ARTWORK

THE MASTER SCULPTOR

By definition artwork is, illustrations, photographs, or other nontextual material prepared for inclusion in a publication. paintings, drawings, or other artistic works.

Artwork expresses the artist inner feeling and love for the art.  The art is placed on display so the artist ensures that it represents him in the best form. 

However, a Sculptor is, "an artist who makes sculptures." It is an artwork that takes forming, carving and casting techniques.  Sometimes it uses force and pressure to make the design.  



God is our Master Sculptor, and is fashioning our lives by design into a beautiful masterpiece.  




He used His image to make us, but is reforming and refashioning us daily into the likeness of Christ Jesus. 

Ephesians 2:10 (TLB)                                   It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.  

Sometimes the first design may not look like what the sculptor had in mind, so he has to refashion it to make it represent his likeness.  

TODAY FOCUS:  BECOMING HIS MASTERPIECE 

A trip to the Potter's House gives you a visual picture on what it takes to become His Masterpiece.  See and hear what the word says: 

Jeremiah 18:1-6 (KJV)

The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying,

Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.

Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.

And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying,

O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

As you watch the work spinning on the wheel, note the keen look on the face of the Sculptor.  The vessel isn't forming out the way He planned.  So He makes it into a lump and placed it back on the wheel again.  This time with a little more pressure, some pounding and reforming.  Finally it begins to look like what He had imagined.  

Behold....You are that vessel on the wheel.  You are being fashioned by the Potter, and in His Hand you are refashioned to the design that He originally planned for you to serve by your new life in Christ.  

The same word that came to Jeremiah comes to you today.  Allow the Master Sculptor to lump you and redesign you for His purpose.  Stay focus, and know that the pressures and discomfort is because He is refashioning you to showcase Himself.  

Remember, you are the artwork of the Master Sculptor.  You are fashioned into the perfect likeness of Christ by design. You are not a mistake but a Masterpiece. You were inspected, and your flaws, scratches and other deformities were refashioned by the Potter.  You are now what He had imagined and planned- His Artwork, to be used for and by Him. 

God Bless you and Keep the Faith!

Virtuous Jewel  

HYPOCRISY

HYPOCRISY 

Hypocrisy is defined as:

• The contrivance of a false appearance of virtue or goodness, while concealing real character or inclinations, especially with respect to religious and moral beliefs; hence in general sense, dissimulation, pretense, sham.
• The practice of engaging in the same behavior or activity for which one criticizes another

Hypocrisy develops characteristics of: 

• A Hypocrite - a person who indulges in hypocrisy; a pretender, deceiver or sanctimonious person.  
• A Plaster  Saint-  a person who makes a show of being without moral faults or human weakness, especially in a hypocritical way.

Hypocrites are blind to their own faults and failures. Hypocrisy also causes hypocrites to  be two-faced. They display a likeness or agreement in your presence, but they will immediately retaliate or encourage others to be rebellious. They are so blinded that they are acting out the very behavior they condemn.  They are a sham and very shallow minded, and give advice they won't take or practice themselves. 

The scripture gives a directive to hypocrites:

Matthew 7:5 (KJV) 

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

If you have a large beam in your eye, you cannot see clearly to remove the mote in your brothers eye. Your own beam may see the brother differently or measure him by your standards of imperfection and point of view because of your unclear vision. 

TODAY'S FOCUS:  HYPOCRISY DISTORTS VISION 

The scripture above makes it very clear that the board in your eye will prevent you from seeing the small speck in the eye of your brother.  You are in no position to judge or criticize another when you are doing the same or have faults of your own.  

It is important that you clear up your vision before you try to help others. Here's why:

• Your vision is distorted by your own failures.  
• You will jump to conclusion because of your own weakness
• You will judge others partially through your limited view
• You will be a Hypocrite or Plaster Saint

Here are a few things you should consider: 

• You must get rid of your own beam (faults) before tending to others
• You must treat others like you would like to be treated
• You should try to help your brother instead of criticizing and undermining 
• You must not worry or concentrate about the faults of others
• You must not be too quick to jump on the failures of others 
• You must not criticize the differences of others
• You must always view others in the light of love and grace
• You must not play a "holier-than-thou role but live the part
• You must give everyone a fair chance to express themselves
• You must respect the position of others 
• You must not be an initiator of gossip and confusion
• You must consider your ways and BE CHRISTLIKE

Remember, don't pick on others or jump to conclusion criticizing their faults when you have so many of your own and would not like to be treated the way you treat others.  Remove your beam so you can see clearly enough to help others in a non judgmental or critical manner.  Many are fighting the same battles you went through. Extend the same love and grace you have received from the Lord to others.  

God Bless You and Keep the Faith!

Virtuous Jewel

UNASSIGNED BUSYNESS

BUSYNESS

Today many are going about their day as busybodies.  Unfortunately, many are engaged in mundane tasks that prevent them from actually doing the task assigned specifically to their qualifications or appointment.

Some do it blindly, some do not know how to say no, some feel if they don't do it, it won't get done, some feel no one can do it like them, some don't like to ask for help and others may not know how to organize or prioritize by importance.  

In any case, busyness in doing anything but your assigned task can lead to issues.  It can create setbacks, not meeting deadlines, not serving purpose and many other deficiencies or disasters.  

Busyness with other things than what you are assigned to do can affect your God given purpose.  It can rob you of many blessings to include promotions and advancements.  It can hide your skills and prevent others from seeing your worth and value.  It can also place you out of alignment from the will of God.  

Today, many are tired as a result of tasks that they have assumed and that was not assigned to them initially.  Take a look at what you have been called or assigned to do in all areas of your life.  Journal the answers to the following: 

• What's holding you back from serving your God assigned task or appointment?
• What are some of the things that creep into your day that you give attention to?
• What are your distractions? (source)
• What are the things that you have taken on that keep you busy? 
• What are some of the things that you can assign to someone else?
• Are you playing the role of superman or wonder woman?

As you write your answers, jot down also the things you can do to move you into fulfilling your assignment.  Allow God to show you His plans for your life and also be diligently focused on the areas you are appointed to serve.  

TODAY'S FOCUS:  Serving Your Appointment

Today many are called to serve in various areas of ministry.  While there are situations where it is necessary to perform dual roles, one must serve in their assigned calling or appointment so that the work can be done effectively. 

Avoid busyness in the base things and be available and ready to the work you are called to do.  Watch out for time wasters!  

It is also important to review who is taking up your time- Are they tied to your appointment or assignment?  

You must also be consistent in your assignment.
Don't  let a temporary assignment become a full time job and don't treat your full time job as seasonal. 
Acts 6:4 (KJV) 

But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

Don't allow busyness to cause you to be a hindrance to growth.  Engage others and give them authority. A further read of Acts 6 will show you how when the work was delegated appropriately the word of God prospered, workers and membership increased and others submitted themselves to ministry.  

Remember, release yourself from mundane task, stick to your assigned task of praying, teaching, preaching and or ministering in the area that you are called or appointed to serve. Don't get too caught up in primary and trivial things.  Learn to assign and delegate tasks to other capable individuals.  Doing what God has called and appointed you to do will allow God's word to prosper and growth will be inevitable.    

God Bless you and Keep The Faith! 

Virtuous Jewel