want this! and I want that!"
Shouts ring through the air.
Bells aren't rung and
Songs aren't sung;
Christmas isn't here.

He isn't under the mistletoe
He isn't under the tree
He isn't under the solstice sky
He lives inside of me.

He's my Way in a manger
He's my Peace on Earth
He's my Silent, Holy Night
He's my Treasure here.

The King of kings is why we sing
Glory Hallelu!
All our hearts and hands should be
Raised in praise to You!

KINDLE ME

Two posts ago, I mentioned being kindling in the fire of God. Well that thought never left me. Out of the ashes of that moment comes this song, using that same photo. What an impact that photographer made on me by

sharing that 'i' of fire.

KINDLE ME

I I I

won't live my life without You

and

I I I

can't take a single breath

without

U U U

moving right through me

and

U U U

take away my breath

You leave me breathless

for

more of You!

Kindle me!

Build me higher!

Burn in me!

Holy Fire!

Consume I

leaving only U

to burn in me

Broken and kindled

then broken again

Breath of God

blow gently on me

Burn away

Leaving ashes

Molding these into

A beautiful we.

U U U

You take me higher

and

U U U
You set my heart on fire

You are my one desire

Glory is Yours

all the glory is Yours

ignited by passion

tendered by mercy

blown away by the breath of God

Kindle me!

Build me higher.

Burn in me!

Holy Fire!

Consume I

leaving only U

to burn in me

From out of the darkness

You saw right through me

From out of the mire

You draw clay

From out of the ashes

You bring beauty

Into the morning

in the Light of Day

Kindle me!

Build me higher.

Burn in me!

Holy Fire.

Consume I !

leaving only U

to

burn

in

me

that the world may see

only

You

burning in me

VICTORY SONG

One of these days

And it won't be long

They're gonna play 

That Victory Song 

And I'm goin' home

Yes, I'm goin' home

We're gonna hear that trumpet sound

You're gonna see us heaven bound

No more to roam

We're goin' home

Gonna see His face

Full of glory and grace

Gonna see His smile

Make it all worthwhile

Gonna take His hand

'Cross the glory land

No more to roam

We're goin' home

We're gonna hear that trumpet sound

You're gonna see us heaven bound

No more to roam

We're goin' home

No more to roam

We're goin' home..........

Revealed

Fractal Art Light Symphonia

Revealed

I am Fire

I am Wind

I am Water

I am Friend

I am the God of the ages

the Wisdom of sages

I am Power

to live again.

Take hold of Me

Hang on tight

Never let Me go

Hold on with all of your might

For in your weakness

I am Strong

In your shadows

I am Light

In your moment of truth I am revealed

And in your heart,

My Promise is sealed.

You are Fire

You are Wind

You are Water

You are Friend

You are the God of the ages

the Wisdom of sages

You are Power

to live again.

I take hold of You

I hang on tight

Never let You go

Hold on with all of my might.

In my weakness You are Strong

In my shadows You are Light

In my darkest hour, I can walk in Power

You won't leave me, You are here.

Kept and Saved

Kept and Saved

I am Christian;

Watch me soar.

See my broken body

On the floor.

I've been sifted;

The chaff has blown away.

All that remains is what Christ

has kept and saved!

Kept by His Love,

Saved by His Blood!

All that remains is what Christ

has kept and saved!

We are the Church;

Watch us soar.

See our broken heart

On the floor.

We've been sifted;

The chaff has blown away.

All that remains is what Christ

has kept and saved!

Kept by His Love,

Saved by His Blood!

All that remains is what Christ

has kept and saved!

(by Me)

Joshua 1:6, 7 and 9

I could have said, "Be good", but you already strive for righteous living. I could have said, "Be safe", but I gave you to God when you were only a few months old. Your father and I dedicated you to God and promised to raise you with Godly values. Your safety has always been in His hands.

I could have said almost anything. But I didn't. I asked God what He wanted me to say to you; the last conversation we would have in person together before you go. And what did He say?

"Be strong and of a good courage." God's strength is not our version or understanding of strength. Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that "They who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary,; they shall walk and not be faint." Our strength is renewed all day long when we wait and see what God wants for us, instead of rushing into things without thinking of the consequences of our actions.

Waiting on God means when we pray, this conversation is a two-way street, not a dead end. How can we know God's voice, if we don't even take the time to let Him talk?

"Good courage." The boldness of the Holy Spirit of God to be a living witness, a faithful testimony, a humble servant comes from saturating our spirit with God's Holy Word. His Written Word: the Holy Bible. Read aloud or read softly, the written Word of God pours over us with power for living a righteous holy life. His Spoken Word: hear the Word of God preached when you are able, read it out loud when you are not able. His Living Word: Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God.

"Be strong and of a good courage." Courage is not found in alcohol. That is foolishness with a designer label. Costs more, but is worth less. Good courage is seldom found, because in order to wield it, we must first use Wisdom. Without the wisdom and counsel of God, good courage will be sought, but not found.