God's Masterpiece!

I apologize for recent errant posts.  I know just enough about blogging to be dangerous, but I must say that Feedburner (the program that sends posts to your Inbox) sometimes has a mind of its own!

This re-post is actually intentional because it somehow had been deleted and also for the purpose of drawing attention to Courtney's (Caylees mom) recent blog posts, beginning with "Blessed with Mental Illness."  If this strikes a chord with you or anyone you know, please read and forward as God leads you.  It is a bit long, but well worth your time :)) 

http://clniehaus.wordpress.com/2014/08/12/blessed-with-mental-illness/


“I’M GOD’S MASTERPIECE”

8 X 10 oil on canvas
NFS

Caylee is a typical two year old with an angelic face that would melt any heart, and a spitfire personality that keeps everyone on their toes.  And unlike some, she knows what it feels like to be loved.  Caylee is cherished and doted on by a mommy, daddy and two brothers who also love the Lord.  And it doesn’t end there.  She is the apple of her grammy and grampy’s eyes, adored by another set of grandparents, uncle and aunts, not to mention great-aunts, great-uncles, cousins, and friends.

One day when her family picked her up from Sunday School class, she came bounding through the doorway in a beautiful “princess-style” dress with matching hair bow.  Her face beaming, she danced into the hallway and boasted in her small, sing-song voice for all to hear, “I’m God’s masterpiece!  I’m God’s masterpiece!”   Everyone giggled and found it delightfully amusing, but really, what an incredibly important lesson to learn at such a young age, having God’s truth literally written on her heart. 

Because God’s Word tells us that there will be troubles in this world, we know they are a part of every day life.  And sometimes the simplest of experiences can threaten our sense of self, our well-being.   If you were to make a list of all things that “define” you, that contribute to ”who you are”, what would it look like?

I think you’d find that so many of our descriptive words are contingent on changeable circumstances – things that can easily be threatened, or even taken away.  God wants more for us.  His love for us is unconditional.  He wants us to know who He says we are and to believe it, so that when our earthly identity is shaken or stripped away, we can still stand and say with conviction Whose we really are. 

I encourage you to make a new list - from Scripture – of unconditional descriptions of who you are as a believer in Christ Jesus.  Just for starters..............
          1.   I’m God’s Masterpiece  (“For we are God’s workmanship” Eph. 2:20)

          2.   I am made in His image.  (Gen. 1:27)

          3.   I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  (Psalm 139:13-14)

          4.   Everything God created is good.  (1 Timothy 4:4)

          5.   God loves me so much that He gave His Son for me. (John 3:16)

          6.   I am a temple of the Holy Spirit ( 1 Cor. 6:19-20)

FYI:  Caylee’s mom, Courtney Niehaus, writes a blog sharing her young family’s day-to-day struggles and celebrations, as they strive to be obedient to the Christian life God has called them to.  She is a gifted “creator” - as her writings, photos, and scripture will not only inspire you, but make you smile!    Click here to read her blog.