In Jesus' Name預覽

God's Masterpiece

So much of our prayer life often involves asking God to mold us into the man or woman He created us to be. We want God to use us on earth to do His will as it is in heaven. There was a time in my life when I found myself wrestling from a place of doubt, insecurity, inadequacy and unworthiness. I cried out to God, “I don’t get it! I can’t see how you can use me! Father, You’re just going to have to paint a picture.”

As I said the words “paint a picture,” they resounded loud and clear with me as if the Holy Spirit had highlighted them in my heart. I looked in my Bible concordance and searched for the word “paint.” I couldn’t find anything. I went to the Internet, searched for “paint a picture” and found a song by Julie Meyer entitled “Paint Your Picture.” I immediately downloaded it and began playing it. As I listened, I was overcome with the presence of God speaking through the words of the song: “Pick me up like a paintbrush, God. Dip it in the colors of my life. And paint Your picture, Father. Fashion a heart that is wholly Yours.”

I closed my eyes and I saw God taking His fingers and painting a picture of strengths, talents and gifts and transferring the very heart of who He created me to be onto the canvas of life—my life! I could see myself becoming something beautiful to behold. And then I watched as He signed the piece of art so everyone would know that He had painted it—He was the artist and He was pleased with His masterpiece. Suddenly, all of my insecurities and inadequacies melted away.

I was familiar with Zephaniah 3:17 which says, “He will rejoice over you with singing.” When I heard Kari Jobe sing the song “My Beloved” for the first time, that truth made my heart soar with incredible joy. But, then the song goes on to say that not only am I beautiful to Him, but He sees no stain on me! Tears came streaming down my face, and I began to praise and worship Him for His overwhelming love and grace.

We don’t always see ourselves as He does. But when you come before your heavenly Father to pray, He sees you as He created you. He sees the person you are meant to be, not the person you were. Once you’ve been forgiven, the Father doesn’t see a stain on you. Hebrews 8:12 (NLT) says, “I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” Come to Him with complete openness and freedom to be who you are in Him. You are a unique individual, specifically designed for the purposes of the Father. Begin to walk in that truth. Stop comparing yourself to others and look to the One who holds the paintbrush.

God sees us with the eyes of a Father. He sees our defects, errors and blemishes. But He also sees our value.
~ Max Lucado

Prayer

Father, thank You that with You, I am free to be who You created me to be. Help me to see myself through Your eyes. I know I am fully pleasing to You and I am totally accepted in Your sight. You have made me complete and see me through the righteousness of Christ. I am so grateful that when I reach the end of my days, I can stand before You as a beautiful masterpiece designed by You, the Master Painter. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Activation

• Take a walk through an art gallery. Notice how each picture is both different and beautiful at the same time. One picture may speak to one individual and yet another one reaches the deepest part of another person’s soul. There is a reason for our uniqueness.
• Read through the Word, and ask the Father to show you who you are in Him.
• Ask God to show you the picture He has painted of you.

Memory Verse

"If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Matthew 18:19–20 (NKJ)