2 Corinthians 4:7-18

We are jars of clay – commonplace, of low value, and easily broken. Paradoxically, we contain a great treasure – God shining in our hearts.

Pastor Dave noted that we can all tell stories of affliction from our own lives. The question is, were we afflicted but not crushed, like Paul, or did the affliction crush us? When we were perplexed, were we driven to despair? Before the Lord, examine your own stories of affliction and your responses to it. Dave suggested that, when troubles crush us, we are thinking too much about the jar and not enough about the treasure. Ask God to help you, from now on, to focus more and more on the great treasure that is yours.

It is natural to regard being afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, or struck down as bad things to be avoided if possible or endured with gritted teeth. Paul has a different view. He teaches that afflictions are preparing, or achieving, for us an eternal weight of glory. They are sanctifying us. Being afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, or struck down might be good things, in the end. If that is true, we should willingly accept afflictions as a tool God uses for our good. Can we even thank Him for our afflictions? In prayer, name the troubles you face today and ask God to fill you with this distinctly unnatural attitude.

Paul was willing to suffer damage to his jar of clay, even to be given over to death, in order to share the treasure he possessed with others. He believed that extending God’s grace to more and more people brings glory to God, which was the paramount goal of his life. What do I live for? Lord, renew my inner self day by day so that my greatest desire is to bring You glory.

Calvary Family

We learned last week that Pastor Shannon has stepped down as our associate pastor by mutual agreement with Calvary’s leadership. Prayer is an important part of processing this unexpected and sad news. Lift up Shannon and Julie as they consider what is next for them in ministry, asking the Lord to clearly show them the way forward. Pray for the Estells as a family as they traverse a time of uncertainty and change. Pray for Calvary as we adjust to this loss, reflecting on what is past and looking to the future.

Jim Hatcher wrote recently from Vienna, “You, my dear friends, are our lifeline. Your friendship, your financial support, and especially your prayers sustain us.” Here is one specific prayer request he shared: “I ask you to pray for two particularly sticky leadership issues I am wrestling with in [GEM’s] central region, which I cannot explain here, but which call for God’s clear leading and supernatural wisdom. Please pray for me and my colleagues who are with me in these trenches. The enemy loves to divide and discourage, but the desire of our hearts is to see God glorified, His Kingdom built, and His people flourish. We are acutely aware that we are facing spiritual warfare and need your prayers.” Read Jim’s letter in full here.

Lent – forty days of contemplation leading up to Easter – begins on Wednesday. Ask the Lord to help you prepare your heart for Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. Consider subscribing to a daily Lenten devotional offered by Biola University’s Center for Christianity, Culture, and the Arts.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert
Calvary Community Church of Brea