Masterpiece

(By S. Jaynes)
You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32)
I grew up on the East Coast and was excited when my family decided to visit San Francisco for our vacation. My heart’s desire and prayer for each day was that we would see God’s handiwork, hear His voice and be reminded of His greatness as we ventured out like three eager explorers to discover new aspects of His creation.

We traveled south along the shoreline and were amazed at the 200 foot regal cliffs that rose from the earth, pushing heavenward with waves splashing at their feet. Then we traveled north and drank in the beauty of acres and acres of vineyards on grassy rolling hills in the Napa Valley wine country. We hiked through the majestic the Redwood Forest and stood under 1,000 year old, 260 foot giants, dwarfed by their towering branches.

But the most amazing sight was in a place called Alcatraz. There in the middle of the San Francisco Bay, just a mile and a quarter from the sights and sounds of the beautiful city, sits a rock island, known by some as the “Devils Island of America.” From 1934-1963, Alcatraz was a prison where the country’s most corrupt, incorrigible criminals were housed. Al Capone and machine Gun Kelly were just two of the more colorful residents.

There is no road to the prison, so we took a ferry across the bay. As we taxied up to “The Rock” and stared at the shell of concrete walls, barbed wire, and iron bars, an eerie feeling crept over my body. Each of us picked up head phones and a cassette recorder and toured the prison while listening to the taped voices of various prisoners recount their days behind bars. I walked in a cell called “the hole,” closed my eyes and tried to imagine what it would be like in solitary confinement with no light, no sound, and no other voice but my own. My heart was heavy as I thought about the souls that passed those halls, souls full of darkness, depression and despair.

But as I rounded the final corner of the tour, I saw an amazing sight - a white haired eighty year old grandfather, with crystal blue laughing eyes and a radiant smile that spread across his wrinkled face. A line formed as tourists stood waiting for him to sign his name and number on his autobiography, Alcatraz: From the Inside. This precious man before me was Jim Quillen, ex-prisoner #AZ586. He had spent ten years of his life, from 1942-1952, behind bars in this prison built to house the most dangerous criminals of his day. I looked in his eyes as we spoke. This was not the face of a dangerous man. What had happened to change his life?

I didn’t have to flip many pages in his book to find the answer. In it he wrote, “It was only through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and His intercession, that my life of hopeless incarceration was averted. His help and forgiveness permitted me to obtain freedom, family, and a useful and productive place in society.” I went back over to Mr. Quillen and sat by his side for a minute or so. We chatted for a moment and he autographed my copy of his book. Then God spoke to my heart, “You prayed that you would see My handiwork and be reminded of My greatness. This man is some of my best work.”

On my trip to San Francisco, I was reminded of God’s unchanging strength in the majestic rock cliffs of the shoreline and of His nurturing care as the Vinedresser in the hills of the wine country. I saw a picture of God’s protective canopy over His children in the towering Redwoods of the forests. But when I looked into Jim Quillen’s eyes, I saw God’s most incredible masterpiece: a changed life. (by S. Jaynes)
----------------------------------
Phillipians 1:6
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus
blessings :)

Finding Fortitude

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
—Romans 5:3–4

When you want to get in shape, it is actually through the process of tearing your muscles down that you build them up. The first day of your workout is not so hard. But the next day, you’re in pain. Everything hurts. The next time, you feel weak, but you work out anyway. A couple of days later, you are still weak and sore, but you’re a little stronger. You increase the weights a little bit. Then you do a little more. Pretty soon, you notice that you are getting stronger. It is through the breaking-down process that the building up comes.

In the same way, we need to build up our spiritual muscles. God allows us to go through difficulties. He increases the weights on us. Pretty soon, we are benching a whole lot more than we ever thought possible. We are learning more than we ever thought we would learn. We are doing more than we ever thought we would do. Iron is entering our souls, and we are developing that heroic endurance, perseverance, and strength that only comes through difficulty.

The Bible tells us, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2–4). In the original language, the word used here for “patience” means, “perseverance,” “endurance,” “steadfastness,” or simply “staying power.”

If you are going through a time of testing and trial, realize that God has a purpose in it. Who knows that He is not preparing you and training you today for what He will do in your life tomorrow?
by Greg Laurie
---------------------------
blessings :)

You Are a Child of the Most High God

An important factor in seeing yourself God's way is to understand your intrinsic sense of value. Your sense of value cannot be based on your successes or failures, how somebody else treats you, or how popular you are. It’s not something we earn; indeed, we cannot earn it. God built value into us when He created us. As His unique creation, you have something to offer this world that nobody else has, that nobody else can be. Your sense of value should be based solely on the fact that you are a child of the Most High God.

The Scripture says 'we are God's workmanship' (Eph2:10). The word workmanship implies that you are a 'work in progress.' Throughout our lives, God is continually shaping us into the people He wants us to be. The key to future success is to not be discouraged about your past or your present while you are in the process of being 'completed'.

God knows your value and loves you unconditionally! He sees your potential. You may not understand everything you are going through right now. But hold your head high, knowing that God is in control and He has a great plan and purpose for your life. Your dreams may not have turned out exactly as you'd hoped, but the Bible says that God's ways are better and higher than our ways. Even if everybody else rejects you, remember, God stands before you with His arms open wide.
(by Joel Osteen)

And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.
Philippians 1:6 (Amp)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
blessings :)

Isaiah 26....

3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

4 Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.

8 Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.

9a My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you.

----------------------------
blessings~

Kingdom Citizenship

(by Charles Stanley)
Today, most Americans are celebrating our country’s independence. Flags are flying, families are gathering, and fireworks will fill the night sky. We do this to show appreciation for our American citizenship and to honor those who sacrificed to provide our freedoms.

You may be celebrating Independence Day. Or perhaps you’re a citizen of one of the other great nations of the world. No matter where you live, if you believe in Christ, then we’re fellow citizens. You see, we share a citizenship in the kingdom of God.

The word kingdom simply means “rule.” So kingdom of God refers to the Lord’s complete rule and authority. He certainly reigns in the hearts of His devoted followers.

Today, we understand this in a spiritual sense. But Matthew 25:46 proclaims that the Enemy will be defeated in the future and the enemies of God will be removed from the world forever. At that point, Christ will establish His physical kingdom in the new heaven and the new earth. And, as kingdom citizens, all believers will reside there together.

Nations and nationalities are important. But they are not eternal. To be an effective citizen of God’s kingdom, you must look beyond your country’s borders and view the world through the eyes of God. Then, you’ll see your brothers and sisters, friends, and countrymen in the new kingdom, the realm where we’ll all celebrate together.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Happy Independance Day! :)