God's Chisel

"God, I've let you down so many times"

"No. You were never holding me up.  I hold you up with my victorious, righteous right hand, and don't you forget that.  In this relationship, I hold you up"

"Ok; go ahead and chisel....Just be prepared for what you're going to find in there. Because I know who's inside there.  God, I get up every morning and look in the mirror, and it is this scared, little kid who gets up every day, who tries to dress like an adult, and act like an adult, but I can't!  So just be prepared for what you're going to find in there."

"You have listened to so many voices for far too long that are not of me.  You think you're junk, don't you?  You really, really, really think you're junk.  Listen to me.  I don't make junk.  What does that say about me?  How can I show you that my love for you has no boundaries?  Do you remember the prayer you wrote in your journal when you were a teenager?  Why don't you read it?"

"Dear God, today, I am turning everything over to you.  I am not going to hold on to anything anymore. your word says you will make me your masterpiece and use me to do great things.  I don't see how that's possible, but I want it with all that I am, so please do whatever it takes to make me what you want.  I love you God."

"I love you too, Tommy.  And I love you too much to leave you where you are at.  So, this salvation that you hold.  Don't let it be some sentimental gush, or some head knowledge.  I want you to work it out in every detail in your life.  And don't compare yourself to someone else, because that is just trivial nonsense.  You are my original masterpiece, you are one of my workmanship, in you I find favor.  --  This chisel; don't look at this as a prison, but look at this as a Father disciplining his child.  A Father disciplines the ones that he loves."

"I know, but it's going to be tough."

"Yes, it will be tough, but you bought into the lie thinking that everything was going to be easy when you said yes to me.  That is not how it works."

-From the SkitGuys skit: "God's Chisel"

Do you know that you are God's original masterpiece?  Why not let him chisel on you a little bit today?

Heal the Wound But Leave the Scar

I used to wish that I could rewrite history
I used to dream that each mistake could be erased
Then I could just pretend
I never knew the me back then

I used to pray that You would take this shame away
Hide all the evidence of who I've been
But it's the memory of
The place You brought me from
That keeps me on my knees
And even though I'm free

Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart
And heal the wound but leave the scar

I have not lived a life that boasts of anything
I don't take pride in what I bring
But I'll build an altar with
The rubble that You've found me in
And every stone will sing
Of what You can redeem

Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart
And heal the wound but leave the scar

Don't let me forget
Everything You've done for me
Don't let me forget
The beauty in the suffering

You are not your own...

Oswald Chambers November 1st

There is no such thing as a private life, or a place to hide in this world, for a man or woman who is intimately aware of and shares in the sufferings of Jesus Christ. God divides the private life of His saints and makes it a highway for the world on one hand and for Himself on the other. No human being can stand that unless he is identified with Jesus Christ. We are not sanctified for ourselves. We are called into intimacy with the gospel, and things happen that appear to have nothing to do with us. But God is getting us into fellowship with Himself. Let Him have His way. If you refuse, you will be of no value to God in His redemptive work in the world, but will be a hindrance and a stumbling block.

The first thing God does is get us grounded on strong reality and truth. He does this until our cares for ourselves individually have been brought into submission to His way for the purpose of His redemption. Why shouldn’t we experience heartbreak? Through those doorways God is opening up ways of fellowship with His Son. Most of us collapse at the first grip of pain. We sit down at the door of God’s purpose and enter a slow death through self-pity. And all the so-called Christian sympathy of others helps us to our deathbed. But God will not. He comes with the grip of the pierced hand of His Son, as if to say, “Enter into fellowship with Me; arise and shine.” If God can accomplish His purposes in this world through a broken heart, then why not thank Him for breaking yours?

Thank you, dear God, for breaking my heart.  I want to be used by You, and for You, whatever the cost.  Help me not to wallow in self-pity, but to recognize where it comes from and enable me to eschew it.  I know I have been bought with a price by your blood, Lord Jesus, therefore, let me give myself to You in reckless abandon....And help me, dear Lord, to gladly take up my cross daily and follow You.  Amen.