You Are Worth More

Did you know that a domestic cat has between 60,000 to 120,000 hairs per square inch?  Have you ever seen an elephant up close?  The hairs on these giants are thought to keep them cool, unlike nearly every other hairy mammal whose hairs keep them warm.  A camel can survive six months without water and bald eagles can fly up to 200 miles per hour.  If that isn’t amazing enough, starfish can regenerate new limbs to replace those that are lost.  By examining the many wonders found in God’s unique creation, we can be certain that one thing is true.  He cares about every aspect of this world, including you and me.  To Him, we are worth more than all of the gold found within the four corners of the earth.

Luke 12:7 (NIV) says, “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”  You may be thinking, great, I’m worth more than a bird.  Before you draw this conclusion, it’s interesting to note that sparrows are quite an intricate creation.  Sparrows have 400,000 photoreceptors per square millimeter on each retina, yet they are only 4 to 8 inches in length and typically weigh less than two ounces.  Just like these tiny little birds, God took great care in creating each and every living thing on earth.  But His most remarkable creation is you and me.

God didn’t just make us like He made the animals who roam the earth.  Instead, He made us in own His image.  God’s Word says, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God; he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27 NIV).  We are set apart from our four-legged, sea-faring, and winged friends.  We are special in God’s sight.  Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  We were created to serve the Lord and share the Good News with a lost and dying world.  Men and women were created to be a reflection of God’s love.  That is our greatest purpose here on earth.

Man was not created to fight, to hate, or to destroy others.  Man was created to love his neighbor as himself.  Humans were also created to love God because He first loved us.  Ephesians 1:4 (NLT) states, “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.”  You and I are on this planet for one reason and one reason alone: to share the love of Jesus Christ to everyone we meet.  We are here to make a difference, to tell those who are broken in the depths of despair that there is hope through Jesus Christ.

You may be sitting there, thinking, how can I share about a love that I’ve never even known?  You may be the person who is drowning in the depths of despair.  If this is you, I want to encourage you today.  You are treasured in God’s eyes.  Jesus Christ loves you more than you could imagine.  He has always loved you and He will never stop loving you.  He knows how many hairs are on your head.  He knows everything about you.  And you know what?  He loves you anyway.  He thinks you are priceless.  That’s why He paid the ultimate sacrifice in giving His life for your sins.  To Him, you are more valuable than sparrows, or even the most precious metals on earth.  You were worth dying for.  Reach out to Jesus Christ today.  You will find hope in Christ!

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

Be Strong

Do you think of yourself as someone who is strong? Perhaps your strength is physical, or mental, or emotional. Or maybe you do not feel strong at all. You may feel like you will simply collapse under the weight of the burdens you carry. You may feel overwhelmed by the daily tasks you must perform. You may feel that you are a failure. No matter how you feel, do not give up. If you feel weak, Jesus is strong. Put your hope in Jesus Christ, and He will give you strength to continue your journey. With Jesus Christ by your side, you will be strong. He will give you physical strength, mental strength, and emotional strength. You can be strong in the Lord.

Personally, I have never truly thought of myself as someone who is especially strong. Sure, I keep my head held high. I smile, even when things go wrong. I try to offer encouraging words to others. Yet, I know I could be a much stronger individual. This week, two friends told me that I was strong. One of them actually said I was stronger than them. The other friend said I was someone who was strong, someone my friends could depend on, and someone they admire. As I tried to process their comments, I was overwhelmed. I was humbled to know that my friends felt this way about me. And I was so grateful to come to the realization that, yes, with God’s help, maybe I am strong after all.

Strength is something that every person seems to desire at some point in their life. When I was a little girl, I enjoyed watching the children’s cartoon, Tom and Jerry. I recall watching episode after episode where Jerry the mouse always seemed to defeat Tom the cat, no matter what defensive course of action Tom may have used. In the end, Jerry knew that he could defeat the cat. Even though he didn’t have the size, he had something greater. He had mental strength to outsmart Tom, and he had the confidence necessary to pull it off. While this may be a fictional cartoon, it is the perfect illustration to use when talking about human strength. Although we may feel inadequate, like Jerry, God gives us the strength we need to overcome any evil in our lives. On our own merit, we may be weak, but God gives us the strength and confidence we need to prevail.

No matter what battle you may be fighting, God is on your side. He will give you the strength you need to overcome. Ephesians 6:10-13 says, “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” God has promised that He will provide an armor to protect you from Satan’s snares. God will give you strength to make it through. He will carry your burdens. He will make you strong. Make it your daily prayer to be strong in the Lord. Nehemiah 8:10 says, “The joy of the LORD is your strength.” Be joyful. Be an inspiration. Be strong.

In Christ’s Love, 

Jennifer