Transformed

But we all, with unveiled faces, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18

The hands of the potter skillfully shape and mold the clay. He masterfully crafts the vessel in a way that fits the design he envisions. We each are vessels of clay. In order for our Lord, The Potter, to make us into what He desires, we must yield to the Master's perfecting work in us. If we resist, we will never be made into vessels of honor. We must surrender to the Spirit's promptings.

As we behold the Lord in times of worship, and as we gaze and graze upon His word, we will be changed from glory to glory. The Spirit of the Lord will conform us into the image of Christ. What we see in our times of beholding Him, will be made real in us. It is Christ in us who is the hope of glory.

Let's surrender to the Potter of our souls and lets fix our eyes on Him. He will transform us daily so we reflect His glory. Then we will be vessels of honor bringing the cool water of the Spirit to a dry and thirsty land.

Dear Lord my Potter,


I surrender all to You. Mold me and make me into what you desire me to be. Transform me into your image as I behold Your glory. I worship and adore You. Fill me with Your Spirit and use me to bring refreshing to others. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Jesus Loved Him

Jesus loved him
One of the twelve
But he betrayed the Lord with a kiss

Christ washed his feet
Full-knowing
Of the evil abiding within the disciple's heart

Judas the traitor
Enemy of God
Was all this worth thirty pieces of silver?
You perceived the horror of your deeds
But instead of repentance
You chose suicide

Who are the enemies in your life?
In mine?
Like Jesus,we are called to love them
Called to repay good for evil

Perhaps they will turn to the Master
The breach repaired
Perhaps they will choose repentance
Over the crooked road that winds towards
Death's door

Scatter the Seed

One of my devotionals was recently published in christiandevotions.us.  If you'd like to read it, here is the link.   http://christiandevotions.us/?wpmlmethod=newsletter&id=33&mailinglist_id=0&subscriber_id=1063&authkey=71a3cb155f8dc89bf3d0365288219936

Blessings,

Tom Toya

Clothe Me

Pride precedes a fall

Lord, steady my heart

So I don’t slip

Teach me truth in the inmost place

Let me tremble at your word

May I know wisdom

The kind that springs from humility

Help me to practically apply Your timeless word 

Draw me to the poor

Let me extend my hands to the underprivileged

May I not strut before people

Instead, may my heart long to serve

Long to be of help

Long to love
Clothe me, Oh Lord, with the plain garment of humility

Victory Through Praise

"But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundation of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed." Acts 16:25-26

Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into jail for bringing deliverance to a slave girl. The woman, possessed with a spirit of divination, was enabled to tell fortunes. Her exorcism infuriated her masters because she was no longer able to bring them money through her fortune-telling.

Paul and Silas felt raw pain after being beaten with rods, they sensed the darkness inside their dank prison cell, yet they began to sing. They sang praise choruses to God Almighty at midnight. And in their midnight hour the Lord shook the prison cell and knocked the prison doors down.

When we are faced with circumstances that encamp around us, when the enemy tries to imprison us, when darkness covers us like a thick blanket, God has victory in store. In the middle of the storm, we can lift our voices and praise the One who saved us. Our praises cause the enemy's walls to fall flat. The joy of the Lord is our strength. He is our victory, our freedom!

Let's let our praises to God arise! Let's shout unto God with a voice of triumph! We will see the enemy pulverized beneath our feet. Praise silences Satan (see Matthew 21:16 and Psalm 8:2). Hallelujah to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords who always gives to us the victory!

I am Grateful

I am grateful

For a mother's smile

Brought from great trial

For healing grace

Touching her face

For the kindness found

In God the Father's heart

For the chance to spend more time

With one we love

For progressive wholeness

For sight regained

And memories found

For family gathered round

For joyful songs

And redeeming grace

For warmth and love

Resting in this place

For the miracle He's done

Through Christ the Son

I am grateful