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Magnifying the Lord ~ A Study in the Word
Week of October 22, 2007
This week’s word study
contributed by:
Kevin Sparkman & Sheila Martinez
 Looking
at 2 Corinthians 4:7-9
v7: But we have this treasure
in earthen vessels that the excellency
of the power may be of God, and not of us.
v8: We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed;
we are perplexed, but not in despair;
v9: Persecuted, but not forsaken;
cast down, but not destroyed.
Treasure ~ Greek word "thesaurus" - pronounced
(thay-sow-ros):
meaning a deposit, wealth, treasure.
Earthen ~ Greek word “ostrakinos”
- pronounced (os-tra-kin-os):
meaning earthen ware, clay, frail.
Vessel ~ Greek word “skeuos”
- pronounced (skyoo-os):
meaning implement, equipment, apparatus, vessel.
Excellency ~ Greek word “hyperbole”-
pronounced (hoop-er-bol-ay):
meaning a throwing beyond, abundance, out of measure.
Power ~ Greek word “dunamis”
- pronounced (doo-nam-is):
meaning a force, miraculous power, a miracle itself, ability,
abundance, mighty deed, worker of a miracle, power, strength,
violence, wonderful work.
Troubled ~ Greek word “thilbo”
- pronounced (thlee-bo):
meaning to crowd, afflict, narrow, throng, suffer tribulation, trouble.
Distressed ~ Greek word “stenochoreo”
- pronounced (sten-okh-o-reh):
meaning to hem in closely, cramp, straiten, distress.
Perplexed ~ Greek word “aporeo”
- pronounced (ap-or-eh-o):
meaning to have no way out, to be at a loss mentally, stand in doubt,
be perplexed.
Despair ~ Greek word "exaporeomai" - pronounced
(ex-ap-or-eh-om-ahee): meaning to be utterly at a loss, despond, in
despair.
Persecuted ~ Greek word “dioko”
- pronounced (dee-o-ko):
meaning to flee, to pursue, to persecute, ensue, follow after, given
to suffer.
Forsaken ~ Greek word “egkataleipo”
- pronounced (eng-kat-al-i-po):
meaning to leave behind in some place, let remain over, desert,
leave, forsake.
Destroyed ~ Greek word “apollumi”
- pronounced (ap-ol-loo-mee):
meaning to destroy fully, to perish or lose.
Thoughts to consider:
We have a deposit of great wealth within, if we have Christ as our
Savior. A treasure residing within this clay pot called our self -
this form made of dust. How can we perceive this great gift?
What is this deposit, this wealth and treasure we have been given?
It is the very Spirit of God, the True LIFE - and within this is the
message of God, the gospel - the Good News.
Christ dwells within us - by His Spirit.
He has claimed us as His own, and entrusted to us the ability to grow
in understanding - even as we entrust our children to grow and learn.
Growing up into the life we have been given in Christ.
John 1:12 reads: "as many as received Him, to them gave He power
to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name."
To all who will receive Him are partakers of this treasure. As we embrace this
gift we find ourselves empowered, our salvation working
within, releasing the power from God as we live and move.
When the world sees the life of God empowering our weak, frail dust
they can't help but know something other than our own strength is
at work within us.
They may not know it is God, but they know it is something beyond
ourselves. When we are being crowded, afflicted, stretched thin and
suffering without being bent out of shape, they take notice - giving
us a chance to share the hope we have within us - the very hope of
the life found in HIM.
Even though it looks like we have no way out, appearing as if all
is lost - mentally, physically, emotionally -- troubled, persecuted,
distressed, forsaken - even when pressed beyond measure - the power is
found in the excellency of Christ and it takes us beyond our own strength, keeping
us, and supplying every need.
As we acknowledge Him when we are in these places the promised treasure
can shine brightly within our inner man, and the very power rises up to
keep us through it all.
Most of us have never been pursued to the point of fleeing for our life
or made to suffer physically for our faith. But many world-wide
have been tortured because of their faith. Maybe you find yourself
in persecution at this moment, with hate and destruction staring you
in the face.
Know that the Lord has not forsaken you. Let the treasure within your
heart be released at this moment. Receive the comfort that He knows
you and He is with you - and He will make the way for you.
Like a fighter in the ring, we too are taking many blows that wear
us down - wearing us down to the point of weakness, but we find our
self made strong in HIM. Being knocked down, but we always regain
the strength, the hope, and the courage to get back up and fight again.
For it is in our weakest points we find how able He is! Able to release
the excellent power of God within us - so to shine for all
to see. Giving the knowledge for all who will receive that the Life
and the Glory - the very ability to live and move, is of our God and
of God ALONE!
He is God ALONE - and there is NO OTHER!
Praise His name forever and forever…
Amen.
If you would
like to comment on this study, please send an email to:
comments@vine3.org
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