“FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE..”

Has "distance" ever played a trick on you.  When that seemingly "very attractive person" from across the room, arrives in closer proximity for a "better look" — And then, without straining your eyes or breaking out the binoculars (smile), you're able to behold their person with a much clearer view...

From a distance, we dazzle at their looks.  Up close, we get to see and hear their hearts. And, all too often, we're deeply impacted and surprised by what we discover in the end. Indeed, what a different picture comes into view, when you and I actually get the opportunity to be up close and personal; to judge more than mere appearances and aesthetic beauty... 

At first glance, what appeared to be "heaven on earth" (by their dress and their looks) through further exploration and investigation of their hearts and their personalities, soon paints a vivid and sometimes disappointing picture of their unsettledness, insecurity and woundedness.

Yes, what an absolute disappointment!  But, who are we to judge? Even in our own hearts, we've wrestled with lust, greed, and self-indulgence. Knowing that these vices have too often "ruled over us" — where memories of our own wandering, poor choices and ruinous paths have led to our own pride being exposed.  Sadly, we have all had to swallow this "pill of truth" associated with confronting the thick layer of hypocrisy that has caused many of our own lives to be shrouded in a cloud of apathy, fear and indifference. 

So, whether we realize it or not, when we choose to "judge a book by its cover", we ALL end up opening ourselves up for the potential of personal "blind spots" and "verbal attacks" from others; based upon our own youthful dispositions and attitudes of comparison that others see "in us".  The key to remaining free from the encumbrances associated with the judgment of others, is to first recognize that our own humanity is broken!  And, ONLY GOD can change, deliver or save us by His Mighty Power!

The Bible says, "You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me." (Psalm‬ ‭139:1-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

And, that's why our Precious Lord means so much to ME! He is intimately acquainted with ALL of our ways; yet, He says that "darkness and light are alike to Him". Not one of us is hidden from His sight. All things are open and laid bare before Him, even: our darkest secrets, our deepest shame; our stormy pasts; our worst thoughts; our hidden motives; our vilest imaginations; and our vain attempts to cover the ugly with deflections, excuses and fanatical reasoning.

We all KNOW that we're guilty!  But, we continue to conceal and "cover up"; until life hands us an especially troubling circumstance or a tragic occurrence that demonstrates "why", we ALL consistently and desperately need Him!

The Bible says, "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 ‭NIV‬‬)

Isn't it AMAZING that Jesus Christ comes UP CLOSE, so that He can see it ALL!  He knows our frame.  He remembers that we are dust.  But, He STILL loves us!  He's NOT "gun shy" about receiving us; JUST AS WE ARE!  Yet, He loves us so much that He refuses to LEAVE US the way that HE FOUND US!

NAME YOUR BROKENNESS...God's got you!

BOLDLY (out loud) identify where you're BOUND, LOST and HURTING...God's got you!

Because, YOU are "fearfully and wonderfully made", the Potter sees the clay for what it is TOO BE; NOT, for what it presently is!

When the BODY OF CHRIST "gets this", the propagation (reproduction) the proliferation (multiplication) and the promulgation (promotion) of the Gospel of Salvation through Jesus Christ — and subsequently, the entirety of the Gospel of The Kingdom...LOST PEOPLE will begin to seek the Lord with their whole hearts; to the point of being absolutely consumed and being overtaken by Him!

EVERY broken, hurting, searching, and wandering person in our world, is WAITING TO HEAR THIS; without the criticism, judgment or attempted law-keeping of well-meaning Christians that ONLY need to be REFLECTING and POINTING TO CHRIST...

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God."

(Romans‬ ‭8:18-21‬ ‭NIV‬‬)  Selah. WS-3

Walter L Smith III (WS-3)

Founder, Pure In Heart Int'l Ministries, Inc. (PIHIM)/The Center For Kingdom Advancement (TCFKA)

1445 Valleyhigh Dr NW #7052

Rochester, MN 55901-9998

www.PIHIM.org

www.AskPastorWalter.com

1-800-973-8533, Ext. 700 (Corporate Office)

**Leadership Greater Rochester, Class of 2018!

**Gallup Strengths: Positivity, Learner, Connectedness, Responsibility, & Activator

**Member, Rochester Chamber of Commerce (2014)

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