The Lord's Estimate of You

FAITH:

Most of us struggle with inadequacy, yet we cover it up so well that it may not be detectable even to those who are closest to us. To get a handle on this painful problem, let's look at how our relationship with God can be vital in validating our worth.

Because of our relationship with God the Father, we can know we are accepted and feel that we belong.

Matthew 10:29-31
29 Two sparrows cost only a penny, but not even one of them can die without your Father's knowing it.30 God even knows how many hairs are on your head. 31 So don't be afraid. You are worth much more than many sparrows.

Romans 8:15-17
15 The Spirit we received does not make us slaves again to fear; it makes us children of God. With that Spirit we cry out, "Father." *16 And the Spirit himself joins with our spirits to say we are God's children.17 If we are God's children, we will receive blessings from God together with Christ. But we must suffer as Christ suffered so that we will have glory as Christ has glory.
* "Father" Literally, "Abba, Father." Jewish children called their fathers "Abba."

Ephesians 1:3-6
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, God has given us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly world.4 That is, in Christ, he chose us before the world was made so that we would be his holy people—people without blame before him.5 Because of his love, God had already decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. That was what he wanted and what pleased him,6 and it brings praise to God because of his wonderful grace. God gave that grace to us freely, in Christ, the One he loves.

In Matthew 6 Jesus shares a profound truth that can dispel our dark clouds of self-doubt.
26 Look at the birds in the air. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. And you know that you are worth much more than the birds.

Even though the subject of this verse is worry, the point made about our value cannot be missed. If god is concerned about the little birds in the sky, will He not be all the more concerned about you? God love you to the immeasurable extent of sacrificing His Son. Can any greater value be bestowed on your life? by Charles Swindoll

FRIENDS:

Father, Please make us aware and help us to stop running around trying to milk acceptance and self-esteem out of the world like lost people. Help us to understand that we are accepted and of infinite worth to you. Your precious Son was not accepted by all but He knew he was accepted by you. Please teach us this. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
May 21
Mark 15:1-15; Galatians 4:1-20; Psalms 114; 2 Samuel 16-17
May 22
Mark 15:16-32; Galatians 4:21-31; Psalms 115; 2 Samuel 18-19

10 Things To Be Thankful For
1. Knowing where you stand with people
2. Solitaire for passing time
3. A really ripe peach
4. Being spontaneous
5. Exploring with friends
6. Sharing good food with friends
7. How different kinds of music affect you
8. Sitting and watching people
9. A street musician
10. The rhythms of speech

FOOD:

Low Fat Lemon Pie Dessert
Tastes exactly like lemon meringue pie

Number of Servings: 4
Weight Watcher points: 2

1 sm. package Lemon Jell-O Sugar Free
1 sm. package Vanilla Fat Free Sugar Free Pudding
2 cups water
1/2 cup Cool Whip Free
2 Honey Maid Low Fat Grahams

Pour 2 cups water into a saucepan. Stir in vanilla pudding and heat to a boil. Remove from heat, stir in dry lemon Jell-O, stir until thoroughly dissolved.

Break graham cookies into two squares. Crumble one graham cookie square into each of four dessert cups. Pour 1/4 of pudding mixture over cookie crumbs. Chill thoroughly

Top each with a dollop of Cool Whip Free before serving.
Number of Servings: 4

FUN:

An elderly couple had been experiencing declining memories, so they decided to take a power memory class where one is taught to remember things by association.

A few days after the class, the old man was outside talking with his neighbor about how much the class helped him.

"What was the name of the Instructor?" asked the neighbor.

"Oh, ummmm, let's see," the old man pondered. "You know that flower, you know, the one that smells really nice but has those prickly thorns, what's that flower's name?"

"A rose?" asked the neighbor.

"Yes, that's it," replied the old man. He then turned toward his house and shouted, "Hey, Rose, what's the name of the Instructor we took the memory class from?"