A friend of mine sent me this message and I want to share it with you all! Jeremiah 18:1-6 ¶
The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.
Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
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.
Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
When Jeremiah observed the vessel that was in the potter's hand, I can imagine, what the potter first beheld, did not line up with what he had originally intended for the pottery to be in his mind. What caused the clay to become "marred" (ruined, decayed, and destroyed) in the hands of the potter? Perhaps it was dropped; perhaps certain elements found its way into the clay compromising its integrity. Perhaps the clay went through issues, lost loved ones, was struggling with certain addictions, experienced financial difficulty ect. I don't know for sure, however we do know that he was probably dissatisfied with the vessels current state. So much so, he decided to "remake" the same vessel over again. The problem lied not in what the vessel was called but in the functionality of what it was designed to do.
So much we at times; God has designed a "wheel" appointment for us. If we stay the course, if we stick through the pinching, squeezing, cutting, strenuous grabbing; if we can survive getting thrown on the table, time after time, after time, we qualify to wear the glory of that potter. Even today, when you look at pottery, notice what stands out to you the most? In certain cases, doesn't the beautiful design and expression of the vessel stand out to you more when you first see it, before you consider its function, if it's a decorative piece?
You even consider how well it would go with your décor. Not so with the potter. The potter appreciates the effort and the work that it took to get the vessel to where it needed to be. The buyer seldom appreciates the hard work and integrity the vessel had to go through, but the potter does. The initial and middle process is not only crucial, but very intimate for the potter. The potter establishes a one on one relationship of creativity with the clay. He takes the clay as their own and puts time, effort, love and dedication into the work that would represent them for ages to come. Though the process is almost violent at times; this lets us know that the most difficult time of our lives--the times that we are experiencing hell and high water, is the time God is most intimate with us.
A time where God is doing His most costly design and labor; He has His hand directly on different areas of our lives, shaping here, molding there, tearing hear, replacing there, all so that we can not only represent the awesomeness of His glory, but function in the way that He sees fit. He molds us so much so, that men won't be confused as to determine our original purpose. That's why it's so important to stay on the wheel and see the conclusion of the matter. The potter has an image that has already been sketched in his heart and mind on how he desires the vessel to look and function. When we know this about God, we can then have the confidence to "count it all joy", knowing that we are in the potter's hand in our rough times.
Walking by Faith by Don Walker basileia08@yahoo.com
“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘But the righteous man shall live by faith.’” (Romans 1:17) When Paul says that the righteousness of God is revealed “from faith to faith” what is he referring to? I believe that Paul is speaking about the faith of Christ and our faith. As a man Jesus had perfect faith in the Father (Heb.2:13). He was given the Spirit without measure (John 3:34) which is why He had perfect faith. While we have only a measure of faith (Rom. 12:3), this was not true of Jesus. His faith is what lay behind His perfect obedience. He stood in our place not only in death, but also in life. He was our substitute. He believed perfectly on our behalf, which is why He was the only one who could fulfill the Law (Matt. 5:17). Our imperfect faith is covered by His righteousness – resulting from a perfect faith – which is put to our credit (Rom. 4:5) We are not required to produce a perfect faith to be saved, only faith in a perfect Savior. The faith of Christ is of no value until it is ratified by our faith. Galatians 2:16 states: “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ.” (The Greek phrase is pistis christou, which means the “faith of Christ,” contrary to translations that choose to render it as “faith in Christ.”) Paul uses the same phrase when he says in Galatians 2:20 that, “I live by the faith of the Son of God.” (The KJV translates it correctly.) Paul is showing that he continues to trust not his own faith but that of Jesus. This perfect faith of Christ continues to the present because Jesus intercedes for us at God’s right hand without doubt or unbelief. This is why Paul could make such a statement. He lived by the faith of Christ, demonstrated by His obedience during His earthly life, and His “intercessory faith” in heaven now. If Christ does not pray to the Father with a perfect faith, there is no hope for any of us. But Paul did not worry about Christ having less than perfect faith. He knew that Christ’s faith was sufficient and complete – his faith was in Jesus’ faith.. It is a daily choice to see God working in us and every situation. It's a daily choice to believe we are kings, priests, holy, accepted, loved, one Spirit with the Lord. We can choose to not believe God, and so focus on the stress, guilt, worry, anxiety and doubt. But what we take by faith takes us. If we take stress as the reality, it stays real to us and usually intensifies.
Our souls are imprinted with the pathways of our history of choices. These are ruts in our psychology, and when the chips are down we go into the old rut of self-pity, anger, rage, self-righteousness, or whatever apparently used to make us feel better. This is the root of addictive behavior. I'm finding that despite wrong choices, I'm to stand up again, thank God for the cleansing Blood of Jesus that has washed away all of my sins from God's consciousness, and start walking in faith again. The story is told about a young man who went through the wedding ceremony, coming out of the chapel he turned to his new bride and said, “Honey, I don’t feel married.” To which his bride replied, “Dear, you had better adjust your feelings to fit the facts.”
My contrary feelings give me the choice. When I feel guilt over a past, confessed sin, I stand on the Blood. I can walk as though I never committed the sin.. If I sin against someone I first confess it to God, then go to the other person and ask for forgiveness. After that I am free; I can get walking again as if I'd never done it. This is a choice, an internal choice to believe 1John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us of all unrighteousness." And then I can believe Psalm 103:12, "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." My sins are literally right out of God's consciousness, so I can shove them out of mine in agreement with God, rather than be plagued by guilt. He sees me as a son, a pure, holy son who is on the path to deeper and better expression of Christ. This does not mean that there are not sometimes consequences to my sin, but in terms of my relationship to the Father, I am restored.
Faith is mostly about courage. It's about Moses being opposed by Pharaoh and not backing down. It's about Joshua and Caleb seeing the giants and fierce inhabitants of the Promised Land and pushing back fear, saying, "Let us go up and possess the land, for we are well able to overcome it" simply because God had promised them the Land. We see that courage in Abraham leaving his home because God said "Leave Haran and go to a land I will show thee." The same courage operated in David, who was persecuted and hunted by Saul and yet chose not to kill Saul when he had the perfect chance. He knew God would perform His promises to make David the king.
We have to face our Pharaohs, our giants, fierce inhabitants, our Sauls, that face us on the battlefield of our mind, or in physical reality. And the answer is the same for us as it was for the biblical patriarchs from Adam and Eve all the way to the disciples of Jesus Christ. "Will I trust God, or will I trust my own feelings and thoughts?" That's where the rubber meets the road.
The New Bishop's of the A.M.E.Zion Church our First Woman Bishop. Bishop Bonnie Hines, Bishop Dennis Proctor, and Bishop Darryle Starnes. Newly appointed Bishop's at A.M.E.Zion Church held in Atlanta, GA. at our General Conference 2008.
At Thy Feet Today's message is from Alice Reynolds Flowers. At Thy feet—because I need thee:Strength of youth shall faint and fail.But the soul that truly waitethOn the Lord shall e’er prevail.At Thy feet—weakness forgotten;At Thy feet—my wants supplied.In the fountain of Thy fullnessAll my need is satisfied. . . .At Thy feet—because those nail-printsMust impel to service new;Waiting on thee maketh steadyAll Thy gracious will to do.At Thy feet—self-love forgotten,Not a price too dear to pay;I may go with message readyThus received from day to day.At Thy feet—because the nearestPlace that I can draw to Thee;Heart that yearneth for Thy comingJust Thy face would only see. . . .
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: READ LUKE 10: 38–42 TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, I bow before You, laying my life at Your feet. Use me, Lord, as You see fit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
All the information provided here can be found at the website for the General Conference. By all means visit it and get up on your knowledge before you head out to the meeting in Atlanta.
www.2008generalconference.com
Also, the AME Zion Website is up and running and has been since August. If you're not up on that, visit that site as well.
www.amez.org
Lastly, whenever you get around to it, inform other Zionites about the meeting and what happens there or just invite them to this event so they can read up on it.
What is the General Conference?
The General Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church is the supreme ruling law-making body of the church while in session. Only the General Conference can change legislation once adopted by it in regular or special session.
It is composed of the Bishops, as ex-officio presidents, according to the rank of election, and an equal number of ministerial and lay delegates, elected by each of the Annual Conferences of which they are members. The General Conference meets quadrennially (every four years), but may have extra sessions in certain emergencies.
The business of the General Conference is to hear reports from the Bishops, General Officers as to their labors during the quadrennial, revise and amend the rules when necessary for the general interest of the Connection, set off annual conferences, ratify or reverse the decision of the lower court, and to try charges against a bishop during its setting. Additionally, when necessary the General Conference elects bishops and General Officers where vacancies exist.
Reviewing its work during the past quadrennial, the church, through the General Conference and the Board of Bishops, speaks out on the issues facing the church, nation and the world and sets its course for the next quadrennial.
How The General Conference Works
Meets Every Four Years
General Conference, which convenes every four years, is the top policy-making body of The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Church law states that no person or organization except the General Conference has authority to speak officially for the denomination when in session (The Book of Discipline 1996, Par. 509.)
Conference Meeting Site
The meeting sites are bided on among the church's geographic U.S. jurisdictions. The 2004 conference was held in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Delegation Half Clergy, Half Lay
Church law provides for delegates to the General Conference to be --half clergy, half lay. It mandates that each annual conference must have at least one delegate from each order. Beyond that, a conference's representation is based the number of lay members and clergy members in the conference.
Conference Revises Book of Discipline
The conference revises The Book of Discipline (book of church law) and adopts resolutions on various current moral, social, public policy and economic and administrative issues. It also approves plans and budgets for church-wide programs for the next four years. The delegates can propose amendments to the church's Constitution but those must be ratified later in the annual conferences. General Conference also elects members of the Judicial Council, the church's "supreme court", and the Church Department heads.
Sources of Legislation
Primary sources of legislation are resolutions and proposals from church agencies, members and organizations. Resolution deadlines vary, depending on the source, but none may be submitted more than 120 days prior to the opening of the conference. Any organization, ordained minister or lay member of the church may petition through resolutions submitted to a delegate to the General Conference.
As in the U.S. Congress and state legislatures, the bulk of General Conference business is conducted in legislative committees which receive the resolutions; debate them; and determine whether to approve, amend, combine, or disapprove them for recommendation to the full body of General Conference.
General (church-wide) agencies propose resolutions or changes in legislation affecting their respective policies and operations. These, along with resolutions from annual conferences will be housed on the website of the General Secretary-Auditor.
Bishops Don't Vote
Members of the Board of Bishops attend the General Conference but do not vote. A bishop presides at each plenary session. Each bishop usually serves during one morning, afternoon, or evening session. All bishops, active and retired, attend the entire conference.
Also attending the conference will be all 13 general church department heads and people serving administrative and staff functions at the General Conference.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008 9:00 A.M. The Quadrennial Sermon 1:00 P.M. Lunch 2:30 P.M. Organization of General Conference 6:00 P.M. Dinner 7:00 P.M. Welcome Program 8:00 P.M. Quadrennial Address
Thursday, July 17, 2008 8:30 A.M. Devotion 8:45 A.M. Reports of the Bishops 1:30 P.M. Lunch 2:45 P.M. Afternoon Session - Devotion 3:00 P.M. First Reading of the 2008-2012 Budget 4:30 P.M. Committee Meetings 6:00 P.M. Dinner 7:30 P.M. Devotion 7:45 P.M. Greeting from President of Livingstone College Greeting from President of Hood Theological Seminary Reports of General Officers, Presidents and Other Representatives
Friday, July 18, 2008 8:30 A.M. Devotion 9:00 A.M. Reports Continued Second Reading of the 2008-2012 Budget 1:00 P.M. Lunch 2:30 P.M. Devotion 2:45 P.M. Report of the Revision Committee 4:00 P.M. Committee Meetings 6:00 P.M. Dinner 7:30 P.M. Devotion 7:45 P.M. Legislative Session
Sunday, July 20, 2008 8:30 A.M. Sunday Church School 10:00 A.M. Worship Service 1:00 P.M. Lunch 3:00 P.M. Memorial Service 3:30 P.M. Anniversary Service Overseas Missions 4:30 P.M. Dinner 7:00 P.M. Christian Education Anniversary Service
Monday, July 21, 2008 8:30 A.M. Devotion Legislative Session / Report of Committees 1:00 P.M. Luncheon in Honor of Retiring Bishops 2:30 P.M. Devotion 2:45 P.M. Report of Committees 5:30 P.M. Dinner 7:00 P.M. Devotion 7:15 P.M. Report of the Revision Committee Reports of Committees Continued
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 8:30 A.M. Devotion 8:45 A.M. Final Presentation and Distribution of General Conference Minutes Installation Service for General Officers Legislation Continued 1:00 P.M. Lunch 2:30 P.M. Consecration Service Unfinished Business of 48th Session of the General Conference Motion for Adjustment
