Tag Archives: Vessel

NEW WINESKINS

22 Dec

“Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.”  Matthew 9:17

—

The old wineskin,

that covers this frame,

has become stiff,

and tough,

and bitter.

—

The New Wine,

that once filled this frame,

has been tasted,

and rejected,

and spit upon the ground,

leaving an empty skin,

tainted with yesterday’s desires,

allowed to go stale.

—

Like an old wineskin,

in the skillful hands,

of the Master,

it is time to have the stiffness,

beaten down,

the bitterness boiled out,

and the callousness,

scrapped away.

—

Cleansed,

supple, resilient,

once again this frame,

will be prepared to carry within,

the New Wine,

daily fresh,

daily blessed.

—

This time, Lord,

let me not sniff at,

let me not swirl around,

let me not fretfully sip,

and let me not spit out,

the New Wine,

placed inside.

—

But, let me savor,

every drop,

no matter the flavor,

or what I wish it might be,

or what I wish it could have been.

—

Let me cherish,

the new wine,

I’ve been prepared,

to carry,

that I’ve been sent,

to pour out.

—

And once again,

when I’ve allowed the wine,

to grow bitter and taint.

—

Renew the wineskin,

that covers this frame,

making it better,

than the first day,

it was sent,

to be a vessel,

destined to hold the best wine,

the wine that is served,

at the throne of the King.

—

Written 4-20-99

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Jesus Looks Beyond

23 Nov

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11

—

I’ve never thought much about my abilities, but my inabilities come up and sting me all the time. As I age and become more “wise” I discover that my physical abilities and stamina wan. How could I possibly make a difference in God’s Kingdom; I can’t even open my own water battle half the time.

I think of great people who have made an incredible impact on God’s people; the sacrifices they made, the changes that took place because they took a stand and reached out to hurting people. I see Mother Teresa holding dying people in Calcutta and Billy Graham standing at a podium, speaking to tens of thousands of people about God’s glory. I see A. A. Allen standing in a faith so strong that he laid hands on the hopelessly ill and they became whole. I see Kathryn Kuhlman’s faith and the lives that she touched. How could I ever make a difference in God’s Kingdom; I have nothing? God, how can I make a difference?

I spent time watching these great people on YouTube clips and it all became very clear to me. Each person we call “great” were simple people who recognized their own frailties and inabilities. They were available humble vessels who believed in the power of God to do all things. They realized that in and of themselves, they were nothing – just like me.

God, let me always remember that I am nothing more than an empty vessel, filled with the Holy Spirit. Help me to realize that although I am nothing, when yielded to your plan and guidance, miracles can happen. In my inability, God, You can build a church.

 

—

Written 1-14-2010

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WHAT DO YOU SEE

15 Oct

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13 KJV

 

Lord,

     In the drifting tides of time – you knew me.

     You were preparing a way – for such a time as this.

     What do you see in this tarnished,

               broken vessel.

     Why did you give so very,

               very much for me.

     What do you see, Lord?

     What do you see?

.

My Child,

     I see the saints – generations passed –

               paving a way for you.

     I see your family – speaking God’s Word –

               protecting your days.

     I see a child growing – strong in me –

               strong In love – strong in compassion.

     I see a vessel of clay – not broken, but repaired.

     I see a tender heart – humbled by a life of trials –

               fought and conquered – through me.

.

And I see tarnished, broken vessels –

     waiting for you –

     to breathe hope and life –

     into them.

.

I see you, Child – going forth –

     to be my hands, my words –

     repairing those tarnished broken vessels.

.

Just as another came to you –

    the night you first called –

               My Name.

.
Written 10/20/1994

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A Chosen Vessel . . .

29 Dec

Chosen Vessel

“And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.”  Jeremiah 18:4

 “Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?”  Romans 9:21

 —-

 Painted with Love,

Fired with Patience,

Filled with Righteousness,

Kissed by the Grace of God.

I am a Chosen Vessel.

 —-

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