Value

I have been studying the book of Romans. Paul fascinates me so much. When I read anything he has written, I can't help but know where he came from and what he was doing prior to him becoming a Christian. His testimony demonstrates that God can use us no matter what we have done, where we have been, or how many bad decisions we have made.

Romans 2:29 "a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law, rather, it is a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise form God, not people."

I am not sure why I got the following word from God after I read that, but as I prepare to start talking about self worth and learning how to give my testimony I sense God is aligning my thoughts with His Word.

The first thought I got after I read that verse was something I use to say to myself all of the time. It was "I do not have any worth or value." But that statement is not true. Even in our lowest times it is not true. Even if we don't feel like we have worth, or sense it or are shown it by others, we still have it. It has always been there---no matter what----100 percent of the time---why? Because God says we were worthy of redemption through the blood of Jesus...we were (and are) worth the price Jesus paid for us to live in freedom. We are of worth. We are of value. Just as God always loves us...we are always valuable to Him. Always. Forever. Does that mean we can just go around sinning, because no matter what God will love us and see us of value. No...definitely not. But the point is God always sees us as He created us. And he created us as his masterpiece.

We have to look beyond our flesh and our mistakes and our feelings. We need to align our thoughts with those of God. Romans 4:20 "Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise...He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises." NEVER wavered. FULLY convinced. What amazing faith that is.

And I love Romans 4:17 "...and who creates things out of nothing?" Have you ever wondered how God could use you? I have. Many times. I think that I have just wasted my life making wrong decisions, by circumstances that were beyond my control, by feeling shameful and guilty, by engaging in an eating disorder...all of that...but what I think is "nothing" God can create something out of it. God can do that for anyone. If we are willing. If we believe. If we choose and take action to "praise God and not people".

We have to believe the words between the front and back cover of our bible. We can search the world our whole lives and never find the right answer until we seek it in the black and white words of our bibles....the truth...the only place we need to look. It tells us who we are. We are sinners...saved by grace...loved by God...His masterpiece...worth the price that was paid for our salvation...

Look at Paul. He was ordering believers to be killed. He was on his way with a list of believers to be killed in his hand when Jesus came down and Paul had an encounter with God...and his life changed forever. God made something out of nothing. Paul had a change of heart. Paul sought after God. God always saw him with value...even when he was in the midst of his bad decisions.

We have to believe we are of value. We have to believe that God will use each and every one of us. It might not be in a way we expect, but He will use us if we are willing.
Value....you have it.
Worth...you are worth it.

Love, Teresa