Sent on April 5th, 2017

Greetings to all:

Have you ever wondered what it takes to have God notice you or to have God want to be with you? 
 
By the Spirit of God the psalmist asks a question and then gives the answer: “Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? (In other words who can dwell with the Lord.) He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully” (Psalm 24:3-4).
 
Have you noticed that the requirements to fellowship with God have nothing to do with performance? They have everything to do with what is in our control. Clean hands, pure heart, don’t worship idols and don’t lie.
 
When we first come to God we are in a mess (at least I was). We have lots of stuff to change but God loves us enough to accept us in our sin, and loves us enough not to leave us in our sin.
 
When we start our new life in Christ, the change begins. We are so happy that we can have a relationship with Jesus and have our sins forgiven. But then life happens and we often get bogged down with discouragement because we want to move along faster in our walk with God.
 
We might even see our beginning as small and insignificant. It is common for people to hear testimonies of those delivered from major bondage and as a result think that their own experience is less powerful. Yet we all have our own story to tell and all require the same blood of Jesus to cleanse us.
 
Zechariah 4:10 says “For who has despised the day of small things?” Every one of us started small. Some have risen above others in achievement and what is often referred to as “success”, but none of us has increased or decreased in value. Young and old alike are treasures that Jesus died for. 
 
We all started out small but smallness is never an indication of our value, our worth, or our potential for greatness.
 
Your greatness is not measured by what you have done. Your greatness is found in the greatness of the One who created you.
 
Your worth is demonstrated in what it took to redeem you, to purchase you.
 
Scripture says, “you were bought at a price” (1 Corinthians 6:20). That price is the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, the rarest commodity in heaven and earth. That makes you more valuable than the pearl of great price.
 
You cannot fully comprehend your value unless you take the time to understand and know your designer, Who put you together. Take time today to meditate on His greatness and you will discover your true worth.
 
It is the signature of an accomplished artist that gives a painting its value. The Bible tells us that God has placed His seal on you. Ask God to allow you to see yourself as He sees you, then take a step back and admire His workmanship.
 
Love to all… pb

P.S.

If you need reminding that God’s love extends to everyone, including you, read this article: Does God Really Love Me?