We Are The Clay—You LORD, Are The Potter
Isaiah 64:8
But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
O LORD, teach us by Your Word and through Your Spirit. Mold us in the image of Your love, removing all those things that You hate. O LORD, mold us in your image; for you are the potter and we are your clay.
Proverbs 6:16-19
16 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
O LORD, mold our thoughts, speech, actions, and how we influence others. Deliver unto us Your Holy Spirit to continually monitor our actions, thoughts, and behavior, all that which is central to our daily lives, so we may glorify You in all things. May Your Will be done. In the power of the Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus. Amen!
1. Mold our attitude — the pride in our look.
O LORD, let not our pride drive rebellion and disobedience against Your laws. When our pride is wounded, occupy our heart, fill it with Your love and comfort.
Proverbs 16:5
5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
Psalms 12:3
3 The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
James 4:6
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Isaiah 2:12
12 For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:
O LORD, You know us from afar off and will grind out our haughty pride. Mold us in Your likeness. Mold our attitude to reflect Your Love; and may all our activities be obedience is for Your Glory. O Lord, keep us humble, remove our defiance as you mold us in Christ. Mold us and teach us to follow Jesus who was meek and lowly in heart.
1 Peter 3:4
4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
1 Peter 5:6
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
2. Mold our speech — the lies from our tongue.
O LORD, we know you are a God of truth, who cannot lie, and Your Son Jesus is THE TRUTH. Mold us in His image so that we may revolve around the truth and bring the truth, the Good News of Jesus to others.
John 14:6
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Numbers 23:19
19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Colossians 1:5
5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
O LORD, keep us from speaking lies, no matter how small or large, so we may please You in all things. For it is written that 'he that keepeth his mouth, keepeth his life, but he that openeth wide his lips, shall have destruction." Father in Heaven, mold our tongue so that it may speak truth, which is the only acceptable position to God.
3. Mold our action — our hands that would shed innocent blood.
O LORD, You gave to Moses the Ten Commandments. One of those laws was 'Thou Shalt Not Murder.' All life is precious and created in Your image. Your Son Jesus taught us that because of our sinful pride we can commit murder in our heart. Mold our actions that we will use our hands and hearts for the benefit of preserving innocent life and to the Glory of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Exodus 20:13
13 Thou shalt not kill.
Too often the proud man resorts to lying to protect his image. When someone detects another person is lying they take actions to do away with the innocent person by murder. God hates bloodshed of the innocent. Throughout the Bible there are examples of where the proud man often resorts to lying to protect his image.
Genesis 4:8-12
8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. ...
2 Kings 21:15-16
15 Because they have done that which was evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt, even unto this day. 16 Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.
Matthew 23:31-38
31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. 32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? ...
O LORD, Jesus brought us the Word and tells us that man is created in the image of God. God’s goal is to immortalize man, however, murder is a way of hindering that purpose. Mold our actions that we may love others the God loves us.
1 John 3:15
15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
Matthew 5:21-22
21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
4. Mold our thought — our hearts that would devise wicked plans.
O LORD, You know our thoughts and needs before even we know them. Our heart is the fountain of all sin. Mold our heart and fill it with the knowledge of God. Leave no room for evil. Mold our thoughts so that our hearts may be a workshop unto the Glory of the Kingdom of God.
People with an evil heart thrive on the pain they cause others. They have no concern about who get hurts, as long as their desires are met. People with an evil heart want to have control. They think they are always right and will not listen to instructions, answering only to themselves. People with an evil heart often try to undermine the authority of others and they will even use the word of God to their own advantage. They will never adhere to scriptures that are against their conduct.
Proverbs 2:14-15
14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; 15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
Isaiah 32:6
6 For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the Lord, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.
O LORD, You teach us that the "heart—the mind" is the source of sin and that evil men make their heart a workshop to fabricate and prepare many wicked plans. These are so degraded that the only way they can obtain pleasure is by doing evil. Mold us, Dear Lord, into disciples of Christ, fill our heart with the knowledge of God, and lead us to spread the Good News to those who are thirsty for Your Word.
5. Mold our action — our feet that are swift in running to evil.
O LORD, we are sinners and fall short of the Glory of God. Only through Jesus, the Son of God, the Christ who died on the cross at Calvary, are we able to come to God the Father. Mold us in Thine image and point our feed in the direction of Your Word to which we shall always run. Forgive us, for we have sinned. May the Power of the Holy Spirit dwell within us and hasten us to run not towards evil but rather towards the things of the Holy Bible. May the Will of God be done always. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
The wickedness of the sinners is aptly expressed by the verb running. Sinners are so powerfully motivated to do evil that they are not content with the usual pace of man as they race toward fire and brimstone. The lesson for believers is to hasten and run—but not towards evil—but rather towards the things of the Bible.
Romans 3:23
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Revelation 21:8
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
6. Mold our speech — our false witness who speaks lies.
O LORD, forgive us for bearing false witness against our neighbor. Your moral code is perfect and we fall short of Your Perfection. Mold the character of our speech that each word we utter is to the benefit and glory of Almighty God our Father. Bring Christ to us so that we have Jesus at all times as the silent listener to every conversation. Mold our speech and lead us in His perfect way.
Bearing false witness is is expressly forbidden under the moral code set up in God's law of the old testament. Christ will execute judgment on those who bear false witness and in perfect judgement He will vindicate the righteous.
Exodus 20:16
16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Psalms 37:6
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
Psalms 101:5-6
5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. 6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
O LORD, mold us in a way to keep a guard on our tongue, so we are careful what we say. Mold our speech and help us control what we say so that we may become more in the likeness of Your image. Always send us to God's Word in matters related to controlling our tongues.
James 3:17
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
7. Mold our influence — that would sow discord among brethren.
O LORD, deliver to us your instructions on how we should use our influence. Mold our character and our influence. Mold us so that we avoid those who cause divisions and sow discord among our brethren.
Romans 16:17-18
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
God tells us to avoid those who cause divisions. People who sow discord among their brethren is a poisonous influence on the life of the church. They have an evil heart will try to twist the facts, mislead others, and are not afraid of telling lies. Their influence brings deception and mischief, they do not take responsibility for their actions, and even will withhold valuable information. On the Internet today in forums dedicated to the Lord, Jesus Christ's message of salvation, we all too often can find these wicked influence peddlers. We see them trolling Internet forums and chatrooms, spreading deceit and fraud, sowing discord among believers.
Psalms 10:7
7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
Psalms 58:3
3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.
Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil, See No Evil
O LORD, hear our prayers. Mold us, and our influence, to follow the positive commands of Christ that we must hear no evil, think no evil, and speak no evil. Mold us with discernment in our hearts that we shall recognize the goodness in Your flock and the wickedness from the World; and have the wisdom of Your Holy Word to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. In the power of the Holy Spirit. May God's will be done always and forever. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Psalms 1:1
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Ephesians 4:29
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Matthew 5:29
29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Isaiah 64:8
But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
O LORD, teach us by Your Word and through Your Spirit. Mold us in the image of Your love, removing all those things that You hate. O LORD, mold us in your image; for you are the potter and we are your clay.
Proverbs 6:16-19
16 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
O LORD, mold our thoughts, speech, actions, and how we influence others. Deliver unto us Your Holy Spirit to continually monitor our actions, thoughts, and behavior, all that which is central to our daily lives, so we may glorify You in all things. May Your Will be done. In the power of the Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus. Amen!
1. Mold our attitude — the pride in our look.
O LORD, let not our pride drive rebellion and disobedience against Your laws. When our pride is wounded, occupy our heart, fill it with Your love and comfort.
Proverbs 16:5
5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
Psalms 12:3
3 The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
James 4:6
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Isaiah 2:12
12 For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:
O LORD, You know us from afar off and will grind out our haughty pride. Mold us in Your likeness. Mold our attitude to reflect Your Love; and may all our activities be obedience is for Your Glory. O Lord, keep us humble, remove our defiance as you mold us in Christ. Mold us and teach us to follow Jesus who was meek and lowly in heart.
1 Peter 3:4
4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
1 Peter 5:6
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
2. Mold our speech — the lies from our tongue.
O LORD, we know you are a God of truth, who cannot lie, and Your Son Jesus is THE TRUTH. Mold us in His image so that we may revolve around the truth and bring the truth, the Good News of Jesus to others.
John 14:6
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Numbers 23:19
19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Colossians 1:5
5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
O LORD, keep us from speaking lies, no matter how small or large, so we may please You in all things. For it is written that 'he that keepeth his mouth, keepeth his life, but he that openeth wide his lips, shall have destruction." Father in Heaven, mold our tongue so that it may speak truth, which is the only acceptable position to God.
3. Mold our action — our hands that would shed innocent blood.
O LORD, You gave to Moses the Ten Commandments. One of those laws was 'Thou Shalt Not Murder.' All life is precious and created in Your image. Your Son Jesus taught us that because of our sinful pride we can commit murder in our heart. Mold our actions that we will use our hands and hearts for the benefit of preserving innocent life and to the Glory of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Exodus 20:13
13 Thou shalt not kill.
Too often the proud man resorts to lying to protect his image. When someone detects another person is lying they take actions to do away with the innocent person by murder. God hates bloodshed of the innocent. Throughout the Bible there are examples of where the proud man often resorts to lying to protect his image.
Genesis 4:8-12
8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. ...
2 Kings 21:15-16
15 Because they have done that which was evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt, even unto this day. 16 Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.
Matthew 23:31-38
31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. 32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? ...
O LORD, Jesus brought us the Word and tells us that man is created in the image of God. God’s goal is to immortalize man, however, murder is a way of hindering that purpose. Mold our actions that we may love others the God loves us.
1 John 3:15
15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
Matthew 5:21-22
21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
4. Mold our thought — our hearts that would devise wicked plans.
O LORD, You know our thoughts and needs before even we know them. Our heart is the fountain of all sin. Mold our heart and fill it with the knowledge of God. Leave no room for evil. Mold our thoughts so that our hearts may be a workshop unto the Glory of the Kingdom of God.
People with an evil heart thrive on the pain they cause others. They have no concern about who get hurts, as long as their desires are met. People with an evil heart want to have control. They think they are always right and will not listen to instructions, answering only to themselves. People with an evil heart often try to undermine the authority of others and they will even use the word of God to their own advantage. They will never adhere to scriptures that are against their conduct.
Proverbs 2:14-15
14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; 15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
Isaiah 32:6
6 For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the Lord, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.
O LORD, You teach us that the "heart—the mind" is the source of sin and that evil men make their heart a workshop to fabricate and prepare many wicked plans. These are so degraded that the only way they can obtain pleasure is by doing evil. Mold us, Dear Lord, into disciples of Christ, fill our heart with the knowledge of God, and lead us to spread the Good News to those who are thirsty for Your Word.
5. Mold our action — our feet that are swift in running to evil.
O LORD, we are sinners and fall short of the Glory of God. Only through Jesus, the Son of God, the Christ who died on the cross at Calvary, are we able to come to God the Father. Mold us in Thine image and point our feed in the direction of Your Word to which we shall always run. Forgive us, for we have sinned. May the Power of the Holy Spirit dwell within us and hasten us to run not towards evil but rather towards the things of the Holy Bible. May the Will of God be done always. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
The wickedness of the sinners is aptly expressed by the verb running. Sinners are so powerfully motivated to do evil that they are not content with the usual pace of man as they race toward fire and brimstone. The lesson for believers is to hasten and run—but not towards evil—but rather towards the things of the Bible.
Romans 3:23
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Revelation 21:8
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
6. Mold our speech — our false witness who speaks lies.
O LORD, forgive us for bearing false witness against our neighbor. Your moral code is perfect and we fall short of Your Perfection. Mold the character of our speech that each word we utter is to the benefit and glory of Almighty God our Father. Bring Christ to us so that we have Jesus at all times as the silent listener to every conversation. Mold our speech and lead us in His perfect way.
Bearing false witness is is expressly forbidden under the moral code set up in God's law of the old testament. Christ will execute judgment on those who bear false witness and in perfect judgement He will vindicate the righteous.
Exodus 20:16
16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Psalms 37:6
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
Psalms 101:5-6
5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. 6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
O LORD, mold us in a way to keep a guard on our tongue, so we are careful what we say. Mold our speech and help us control what we say so that we may become more in the likeness of Your image. Always send us to God's Word in matters related to controlling our tongues.
James 3:17
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
7. Mold our influence — that would sow discord among brethren.
O LORD, deliver to us your instructions on how we should use our influence. Mold our character and our influence. Mold us so that we avoid those who cause divisions and sow discord among our brethren.
Romans 16:17-18
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
God tells us to avoid those who cause divisions. People who sow discord among their brethren is a poisonous influence on the life of the church. They have an evil heart will try to twist the facts, mislead others, and are not afraid of telling lies. Their influence brings deception and mischief, they do not take responsibility for their actions, and even will withhold valuable information. On the Internet today in forums dedicated to the Lord, Jesus Christ's message of salvation, we all too often can find these wicked influence peddlers. We see them trolling Internet forums and chatrooms, spreading deceit and fraud, sowing discord among believers.
Psalms 10:7
7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
Psalms 58:3
3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.
Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil, See No Evil
O LORD, hear our prayers. Mold us, and our influence, to follow the positive commands of Christ that we must hear no evil, think no evil, and speak no evil. Mold us with discernment in our hearts that we shall recognize the goodness in Your flock and the wickedness from the World; and have the wisdom of Your Holy Word to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. In the power of the Holy Spirit. May God's will be done always and forever. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Psalms 1:1
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Ephesians 4:29
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Matthew 5:29
29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
