Girlfriends in God - Oct. 15, 2008

October 15, 2008
I am God’s Workmanship
Sharon Jaynes

Today’s Truth
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV)

Friend to Friend
When my son was in elementary school, he created some works of art that had a striking resemblance to that of the world-renowned artist, Picasso.  However, Picasso’s paintings are worth millions of dollars and my son’s are only valuable to me.  What makes a work of art valuable?  Its value is based on the artist who created it.  You, dear friend, are a piece of art created by God Himself.  King David described it this way:

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.  All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:13-16).

A woman was and is one of God’s most magnificent creations.  In fact, she was His grand finale.  After He fashioned Eve, creation was complete and He took a rest!   God has placed in our hearts a love for beauty and a desire to be beautiful. Let’s go back to the beginning of time and reflect on our magnificent beginnings.

 After God created the sun, moon, stars, earth, waters, creeping and flying animals, he created man.  But something was missing.  For Adam there was no creature suitable for him.  This is the only time God said any aspect of His creation was “not good.”  He said, “It is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18).

So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place.  And the LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man.  And the man said, “This is now bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” (Genesis 2:21-24 NASB)

While God created the world and all it contains, He did something a little special when He made woman.  The NASB translation says He fashioned Eve.  He didn’t simply make you – He fashioned you with extra special care and meticulous detail.  You are a thing of beauty, a sight to behold, and one of His most spectacular masterpieces - a work of art, a valuable original, a one of a kind.

Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, Thank You that I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Forgive me when I complain about Your masterpiece – my nose, my hips, my complexion, etc. I praise You for the intricacies of the human body.  The fact that my heart beats without my telling it to, my lungs inhale and exhale without my instruction, and my reflexes react automatically.  Yes, I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen

Now It’s Your Turn
Make a list today of how your body is wonderfully made by God. Example:

• My eyelids blink.
• My food is digested.
• My heart beats.

What ways have you complained about your body lately?

How does the above list of how you are wonderfully made compare to your complaints?

When you see a newborn baby, what is one of your first thoughts?

Considering that Genesis 1:26 says, “Let us make man in our own image,” how should we view ourselves?

More From The Girlfriends
Wow, when we think of all the intricacies God put into making us, it is truly amazing.  But more than a body, He also created us with a soul and a spirit. And all through our lives, God is at work to complete the masterpiece of you and me through our minds, wills, and emotions.  If you would like to begin seeing yourself as God sees you, you’ll want to read Experience the Ultimate Makeover  by Sharon Jaynes.  When you see yourself as God sees you, you’ll never again feel inadequate. 

Don’t miss the next Girlfriends in God Conference, October 17-18, in Gloucester County, New Jersey.  For more information, go to www.gcccpray.com.