From Vessel To Vessel
gtcotr/ss060406
“A diamond is nothing but an old piece of coal that made good under pressure.” (found on a plaque on the CINCUSAFE’s desk in 1977)
Today we have missionaries from our church serving in Vietnam, Belarus, Africa, on their way to Israel, readying to leave for Mexico and many ministering all over the Golden Triangle.
This is who we are:
GTCOTR
YOCC in Yoshkar Ola, Russia
COTR North in Beaumont
Vidor COTR
Rock Church Southeast in Port Arthur
COTR Conroe
Bridge City COTR
Church Online Worldwide
COTR Sour Lake
Grace COTR in Port Arthur
Through these churches we have brought birth and support to ministries both here in our several communities and throughout the world.
COTR Food Bank in Port Arthur
Compassion Christian Counseling Clinic in Beaumont
International Institute of Faith Based Counseling in Beaumont
KE Resources, A Non Profit Church Management & Consulting Group
Agua Water Well Ministries
Project 237
Hospital, Nursing Home, Jail and Prison Ministries
International Feeding Programs
RU 100% SURE
Our monthly missions efforts are astounding. We provide counseling, covering and correction to ministers, pastors and congregations working in nations all over the world. The budget to reach out from our walls and into all the world with help for the hungry and hope for the hurting exceeds well over a quarter of a million dollars each year. This past year, hurricanes Katrina and Rita, pushed us way beyond that amount.
We can stand here and truly say that together, with God’s help and grace, we have made a difference in our communities and in the world. To God be the glory, great things He has done!
Now turn with me to a prophetic word from the book of Jeremiah.
Sometimes Pressure To Change Is A Good Thing. Without it we may not change at all. Growth, Godliness & Maturity demand change.
Jeremiah 48:11 Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed. (KJV)
Moab settled on the very familiar surroundings without any pressure to change. No new days, no new challenges, no new influences or pressures to face. So Moab always thought like and acted like Moab. Moab always tasted and smelled just the same … just like Moab.
This would have been alright if Moab’s taste had been the tastes of God … if his scent had been the scent of the presence of the Almighty. However, it was not.
It is the process of being poured from vessel to vessel, from one vessel of God’s will and portion to another, which causes us to pick up more of the taste and scent of God. More of the anointing of the Almighty.
Psalms 55:19 God will hear, and afflict them, Even He who abides from of old. Selah Because they do not change, Therefore they do not fear God. (NKJV)
Allow me to use this concept to offer a thought which I believe is important to the overall plan of God for His Church, His people and His purpose.
Zephaniah 1:12 And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil. (KJV)
Amos 6:1 “Woe unto them that are at ease in Zion …”
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (KJV)
Change is a process of both conformation and transformation.
Romans 8:29 ¶ For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. (NKJV)
Romans 12
1 ¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (NKJV)
God puts gentle pressure on us to change. He pours us from vessel to vessel. From one glory of His will and purpose to another. Step by step. Little by little, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little until we are changed to the image of His purpose, smelling and tasting more like Him with each step. (Isaiah 28)
Three Steps To Lasting Change
(It involves being poured from vessel to vessel.)
1. Don’t Resist The Hand of God
He may want to pour you into another vessel for refining
Don’t worry, there is another vessel
“God will not leave you out of the harness”
He pours from vessel to vessel
Have you ever noticed that nothing stagnates in God’s presence.
2. Let God’s Word Work
On Us
In Us
Through Us
3. Take The Next Step
Get engaged in life and ministry at the next level.
You may be a rookie, but that’s where every person starts
How would it be if no one were willing to start at the beginning.
We started as one small congregation, now we are many growing congregations but still one family, one vision, one purpose and one voice.
God wants to pour you from one vessel of His will and timing to another. From one season or stage to the next. From one platform of ministry to a greater one.
I am not talking about you moving, but about you growing, maturing and increasing in capacity to serve Christ.
He has a plan, He knows what He is doing and He cares about you.
Like the children of Israel, go with God to the Promised Land and go willingly. Let’s not make God hit the ball and then drag us to first base. Work with God and He will work with you. From Glory to Glory.
