A Good Book

Posted on January 6, 2016 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

 

Screen Shot 2016-01-04 at 3.51.37 PM“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” ~2 Corinthians 4:7

Have you ever heard the expression “Don’t judge a book by its cover”? I’m not much of a reader but I’m guessing as one who is and is looking for a book to read that what they see on the cover may not dictate what’s inside.

The same is true of us as believers in Jesus Christ, we may be earthen vessels but inside is where the treasure is. In the previous chapter Paul tells us that we are an epistle or letter to the world that tells a redemptive power that comes from God. This is a life that is controlled by the Holy Spirit, where our words are few by our actions speak volumes…

Paul goes on to say that when we are living our lives as a testimony of the grace of God the circumstances of life that come our way no longer affect us because of the trust we have that God is in control. As we are “hard pressed” the world looks at our cover and thinks “there’s no way that old book can handle that problem”. Then we come out on the other side not crushed. We can be perplexed and they watch to see if we go into despair but the pages of this book reveal perseverance.

I think the key to being able to live this way is to allow the Holy Spirit of God to have His way in our life. The confusion by some believers is that they think because we have the Holy Spirit in us, it’s the same as the Holy Spirit having us (you may have to read that again). To invite the Spirit into our hearts and never allowing Him to have control is like a book with a dynamic cover that on the outside proclaims a new life but on the inside it’s the same old story.

It’s not until I’m convinced that God is who He says He is, Jesus has come and defeated death and has made a way for me to have fellowship with the Father and the Holy Spirit is able to empower me to live victorious. The vehicle that gets us there is Faith which leads to surrender.

You see, this old book might not look like much and there may be some cracks in this earthen vessel but thru those cracks shines a Light that tells a wonderful story of redemption. So if you are looking for a good book, look to the Good Book and allow His-story to be your story. Verse 16 says “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day”. Amen

Happy New Year,

Written by Rob Russomano. Juan is Colony of Mercy Graduate and Full-time staff member at America’s Keswick.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 6; Proverbs 6

Click Here to Download our 2016 Daily Bible Reading Plan

Think About This: “We never grow closer to God when we just live life. It takes deliberate pursuit and attentiveness.” ~Francis Chan

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: For the Lord will be your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being caught.”~Proverbs 3:26 (NKJV)

January_MFN Postcard 2016

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