Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

April 9
Wednesday


THE
OYSTER MAN

READ:
2 corinthians 4:1-7
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That the excellence of
the power may be of
God and not of us.
__2 Corinthians 4:7
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In the days of John Wesley, lay preachers with limited education would sometimes conduct the church services. One man used Luke 19:21 as his text: "Lord, I feared Thee, because Thou art an austere man" (KJV). Not knowing the word austere, he thought the text spoke of "an oyster man.


He explained how a diver must grope in dark, freezing water to retrieve oysters. In his attempt, he cuts his hands on the sharp edges of the shells. After he obtains an oyster, he rises to the surface, clutching it "in his torn and bleeding hands." The preacher added, "Christ descended from the glory of heaven into... sinful human society, in order to retrieve humans and bring them back up with Him to the glory of heaven. His torn and bleeding hands are a sign of the value He has placed on the object of His quest."

Afterward, 12 men received Christ. Later that night someone came to Wesley to complain about unschooled preachers who were too ignorant even to know the meaning of the texts they were preaching on. The Oxford-educated Wesley simply said, "Never mind. The Lord got a dozen oysters tonight.

Our best may not always measure up to the standards of others. But God takes our inadequacies and humble efforts and uses them for His glory. __Cindy Hess Kasper
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````````````The master can use what you have to offer,`````````````
````````````````Though you may consider it small;````````````````
`````````His work here on earth is done through His children,`````````
`````````````So give Him your best, give your all. __Hess```````````
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Do what you can where you are with what you have.

*************Today's Bible Reading __ 2 Corinthians 4:1-7***********

1 Therefore, since we have
this ministry, as we have
received mercy, we do not
lose heart. 2 But we have
renounced the hidden things
of shame, not walking in
craftiness nor handling the
Word of God deceitfully,
but by manifestation of the
truth commending ourselves
to every man's conscience
in the sight of God. 3 But
even if our gospel is veiled,
it is veiled to those who are
perishing, 4 whose minds
the god of this age has
blinded, who do not
believe, lest the light of the
gospel of the glory of
Christ, who is the image of
God, should shine on them.

5 For we do not preach
ourselves, but Christ Jesus
the Lord, and ourselves
your bondservants for
Jesus' sake. 6 For it is the
God who commanded light
to shine out of darkness,
who has shone in our hearts
to give the light of the
knowledge of the glory of
God in the face of Jesus
Christ.

7 But we have this treasure
in earthen vessels, that the
excellence of the power
may be of God and not
of us.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

In today's Bible reading, the apostle Paul challenges us to think
seriously about how we view our service for Christ. At its core, this
challenge is wrapped up in verse 5, where we are reminded of the
focus of our ministry. It is not for self-advancement or self-glory,
but for the honor of Christ. We must continually remind ourselves,
as John the Baptizer said of Christ, "He must increase, but I must
decrease" (John 3:30). __Bill Crowder