Limitless Life: Chapter 3

“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.” Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) In the NASB version, God says, ” we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”  This verse says that I am God’s workmanship. I was created in Christ Jesus for good works. I am humbled that God thought of me and God prepared the work He wants me to do before I was ever born.

Derwin Gray titled Chapter 3: From Mess To Masterpiece. He shares a story about a young man whom was angry, bitter, and resentful. He described that anger, bitterness, and resentment makes the heart toxic–a form of spiritual cancer. Today our world seems to be filled with people who are angry,  bitter, and full of resentment. Mr. Gray said, “These are individuals in need of spiritual chemotherapy. The spiritual chemotherapy we need is called the gospel of grace, and our spiritual oncologist is named Jesus. Jesus is full of grace, the kind of love and healing power that can neutralize the corrosive nature of toxic emotions. Through His grace, our tragedies will become triumphs.”

He shares three keys to become a masterpiece: Key one is to understand that we live in a messy world. Key two is to know that God is never far from us. Key three is to throw a party in the pit. The bottom line is that God is with us every day. There have been times in my life that I made a mess of my life and I did not feel that I was fearfully and wonderfully made much less a masterpiece. There were times I was in that pit and I did not throw a party in the pit, I wallowed in that self-pity. Oh, I understand that we live in a messy world, a fallen world. I have been guilty of listening to Satan’s lies much like Eve. When I was angry with God, I distanced myself from God. Okay if I am being honest I ran away from God. I made choices that I am not proud that I made. I understand that we live in a messy world. I know that even when I ran from God that there was never a time, I was not on His mind. I have wallowed in self-pity never realizing that God was preparing to unleash His limitless life through me.

My life was forever changed in 1995, when I met with three ladies and prayed through Neil Anderson’s “Steps To Freedom”. The mistakes I made I asked for forgiveness, I forgave key people in my life. I renounced the sins of my ancestors. In 1996, I joined the Freedom In Christ team as an encourager and I have walked many women over these many year through the steps. According to Mr. Anderson, “The Steps cover seven critical issues between ourselves and God. We will not experience our freedom in Christ if we seek false guidance, believe lies, fail to forgive others as we have been forgiven, live in rebellion, respond in pride, fail to acknowledge our sin and continue in the sins of our ancestors.” There is much recovery in my life. I like what Mr. Gray said, “But God in His grace sent Jesus into our mess to transform us into masterpieces. Suffering accelerates spiritual maturity. Our disappointments are appointments and God is more concerned with character than comfort.”

What is making you angry and bitter?

What areas of your life are filled with resentment?

What mess do you need to give to God?

Father God, I praise you because you are the alpha the omega the beginning and the end. Your word declares that we are your masterpieces. Your word says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Your word says that nothing can separate us from your love. You tell us to cast our burdens on you. You tell us that you care for us. You tell us our sins are forgiven as far as the east is from the west. Today send your Holy Spirit to the woman or man that is reading this book, let them rest in the knowledge that You loved them so much that You gave Your only son to die for all the messes in their lives so that they can go from being a mess to Your masterpiece.  In Jesus Holy name, Blessings to all. Diana