Marialana

Q2. (2 Corinthians 4:5-12) Why does a believer’s suffering make his or her witness more credible to the world? Why do you think Paul contrasts “jars of clay” with “all-surpassing power”? What is the “treasure” that is contained within us? How does this differ from the New Age truism of “believe in yourself”? I think that when we suffer in Christ and we respond as he would in any of the fruits of the Spirit (love joy, peace,patience, kindness ,goodness or self control )people will wonder what is going on. This is not of ourselves. Some will recognize thatt there is something different about us and will be drawn to Christ. Of course some will think we are crazy!? I think Paul contrasts jars of clay (meaning us) and all surpassing power (meaning Christ) to show a picture of who we are. We are a plain container, he is the true essence of life, love and power. One day his glory will be revealed in us. I read this bible study this am and then took a nap. I woke up with a song I learned growing up. As a kid being raised in the Catholic Church I found the mass boring because to me it was so repetitive. But frequently the icing on the cake was that we had an elderly woman that would play the organ and sing. Over and over and over we would hear the song "in earthen vessels" Here voice was, we'll, ahem.... old!?BUT it stuck in my heart!!!! I was laughing to myself and smiling to the Lord this morning saying to him that I guess he wanted me to learn that one! Here is the lyrics. It is quite good. Earthen Vessels Lyrics by John Foley S.j.We hold a treasure, not made of gold, In earthen vessels, wealth untold, One treasure only: the Lord, the Christ, In earthen vessels. 1...Light has shone in our darkness: God has shown in our heart, With the light of the glory of Jesus, the Lord. 2... He has chosen the lowly, who are small in this world; In his weakness is glory, in Jesus the Lord. Last question. How does that differ from "believe in yourself"? Ha! We cannot do anything good in this world that has lasting value except we do it in him. Our "power" is useless! It always fails and backfires on us.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 3:18) In your own words, how do you describe what it means to “behold his glory”? Have you ever experienced this? What do you think would be necessary for you to experience this on a regular basis? What keeps you from experiencing this? Beholding his glory is seeing his works like the beauty of his world, the trees, the birds, the flowers, the scents in the air. Beholding his glory is seeing his creation of a newborn child. The stars, moon, beautiful music. It is also sensing his presence. Years ago I was leading worship and sensed the Lord. I thought he was behind me and I said " Lord are you behind me?" I heard him reply "Marie I am all around you"?. There are so many ways he reveals his glory. I like to say if you hear a scripture or truth 2x in one day and they come from 2 different sources, THAT is the Lord! He chooses when to reveal himself but I think if we make ourselves more avaliable to him by prayer, meditating on his word, being quiet in his presence, worshiping him and fasting at times we will hear more of him. What keeps me from experiencing this? Mostly when I don't take time to listen, get lazy or when I don't trust him. When I let myself be consumed with other things good or bad. Sometimes doing good things can be the enemy and I miss what he wanted to show me. Also if I get consumed with shame and don't accept that he really forgives me when I miss the mark, I miss the glory he wanted to show me.

My name is Marie. I am from Michigan in the Detroit area. I have known the Lord from when I was 17. I love looking at the Lord's creation and music.