Barnabas Bulletin ~0072 THE MASTERPIECEOne day in church a person had a vision of an old flowerpot sitting on a shelf, all cracked and shabby, and how there was someone who was feeling like that old pot. He saw someone come in and take that old pot and begin to work on it, patching up the holes and surroundings. Finally he polished it, turning it into a beautiful vessel. He put some flowers in and stood it in the middle of the table ~ a masterpiece to be admired. So it is with us, the Lord begins to work on us from the inside, to the outside. “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6, NKJV). Sometimes we feel like that old pot, we feel like a “nobody”. The Lord has made everyone of us different. No one has the same fingerprints. Also it is like a wheel on a bicycle – the spokes in that wheel are very important, and it only takes one of those spokes to come out and the wheel begins to wobble and become out of balance. God has made each one of us different, because His plan and purpose for each one of us is different, but everyone of us is very important. “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you” (Isaiah 43:2-3). We all go through trials and circumstances that we would rather not have to experience, but this is the way in which the Lord shapes us and helps us to grow in Him. Just like a jigsaw puzzle: there are many different shapes and sizes – so it is with us. We are all different shapes and sizes, and so are our personalities and giftings, but the Lord’s plan for each of us fits into the larger plan, that He has for the wider body of His people. We do not have to stress if it seems that we are a nobody, because everyone is somebody and very precious to our Lord. “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children (sons/daughters) of God!” (1 John 3:1). Because we are Christians and love the Lord, we need to believe what He says about us, and not worry about other peoples' opinions. "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so." Hallelujah! We just have to trust the Lord and let Him do His work in us, because when the Lord’s puzzle comes together, we will all be a part of it ~ Valerie Dodge(Hamilton, New Zealand). Bible Readings: 1 Samuel 16:7; Romans 8:9-11, 14-17; Ephesians 1:3-5, 10-11; Ephesians 2:4-10. Please Pray This Prayer: “Father, I come to You in Jesus Name, and thank You that You have chosen me from the beginning of creation. You knew me when I was in my mother’s womb and have a plan and purpose for me. Lord, I ask for boldness to rise up in the power of Your Holy Spirit, and grasp the great love that You have for me, and the security it brings. May I lay hold of Your Word, which says, ‘You are able to do exceeding abundantly above all that I ask or think, according to the power that works in me.’ So in Jesus Name, I release that power within me to flow freely, that You may be able to use me, and that the plans You have will not be hindered any way. Amen."
The Gospel Faith Messenger Ministry, New Zealand. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Barnabas Bulletins
A Monthly Ministry Of Encouragement