God Has Blessed These Hands

There is an expression… ‘what has God put within your hands?’

I try my best to help by doing some home-schooling activities once a week with two of my grandkids and recently we did a painting activity where we traced our hands and then painted shapes and highlighted areas with patterns and more.

I was very into doing my own hand, alongside the kids but I think they were more intent on just getting finished and onto the next activity, whereas I was really enjoying myself!

This creativity got me thinking through the scriptures of those in the bible that the Lord blessed their hands to create what was needed, either for the temple or other things.

 …bless the work of your hand… - Deuteronomy 28:12

If the Lord has anointed us all individually with the creativity to do amazing things, then imagine what could happen when we choose to allow our difficult situations to be released into His hands!

This month my journalling is all about the word ‘Overflow’ and while doodling on my journal pages, I had the Lord highlight to me with the word ‘PORTION’!

“The Lord is my portion and my inheritance,” says my soul; Therefore, I have hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.” - Lamentations 3:24 AMP

My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the rock and strength of my heart and my portion forever. - Psalm 73:26 AMP

The Lord is the portion of my inheritance, my cup [He is all I need];You support my lot. – Psalm 16:5 AMP

NOTE: In scripture (such as Psalm 16:5 or Lamentations 3:24), saying "the Lord is my portion" (cheleq) means that God is a person's ultimate share, provider, and eternal security rather than physical possessions or land. Another related Hebrew word sometimes used for a portion or ration is מָנָה (manah)

How amazing is that!  Even in the desert the children of Israel were reminded of God being their portion through the supply of ‘manah’ each day!

If our Heavenly Father is our ultimate portion/share or security, then we should not be in need of anything else so it would be like a perpetual overflow of sorts.

Some years back (many moons ago when I was a working staff member at our church) I was asked to share with a class of bible school students on a topic and activity so the following is what God put on my heart to do with them.

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Hand - Superficially the hand consists of a broad palm attached to the forearm by a joint called the wrist. At one side and at the outer edge of the palm are five digits, the thumb and four fingers.

The thumb in humans is articulated so that it can be brought opposite to the fingers and thus be employed for grasping small objects. The fingers themselves can be folded forward over the palm for the holding of objects.

I would like to suggest today, the five fingers of our hands for God are like the Five-Fold Ministry for the body of Christ - as we are a part of the body of Christ so our hands are part of our body to use for his glory and we can be a small part of each of the following to an extent;

  1               Apostle                    Like the thumb in humans is articulated so that it can be brought opposite to the

fingers, so like an Apostle comes to help the other four – encourage and strengthen,

establish, set in order, correction etc.

2                 Prophet                    Brings revelation, wisdom, word of knowledge

3                 Evangelist              Announcing good news, winning converts, prepare for other ministries, operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit e.g. healing, miracles etc

4                 Pastor                       Shepherd, feeding, caring and leading the flock of God

5                 Teacher                    Instructor, teach the church in the ways of God

We can be used in these areas with Gods help and to put this into practise I felt we should be creative and put something together with our hands. 

When making something with your hands you can be operating in any of the above areas – encourage others with what you do, speak wisdom into what you give, announcing good news to others, caring and passing on what you know.

Christmas is just around the corner (it was when I presented this) so you may like to produce your illustration for this purpose or something else.

There are two options, either a card or a box of sorts.  You may like to embellish it with whatever takes your fancy but being creative is what comes from the heart and as Christians Christ has our creativity in His Hands!

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So, like I finished up in my talk to bible students, way back when – He created us to use what He has put within us and for this to bless others along the way.

I have always been ‘all about’ using my creativity in many different ways but God knows what is in our hearts, and He desires to see our lives be a testament to Him.

For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]. – Ephesians 2:10 AMP

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Testimony:

I have a friend who has been going through major issues with her family and business and asked myself and another to stand with her in prayer over the last few weeks… this is what I received today!

Good morning, ladies. I just wanted to give you an update.  Today was supposed to be D-Day, but…one of my old clients heard about my situation and has paid me a sum of money as a prepayment for future work when they need it.  That amount covered my mortgage, car and personal loan payments this month, which were the biggest concern.  I still don't have any active work, but this gift has really humbled me.  By the grace of God and your prayers (I’m certain), my business has been saved, at least for another month.  Thanks so much for all your prayers.  🙏🤗🥰

PRAISE GOD! AMEN!