Posted on January 17, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Freedom Fighters
There are all kinds of vessels made of clay. They come in all shapes and sizes, but the two things they all have in common are… clay vessels were made to contain something and they are all weak in structure. When Paul describes Believers as weak ‘vessels’ that are ‘afflicted, at wit’s end, and knocked down’, He is identifying our purpose ‘to be filled up’ with the transcended power of the ‘Light of the glory of God as seen in the face of Jesus’ that fills with hope, never abandons, or allows us to be knocked out. The transcended power of this Light of God always lifts us up in His time. Notice the necessity of the weakness in order to know the power… This is where we struggle with how God wants us to live; we want the power of God in our lives without the weakness. We want His blessing to come through untroubled, peaceful, and calm circumstances… but what kind of Power and Victory would that reveal? God is drawing all men to Himself, but we are self-interested, egotistical, willful brutes… or as Paul describes, ‘the darkness in which God shines the light.’ It is only as we are taken to rationally recognize and admit our weakness that the light shines in through the cracks of our ‘earthen jar’.
The lie about Christianity is ‘believe and you will never know difficulties or illness and life will be a bowl of ice cream.’ That is not true or Biblical, Believers get sick, have struggles, and they die. The truth is, you believe and God will begin reconstruction, using the circumstances of your life. He will begin tearing out of the old ways, appetites, and willfulness; all the while filling us up with His Glory! It is this kind of renewal that gets ours and other people’s attention… when we see newness and victory coming out of a life that is ‘pressed on every side, hopeless, and knocked down’.
What is the secret then to being filled up with ‘the Light of God’s glory’? Paul tells us it’s our consent to sharing in the dying of Jesus. He writes, “Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies” (2 Cor 4:10). We know this does not mean we are to physically die, that doesn’t make sense in the context since Paul goes on to describe how we are to live ‘manifesting the life of Jesus.’ So the question then is ‘what was the dying of Jesus like? On the cross, He was not powerful, impressive, or significant; He was not being applauded by the multitudes who had heard Him speak, No, the cross was a place of physical weakness, of rejection by the proud and arrogant world around Him. It was a place of obscurity, a place where He was willing to lose everything He had, trusting God to bring it back and make it significant (stedman). We were made to contain the ‘Light of the Glory of God as seen in Jesus.’ For that Treasure to be known in our lives we must be willing to give up (die to) all the things that make us look important and take a position of obscurity, trusting God to use us however He will. This is the ‘dying of Jesus’ we are to carry in our ‘earthen vessel’ and what Jesus meant when He said, ‘pick up your cross and follow me.’
Victor Frankl wrote concerning the horrors of the Holocaust, “If there is meaning in life at all, then there must be meaning in suffering.” That meaning is to shine the light of the Gospel into the darkness of willful humanity in order to draw all men into the presence of a marvelously perfect God. It is only through weak vessels spilling over with His glorious light that this is effective.
I pray you trust God today with your life’s circumstances. Whether you are pressed at every point, at wit’s end, persecuted, or knocked down… Jesus stands ready to deliver you, filling you with hope through ‘the light of the Glory of God that shines in His presence’.
Choose wisely…
“God said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
Praying you trust Jesus today!
Written by David Brown: David Brown is a husband, father, grandfather, Pastor with a Masters of Religious Studies and a Professor of Philosophy and Comparative Religions. Dave is the Associate Pastor of Pemberton’s First Baptist Church. He is the author of two devotional books, “From a Chair by the Window.” And “#PrayerWinsThe Day”.
Think About This: “I have now concentrated all my prayers into one, and that one prayer is this, that I may die to self, and live wholly to Him.”– Charles Spurgeon
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Based on 358 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Liz Perreault
01:35 01 Jun 23
Favorite place on the planet. God transforms lives here 🤗
debra aufiero
18:09 15 May 23
Beautiful atmosphere/scenery. Inspiring speaker. Accommodating me with a gluten free lunch was great. Spoke with a young man who told us that this place changed his life. This gave us a chance to witness to him by telling him the gospel message.
Samantha Ferrick
12:26 14 May 23
Love being here. It's so beautiful, peaceful and fulfilling.
Kathy Cruz
19:37 28 Apr 23
Amazing place!! Beautiful scenery. Great service!
Evelyn Zayas (Smiley)
21:17 26 Apr 23
It was a wonderful experience. Besides the spiritual side of it, the place is absolutely gorgeous. Delicious food. The only thing I didn't like were the ants in the bedroom.
Karen Occhiogrosso
13:28 25 Apr 23
I have been to Keswick many times for the monthly hymn sings, and some retreats. Lots of good Christian music and Bible teaching for those who attend, as well as good meals to share around the table. The testimonies from members of the Colony and... Barbara's place attest to the power of Christ to change lives. Always a rewarding experience!read more
Richard fericy
13:14 21 Apr 23
Love Keswick
LaDonna Hankinson
13:32 10 Mar 23
This place is a beautiful place to have a retreat. You can join one of Keswicks planned events or use the facilities for you own group. The grounds are beautiful and a great place to find some peace and tranquility.The staff are amazing, and... really make a person feel at home. The grace of God is evident throughout the ministry.My favorite part is the music/worship time. Drawing me to connect with God personally.The meals are prepared with love and very accommodating to special needs.If you're not there for a retreat, and just need a bed and breakfast that is an option as well.read more
Edwin Rivera
23:00 07 Mar 23
Loved it! Beautiful campus! I really had a good time at the dinner and a concert. Awesome experience all around. Will definitely be returning and will be bringing friends and family.
Cesar Alvaro
18:35 06 Mar 23
Hermoso lugar bastante tranquilo y acogedor mis hijos se divierten mucho y nos llenamos espiritualmente de la palabra de Dios.
Zoraya Quevedo
22:36 05 Mar 23
Peaceful place to relax, and good for retreat
Hector Gama
21:39 05 Mar 23
Lugar hermoso,para retiros, conferencias y estudios biblicos.Personas amables, generosas y muy respetuosas.
John Mackert
14:37 03 Mar 23
Visited the alcohol rehab facility because a friend was in the program. Christian based, very positive environment, 4 month program. They are doing great work there. Visitors allowed every other weekend. We had a great time at one of their... Christian services. We watched the superbowl together and they even fed us! Very generous.read more
Andrea Conti
01:19 03 Mar 23
Awesome business great people. Very honest
K.B.D Janitorial Supply SUPPLY66COM
01:02 25 Feb 23
Very one very nice and it a buitful place and peaceful
Google Rating
4.8
Based on 358 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Liz Perreault
01:35 01 Jun 23
Favorite place on the planet. God transforms lives here 🤗
debra aufiero
18:09 15 May 23
Beautiful atmosphere/scenery. Inspiring speaker. Accommodating me with a gluten free lunch was great. Spoke with a young man who told us that this place changed his life. This gave us a chance to witness to him by telling him the gospel message.
Samantha Ferrick
12:26 14 May 23
Love being here. It's so beautiful, peaceful and fulfilling.
Kathy Cruz
19:37 28 Apr 23
Amazing place!! Beautiful scenery. Great service!
Evelyn Zayas (Smiley)
21:17 26 Apr 23
It was a wonderful experience. Besides the spiritual side of it, the place is absolutely gorgeous. Delicious food. The only thing I didn't like were the ants in the bedroom.
Karen Occhiogrosso
13:28 25 Apr 23
I have been to Keswick many times for the monthly hymn sings, and some retreats. Lots of good Christian music and Bible teaching for those who attend, as well as good meals to share around the table. The testimonies from members of the Colony and... Barbara's place attest to the power of Christ to change lives. Always a rewarding experience!read more
Richard fericy
13:14 21 Apr 23
Love Keswick
LaDonna Hankinson
13:32 10 Mar 23
This place is a beautiful place to have a retreat. You can join one of Keswicks planned events or use the facilities for you own group. The grounds are beautiful and a great place to find some peace and tranquility.The staff are amazing, and... really make a person feel at home. The grace of God is evident throughout the ministry.My favorite part is the music/worship time. Drawing me to connect with God personally.The meals are prepared with love and very accommodating to special needs.If you're not there for a retreat, and just need a bed and breakfast that is an option as well.read more
Edwin Rivera
23:00 07 Mar 23
Loved it! Beautiful campus! I really had a good time at the dinner and a concert. Awesome experience all around. Will definitely be returning and will be bringing friends and family.
Cesar Alvaro
18:35 06 Mar 23
Hermoso lugar bastante tranquilo y acogedor mis hijos se divierten mucho y nos llenamos espiritualmente de la palabra de Dios.
Zoraya Quevedo
22:36 05 Mar 23
Peaceful place to relax, and good for retreat
Hector Gama
21:39 05 Mar 23
Lugar hermoso,para retiros, conferencias y estudios biblicos.Personas amables, generosas y muy respetuosas.
John Mackert
14:37 03 Mar 23
Visited the alcohol rehab facility because a friend was in the program. Christian based, very positive environment, 4 month program. They are doing great work there. Visitors allowed every other weekend. We had a great time at one of their... Christian services. We watched the superbowl together and they even fed us! Very generous.read more
Andrea Conti
01:19 03 Mar 23
Awesome business great people. Very honest
K.B.D Janitorial Supply SUPPLY66COM
01:02 25 Feb 23
Very one very nice and it a buitful place and peaceful