The Potter of Our Lives

“This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ‘Go down to the potter’s house, and there

I will give you my message.’ So I went to the potter’s house, and I saw him

working on the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his

hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.”

-Jeremiah 18:1-4

                Just as a potter shapes the clay, God shapes our lives. In the end, He makes the decisions and helps control the outcome. He can destroy us if we commit sins against Him or He can pour blessings upon us if we are righteous. We may see darkness in a certain time of our lives, but He sees the beauty that will come out of it and He never leaves us. We may mess up and make mistakes, but in the end, His plan prevails.

“You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.”

-Psalm 18:27

                Some people say that God does not exist. But that does not remove Him from their lives. Instead of continually pouring out blessings on them, He will eventually cause some sort of tragedy or unpleasing event to occur in their lives. If someone has many riches on this earth, and not in heaven, He can take all of their possessions away from them so they can experience what poverty is. He can make an atheist experience a disaster, so that they turn to Him and come to have faith in Him.

                But not all bad things occur because of sin. Maybe God wants you to change your job or workplace but you don’t want that change. He might make you lose that job or cause drama at the workplace so that you will want to get that job change. It’s not because He’s trying to control your life; it’s because He knows what’s best for you and needs you at certain places to do His work. He wants you to aim high so that you have an effect on others. Each person is called to their own mountain to be a light. When someone takes their part on that mountain and line up with God, they are the priesthood that God has chosen to change that environment to line up with God’s work.

“He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
    he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
    from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
    but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place;
    he rescued me because he delighted in me.”

-Psalm 18:16-19

                Maybe you recently broke up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, someone you thought you would spend the rest of your life with. God didn’t cause this to happen to break your heart or bring depression. Maybe He did it because maybe they weren’t really the person and He has someone out there that He needs you to be with. There could be someone who doesn’t believe in Him or has a wavering faith and He needs you to be there for them and support them; show them God’s love and maybe be an answer to a lonely person’s prayer. Maybe He did it because God wasn’t at the center of the relationship and He wants you to grow your relationship with Him first. Whatever the reason, it wasn’t meant to bring harm upon you. God never brings harm or destruction to those He loves just get pleasure out of it; He does it to teach a lesson or use them for His plans. It is God shaping your life.

                Sometimes God wants us to experience a certain hardship so that when we prevail and win victory over it, we can witness to others and maybe help someone who is or will be experiencing that same hardship. For instance, when I first ended a relationship with my ex-boyfriend, I was devastated felt it was a punishment. Sure, maybe it was because God wasn’t at the center of the relationship. But three months later, a friend of mine suffered the same thing, with almost the same exact details and events. I was able to be there and lift her up in the Lord. God used me to keep peace in her heart.

                Sure, we do have the freedom to do what we want, but we need to know the consequences for certain actions and we need to live according to God’s will for us. Each person’s will is different and we shouldn’t try to live like anyone besides Jesus.

Matt's Testimony

            Through our walk with Christ, many of us have had our curiosity in other religions and sometimes this leads to thoughts of conversion or further research into the religion. We start to question our own faith sometimes and sometimes we slip away from God. One faith that often grabs the attention of believers is Mormonism. This is because, from the outside, the Mormon Church seems so much like Christianity. But, once you actually begin to learn what it's about, you will see that it is the polar opposite. 

             A couple weeks ago, while working with my dad, I met a gentleman named Matt Covert. He has a website all about cars: Fast Lane Review. He shared with me a powerful testimony about his interest in the Mormon faith and his turning to God for the right answers. You may think that the voice of God talking to him is just his own thoughts, but I believe differently. God speaks directly to us sometimes, it's just a matter of us paying attention and opening the ears of our hearts.        

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Several months ago I was genuinely interested in joining the Mormon Church, for obvious reasons. I was really excited about similar it was to traditional Christianity (God is the only God, the Bible is the authoritative word of God, etc.). At that point, it didn't really seem like a far-fetched idea to consider converting. One by one, however, red flags started popping up as I learned more and more about the Mormon faith.

Throughout this time I talked extensively with nine LDS (Latter Day Saints) missionaries about every question I had. To my surprise, they had no answers to the majority of the issues I was raising. Their answer was always, "INSERT TESTIMONY, END WITH: ...read The Book of Mormon, and pray that God will reveal it to you as truth." This repeated answer did two things: A) It did not address any of the questions B) It required me to overlook some very basic points that no one seemed to understand.

From here, I studied everything I could get my hands on for a few months. It all became too frustrating and confusing, and in desperation I laid it all out on the table with God. I asked him some very important questions regarding Mormonism, and I was amazed at the manner in which he answered my prayers.

A large part of my studies included testing the spirits to make sure that they, and the information they are giving you, are genuinely representing God. I have no doubt that God speaks to every one of us on a personal level, and he used this part of my study in an incredible way.

Summary:
1. I was interested in the LDS church
2. I studied everything I could find and talked to many people about it
3. It all becomes a giant mess in my head
4. I went to God in a desperate attempt to get these things sorted out
5. God answered back


The following describes an intense experience that I can never deny. It sounds crazy, but I had an incredible conversation with our Creator. Below are two excerpts from an email I sent to my pastor back home, who has been a part of my studies for quite some time.

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"I recently experienced one short moment that I will never, ever forget. I have no doubt that my entire life led up to this one single moment. All of my experiences, ambitions, prayers, studies, and relationships radically pale in comparison to this one event.

The second she left my room that first night I began to pray. I prayed on a level I had never experienced before. I poured out my soul to God, praying that he might see fit to touch the heart of my wonderful, wonderful friend. I prayed in hopes that I had presented these ideas in a way that was intriguing and nonabrasive, and that she might experience just the slightest amount of curiosity. I knew that my duty to share this information with her had ended, and from then forward I had to be hands off. She had to take the next step. And if God saw fit to step in, now was the time. When I finished my thoughts, I started over and prayed them again, and again. I prayed for ten of fifteen minutes, and then stopped.

These thoughts continued to race around my mind for a few seconds. Suddenly my mind stopped, and became completely empty. Then out of nowhere, my mind filled with a new voice. It was quiet, but clearer than anything I've ever heard. The voice said, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

At that point I absolutely lost it. Did God actually speak to me? Did he tell me that Matt Covert had actually done something that warranted such approval?"

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"This week, my five month study culminated in such an insane way. I met with the LDS missionaries again last Tuesday, and we talked about prophets. Kathryn was very involved this time, though I could tell she was very frustrated at some of the things I said. Many times her head dropped and she just shook her head while I spoke.

At this point, I would like to officially modify one of my beliefs. Until recently, I missed something very important in 1 John 4. It does indeed say to test spirits to see whether they are of God, but then it goes on and gives us the exact method by which to test those spirits. In short, if the spirit confesses that Christ has come in the flesh, then that is the spirit of truth. I have not been testing spirits in the proper manner.

I read this passage so many times, and I couldn't get past the fact that the spirit that has visited many LDS members, saying the Book of Mormon is true, DOES confess that Christ is come in the flesh.

I struggled with this for a couple days. At this point, I saw two separate faiths that were potentially legitimate after testing the spirits. This was annoying, distressing, confusing, and spiritually disorienting. I sat at my computer for hours, deliberating through scriptures and reasoning with myself. Eventually it overwhelmed me, my mind was tore itself to pieces. I dropped everything, went outside, and ran for quite a while. I was really upset that the Word of God wasn't clearer, and I was so desperate to get this sorted out that I started to cry. I just prayed "help."

Eventually I calmed down and returned home. God must really know how to time things, because when I sat back down at my computer I saw that I had a new email from you. You introduced me to 1 Corinthians 3:10-13, and I dove back in.

God says (through Paul) that others will build on the foundations that Christ laid. He also says that the foundations of Christ can never be changed.

In the midst of this portion of my study, Kathryn said she couldn't understand why I hadn't asked God directly, regarding these difficult issues. My caution regarding spiritual affirmation made me skeptical. But, as a genuine seeker of truth, I branched off to research what the Bible says about asking God for help. I was stunned at how many times God says in the Bible that he will provide you with wisdom and guidance. He also says that if you ask him anything in his name, he will answer. After spending a couple hours on this topic, I decided it was my privilege to seek help from God. These months of studying, the last two days in particular, had turned into somewhat of a burden. Shouldering the search for truth, not only for myself but for Kathryn as well, had become almost unmanageable.

I walked into my dark bedroom, shut the door, and fell to my knees with powerful emotion. As a believer in God's promises throughout the Bible, I had faith that God would openly hear what I was about to say.

As you know, a couple weeks ago I believed that God spoke to me. The following experience infinitely reinforces that belief, and I will never question it again. I haven't shared this with anyone else.

I lowered my head and quietly began speaking to God. I said something close to the following:

"Gracious Heavenly Father....Creator of everything....this is all just a big mess in my head. I am your servant, and I want to know you so that I can serve you. I have been studying everything I can get my hands on. I'm ashamed to admit this....but I just now learned that as a believer, I can go right to the source. I need clarification. I need to sort this out. I accept You, let the Spirit fill me....Give me wisdom and discernment as I continue to learn about you. I know that you said I could ask you anything, and you will answer me. I don't know how I'm supposed to hear your answer, so I'm just going to ask the question. Is the Book of Mormon true? Is Joseph Smith true?"

I opened my eyes and sat there for a moment. I almost got up from the floor, but I felt compelled to stay where I was. I closed my eyes again. The same voice from a couple weeks ago spoke to me again.

It said, "The Book of Mormon is (I fought the answer for several moments before the last word was spoken, because I could tell what the coming answer would be)....true. Joseph Smith is (I fought this answer too)....true."

I became so emotional. From this moment on, I prayed in silence. I prayed, "Lord....a spirit just spoke to me. I've learned that I need to test this spirit to make sure it is representing you. Do I need to test this spirit?"

The voice said, "Yes."

I knew that in the next few moments, everything could be clarified. Like a computer, my mind raced through and arranged everything I had learned in the past five months. In silence, I continued to pray, "Father....First the spirit said the Book of Mormon is true. The Book of Mormon says that Christ came in the flesh. The second thing the spirit said was that Joseph Smith is true. Joseph Smith also said that Christ came in the flesh. He built on the foundations of Christ, but I believe his building materials were weak....he changed what you taught in the Bible. He said you are not the only God, not eternal, and that you Word needs changing. I believe that You, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are the same being. Since You are one and the same, changing You also changes the foundations of Christ, which means that Joseph Smith was not a true prophet, for you taught that the foundations of Christ can never change. If a spirit confesses that Christ has come in the flesh, and then suggests that the foundations of Christ should be changed, that is not the spirit of truth."

The voice spoke to me again in a lighthearted and pleased tone, “ Well done, my good and faithful servant."

What relief I felt in that one moment! I was so overwhelmed by what was happening, and so hungry for more! I continued to pray in silence, "My incredible God....thank you! Thank you! Please tell me....so that I may hear it from your very lips....Are you from everlasting to everlasting? Are you the only God? Is the Bible meant to be read literally?"

Fearing that I had overstepped the boundaries of faith, I waited. But the voice spoke again, "I am from everlasting to everlasting. I am the only God. The Bible is literal."

Saturated with passion, I asked one final thing. In silence I prayed, "What do I do now? Do I tell Kathryn about this? What do I do about Kathryn?"

The voice replied one last time. It said, "Do nothing. You have done your part. It's my turn now."

I thanked God a final time. And since He was not physically in the room with me, I kissed the back of my own hand in an attempt to express how much I loved Him in that moment.

I stood up, and my burdens were gone. I was filled with a joy that our language cannot do justice. I outstretched my arms, looked to the sky and proclaimed aloud, "I'm free!" I remained like this for several minutes to bask in the presence of the Lord.

Hours later, I returned to speak with God again. In silence I prayed, "My undeniable Heavenly Father....I know that I can always ask you for wisdom and discernment. I don't know if I'm allowed to ask for wisdom and discernment on behalf of others. But if I am, here is it: Father, I pray that you would fill my wonderful friend Kathryn with the Holy Spirit and that she would overflow with wisdom and discernment."

Again, the voice spoke to me, "Do nothing. I will help."

Sounds a bit crazy, yeah? It's all true though. I spoke about this at a church a couple months ago. People were shocked and enlightened. I'd love to get up in front of another church or youth group and speak again.

Do Not Condemn Yourself

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!”

-Isaiah 43:18-19

                All too often, as Christians, we condemn ourselves the moment we realize we have sinned. In doing this, we deter ourselves from moving on, causing us to go against what God has planned. We often feel as though we aren’t a “good enough” Christian. We often dwell on the past too. We might think we have “moved on” but then two weeks or a month down the line, we remember what we once were. But, in Luke 17:1 we are told that “things that cause people to sin are bound to come”. God knows that we will stumble and fall. He doesn’t want us to hold ourselves back from Him though. Jesus died so that we could connect with God, although we are sinners.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not

let yourselves be burdened again by yoke of slavery.”

-Galatians 5:1

                Psalm 103:13 declares that God has compassion for His children, just as a father has compassion on his children. When a child misbehaves, punishment is required. But, if a child apologizes and changes their actions, the father is quick to forgive them. Even when punishment comes though, it is still love. When a father disciplines his child, it’s because he wants what is best for the child. God forgive us of our sins when we ask for forgiveness and repent. He wipes our slate clean. Just as He does that for us, we should do for ourselves.

“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake,

and remembers your sins no more.”

-Isaiah 43:25

“For I will forgive the wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

-Jeremiah 31:34

Here is a blog post that relates to this: Saved, Not Condemned

Blessings: Are You Always Blessed?

“So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.”

-Galatians 3:9

                There are many Christians who believe that we are not always blessed. They think of material things, hardships, promotions, and other things that aren’t important. You never see a hearse with a U-Haul truck being towed behind to bring all of the earthly possessions to the grave. They are useless and will not last forever like the gifts that God promises us in the Bible. The ancient Egyptians believed that placing perishable items in the pyramid tombs would sustain the dead in the after-life. But what they failed to realize was that these things would not carry over and God is the ultimate provider beyond our needs. What does it mean, from a biblical perspective, to be blessed?

                A blessing is a statement of good will and happiness that is said about another, as well as the condition that fulfills those good words. God's original design in creation was for His creatures, including mankind, to experience prosperity, peace, and fulfillment (Genesis 1:28), but that design was ruined when sin entered the world through one man, Adam. Statements of blessing are a wish for God to restore His favor on others or a declaration of His inherent goodness. The ultimate blessing that God has given is the new life and forgiveness that comes through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. The material blessings we enjoy from day to day are temporary, but the spiritual blessings available to us in Christ encompass time and eternity, as well as material and immaterial things.

                We are ALWAYS blessed according to scripture if we follow God’s commands and laws and have faith. We are only cursed if we turn from Him and do not repent. We have the promise of new life and a place in Heaven. That is a blessing in itself. What else is blessing? He sends His angels to protect us, provides for us in tough financial times, guides our walk so that we may walk the path that leads to Him, gives us the desires of our hearts if He sees it fit, and pours down His grace upon us.

               Blessings can come in many forms. They aren't always material benefits, but can be things like knowledge and wisdom, as stated in Ecclesiastes. Things can blessed too, like food. But it's not just food that can be blessed. A day can be blessed too. Genesis 2:3 says that on the seventh day of creation, "He blessed the seventh day.." Animals can be blessed. When He was creating the world, "God created great sea creatures, and every sort of fish and every kind of bird. And God looked at the m with pleasure, and blessed them all..." (Genesis 1:22)

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.

Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and

insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.”

-Luke 6:20-22

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the

way of the sinners or in the seat of mockers.”

-Psalm 1:1

“He replied, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

-Luke 11:28

“Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways.”

-Psalm 128:1

                There is so much Scripture about blessings but not one says that we are only blessed at certain moments. Even when we are facing hardship, He says that we are blessed. His promise of new life should be enough for us and His grace will help us out of any situation. Optimism is key. Nothing in life is easy, so make the best of it and don’t dwell on the negatives. You are your own stress, your own anger, your own sadness, your own frustration. When you realize that you are eternally blessed because of God, you will learn to have a positive outlook on life-the outlook that God wants you to have. There is a purpose for your life, and God not only wants to bless you but He also wants to use you to bless others. A blessing is a way for God to work through someone. In Ephesians 3:20, it says that God can do more amazing things than anyone can hope to do on their own. This is part of what a blessing is. Though someone can pray for a blessing, that doesn't mean they will receive it. James 1:17 states, "Every good gift and every perfect present comes from heaven; it comes down from God..." If someone isn't ready for the situation involving the blessing they pray for, they will not receive it. God can do the impossible (2 Kings 4:1-7).

                What is given to you is also based upon your heart and what God sees when He looks at it.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken

together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For

with what measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

-Luke 6:38

                What we understand as a blessing is only a very small understanding of what God has ready for his people. Isaiah 64:4 states, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

                Every day may not be good, but there is good in every day.

“Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.”

-Psalm 21:6