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

God Is Always Enough

Over the past few weeks, my Dad and I have been watching The Bible Series on the History Channel.  While I have heard many positive as well as negative comments concerning this popular miniseries, I have personally enjoyed watching this phenomenal representation of the Greatest Story ever told.  To feel as if I am walking beside Moses as God gave him the ability to part the Red Sea.  Or to feel the intensity that Daniel felt as he was in the midst of those hungry lions.  It was so incredible to watch as the walls of Jericho were tumbling down.  What an amazing journey to travel with Mary and Joseph on the road to Bethlehem, knowing that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords would soon make an entrance into this world.  As I watch these heroes of faith walk down the road of life, I soon realize that their lives were not a lot different from our own.  Sure, our struggles are much different, but one thing is certain.  No matter what we’re facing, God is always enough.

Like David, are you facing a giant in your life?  Or do you feel as if you have been thrown into a fiery furnace like the three Hebrew children?  Perhaps you feel like you are being asked to do the unthinkable, much like Abraham’s obedience to God was tested when he prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac.  I want to encourage you today.  God will be with you wherever you go.  God will give you strength in every situation.  Our God will always be enough.

David knew that God was on his side.  He said to Goliath, ““You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty” (I Samuel 17:45 NIV).  He knew that if he had faith even as small as a mustard seed, God would provide the courage and strength he needed to stand up to Goliath.  He didn’t need a lot of armor or weapons.  He didn’t need Saul’s army.  All he needed was a small stone and a slingshot.  Why?  Because God was enough.

I’m sure the three Hebrew children were afraid as Nebuchadnezzar said that he would throw them in a fiery furnace.  They said to Nebuchadnezzar, “our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand” (Daniel 3:17 NKJV).  Even in the midst of their fear, they did not bow down to other gods.  They trusted in the one true and living God.  They knew that He would be enough.

Consider Abraham.  God spoke to him and said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah.  Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you” (Genesis 22:2 NIV).  What must he have been thinking?  I’m sure he was questioning God.  Still, he obeyed God.  One thing I think is important is the fact that he didn’t decide to think about it or pray about it to prolong the inevitable.  The Bible says that he got up early the very next morning and headed to the mountain (Genesis 22:3 NIV).  Abraham trusted God fully, with the knowledge that God would always provide.  Even as his son questioned what was going on, Abraham replied, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son” (Genesis 22:8 NIV).  Just as Abraham was about to take his son’s life, he saw a ram caught among the thickets.  He knew that God had provided the sacrifice, sparing his son.  God knew that Abraham trusted Him to the point of making the ultimate sacrifice.  And Abraham knew that God would always provide.

What problems are you facing in your own life?  Is it a daily struggle to lose weight?  Or are you trying to stop smoking or taking drugs?  Are you recently widowed or divorced?  Maybe you are afraid because of someone or something that has been haunting you each and every night.  Has your faith waivered to the point where you find it hard to trust God at all?  I want you to know that God has not left you.  He sees your pain.  He knows where you are.  He will always be enough.

I pray the song below is an encouragement to you.  It is one of the most anointed songs I have ever heard.  I know that God must have had His hand on Kelly Garner and Kevin Stokes as they penned the lyrics to this song.  And I know that God has His hand on Karen Peck Gooch every time she sings this beautiful song.

My God will always be enough,

For the longings of my soul.

He alone can fill my cup,

Till my spirit overflows.

From a well of living water,

He renews me with His love

My God will always be enough.

Whatever you are facing, God will always be enough.  Call on the name of Jesus Christ right now.  It doesn’t matter if you are sitting in your pajamas in your living room, or if you are walking down the aisles at the local grocery store.  Jesus loves you more than you could ever imagine and you can talk to Him every day of the year, every moment of the day.  For all of your physical shortcomings and emotional weaknesses, He will always be enough to make you whole and to make your life complete.  If you feel empty, He will fill you up.  If you feel alone, He will be your Friend who remains closer than a brother.  If you feel like you are living in a world of uncertainty, you can be certain of one thing.  Our God will always be more than enough.

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

Be Still

Have you ever seen a child, squirming in their seat, despite their mother or father’s constant pleas to “sit still?” Or have you ever experienced a time when you were so nervous that you fidgeted in your seat, waiting for some important news or event? Maybe you are running to and fro, constantly caught up in the day’s activities, unable to stop and take a breath, even for a moment.

In this world, there are things that we all must accomplish each day. There are also things in life that are difficult to handle. It is natural for us to want to try to do as much as we can to either make others around us comfortable, or to find peace for our own troubled soul. But, try as we might, there are some things we cannot do alone. Even if we run ourselves ragged, twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week, peace can only be found through Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

In Psalm 46:10 (NIV), we are given simple instructions on what we should do when we are feeling weary and spread too thin. God’s Word says, “‘Be still, and know that I am God.’” Notice this scripture does not say to run around like a chicken with your head cut off, trying to be about the Father’s business. Instead, it simply says, “‘Be still.’” In other words, stop. Slow down. Listen carefully to His voice.

Recently, I observed one particular child at a large event. Sitting in the row in front of me with their parent, the child did not want to sit still. Not only that, but this child continually stood up on their seat, blocking my view of the platform. They whined and complained to their parent, but no matter what consequence they were given, the behavior continued, just as before. The child stood up, walked across the seats, leaned on their parent’s shoulder, and complained some more. This cycle continued until the program was over. While I was a little annoyed that they would distract me during a beautiful portrayal of the life of Jesus, I thought of the parallel between this child and many children of God.

We get so wrapped up in the things that we are doing on this earth, and we often fail to remember that God is guiding us along the way. Instead of sitting still and listening to His voice, we keep running back and forth, whining about the things we want, listing the things that are going wrong, or even complaining about life itself. In our constant pacing, we often distract other people along the way. We block their view, and in doing so, we may cause them to miss out on some of the blessings God has in store for them as well.

The final part of that verse says, “‘know that I am God.’” God doesn’t say to be still and see if I turn out to be God. It doesn’t say to be still and wonder who I am. It says, know that I am God. The word know means to be absolutely certain about something, beyond a shadow of a doubt. God is saying that if we just stop what we are doing and pay attention, we will know that He is God. There will be no question. There will be no mistaking. We will know for a fact that the God of all creation cares for us, loves us, and is always with us.

In this world, people worship many different gods. But, there is only one God who is the Creator of the world. Genesis 1:1 (NIV) says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” It doesn’t say one of the gods; it says, “God” in the singular form of the noun. There is only one God who can save your soul. There is only one God who can make you whole. There is only one God who can give you real peace.

Maybe you’re reading this blog, thinking, I wish I knew this God Jennifer is writing about. Perhaps you have heard about Him before, but you feel you are not good enough to have a personal relationship with Him. God loves you. Don’t race around, looking for answers. Avoid living a hectic lifestyle, constantly searching for peace. Before you complain, look to God, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Simply be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10 NIV).

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer