From Mess to Masterpiece

 

Not too long ago, I was talking with someone whose life was not going the way they had imagined it. Can you relate?

When the enemy is trying to pummel us into the ground, we can begin to feel helpless and hopeless. But we need to be reminded God is at work shaping us into something beautiful.

The Apostle Paul wrote about becoming a masterpiece long ago when he wrote to the Ephesians.

Once, we were a mess:

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. Ephesians 2:1-2 NLT

Paul goes on to tell us in verse 3 we all were a mess.

But God,

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, Ephesians 2:4 NLT

Because of that love and mercy, He couldn't leave us in our mess. What did He do?

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 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 2:8-10 NLT

God saves us not just to save us from the wrath we so deserve, but also to make something beautiful of us.

We are His  workmanship (the ancient Greek word poiema), His beautiful poem. Some translations say "work of art," or "masterpiece" for poiema.

He is creating something beautiful out of each believer's life.

Why? So we can be about the Father's business doing good works. Those works were planned for you from the very beginning, and it is something only you can do. Your unique life and personality, placed in your unique setting, can make a difference in the people around you.

YOU ARE NOT A MISTAKE, GOD HAS SOMETHING FOR YOU TO DO. 

My point to my friend who felt she was not going to receive the dreamed-for life she wanted was God was making something beautiful out of her life. Sometimes it hurts to be molded and shaped into the masterpiece He is creating, but in the end, you wouldn’t have it any other way. You will be beautiful and complete and will enrich the kingdom of God. No one else can take your place, you were uniquely designed and created for such a time as this.

What about you?

Will you embrace the molding and shaping that must take place to turn you into a masterpiece?

Will you embrace a life of good works to influence others for the kingdom?

Remember, those works don't save you - you were saved when you accepted the gift of what Jesus did for you. 

Your good works are to bring glory to Him, our good, good Father.

~~

I write for believers, but if you are not a believer and would like to know more, visit A Ticket Home. to find the way Home.

Sharing at Sweet Tea & Friends

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy

Not by Sight

Sometimes, our goals and dreams don't look like they are going to happen. But I'm here to tell you if God gave you a dream, it's going to happen.

I stand on 2 Corinthians 5:7 which says:

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

It might look unlikely but don't count your dream dead. If it is truly from God, He is working in the background, bringing things together and at just the right time, it will all come together, and you will be amazed.

For instance, I've poured a lot of effort into my novel. I've wrestled with the thing until it now numbers 98,000 hope-filled words. 

My vision is a book that will encourage people to believe no matter what they have done, there is still a chance for redemption. It's possible to become a new person. 

No, I don't have the book in hand yet, but it is closer to being completed than ever before.

I will not give up on my dream because the Lord gave it to me.

Do you have a dream that you are holding onto? Remember, if you could see it, you wouldn't need faith.

~~

This post was written in response to the prompt, "sight," provided by the community of writers at Five Minute Friday.

I'm including this post as part of my series, My Writing Life, which will have 1-2 posts a week exploring my life as a writer of a novel. 

~~

I write for believers, but if you are not a believer and would like to know more, visit A Ticket Home. to find the way Home.

Sharing at Five Minute Friday, InstaEncouragements Link-Up

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy

Looking for Direction

 

Have you ever been unsure what direction to take?

Today, I’m sharing a story from the archives that tells of a time we were physically lost – back in the days before GPS.

We had decided to visit a church where a beloved pastor friend of ours was holding a revival. I had arranged to take off early because this church? It was deep in the bowels of Missouri - out where we like to say "so far back in the woods, the hoot owls don't even hoot."

We got lost. In fact, we were lost so badly that now we were 20 minutes late for service. Friends, I am not a happy camper when I'm lost.

We started over at the beginning of the road. This time, we saw the church sign that said one mile pointing left. We said, "Okay, we are going to time one mile on the odometer and turn left the first opportunity we get, even if it looks like a driveway."

It was so dark out there!

We went one mile and sure enough, we saw a path leading through the woods on the left. We'd seen that opening earlier but didn't take it because of the sign at the opening, "MASS GRAVE."

What in the world? Deciding to take a chance, we took the path and eventually came to a little clearing and there was the church.

Who'd ever think a church would be on a road marked, "MASS GRAVE?"

But it gets better. When we went inside, they were still singing. One lady got up and sang a special, "Ain't No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down!"

You can't make this stuff up!

~~

In my book, my character, Cherie Stopka, was also looking for direction. Feeling betrayed, she wanted to go somewhere new and start over. But where should she go? 

Feeling strongly impressed to take a bus to Atlanta, GA, she met a group of travelers on the way home to Hawkinsville, GA. Led by Holy Spirit, the group reached out to Cherie, one by one, on the long trip home. Cherie soon realized these were her people and got off the bus with them to check out Hawkinsville. She ended up finding a job, a place to live, a church, a best friend, and eventually her Savior.

Sometimes, you have to take that first step towards your destiny!

~~

This post is part of my series, My Writing Life, which will have 1-2 posts a week exploring my life as a writer of a novel. 

~~

I write for believers, but if you are not a believer and would like to know more, visit A Ticket Home. to find the way Home.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy

Part of this post was adapted from a 2016 post, Laughter: The Best Medicine

A Brief Intro

 

Hello readers,

For anyone new, I thought I would share a brief intro.

I'm Jerralea, a daughter of the King of the Universe, a wife, mother, and MiMi, author, blogger and bible teacher.

I always say, “I write bible-based words for the discouraged so they can have hope.”

You might ask, "What makes you qualified to speak to the discouraged?"

In my 70 years of living, I've experienced alcoholism in the family, infertility, my spouse having bipolar disorder, job losses, a flood trying to destroy my home, church hurt, loss of loved ones and many other changes.

Yet through it all, I have learned to stand on God's word. He has never let me down.

As a blogger, I invite you to drop in regularly for words of encouragement from the Word of God. I love to share the nuggets God gives me.

As an author, my book will be an encouraging read as well. My characters are not perfect by any means, but they have learned there is no pit so deep that God will not redeem you. Conflict and forgiveness are deeply engraved across the pages because everyone of us needs forgiveness. 

I invite you to follow along to learn more.

This  post was written in response to the prompt, "brief" chosen by the group of writers at the Five Minute Friday community.

I'm also launching a new series, My Writer Life, which will have 1-2 posts a week exploring my life as a writer of a novel. 

~~

I write for believers, but if you are not a believer and would like to know more, visit A Ticket Home. to find the way Home.

Sharing at Five Minute Friday 

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy

Who Is Really Responsible?

Sometimes I feel I'm responsible for everything.

Do you ever feel that way?

But as a believer, I must remember the Lord is really in charge.

Scripture tells me He is my strength, my help, and He will uphold me with His strong right arm of victory. (See Isaiah 41:10)

So what is my part?

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
    and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
    and to walk humbly with your God.

Michah 6:8

If I do what is right, be merciful and humble, that is all that is required. I'm not responsible for the rest. He is.

~~

In my novel, Dee McCloud takes out her frustrations on Sharon Ford for something her father did.

Let's listen in:

"Before Sharon could stop herself, words tumbled out of her mouth. "Mrs. McCloud, I'm so sorry you’re consumed with hate. My daughter and I are not your enemies. We can't help what my father did. We hate it just as much as you do!” Chest heaving, she spat out, “Are you held responsible for everything your family ever did?"

Later,

"Then Dee burst out, “I can’t believe she said that!”

Bill calmly laid his napkin down. “You mean, when she asked if we wanted to be held responsible for everything our family ever did?”

“I hate when people mention Uncle Buford and his shenanigans.”

“True,” Bill responded, “and it is unjust to blame us all these years later. It’s not like we encouraged him in his choices.”

She crossed her arms and stared at Bill. He looked at her steadily with a slight one-sided smile.

Finally, Dee’s resignation revealed itself in the form of a sigh. “And I guess it is unjust for me to blame Sharon for what that nutcase did 30 years ago.”

~~

Perhaps when we are frustrated with someone, we should look and see who is really responsible for the situation.

Something to think about!

~~ 

This  post was written in response to the prompt, "responsible" chosen by the group of writers at the Five Minute Friday community.

I'm also launching a new series, My Writer Life, which will have 1-2 posts a week exploring my life as a writer of a novel. 

~~

I write for believers, but if you are not a believer and would like to know more, visit A Ticket Home. to find the way Home.

Sharing at Five Minute Friday

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy

Are You Approved?

As a writer, my goal is to use my words to uplift and encourage, and sometimes, to make one think.

There are times when I hesitate to push the publish buttons because I want my readers to approve of my message.

But, there is Someone whose approval is more important.

Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 NLT

 

I want to be a 2 Timothy 2:15 writer!

In my book, one of my characters, Darren,  observes how only wanting to associate with the approved social set in his world can lead to conflict.

"I see all the conflict that Joe Lee and Sharon have gone through. The family is in an uproar that he chose someone not approved from our social set. Some of them are quite ugly about it. I haven’t wanted to subject you to their nastiness.

It really gets me. We go to church and sing “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world,” but heaven help us if an outsider wants to become part of our world.

I mean, Jesus wasn’t like that! Think about it. I’m not a preacher, but the story about the Good Samaritan tells me that a person with real religion helps people even if they are not from his same neighborhood."

The truth is: We will all present ourselves before God.  We need to be sure we know His truth and not what the world presents as truth.

Here at the Journey, and also in my novel, I am striving to share bible-based words of truth. I hope you follow along. 

~~ 

This  post was written in response to the prompt, "approve" chosen by the group of writers at the Five Minute Friday community.

I'm also launching a new series, My Writer Life, which will have 1-2 posts a week exploring my life as a writer of a novel. 

~~

I write for believers, but if you are not a believer and would like to know more, visit A Ticket Home. to find the way Home.

Sharing at Five Minute Friday, InstaEncouragements Link-Up, Let's Have Coffee

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy

Boundaries Must Be Set

As a writer, I have found boundaries must be set to protect my time.Time can flitter away before I know it. 

In fact, anything worthwhile needs time set aside to accomplish the goal. If it is worth doing, it's worth sacrificing your free time.

We live in a time when we are very easily distracted. We have an information overload going on and it can be very tempting to listen to every voice that comes along.

I will never be able to read all the books in the world  - I probably will never even finish all the books in my genre.

There is not enough time in the day to listen to every podcast - and I do love listening. But, I can't keep up with everyone.

So, I must choose between all the voices in my world.

Here's the best guide I have ever heard when it comes to who or what gets my attention:

Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. Philippians 4:8-9 THE MESSAGE

 

I have determined to set boundaries against anything that encroaches on a positive, faith-filled mindset. I believe God has great things in store for me and my family. I am putting my trust in Him and keeping my mind focused on Him.

What about you?

~~

This  post was written in response to the prompt, "boundary" chosen by the group of writers at the Five Minute Friday community.

I'm also launching a new series, My Writer Life, which will have 1-2 posts a week exploring my life as a writer of a novel. This series will go well with my Birthing My Book series. Hope you follow along!

~~

I write for believers, but if you are not a believer and would like to know more, visit A Ticket Home. to find the way Home.

Sharing at Five Minute Friday

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy