The Diamond: Discovering God's Treasures for the Women of PWOC Part 4

President's Pen
Oct 062010

We all come from different backgrounds, cultures and denominations into the ministry of PWOC.  God knew that about us well in advance and because of that knowledge, I believe He has entrusted us with a special assignment.

PWOC’s uniqueness and diversity is one of this ministry’s greatest gifts from the Lord.  I have often said that PWOC is like a picture of a diamond.  We have salvation through Jesus Christ on the point of the diamond, and then our many facets represent various denominations, ages, cultures, backgrounds, races, etc.

Whenever you rise above the diamond, you can see the beauty of its array of colors and brilliance, reflecting the radiant light of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  It is a beautiful picture of the bride that He is preparing for His future return.

Our 2007-2008 theme spoke to this very beautifully, “Prepare for the Bridegroom”, with its Scripture references in Matthew 25:1-13 and Ephesians 4:11-13.

In preparing for opportunities to encourage the ministry that year, I began to gain a deeper understanding our assignment as a ministry as I sifted through truths found within our theme Scriptures.  What stood out to me in particular was a gem found in the Ephesians 4:11-13 Scripture (vs. 13 NIV):

“…until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

As I researched this, my NIV Bible study note stated, “mature…fullness of Christ.  Not the maturity of doctrinal conviction just mentioned, nor a personal maturity that includes the ability to relate well to other people, but the maturity of the perfectly balanced character of Christ.”

In my understanding of this, I realized that I could help explain the character of Christ represented as the various denominational “facets” on the “diamond”.  For example, some denominations focus on salvation through Christ, some His power, some His sovereignty, some His purity, some His holiness, etc., all distinct facets of Christ’s character.  By embracing our beautiful “differences” and the special assignment He has entrusted us with, we have the potential of becoming His mature, full and radiant bride, reflecting the light of our Bridegroom, Jesus Christ.

To be continued…

© 2010 Brenda Marlin

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The Presidential update is published on the first Wednesday of every month. Submit comments or suggestions to: President@pwoc.org

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The Diamond: Discovering God’s Treasures for the Women of PWOC Part 3

President's Pen
Sep 212010

It was my 25th wedding anniversary to my beloved husband, David.  We held a small ceremony with family and friends where David and I recommitted our love for one another and restated our marriage vows before the assembled witnesses.

It was fascinating to me that all of this was taking place during our theme year of “Prepare for the Bridegroom”, based on Matt. 25:1-13 and Eph. 4:11-13.  I knew deep down that the Lord, in His sovereign plan had orchestrated the timing of this special occasion from the beginning of time. In my heart, I realized what was happening in the natural was symbolic of what He desired in all of us.  It prompted me to pray for the women of PWOC during our ceremony. My prayer was that:

  • Those who are married would recommit their love for their spouse
  • Each of us would recommit our love for our heavenly Bridegroom, Jesus Christ

David sealed our recommitment by giving me a beautiful solitaire diamond ring from Tiffany & Co.  Wrapped in a beautiful turquoise box with a white satin ribbon, the diamond became symbolic of many things that the Lord would reveal to me over the next few years as president of PWOC International.

To be continued…

© 2010 Brenda Marlin

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Prize Vessels

Devotions
Mar 292010

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power

is from God and not from us.”

2 Corinthians 4:7

Last weekend, our family traveled to the Getty Villa in Malibu, California. The Villa is a replica of a wealthy Roman home, built by oil baron J. Paul Getty to house his incredible collection of ancient artifacts.

Amid the excitement of the Olympic season, one artifact which captured my attention was the “Prize Vessel from the Athenian Games.” It was a 10 gallon decorative jar, filled with olive oil, given to the winner of a boxing match some 300 years before Christ. The winner would receive 40 of these jars, plus money and a lifetime of honor. Olive oil was no mere luxury in ancient times; it provided many of life’s basic necessities. Oil was used to provide light for lamps, fat for cooking, and lotion for the body. In modern terms, the winner was provided a lifetime’s worth of electricity, food, and beauty products! This was a treasure of highest value!

What is our treasure of highest value? Consider carefully: there are many “good” things associated with the Christian life, but what is the “best” thing? Reflect on this probing question from John Piper:

“The critical question for our generation – and for every generation – is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ were not there?” (God is the Gospel: Meditations on God’s Love as the Gift of Himself).

Christ is our treasure of highest value! How is it that we often forget the “Christ” in being Christian? Throughout Scripture, olive oil represents God’s abiding presence. He is more than adequate for all of our needs! We are therefore the jars of clay which house the oil of His Presence – the Spirit of our Savior, Jesus.

Jesus is our prize; we are the prize vessels. May we be captivated anew by His wonderful presence, personality, and life-giving peace.

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