VALUED
Daphne Powell
Today's Scripture: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
Theme: Because of Jesus, we are enough.
HIS WORD
In this world, someone is always trying to tell us the value of things or show us what “successful” looks like. Celebrities, influencers, and media all show us “the ideal.” As believers, we must live in God’s Word, not looking to the world to find value. Many times, we look to others to find love. We must open the Bible for this. Our worth, our value, and our purpose for being are all found in Jesus.
We will have good days and bad days, but know that every day, people see our faith through how we deal with them. This is our testimony, to share with others how good God is—all the time—no matter how the world treats us. His Word has always been for His children, to remind us of His love, our value, and give us hope for tomorrow.
HIS EXAMPLE
In “Hidden Figures,” the heroines, Katherine Johnson and her coworkers, ran into people who judged them, treated them unfairly, and showed them no kindness, not to mention love. Jesus walked this earth for 33 years. And for those years Jesus was an example of God’s love by how He loved. Mankind judges, treats unfairly, and loves conditionally. Jesus never made anyone feel less than, unloved, or not equal. He loved at all times.
One of the ways Jesus showed love was by talking with people, not at people. He didn’t only pray for or with people who looked like Him. In fact, throughout the Bible, Jesus went out His way to speak, pray, and heal anyone. When we do not embrace diversity, when we do not promote equality, and when we do not include all, we are not following His example or commands.
Make It Personal: Treating people with kindness is the way you can start any conversation. I serve in our community, and I know that when we are out there, meeting people of all ages, races, income levels, I must and do treat everyone the same. I want to be an example of God’s love by the way I love others. Will you practice that this week?
Pray: Lord, as we go about our day, I pray that we will have grace in our heart towards every person we meet. That we will look at the differences with a smile, knowing that this is God’s family and we all--every race, station, or ability--are a part of it. Amen.
Read: John 13:1; Deuteronomy 16:20; Deuteronomy 27:19; John 1:12
Weekly Memory Verse: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9 (NIV)