20 5×7 Note Cards with Envelopes Hands of the Master Craftsman by Jack E. Dawson Come and see what God has done, how awesome His works in man’s behalf.Psalm 66:5 The hands of a master craftsman are patient and deliberate, as well as strong and skilled. But look carefully at these hands-they’re the hands of the Master, skillfully crafting His destiny. Every move has meaning. Even the shaving coming from His drawknife forms the shape of an icthus, the fish symbol His followers will eventually use. Against the dark shadow of His coming death, hands yet unscarred draw the knife along the wood that will become His cross. INRI, the acronym of the Latin “Jesus Nazarene, King of the Jews,” appears on the crossbar of the clamp that holds the wood and forms a cross, foreshadowing the inscription on Calvary’s tree. The red stripes in the Carpenter’s shirt foretell the stripes He will suffer and the blood shed for our healing. His sheepskin apron speaks of His sacrifice as the Lamb of God. The map imprinted on His apron assures us His sacrifice will be for the sins of the whole world. The workshop is filled with wood of various kinds and shapes, suggesting the many peoples and races for whom He will die. Three spikes are prepared to nail Him to the cross He so lovingly shapes for our salvation. The presence of the Holy Spirit shines across His work, reminding us that Christ is the light of the world and the guiding light in the believer’s heart. The Master Craftsman calls you to take up your cross and trust Him as He shapes your life into the person He wants you to become. His Eye is on the Sparrow by Jack E. Dawson Fear not, therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:31 Let’s focus on the tiny little sparrow in this quiet, peaceful, serene place. As it sits on the edge of the broken limb the sparrow may be wondering how he can make the journey to the other side of the creek, especially if he is weak or tired. The Bible tells us that God knows when a sparrow falls and if you look closely you will see that His eye is on the sparrow. Jesus is not only watching and waiting, but it is actually His hand that holds the end of the broken limb. The little sparrow can reach the other side without ever depending on his own strength. Many times in our journey we reach a point that seems hopeless and overwhelming. We may not see at first that Jesus is “in the picture” but He has been there all the time… watching, waiting, caring. We are more precious to Christ than many sparrows, and as we find the image of Him lovingly watching over this one little bird, we can say, “I know He watches me!” Light in the Storm by Jack E. Dawson I am the Light of the world. John 8:12 Do you see Jesus in the clouds behind the lighthouse? He is the light that shows us the way in the storms we face. He has promised to guide us safely to our heavenly home. Without Him we would be destined for destruction; but with Him we can confidently sail the seas of life. Sharin’ the Light by Jack E. Dawson …that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light… 1 Peter 2:9 Inspired by the testimony of a cowboy who led his friend to the Lord around a campfire, “Sharin’ the Light” portrays the choice each of us must make. God’s love sent His Son into the world. Until we accept Him, we live in darkness and death, like the man on the left. His Bible is closed. His coffee is cold. His hat and horse are dark and the face of death is reflected in his blanket roll. His rope, gun, the snake and the dead bushes contrast with the symbols of life on the right, where the Light of Life reflects on the cowboy’s gentle face. His hat and horse are bright. His Bible is open. His coffee is steaming. The plants are alive and blooming. And his guitar waits to sound praises to his Savior. Although his horse is not tied, the bit remains as a reminder that this world is not yet perfect. The Greek symbol on the chaps proclaims Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End, testifying that Jesus is the creator and sustainer of life. In the rocks around the campfire four images speak of the life of Jesus Christ. A manger testifies of His divine birth, the crosses and crown of thorns signify his suffering and death, and the empty tomb declares his victorious resurrection for us. The cross rising in the smoke is the dividing line for those who accept or reject the Good News offered by Jesus. On which side are you?
