Dr H Reflections

Do you feel lucky? ∙∙

Do you feel lucky? ∙∙

Look! I have set before you today life and prosperity on the one hand and death and disaster on the other.- Deuteronomy 30:15

Deuteronomy 30:15-19

15 Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster.
16 For I command you this day to love the LORD your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy.
17 But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods,
18 then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy.
19 Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!

Released in 1971, the film “Dirty Harry” achieved critical acclaim and commercial success. Its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance was so profound that the Library of Congress selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2012. This iconic movie not only left a lasting impact but also pioneered a new genre of police film.

Clint Eastwood’s portrayal of Inspector Dirty Harry Callahan, working in the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), is a masterclass in building tension. As Dirty Harry confronts the robbers during a bank robbery, the audience is kept on the edge of their seats. The scene reaches its peak when the third robber surrenders, intimidated by Dirty Harry’s memorable ultimatum:

“I know what you’re thinking: ‘Did he fire six shots or only five?’ Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement, I’ve kind of lost track myself. But being this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you’ve got to ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’

Well, do you, punk?’”

Every day, we are faced with a myriad of decisions, each shaping the tapestry of our lives in subtle or profound ways. These choices can be as trivial as deciding whether to wear a blue or red shirt or as impactful as determining how we allocate our free time. We might choose to immerse ourselves in a captivating book, binge-watch the latest TV series, or engage in physical exercise.

The media we consume also represents a significant aspect of our daily choices. Whether we absorb news from digital platforms, listen to podcasts, or scroll through social media, these decisions influence our perspectives and inform our understanding of the world around us. Additionally, our dietary preferences—be it opting for a quick snack, preparing a home-cooked meal, or dining out at a favorite restaurant—not only reflect our individual tastes but also impact our health and lifestyle.

At the core of these decisions is the inherent freedom we possess to make choices that align with our personal values and desires. While some options, such as selecting an outfit, may seem inconsequential, others hold greater weight and contribute significantly to our overall quality of life and sense of fulfillment. At the same time, some are momentous and life-changing with eternal consequences.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But not everyone has a right to their own Truth (Lutzer).

Ultimately, from the Father’s perspective, choices are black or white, good or evil, wise or foolish.

REFLECT & PRAY

“We almost always have choices, and the better the choice, the more we will be in control of our lives” (William Glasser).

Father, in my lifetime, I have made so many poor choices. Thank You that You are my counselor. Encourage me to make better choices, the right choices, and the best possible choices.

INSIGHT

In the Ancient Near East, during the time of Moses, when treaties were made and contracts were made, people invoked witnesses to their ratification. Often, the witnesses were their gods. This practice persists in the modern American justice system, where individuals are asked to “swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God.”

In the Book of Deuteronomy, we see a profound moment where the Father stands as a partner in the Mosaic Covenant. In this sacred pact, He is bound by His own divine authority, for there exists no higher power to invoke as a witness. Consequently, the Father calls heaven and earth to serve as His witnesses.

Pause for a moment and reflect on the fact that our outcomes are determined by the choices we make. How can we achieve our desires when we feel dissatisfied and frustrated with our current situation? Recognizing that achieving our true desires involves making better choices is essential.

Proverbs 14:12 There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

The smart move is to gather as much helpful information as possible. We have access to the revealed truth of the Word of God. Seeking knowledgeable and wise counselors can empower us to make well-informed decisions, leading to the best possible outcomes.

Proverbs 15:22 Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.

Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no guidance, people fall, but in an abundance of counselors, there is safety in having many advisers.

Proverbs 12:15 Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.

In His image, the Father created us, endowing us with minds to think, hearts to feel, and a will to make choices. The Father urges us to make righteous decisions. We are not mere robots; instead, we can hear God’s Word, learn God’s will, and decide to obey or disobey (Wiersbe).

Making decisions, in itself, is not a difficult task, but making the correct choices is an entirely different matter. What are the consequences of our actions?

The Father has presented the most crucial choices in clear and straightforward terms, making them easy to comprehend. Life and goodness lie on one side, while death and evil loom on the other. Who really wants to choose death? Perhaps only the desperate, the despondent, and the depressed might consider such a choice.

Just to be clear, what are the choices? Choosing to love and obey the Father leads to life and goodness while rejecting the Father results in death and evil.

Do you feel lucky?

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Be excellent ∙∙

Be excellent ∙∙

God has given us everything we need to live a godly life through his divine power. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself using his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. – 2 Peter 1:3-4

Philippians 1:6-10

6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

7 So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart . . ..

8 God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.

9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.

10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.

What is excellence? Excellence is a distinctive talent or quality that is exceptionally good and exceeds ordinary standards. “Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way” (Booker T. Washington).

“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as a Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well” (Martin Luther King Jr.).

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are adopted by the Father into His Forever Family. Regardless of our past, we are forgiven and cleansed. We embark on a new life journey, striving to know our new Father and endeavoring to please and honor Him with our lives.

As children of the King, it is our highest calling to strive for excellence in all that we do. This is because our Father, the King, exemplifies excellence in every aspect of His being and actions. His very essence and character are defined by excellence. The pursuit of excellence should be the standard for us, His children.

Psalms 150:2 Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.

We are to praise Him according to His excellent greatness (Psalms 150:2). His excellent greatness is the why of our praise and worship. The phrase excellent greatness could be translated as unequaled greatness, surpassing greatness, or absolute greatness. No one is so magnificent, so wonderful as the Father (John G. Butler)

The Hebrew word translated as excellent is rov. It means plentiful, abundant, much, many, great. It is a term of superlative magnitude. Our motivation as children of the King is to follow after HHHHim and aspire to superlative excellence.

The Father is unwavering in finishing what he starts. When we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, the Father commences the process of sanctification. Our goal should be nothing short of superlative excellence, as mediocrity is not an acceptable standard.

REFLECT & PRAY

The Father graciously sets us on a fresh journey. Our past mistakes no longer burden us. Instead, we are encouraged to anticipate the good we will do in the future. The Father has initiated a good work in us, and He will continue it from now on.

Father, I aspire to establish new objectives. I don’t want to merely scrape by. My ambition is to achieve excellence. I recognize my knowledge is like that of a small child, partial and incomplete. Please encourage and empower me to grow up and develop broad, in-depth, mature knowledge and discernment that come only from You.

INSIGHT

How do we achieve excellence? In the words of Aristotle, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.” Habits are not inherited; instead, they are developed and nurtured over time.

There are essential habits that can help us get there. These habits are common among those who achieve excellence.

Have a goal or vision to fulfill

They have a clearly defined endgame in mind. Without an end goal, they could not achieve it.

Identify what you love

When we do what we love, we have deep energy reserves to tap into daily. The hunger to excel is heightened when you do something you love.

Work harder than anyone else

Extra effort builds discipline and resilience, valuable traits for both work and personal life. It develops persistence, helping you overcome challenges and stay focused on your goals.

Make use of every moment

Every moment counts; therefore, they deploy effective time management strategies.

Work to attain desired results

The only real limit they face is themselves.

Relentlessly upgrade and improve yourself

There is always something that can be improved and done better. Learning never stops.

People who strive for excellence continuously read and learn. They expose themselves to new knowledge, perspectives, ideas, people, skills, and contexts.

Continually ask for feedback and critiques

Blind spots lurk within each of us. We cannot improve what we are unaware of.

Strive to be the best at what you do.

They try to provide the best value and quality possible. Aiming to just get by is not enough.

In your pursuit of excellence, regularly assess your progress by objectively performing self-checks. Be ready to start over when necessary and acquire the knowledge and insight you need.

“We will chase perfection, and we will chase it relentlessly, knowing all the while we can never attain it. But along the way, we shall catch excellence” (Vince Lombardi).

Time to get to work.

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Have mercy ∙

Have mercy ∙

LORD, have mercy on me. – Psalms 9:13

Luke 18:9-14

9 Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else:

10 “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector.”

11 “The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!’

12 ‘I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’”

13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’”

14 “I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

The Judds were an American country music duo consisting of lead vocalist Wynonna Judd and her mother, Naomi Judd. As one of the most successful acts in country music history, The Judds released six studio albums between 1983 and 1991. They earned five Grammy Awards for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group and nine Country Music Association awards. Additionally, they achieved 14 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.

The Judds released “Have Mercy” in September 1985. It became their fifth number-one song on the country chart.

Have mercy on me

You treat me so bad I’m in misery

It’s breaking my heart, can’t you see

Baby, baby, have mercy on me

Have mercy

The Jesus Prayer is a short formulaic, simple, mantra-like prayer:

“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

The Jesus Prayer holds a significant place in Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition and is often referred to as the “prayer of the heart.” Throughout the history of the Orthodox Church, it has been deeply revered, widely taught, and fervently discussed. As part of personal devotion and meditation, the prayer is traditionally recited continuously, emphasizing humility, repentance, and the acknowledgment of human fallibility while seeking mercy and grace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Partial snippets are found in the Old Testament. Psalms 9:13 LORD, have mercy on me.

The Jesus Prayer is quite similar to the prayer made by a tax collector in Luke 18.

The story portrays two men with contrasting attitudes. One, a Pharisee, was self-assured in his religious beliefs and practices. He felt he lacked nothing, so he requested nothing and received nothing. On the other hand, a tax collector recognized and acknowledged his spiritual poverty. He sought much, received much through his humble request, and was shown great mercy by the Father.

REFLECT & PRAY

Good and caring parents are merciful and gracious. They want only the best for their children and discipline them with love because they love them.

Father, thank You for disciplining me with love and mercy. Thank You for always remembering mercy!

INSIGHT

Grace is getting what you do not deserve

Mercy is not getting what you do deserve

Mercy involves the compassionate treatment of those in distress, particularly individuals under one’s power or control.

Cats are renowned for their effectiveness in eliminating vermin like rats and mice from human homes and buildings. However, observing a cat with its prey reveals a different story. The scene is the epitome of a lack of mercy. Initially, the cat captures the mouse, only to play with it and tease it before ultimately killing it. Why? This behavior is driven by instinct, a common trait among felines worldwide. It amuses the cat but is far from enjoyable for the mouse. Why do they act this way? Simply because they can.

The New Testament advises us to walk wisely and circumspectly, much like a cautious cat (Ephesians 5:15). It also commands us to show mercy, urging us not to withhold it. Instead of giving people what we think they deserve, we are called to extend compassion.

This is how the Father treated us.

How do you envision the Father? When you picture Him, what comes to mind? Do you see a loving Father with outstretched arms eager to lavish you with love and care? Or do you imagine a stern, critical, and somewhat wrathful judge?

The Father is a little bit of both.

Deuteronomy 13:18 The LORD your God will be merciful only if you listen to his voice and keep all his commands.

The Father responds to our thoughts and actions, engaging with us in real-time as we walk through life with Him. When we are faithful and live by His principles, we bring joy to His heart. However, when we violate His principles, there are times when the Father reacts with anger.

Isaiah 54:8 In a burst of anger, I turned my face away for a little while. But with everlasting love, I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD, your Redeemer.

He is the Father of mercies, the all-merciful Father, the gentle Father, or simply the merciful Father. Even in His wrath, He remains merciful. He is not prone to anger but instead filled with loyal love and devotion for His children. His displeasure is fleeting. The Father’s abundant warmth and tender love far outweigh His brief moments of chastisement. His discipline is short-lived when compared to His everlasting love.

The psalmist asked, LORD, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? (Psalm 130:3). The answer is clear: no one. Even when God must judge sin, He continues to show mercy (Stanley).

Habakkuk 3:2 In wrath, remember mercy.

We are to be just like Him!

Luke 6:36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

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Son of Encouragement ∙∙

Son of Encouragement ∙∙

There was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). – Acts 4:36

1 Thessalonians 5:11-18

11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

16 Always be joyful.

17 Never stop praying.

18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

An encourager is essentially someone who “inspires with courage.” They infuse others with courage while instilling spirit, hope, and motivation. They are akin to an excellent sports coach who inspires players to believe in themselves and do their best. Such coaches don multiple hats: they are trainers, counselors, confidants, nurturers, guides, leaders, mentors, shepherds, and tutors. Their objective lies not only in developing talent but also in character building.

Based in Austin, Texas, Coach ‘Em Up, LLC is a firm that offers year-round basketball and volleyball programs for elementary and middle school students in the Austin vicinity. Their business is built upon the belief in the positive impact of robust and precise coaching and the comprehension and importance of age-appropriate progression and instruction.

“Be an Encourager: When you encourage others, you boost their self-esteem, enhance their self-confidence, make them work harder, lift their spirits, and make them successful in their endeavors. Encouragement goes straight to the heart and is always available. Be an encourager. Always” (Roy T. Bennett).

“Yelling at living things does tend to kill the spirit in them. Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words will break our hearts . . .” (Robert Fulghum).

In American culture, we might say that an acorn does not fall far from the tree, meaning that one is not that different from one’s parent. It can be expressed, “Kids are like their parents, a chip off the old block; like Father, like son.”

In the Jewish culture, a similar concept is expressed by the phrase “son of.” It highlights the distinctive qualities or characteristics which distinguish a person.

Acts 4:36 Joseph was one of the apostles nicknamed Barnabas, which means “Son of Encouragement.”

Perhaps Barnabas was a natural-born encourager, or maybe he had the spiritual gift of encouragement. He earned the epithet “Son of Encouragement” or “Son of Consolation,” indicative of his positive influence.

Upon closer inspection, the nickname Barnabas reveals some interesting nuances not readily apparent on the surface. The Greek word for encourager or encouragement is parakletos, so we might expect his nickname to be Barparakletos, not Barnabas. But Barnabas is not derived from Greek; rather, it is either Hebrew or Aramaic. Bar, in Hebrew, translates to son, and nabasis a variation of the Hebrew word for prophet.

This is even more confusing because prophets tend to be spokesmen and confronters, not comforters. However, at times, prophets were tasked with providing solace to people. Hence, the name Barnabas encapsulates this dual role of a prophet – comforter and confronter.

Isaiah 40:1-2

1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone, and her sins are pardoned.

When children of the King are born again, the Father sovereignly endows them with spiritual gifts. A spiritual gift can be described as a skill or talent that enables one to perform a specific task effortlessly and teach others to do the same. Billy Graham, for instance, had the gift of evangelism. He could easily spread the gospel to others and taught countless people to do the work of an evangelist.

So perhaps what we see in Barnabas is a man transformed from a harsh, confrontive prophet to a soft, tender, gentle, encouraging, comforting prophet.

Barnabas was recognized for his kindness and support towards others (Acts 9:26-27; 11:22-26; 15:37). In this way, he embodies the ideal of a servant-leader. Barnabas demonstrates that he is indeed a true disciple of Lord Jesus Christ, who was the ultimate servant-leader.

The apostle Paul implores each child of the King to encourage and comfort others.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Instead of belittling, criticizing, passing judgment, yelling at, tearing down, or intimidating others, we should set a goal and purpose to “coach ‘em up.”

REFLECT & PRAY

No doubt the “Son of Encouragement” was himself encouraged by the Father. Pause for a moment and consider what it would be like to be mentored by the Father through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Father, encourage me to become a source of encouragement and uplift others in the same manner You have encouraged me.

INSIGHT

Perhaps there’s a message of hope for each one of us here. We’re not bound by what we were born with. The Father has the power to bring about changes that go beyond the natural or normal. He is able to transform a person’s character and personality from the inside out. Every child of the King has the freedom and capacity to let the Father do precisely that for us. We are capable of becoming whatever the Father wants us to be. The Father has a beautiful dream for each of His children.

Take for instance, John and his brother James. At the beginning of the Gospels, they were referred to as the sons of thunder (Mark 3:17). They were known for their quick temper, zeal, and ambition. They were demanding, passionate, fiery, intolerant, brash, reckless, stubborn, and impulsive. They were ready and willing to call down fire on the Samaritans.

Luke 9:54-56

54 When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”

55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of;

56 for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”

How amazing, this same John became known as the Apostle of Love.

We observe a remarkable change in John. He is transformed from a reckless, quick-tempered son of thunder to the beloved disciple. His gospel is filled with his profound love for Lord Jesus Christ, and his epistles even more so. Initially, he wasn’t characterized by such love and compassion. This love wasn’t innate; it was cultivated. It was not the product of nature but rather nurture. He acquired it from time spent with the Lord Jesus Christ on earth and decades of walking with Him. The perfect servant-leader coached ‘em up.’

James 1:19-20

19 But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;

20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

Treat a man as he is, and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he can and should be, and he will become as he can and should be (Stephen R. Covey).

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God don’t make no junk! ∙

God don’t make no junk! ∙

For we are God’s masterpiece. – Ephesians 2:10

Isaiah 64:8 O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.

Isaiah 29:16 How foolish can you be? He is the Potter, and he is certainly greater than you, the clay! Should the created thing say of the one who made it, “He didn’t make me”? Does a jar ever say, “The potter who made me is stupid”?

Many individuals grapple with what they think of themselves and their self-image. “Self-image sets the boundaries of individual accomplishment” (Maxwell Maltz). “Your self-image is the result of all you have given your subconscious mind as a database, so regardless of your background, what you are willing to become is the only reality that counts” (Paul J. Meyer). “A poor self-image is a magnifying glass that can transform a trivial mistake or an imperfection into an overwhelming symbol of personal defeat” (David D. Burns).

How is it possible to overcome such a self-imposed deficit?

Ethel Waters, the magnificent vocalist, showed the way. Ethel was conceived because of the rape of her 13-year-old mother. Ethel’s early life was a testament to resilience. Ethel survived an unbelievable childhood filled with extreme poverty, daily hunger, and scorn. She was shuffled from one relative to another: aunts, a grandmother, even a neighbor. She was constantly relocating, had never lived in the same place for more than 15 months, and had a tough childhood. She wrote in her autobiography, “I never was a child. I never was cuddled, liked, or understood by my family.” She married at the age of 13 but was soon divorced. While at a costume party in Philadelphia, she was persuaded to sing two songs. She captivated the audience. This was her turning point. She was soon hired to sing at the Lincoln Theatre in Baltimore.

Despite everything, she had great faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. She became an integral part of the Billie Graham Crusades. She had a commanding stage presence. She exuded a kind-heartedness and folksy charm. She made even irreligious people feel at ease. Her signature song was “His Eye Is On The Sparrow.”

The first stanza is:

Why should I feel discouraged and why should the shadows come?

Why should my heart be lonely and long for heaven and home?

When Jesus is my portion, a constant Friend is He,

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Ethel Waters is responsible for the well-known saying, “I am somebody cause God don’t make no junk!” With that attitude and opinion of herself, she overcame the tremendous troubles and adversities of her difficult life.

“The ‘self-image’ is the key to human personality and human behavior. Change the self-image, and you change the personality and the behavior” Maxwell Maltz.

If you think you are junk, you behave accordingly and act like junk. But if you believe that the Father doesn’t make junk, then you cannot possibly be junk. It can be a life-changing turning point for anyone, particularly children of the King. Knowing that He does not make junk provides exceptional comfort, hope, optimism, and gratitude in the hearts of those who realize it. David came to this realization.

Psalms 139:13-17

13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous – how well I know it.

15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.

16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!

REFLECT & PRAY

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are” (John Wooden).

Father, the thought that You delight in me and took great joy and pleasure in making me just the way I am is almost beyond comprehension. Encourage me to walk in the truth that I am Your masterpiece in the making.

INSIGHT

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus,

We are the Father’s “workmanship,” that is, His “poem,” His “work of art.” When Paul refers to children of the King as masterpieces, Paul sees us as a work in progress. He speaks of us as a new creation in the Lord Jesus Christ.

How does the Greek language in the New Testament emphasize things? Instead of employing underlines, highlights, or exclamation marks, it uses the word order. Emphasis is placed on a word that is out of its “expected” position.

In Greek, the word “His” takes precedence, translating to “His work we are” (UBS). We are the product of His intelligent design and meticulous and thoughtful handiwork. Each child of the King is the Father’s spiritual re-creation. It commenced in this life when we became children of the King. It will continue into all eternity. We are a work in progress.

The word translated as “masterpiece, handiwork, workmanship, or work of art” is poiema. “Poiema is used in classical times for the work of a craftsman, such as the making of a crown” (Hoehner). The English word poem comes from this Greek word. The noun poiemacomes from the Greek verb poieo, to do or make. The point is that He made us, He is Our Creator. He takes responsibility for us.

He is the Potter, and we are His clay. Knowing who the Potter is, it makes no sense to view ourselves as junk. We are His precious, beautiful works of art. “I am somebody cause God don’t make no junk!”

Isaiah 45:9-12

9 What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, “Stop, you’re doing it wrong!” Does the pot exclaim, “How clumsy can you be?”

10 How terrible it would be if a newborn baby said to its father, “Why was I born?” or if it said to its mother, “Why did you make me this way?”

11 This is what the LORD says – the Holy One of Israel and your Creator: “Do you question what I do for my children? Do you give me orders about the work of my hands?

12 I am the one who made the earth and created people to live on it. With my hands, I stretched out the heavens. All the stars are at my command.

Before our birth, the Father carefully planned and shaped us. When we were born again, our spiritual transformation commenced. This metamorphosis is an ongoing process. It will not be completed in this life. We are continually being transformed, moving from one level of glory to the next (2 Corinthians 3:18).

God seeks transformed lives, not just reformed ones. This transformation occurs as we train our minds to focus on the person of Jesus (Stanley).

Every child of the King has the privilege of undergoing daily transformation as we contemplate the glory of God revealed in His Word, especially in the living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ. This results in gradual transformation as we grow in Christlikeness and reflect His glory through our character (Constable).

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