The Biblical Virtue prayer: "Father, grant that we may show proper respect to everyone as your word commands" 1 Peter 2:17 - "Show respect for all people: Love the brothers and sisters of God's family, respect God, honor the King (our president)".
In Matthew 18, verses 10 through 14 we read of a Lost Sheep:
"Be careful. Don't think these little children are worth nothing. I tell you that they have angels in heaven who are always with my Father in heaven.
If a man has a hundred sheep but one of the sheep gets lost, he will leave the other ninety-nine on the hill and go look for the lost sheep. I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that were never lost. In the same way, your Father in heaven does not want any of His children to be lost".
When Jesus told this story, I bet some of the people who were listening wiped away a tear because they knew how it feels to be lost among the crowd. Jesus wants us to understand that we have a Father who sees and cares for each one of his children--that we are all equally valuable to Him.
No one is useless to God. No one, at any point in his life, is useless to God--not a little child, not the unattractive, not the clumsy, not the tired, not the discouraged. God uses His children. He values us just because we are His children. His value system is not based on the Ph.D. after our name or the amount of money in our bank account. We have value simply because we are. In the eyes of God, every human has value simply because he or she is the creation of the almighty God. YOU ARE WORTHWHILE!!! Respect yourself. Respect others, as they are also children of an almighty God. And respect authority that God Himself has placed in your life for your good. Pray always for one another and for our president, parents, bosses, teachers - anyone in authority over you.
3 comments:
THIS is what I wish I could teach kids about self-esteem... you are worthwhile because you are a child of God!!!
A few years ago, when I taught 2nd grade the school counselor did a series of lessons on self esteem. One of the lessons was teaching a song with the words "I like myself, I like myself" over and over. I'm sure there were other words in the song, but I just remember the gaggy refrain. My friend Liz was bothered by it, too, and commented that kids don't need to be taught to love themselves, or even like themselves. That comes with birth! Instead, people of all ages need to be taught to love God and serve others. That's where our worth comes from.
I love this line: "No one is useless to God. No one, at any point in his life, is useless to God--not a little child, not the unattractive, not the clumsy, not the tired, not the discouraged." That's important to remember! Thanks, mom!
That is a good part of this teaching to quote, Debbie. So often in life, we feel that God has forgotten about us, or put us on hold to take another call and then went to take a nap!! He doesn't forget aobut us. EVER. When we are in those spaces in our lives, we need to remember the problem lies with US ... God thinks no less of us and is still wanting to use us in His work force. We need to turn around and take His hand and listen for His voice in our lives.
Another excellent teaching Lonnie. Self-worth is such an important thing to possess.
Thank you guys for your sharing. So good. And such a good God we have! HE is the teacher and HE is the one who guides our thoughts. We have but to take a moment and listen! That's prayer. Prayer is so important!
Post a Comment