In Christ - I am His Workmanship

I am God's workmanship...

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

KPRZ – Encouragement for Today March 2, 2012 Define Yourself Wendy Blight "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) "’Define yourself through the hands and eyes of a true artist." “As I closed the stall door in a public restroom, that slogan caught my eyes. It was from an advertisement for a plastic surgeon. Reading those words, I knew this doctor was tapping into longings every woman has: to be beautiful, loved and accepted by others. “But for most women, this is not reality. We don't see our beauty or worth. We look in the mirror and only see faults. We allow others to define us. “Sometimes it is our culture. But oftentimes it is the very people we love...our parents, a friend, or spouse. Their words deceive us into thinking we are unworthy...a failure as a woman and even as a child of God. “Yet God created us to be women of strength and beauty, each with a divine purpose planned by Him before we were born. God alone has the right to define us. No one else. There is only One true artist and His name is God. “God is the Creator. “After reading that advertising slogan, I felt a burning desire to know a woman's true identity. The Truth I found in His Word was powerful and life changing. Rather than posting these truths on the back of a bathroom door, I wanted to share them with you. “You are: • Created in the image of God. (Genesis 1:27) • Fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14) • Precious and honored in His sight. (Isaiah 43:4) • Redeemed and forgiven. (Ephesians 1:7) • A new creature in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17) • Holy and blameless before God. (Ephesians 1:4, 1 Corinthians 1:30) • Chosen by God. (1 Peter 2:9) • God's masterpiece. (Ephesians 2:10) • Created with purpose to do great works for God's Kingdom. (Ephesians 2:10) “You are God's creation - beautiful, strong and created with a unique plan and purpose. “I don't want you to rest your head on a pillow tonight without knowing and believing who you are in Christ. I have prayed that God would reveal to you who you really are - not who you are in your parent's eyes, spouse's eyes, children's eyes, friend's eyes, or in the world's eyes, but that you would know who you are in YOUR FATHER'S EYES! “Dear Lord, thank You that You are my Creator. Thank You that in You and You alone I find my identity. Father open my eyes to see who I am in You. Make every Truth I learned today a reality in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.”

I like the word used in the NLT for “workmanship” – it says we are God’s MASTERPIECE!  That’s pretty amazing, isn’t it?  Can you look at yourself in the mirror today and see the MASTERPIECE that you are in God’s eyes?  A masterpiece is something that’s highly valued – unique – special – amazing – AWESOME – is that how you see yourself?  I hope so – because when you DO see yourself that way, nothing will keep you from fulfilling the reason God created you anew “in Christ Jesus” – you will do “good works” in His name and for His glory!  You’re His living work of art, walking around in His world to be His witnesses of light, love and life!  Take the time today to praise God for who you are “in Him” – and marvel at the masterpiece that is looking back at you in the mirror!  Sharon

Sharon Pearce, Director

Silent Voices International

355 K Street, Suite H

Chula Vista,  CA  91911

619-422-0757

svoices@pacbell.net

www.silentvoices.org

In Christ - I am an ambassador for Christ

I am an ambassador for Christ...

II Corinthians 5:20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 

KPRZ Girlfriends In God

April 6, 2012

A Willing Heart

Gwen Smith

“My husband Brad went on a missions trip to Guatemala a few years ago. What he saw and experienced changed his life and increased his faith in a dramatic way. He was an eyewitness to the healing power of God. On that trip he prayed harder, believed more, and expected more from God each passing day—and as a result, God used their medical missions team as a conduit for miracles.

“Do you ever find yourself doubting that God wants to move in and through your life? Have you ever felt like you’ve needed a faith-lift? Are there circumstances in your life that have left you feeling ‘unqualified’ to be the voice of life to others? Do you want to experience God’s strength and power in your average, ordinary days?

“If so, then lean in, girlfriend, because what I’m about to share with you is a key to increasing the power of God in your life!

“Hector, the founder of that Guatemalan ministry that Brad teamed up with on the missions trip, visited North Carolina, and my family and I went to hear him speak. When I heard him testify of the provision and power of God, my heart was stirred and my faith was boosted. But what moved me most was the story of the lesson he learned about his call after God led him to be a medical missionary.

“Before he began the medical ministry that he devotes his life to now, Hector’s main goal in life was to make lots of money. Back then he didn’t even apologize for it. He was a Christian and figured that God could use his money to help others.

“What happened to change the course of his life? Back in the late eighties, Hector and his wife joined a medical team on a trip to a mountain village. The team was blown away by what God did through them while they were there. On the four-hour drive back to the city, they worshipped and sang praises to God. As he worshipped and drove, Hector heard the Lord speak to his soul. This is what I’ve made you for: to medically treat My people, to pray for their healing, and to share the hope of Jesus with the hopeless and the lost.

“Hector felt so overwhelmed that he pulled the truck over and told the team of his call from God to be a missionary doctor. They prayed over him, whooped it up in celebration, and then continued down the mountain with an even greater sense of purpose and excitement. Hector thought that God had called him to be a missionary because of his skills as a doctor. Later, he would think otherwise.

“A few years into his work, while visiting a remote village, a woman with a large mass on her side came into their makeshift clinic. Her terrible pain was curbed only by her excitement that the medical team had come to help her. One glance at her tumor and Hector had a strong suspicion that it was malignant. Upon examining her further, Hector was convinced that she was terminal. He became very frustrated with God, to the extent that he didn’t even want to share the gospel with her because he couldn’t do anything to help her physically.

“Hector sent up a few prayers of frustration, but felt God nudging him to share the gospel with this woman. So he reluctantly shared the good news of Jesus with her; and, to Hector’s surprise, she wanted to be forgiven and place her faith in Jesus Christ! And as they sat on the floor of that makeshift med-center, this sweet woman trusted Jesus as her Savior. When they finished praying, the woman had a radiant smile and tears in her eyes. He hugged her and she began to cry.

“’What happened?’ Hector asked. ‘Why are you crying?’

“’As we were praying,’ she said, ‘I felt a warmth that started on my head and spread to the tips of my toes.’ As she said this, she realized something had changed, and she screamed with delight, ‘My mass is gone! My pain is gone!’

“Hector had her lie back down on his examining table. The tumor that had been there just minutes ago was gone. God had intervened. She was healed, both spiritually and physically!

“In the amazing celebration that followed, God spoke clearly to Hector’s heart. God told him that He had all the power needed for the work He had called Hector to, and it had nothing to do with his medical training. God impressed on his heart that He didn’t need Hector’s skills or his knowledge; He had all of that covered. He just wanted him to go in His name.

“You and I have that same opportunity every day. We have a chance to be a witness of God’s healing love to a world of wounded hearts. Did God need my husband and the other volunteers to heal Guatemalan villagers, treat their physical wounds, and share the hope of Jesus with them? No. Did God move in the lives of the villagers because of their willingness to go in His name? You bet!

“One of my favorite sayings is, ‘God doesn’t call the equipped. He equips the called.’ If you are His, then you are called. Not because of who you are or what you can do, but because God can and will do His work through you.

“Did God tell Jonah to go to Nineveh because Jonah was a great leader with amazing vision? No! Jonah proved to be quite wimpy. When Jonah finally made it to Nineveh, did God bring a great wave of repentance and restoration because of Jonah’s rhetorical gifts? No! God stirred the hearts and changed the lives of hundreds of Ninevites because Jonah finally had the courage to speak God’s words.

“God wants to do something similar through you. He wants you to stop fighting Him on this and be willing to speak for Him so others can know the same healing and hope that you know. He wants to bring beauty up from the ashes of brokenness all around you.”

You don’t have to go on a mission’s trip to be an Ambassador for Christ  (but if you have the opportunity, take it – it really will change your life!) – you can be an Ambassador every day right where you are!  You are Christ’s representative in your neighborhood – at your job – in the grocery store parking lot (I’m thinking about all the cars with Christian stickers that seem to lack Christian drivers) – at the doctor’s office – ANYWHERE you go you are representing the King of kings!  Keep your eyes – and your heart – open to the possibilities! This is a good weekend to step out of your comfort zone and ask someone to church – lots of people are looking for a place to go this Sunday morning!

“Rejoicing in the miracle of everlasting life – and the wonder of His never-ending love…Wishing you a Blessed Easter!”  Sharon

By His great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  1 Peter 1:3 RSV

Sharon Pearce, Director

Silent Voices International

355 K Street, Suite H

Chula Vista,  CA  91911

619-422-0757

svoices@pacbell.net

www.silentvoices.org

In Christ - I am the righteousness of God

I am the righteousness of God...

II Corinthians 5:21 God made Him Who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 

I Peter 2:24 He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed. 

Joni and Friends Daily Devotional

October 20, 2011

Clothed in Righteousness

www.joniandfriends.org

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Galatians 3:27

“I often wish I could dress myself. I can't pull on a sweater, button a jacket, or hike up a pair of slacks. This frustrating predicament has driven me at times to God for help. And isn't it like the Lord to give not only grace, but insight. I was reading today's verse and decided to hunt down other references to clothes. Isaiah 61:10 says ‘I delight greatly in the Lord... for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness.’ There's a similar reference in Revelation 19:8. Even back at the Garden of Eden, it was God who provided skins to clothe Adam and Eve after the Fall.

“Why does the Bible say that God clothes us when it speaks of our righteousness? Then it hit me. Garments of salvation and robes of righteousness are things we cannot provide for ourselves. God provides the salvation and the righteousness - yes, we can clothe ourselves with Christ as it says in today's reading, but it's His righteousness, not ours. Righteousness is something that God does to us and for us. In fact, when we try to impress God by our own acts of righteousness, the Bible doesn't call them clothes, but ‘filthy rags’ (Isaiah 64:6). Can you imagine putting on a garment which you sewed out of smelly, soiled rags? I now have a whole new perspective on my ‘robe of righteousness’ whenever someone dresses me!

“The Lord Jesus Christ is our garment of praise, our robe of righteousness, our garment of salvation. Put Him on today and delight in all that He sacrificed to clothe you in something so precious, so priceless...His righteousness.

“Lord God, I want to be clothed in Your righteousness, not righteous acts performed through my fleshly effort. I put You on today. Help me to put off sin and self-centeredness and anything that detracts from Your glory. You are my robe of salvation and I couldn't be dressed in a finer garment!”

It can be hard to see ourselves as “His righteousness,” can’t it?  After all, we live with ourselves 24/7 – we know every thought we’ve had – every choice we’ve made – every time we’ve blown it – in the last hour!  We can pretend to be “holy” – put on the veneer of Christianity and say all the right things, but down deep we know we’re fakers, right?  Or is it just me?  (Well – I’m not REALLY a faker – but I have been.)  But that doesn’t mean that I find it easy to accept that I am HIS righteousness!  You know what? I’ve come to realize that it doesn’t matter what I think or feel!  As a child of God I AM His righteousness – He has given it to me as a gift!  It does help to remember that when I blow it!  If God chose to give me the gift of His righteousness when I came to Him on His terms – knowing all the thoughts and choices and mistakes I’d make between here and heaven (and He knew them all) – why do I worry that He might take it back?  He won’t!  SO – I can look myself in the mirror and tell myself that “I am the righteousness of God” – not because of anything I have done or will ever do – but because of what Jesus did for me!  Sharon

Sharon Pearce, Director

Silent Voices International

355 K Street, Suite H

Chula Vista,  CA  91911

619-422-0757

svoices@pacbell.net

www.silentvoices.org

In Christ - I am a citizen of the kingdom of God

I am a citizen of the Kingdom of God...

Ephesians 2:19  Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household...

Truth for Life

July 10, 2013

Citizens of Heaven

Fellow citizens with the saints.

Ephesians 2:19

“What is meant by our being citizens in heaven? It means that we are under heaven's government. Christ, the King of Heaven, reigns in our hearts; our daily prayer is, ‘Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’1 The proclamations issued from the throne of glory are freely received by us: The decrees of the Great King we cheerfully obey.

“Then as citizens of the New Jerusalem, we share heaven's honors. The glory that belongs to beatified saints belongs to us, for we are already sons of God, already princes of the blood imperial; already we wear the spotless robe of Jesus' righteousness; already we have angels for our servants, saints for our companions, Christ for our Brother, God for our Father, and a crown of immortality for our reward. We share the honors of citizenship, for we have come to the general assembly and the Church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.

“As citizens, we have common rights to all the property of heaven. Ours are its gates of pearl and walls of chrysolite, ours the azure light of the city that needs no candle nor light of the sun, ours the river of the water of life and the twelve kinds of fruit that grow on the trees planted on its banks; there is nothing in heaven that does not belong to us. ‘The present or the future’2- all is ours.

“Also as citizens of heaven we enjoy its delights. Do they rejoice in heaven over sinners that repent-prodigals who have returned? So do we. Do they chant the glories of triumphant grace? We do the same. Do they cast their crowns at Jesus' feet? Such honors we have we cast there too. Are they charmed with His smile? It is just as sweet to us who live below. Do they look forward, waiting for His second advent? We also look and long for His appearing. If, then, we are citizens of heaven, let our walk and actions be consistent with our high dignity.”

It’s really hard to imagine, isn’t it?  Not only will we be forever in heaven with Jesus – we will be LIKE Him – fully sanctified – freed from everything that wears and weighs us down now.  But – NOW – God sees us already there.  He doesn’t look at us and see a “potential” citizen of His Kingdom – but a citizen in fact!  We have every right – honor – and blessing – NOW. At this moment, you are fully His – you have a rightful claim to the keys to the Kingdom.  Why?  Because you are “in Christ” – and “in Him” we have everything!  SO – hold your head high – YOU are a citizen of the Kingdom of God!  Sharon

Sharon Pearce, Director

Silent Voices International

355 K Street, Suite H

Chula Vista,  CA  91911

619-422-0757

svoices@pacbell.net

www.silentvoices.org

In Christ - I am reconciled to God

I am reconciled to God...

II Corinthians 5:18 All this is from God, Who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation... 

www.gotquestions.org

“Question: "What is Christian reconciliation? Why do we need to be reconciled with God?"

“Answer: Imagine two friends who have a fight or argument. The good relationship they once enjoyed is strained to the point of breaking. They cease speaking to each other; communication is deemed too awkward. The friends gradually become strangers. Such estrangement can only be reversed by reconciliation. To be reconciled is to be restored to friendship or harmony. When old friends resolve their differences and restore their relationship, reconciliation has occurred. Second Corinthians 5:18-19declares, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”

“The Bible says that Christ reconciled us to God (Romans 5:10;2 Corinthians 5:18;Colossians 1:20-21). The fact that we needed reconciliation means that our relationship with God was broken. Since God is holy, we were the ones to blame. Our sin alienated us from Him. Romans 5:10says that we were enemies of God: “For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!”

“When Christ died on the cross, He satisfied God’s judgment and made it possible for God’s enemies, us, to find peace with Him. Our “reconciliation” to God, then, involves the exercise of His grace and the forgiveness of our sin. The result of Jesus’ sacrifice is that our relationship has changed from enmity to friendship. “I no longer call you servants … Instead, I have called you friends” (John 15:15). Christian reconciliation is a glorious truth! We were God’s enemies, but are now His friends. We were in a state of condemnation because of our sins, but we are now forgiven. We were at war with God, but now have the peace that transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

“Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/reconciliation.html#ixzz3Qu4gk500”

Reconciliation with God is unlike any other reconciliation we will ever experience this side of heaven.  When good friends – or family – reconcile after a time of anger/separation, there are often left-over feelings/emotions that change the relationship.  We tend to be more guarded – protective – less vulnerable, even when things have been “resolved.”  Why? Because we’re human – and so are the people with whom we have been reconciled – and we both have the potential to cause hurt and pain again.  Not so with God – from HIS side He is fully open – “vulnerable” – He has no need to protect Himself from getting hurt again.  He already KNOWS we’re going to blow it – we’re going to continue to struggle with sin – nothing we do is ever going to catch Him by surprise.  When we come to Him on His terms we are fully and forever reconciled to Him, and He not only forgives and forgets those things that have separated us from Him in the past – but those things that would have separated us from Him in the future!  When we are hurt by someone else, we often bear the scars of that hurt – even after reconciliation takes place.  It’s good to remember that Jesus bears scars, too – scars in His hands, His feet and His side.  But these scars were freely taken by the God who loves us SO much that He gave us His one and only Son so that we could be reconciled to Him forever!  Hallelujah! Sharon

Sharon Pearce, Director

Silent Voices International

355 K Street, Suite H

Chula Vista,  CA  91911

619-422-0757

svoices@pacbell.net

www.silentvoices.org

In Christ - I am free from condemnation

I am free from condemnation...

Romans 8:1  Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus... 

Colossians 1:21,22 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation-- 

Encouragement for Today

Melissa Taylor

September 7, 2011

No Condemnation

“Do you ever hear the whispers of condemnation telling you that you're not what you should be, that you're always disappointing someone and that you'll never change?

“I do. Unfortunately, self-condemnation is a default for me and, if I let it, it can wipe out my confidence as a woman, wife and mom.

“Thankfully, I'm just as familiar with God's promises as I am with Satan's lies. My heart has heard Jesus' gentle reminders of His love and goodness, like His "there is now no condemnation" promise in today's key verse.

“However, although I know this truth that He speaks over me, I've learned that it's up to me to pause and respond to it. If I don't keep my ears tuned to His voice and my mind set on His thoughts, I forget His promises.  Condemning thoughts come back in and drown out the confidence I have through Christ.

“One morning I was struggling with self-condemning thoughts and God guided me to these words written in my morning devotion: ‘Do not listen to voices of accusation for they are not from Me.’ I opened my journal and responded from my heart:

Hello Lord. You know I often feel disappointed in myself and call myself names. You know my feelings have been hurt by someone's comments. Comments that cut me down and stole my confidence. Instead of feeling worthy, I feel like a loser. I hear You telling me not to listen to voices of accusation. Thank You for this reminder right when I needed it.

“The devotion continued, ‘Pause before responding to people or situations, giving My Spirit space to act through you. Hasty words and actions leave no room for Me.’

“Again, I reached out to Him:  Lord, You know I spoke unkind words to my friend. Thank You for gently reminding me to ‘pause before responding.’ You are so faithful to speak truth to me. Thank You for these words—a reminder of what You want from me. I needed this today, right now.

“If left to defend ourselves from self-condemnation or the condemnation of others, we'd be defeated every time. Thankfully we don't have to defend ourselves. In fact, God's Word promises, ‘the Lord himself will fight for’ us. (Exodus 14:13-14, NLT)

“We have the greatest defender in God and His Word. His truths re-build confidence that condemnation breaks down.

“Our part is to know God's promises, respond to His truth, and believe it! Staying saturated in His Word and taking time to listen to His voice is the only way we can overcome condemnation. Reading devotions, digging into books on our specific area of struggle, participating in Bible studies and talking to Jesus through prayer helps re-build the confidence that is ours in Christ.

“As we take the time to listen to Him today, let's ask Him to remind us that He is with us, He loves us, and that it's true: ‘There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.’ And, that means you and me!

“Dear Lord, when I forget, please remind me that I am not condemned. Help me to keep my eyes and thoughts on You. And to accept Your Word as truth so my confidence stays strong in You. In Jesus Name, Amen.”

Last weekend we held the first Post Abortion Healing & Recovery Bible study of the year – we had five beautiful women attend, and it was an honor and a blessing to be able to walk with them through the process of healing!  It was also a good reminder – even after all these years of following Christ and teaching other woman about the importance of winning the battle for the brain – I can still fall into old thoughts and feelings – especially when I’m tired.  SO – Monday and Tuesday were spent telling myself the truth multiple times a day.  What I “know” in my head doesn’t always translate into “feelings” – but I’ve learned to be OK with that – as long as I don’t let the enemy and my flesh control the dialogue!  If you’re having a tough time – and you don’t “feel” forgiven/loved/valuable/etc. – that’s OK.  Keep telling yourself the truth – and don’t let the enemy take up space in your mind.  Instead, fill it with those things that will keep your eyes (and thoughts) focused on Jesus!  Eventually your feelings WILL change!  Sharon

Silent Voices International

355 K Street, Suite H

Chula Vista,  CA  91911

619-422-0757

svoices@pacbell.net

www.silentvoices.org

In Christ - I am complete in Him

I am complete in Him...

Colossians 2:9,10 And you are complete in Christ, Who is the head over every power and authority. 

February 21, 2013

Sitting at Home, Alone

Lysa TerKeurst

"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority." Colossians 2:9-10 (NIV 1984)

“They were laughing in their matching neon pink t-shirts with the words "Bethany's Birthday Girls" printed on the front. They were going bowling after school. Then to get pizza. Then a sleep over.

“When Bethany passed out the shirts that morning I pretended to be too busy to notice. I stayed hyper focused on unpacking my book bag into my locker. And then I hurried off to my first class.

“It was clear. Bethany had made a list of her friends and I hadn't been included.

“I thought I would be. We'd gotten together before. I'd invited her to my pool party.

"’No big deal,’ I tried to tell myself all day. I had plans that night too.

“To sit at home. Alone. And wonder why I hadn't been chosen.

“It's been years since I watched those neon pink shirts all pile into a station wagon after school and drive away.

“But it hasn't been years since I've heard the negative inside chatter that ensued afterwards.

"’You're not liked."

"’You weren't invited."

"’You weren't chosen."

“Here's what I wish I could have told my little non-wearing pink t-shirt self back then ... and what I need to remember when those same feelings creep in today ... Don't put the whole of your identity into the smallness of this situation.

Not getting a pink t-shirt that day felt like a defining moment. And maybe it was for that day. I wasn't invited to Bethany's party. And that stunk. But it wasn't a defining moment of my identity.

“It was a moment. And moments shift. People are fickle. People shift.

“In the moment Bethany made the list of who to invite to her party, I wasn't on the top of her mind. Not because she didn't like me, but simply because she hadn't thought about it.

“It was a small situation.

“And I can't put the whole of my identity into the smallness of this situation. Or any other for that matter.

“My pastor used a verse in his sermon recently that echoes these same thoughts, ‘For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ’ (Colossians 2:9-10).

“I have been given fullness. I am filled up by Christ. With acceptance. With love. With all the fullness of an identity that can't be shaken.

“I can place the wholeness of my identity in that reality ... and see everything else as small in comparison.

“Dear Lord, I praise You for Your faithfulness to me in every situation. I don't want to get hung up on the small things of this world. Please help me to place the wholeness of my identity in who You are and the everlasting acceptance that You provide. In Jesus' Name, Amen.”

Fullness.  Completion.  Nothing else needed.  Overflowing with the presence of the indwelling Spirit of God. Nothing more needs to be said.  Rest in being “complete IN HIM!”

Sharon Pearce, Director

Silent Voices International

355 K Street, Suite H

Chula Vista,  CA  91911

619-422-0757

svoices@pacbell.net

www.silentvoices.org