artist spotlight : matt philleo
Inscribed / 14x17 ” / Pencil on paper
513FREE recently learned of this local artist ( based in Eau Claire , WI ) who is passionate about sharing the Gospel through art . Matt writes , “... my ultimate inspiration is my Lord and Savior , Jesus Christ . He died to give me life , so I want to spend my life using my talent to enrich the lives of others . I long to encourage others with the same encouragement He gives me when I read His word , pray , and live in a world that is both incredibly beautiful and yet so full of darkness . Interestingly , it is often this darkness that drives us to seek out the light , and that Light is just a prayer away .”
( For more information , visit mattphilleo . com )
One day , when I was discouraged and depressed , I read this passage in my Bible from Isaiah 49 :
But Zion said , “ The Lord has forsaken me , and my Lord has forgotten me .” “ Can a woman forget her nursing child , And not have compassion on the son of her womb ? Surely they may forget , yet I will not forget you . See , I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands ; Your walls are continually before Me .”
I thought , “ God still loves me !” He still loves me--even though I ' ve been distant from Him and messed up again . And He won ' t forget me . I was comforted by His limitless promise to be faithful .
GOD HAS NOT FORGOTTEN YOU EITHER
And , if you are a child of God , this scripture passage implies that your name , too , is written on the palm of His hand . This means God will never forget you . He sees every tear . He knows what you are feeling and He knows how you may be failing . But He still loves you just the same .
And the reason He can do that is because , if you ' ve allowed Him to , He ' s forgiven every sin you ' ve ever committed through the righteous sacrifice of Jesus on your behalf . He shed His blood , died on the cross , and rose again to give you new life . If you are a believer , He sees the perfection - the righteousness of Christ all over you . You are a jewel in his eye . Yes , you have a special place on His hands and in His heart .
Jesus said , “ All that the Father gives Me will come to Me , and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out ” ( John 6:37 ) Anyone who continues on in sin and unbelief will end up in hell by default , but if you believe and trust in Jesus you will never be cast away . You will enjoy God ' s love for you ... forever !
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