Ephesians 2:10 says: For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
I love this verse right from the beginning.
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| Garden in Giverny |
When I was in college, I began to love Claude Monet paintings. I had them on my walls and would frame things that he had painted. I even had a pop-up book with his gardens and paintings in them because I love the beauty of them.
I loved the serenity and relaxing themes he painted. The colors he used in the paintings gave me a sense of calmness when I looked at them. The pictures drew me in to the scene and I wanted to be in that spot.
This is a picture of his garden in Giverny that inspired some his paintings and some of my favorites. He created masterpieces that have been admired for generations.
Ephesians 2:10 says that we are God’s masterpiece. When I think of those breathtaking paintings, it helps me appreciate all that God put into our creation.
Genesis 2:7 tells us the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground. He didn’t just speak us into existence. He took up the dirt of the ground and carefully and lovingly formed us. He cared about his creation so much that He made us His masterpiece.
Psalm 139:13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
When I was pregnant with our first child this verse became very real to me. The imagery of our Heavenly Father taking the time to intricately create us, to knit all our delicate parts. And with every brushstroke finally arrive at a masterpiece of His glorious work.
What an Awesome God!
In Christ, he has created us anew and not only for the sake of becoming a new creation but so we could do the good things He planned for us long ago.
Although I do not know how much time I have on this Earth, I can be sure of several things. God has my life planned for me.
Verse 10 says He planned it long ago. Long before I became a thought. Long before my grandparents became a thought, he knew the plans that He had for me.
Anyone ever unsettled about the things they cannot see? About the future they cannot foresee?
We were made anew in Christ so we could do the good things he saw for us long ago. Even though we cannot see the plans the Lord has for us, we can rest assure that He knows.
We can rest assure that He has planned good things for us.
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Many people know and love this verse. It gives them hope in a life that can sometimes seem as if it were filled with despair.
But listen carefully to the middle of this verse my friends, it says “declares the Lord.” This was not just said by anyone. This was not just in passing. This was declared by the Lord. I don’t know about you but I find it so comforting to know the Lord declared “I know your future and it is for your good.” It is for His good.
I often times have the children I am teaching say back to me, “And if God said, I believe it.”
Do you believe it for yourself? Do you believe you are a masterpiece of an Awesome Creator? In Christ, He has made you anew and has good plans for you.
So don’t wait another moment, Go and do the good work that He has created you to do.
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Wonderfully uplifting and encouraging post, Jaime. It would behoove us to always remember that God declares it to be so! Your neighbor at Sunday Stillness.
Thank you Mary for stopping by from Sunday Stillness. God Is Good, Always. It is wonderful to know what he has made us to be.
I love how God has put us together! Thanks for sharing this. I'd love for you to share it at the #reflect link up http://janncobb.com
Thank you Jann, God timing and graces are always perfect. Will stop by.
Beautiful post, Jaime! Thanks so much for sharing! Peace and many blessings to you, Love! 🙂
Thank you Tai. Love sharing what God is putting on my heart as I read His Word.
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing. Susan
Thank you Susan. Glad to see you stopped by. Have a great week.
Psalm 139 has given me such peace in parenting – if he designed it, he knows why it's working the way it is, why, when my boys struggle, why – and He knows how to bring them around. I love Monet's, too:) Your post is such sweet encouragement this Sunday!
I love Psalm 139. It reminds me that God is perfect and all that He creates is just the way he wants it. It always reminds me on the beauty that He has created in my children.
The fact that I am a masterpiece and created for good things is a great concept to remember. I don't have to go around comparing myself to the next person or feeling down because I am not like them or have what they have. The Lord declares that I am a masterpiece just the way He created me. My looks, my height, my small frame, and my personality. I will just sit and Thank God and be joyful in the masterpiece that He created me to be.
Tona, I just love to look at the beauty that God has created in each individual. He created you with the gifts and talents that He wanted you to have for you to serve HIS purposes. What an amazing God that He took the time to think each of us through to be a part of the Body of Christ.
you quoted the verse I stand on: Jer 29:11..when I cant see his hand, trust his heart… masterpiece!…never thought of myself as that to be honest…I got to let that sit in my mind a bit
Tanya, glad to see you sharing with us today. It is beautiful to know that we are a masterpiece created by our Master. Especially in those time we may feel quite a bit less than that. I like that… when I can't see His hand, I trust His heart.
I love that you end with the challenge to go and do what God has called us to do. You are a great encourager!
Thank you Jill. You have done great things for the Lord and I am always encouraged by your walk with Him. Many blessings friend.
"Declares the Lord." I had never noticed that before. God's declaration gives us great reassurance. Thank you.
Beautiful Rachel, don't you just love when God tells us something in His Word that we never heard before and it makes us love Him that much more. Thank you for stopping by.