Tag Archives: God’s unique design

02.28.14
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You’re Too Unique to Compare

Nicole D. Hayes, Creator of Voices Against the Grain

Nicole D. Hayes, Creator of Voices Against the Grain

Today’s post is from the daily devotional book, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young. Each devotional is written from the perspective of Jesus speaking to you. I want God’s People to get this message, loud and clear.

STOP JUDGING AND EVALUATING YOURSELF, for this is not your role. Above all, stop comparing yourself with other people. This produces feelings of pride or inferiority; sometimes a mixture of both. I lead each of My children along a path that is uniquely tailor-made for him or her. Comparing is not only wrong; it is also meaningless.

Don’t look for affirmation in the wrong places: your own evaluations, or those of other people. The only source of real affirmation is My unconditional Love. Many believers perceive Me as an unpleasable Judge, angrily searching out their faults and failures. Nothing could be further from the truth! I died for your sins, so that I might clothe you in My garments of salvation. This is how I see you: radiant in my robe of righteousness. When I discipline you, it is never in anger or disgust; it is to prepare you for face-to-Face fellowship with Me throughout all eternity. Immerse yourself in My loving Presence. Be receptive to My affirmation, which flows continually from the throne of grace.

Accompanying Scriptures: Luke 6:37, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” John 3:16-17, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17- For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” Isaiah 61:10, “I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness.” Proverbs 3:11-12, “My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, 12- because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” (New International Version).

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01.09.14
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God’s Design: Nothing Compares

Ana Martinez, Voices Against the Grain Guest Blogger

Ana Martinez, Voices Against the Grain Guest Blogger

While vacationing in Aspen, I learned something interesting from my ski instructor besides how to properly ski.  One day as we headed up the mountain on the chair lift, he stated that a few years back there was an article on how man-made snow is different than natural snow.  Underneath a microscope, a natural snowflake looks like a piece of art.  Each one is intricately structured with its own unique design.  However, a single man-made snowflake created to copy God’s design in every way under the microscope looks like a blob.  It is not uniquely crafted and doesn’t come close to the beauty of God’s natural snowflake.Snowflake-Pictures

Who would you desire to be most like: The one who tries to copy the original masterpiece or the one who created the masterpiece?  We idolize people and things, we follow suit of what man does. We fear what people may think about us.  Though God’s Word clearly tells us in Romans 12:12 (New International Version), “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” We are better to pattern our walk, our behaviors our lives after Him than to imitate the counterfeit ways of this world.

Psalm 118:8- “ It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”

When all said and done, we will each stand before The Creator of All Things and give an account for how we conducted ourselves here on earth.  How great and Magnificent is He who took the time to uniquely design each snowflake.  He who knows the number of every hair upon your head.  Luke 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.   Honor Him and reverence Him for He is worthy of all our Praise.  Be blessed and be encouraged my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Ana

About Ana Martinez

Ana Martinez was born in Michigan. When she was age 4, her parents Pastor Juan and Deborah Martinez founded the Potter’s House Christian Fellowship in Almont, Mich.  Ana grew up in the church and in a humble, loving Christian home.  Her parent’s faithfulness and commitment to ministry for over 27 years has been a testimony to her.  In her youth she was like the prodigal son.  She knows what it means to walk away from your call and to stray from the Word of God.  Her life experiences have taught her that God’s way and His principles are worth upholding.  She is a God-fearing Christian woman determined to do the will of The Lord.  Her heart’s desire is to reach the lost and win souls for the kingdom of heaven by sharing the Good News, according to Matthew 28:19. Ana truly believes people are hurting and need to know that there is forgiveness through Jesus Christ.  Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give ye rest.”

Ana has served on the Missionary Field, and has served in and led praise and worship, web design, children’s ministry and youth ministry.  Ana’s most recent initiative isGeorgia Peach Ministry, a non-profit she founded that serves widows and orphans.  Ana is also on the board of the Potter’s House Christian Fellowship. Ana is a private chef and has worked with professional athletes over the past five years. She is also an entrepreneur and is part owner in an interior design business, a chef placement business, and is entering into the food product industry.

Ana resides in Southern California with her three beautiful children and seeks daily to model this scripture from Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”