Potter And Clay

Post # 33

I think I should start this off with the Prayer of St Francis of Assisi.

Lord, make me an instrument of thy Peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow Love.
Where there is injury, thy Pardon, Lord.
Where there is doubt, let there be Faith.
Oh Lord, make me an instrument of thy Peace.
*
Where there is despair, let me bring Hope.
Where there is darkness, let there be Light.
Where there is sadness, let there be Joy.
*
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek:
To be consoled, as to console,
To be understood, as to understand,
To be loved, as to love.
Lord, make me an instrument of thy Peace.
*
Where there is hatred, let me sow Love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
And it’s in dying that we are born
To eternal life, to eternal life.
Lord, make me an instrument of thy Peace.
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In today’s entertainment seeking society we might add
Let me not seek to be entertained as to entertain –
that is to spend time in conversation and Christian fellowship.

Jeremiah 18:6 (New King James Version)
“O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter? says the LORD.
Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand,
so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!”
*
Isaiah 64:8
“But now, O LORD, You are our Father;
We are the clay, and You our potter;
And we all are the work of Your hand.”
*
2 Timothy 2:20-22
“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver,
but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.
21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter (dishonor), he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace
with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart”.
*
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.
*
Romans 10:16-17
“But they have not all obeyed the gospel.
For Isaiah says, LORD, who has believed our report?
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”.
*
I believe most all would like to accomplish something worthwhile in life, and to make a helpful difference – and be a benefit to others.
There is nothing more uplifting than to be used by God to do something in line with his will.
The above quoted scriptures outline our part in making ourselves available to God.
We need to do our part in praying that God will make us like pliable clay, just the right ‘consistency’, to be molded and formed by our Master Potter and be able to hold that shape until dried, heated and set – through life’s experiences.
Becoming a good clay mix in God’s hands sometimes takes the better part of a lifetime.
Just like potter’s vessels have different uses, we all can be used by God for different purposes.
***
A Reference is – “Fit To Be Used” – a sermon by Ray C Stedman – Here.