Power Point - December 2, 2004

December 2, 2004

For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

-Colossians 1:16

Think about this: Jesus Christ, the baby born in a stable of the Matthew 1 in the New Testament, is the Creator of the cosmos in Genesis 1 of the Old Testament. Interesting, right? All things were created by Him and for Him and are coming to Him, because He existed before creation. And yet, when God became a man, He still controlled His universe.

He did not come to be born in a rich man’s home, but was born in a stable. He didn’t grow up in the palace of a king or that of a great soldier or conqueror, but was raised in the family of common people—a bunch of carpenters. This blesses me because, you see, Jesus was not born, nor did He live, among the wealthy and elite. He came into the lives of common people, and therefore, He understands ordinary people like you and me. He understands our needs, burdens, and our hearts.

I can just imagine people bringing their broken items or requests to Jesus—tables, chairs, and other things—for Him to fix or create. Satan is the great destroyer. Scripture says, “The thief comes to steal and to kill and to destroy. But I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Satan seeks to destroy our lives, bodies, homes, families, nation, and churches. He tears down, but Jesus came to build up!

Jesus, the carpenter and Creator of the universe, is patient with every one of us. He sees a rough board—otherwise known as you and me—and He looks beyond the nicks, cracks, and splinters, and sees a beautiful thing. He doesn’t get mad and throw the tools away when we mess up, but He continues to build and shape our lives into exactly what He desires.

Don’t be like those who say, “I don’t need Jesus to build me up. I’m a self-made person.” The smallest package on earth is a person all wrapped up in themselves. And if this is your attitude, life will always be small and limited until you take your hands off the project and put it into the Master’s hands. Ask God to shape your life and make it something wonderful.