YOU ARE OF GREAT WORTH IN GOD’S EYES
I continue to be amazed at the large number of people with whom I come in contact that struggle with feelings of little worth or just plan “feeling worthless.” Often this “feeling” can be traced to the influence others have had in the person’s life. Negative comments and actions directed toward us can and do often have such a negative impact upon us that they become a major “shaping factors” in the way we view ourselves.
Another major factor in the way we view ourselves is the constant impact of the devil and his demons on us. I firmly believe that every one of us has at least a demon assigned to us and in many cases we may have several assigned to work on us. Such influence is always negative and destructive to us and unless we learn how to fight this on-going spiritual battle, these spiritual forces may very well doom us to present suffering and even eventual eternal death in hell. Remember, the devil and his demons can only lie to us !!
Let’s remember that all of our battles of life are against the devil his demons, and his spiritual forces. These demons can work through other people, animals, and even inanimate objects in their continuing efforts to harm us. Let’s remember too that the devil's purpose is to steal from us, to destroy us, and if possible to kill us (both physically and spiritually for eternity). In Ephesians 6:10-18, we are instructed in fitting ourselves with GOD”S Armor, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.” (NASU) We are in these “Battles of Life” everyday and we must learn to be “dressed” in our “Battle Armor.” In 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 we find further instruction, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.” (NASU)
I am concerned that we usually underestimate the enemies of our soul or even try to ignore or deny them completely. If (and when) we do this, we do it with disastrous consequences for ourselves (and perhaps others as well). The World system is “of the devil” and it always serves his purposes. Just as the devil and his demons ALWAYS LIE TO US, so does the world system and those individuals who are allowing themselves to be agents (servants) of the devil and/or his demons. Remember, the devil is a liar. Scripture refers to him as “the father of lies.” He (and his demons) can do nothing but lie. Fortunately, GOD has given us the weapons and The Holy Spirit Help we need to be “OVERWHELMING CONQUERORS,” (If we will utilize these Spiritually Powerful Weapons daily in our lives,) So, there are many negative factors in our lives to contribute to our having a negative views of ourselves – to having “low self-esteem.” However, the way we view ourselves because of these multitude of factors, is much more important than the way others view us!
OUR SELF-WORTH IS ACTUALLY ONLY FOUND IN ONE SOURCE – JESUS CHRIST!
For all of us – every human being – we are ALL made by GOD IN HIS IMAGE. Here are a few truths taken directly from GOD’S WORD that I feel we all need to realize and accept as truth. Apply these truths to yourself!
1. GOD FORMED YOU IN YOUR MOTHER’S WOMB.
There is a Biblical Passage in Psalms 139 that so beautifully portrays GOD Being Involved in The Creation of us in the womb of our mother. The Bible speaks to when life begins in Psalm 139. Here are a few verses from that chapter. Psalms 139:13-17 states, “For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb.14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!" (NASU)
Dear one please read this scripture over and over again until it really does become internalized in you! GOD made you. GOD formed and shaped your body. Your are made by GOD in HIS IMAGE! There are over 7 Billion people on this earth today. GOD MADE every one of us. HE MADE YOU! There may be millions, even billions, of galaxies. We live in The Milky Way Galaxy and it is over 100,000 light years across. It contains thousands of stars, perhaps millions of planets, and there are an untold number of Galaxies in the Universe. Who knows, perhaps there are millions of Universes. AND, there may be millions of differing forms of life out there. AND, GOD MADE IT ALL! IT ALL BELONGS TO HIM.
But, what is so very important to you is this truth – GOD MADE YOU. YOU ARE OF SO MUCH WORTH TO GOD THAT HE THOUGHT OF YOU AND DECIDED TO FORM (TO MAKE) YOU! YOU ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO GOD. AND, YOU ARE UNIQUE – THERE IS NO ONE ELSE JUST LIKE YOU - YOU ARE SPECIAL !!
Isaiah 44:24 states, Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, "’I, the LORD, am the maker of all things, Stretching out the heavens by Myself And spreading out the earth all alone,’” (NASU)
2. YOU ARE OF ETERNAL WORTH
GOD KNEW YOU BEFORE YOU WERE BORN.
Jeremiah 1:5 states, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." (NASU) Although this Scripture refers to Jeremiah specifically, it strongly indicates that you WERE KNOWNTO GOD before you were born. You are of such great worth that you WILL EXIST throughout ETERNITY !!. YOU ARE AN ETERNAL BEING! Yes, our bodies die physically but, we get a new PERFECT BODY. Death is merely a transition to a life that is far better – in fact, PERFECT! (For further evidence of this read I Corinthians 15.)
3. YOU ARE OF SUCH GREAT WORTH THAT GOD WANTS YOU TO SPEND ETERNITY WITH HIM IN THAT PERFECT PLACE CALLED HEAVEN.
GOD went to extraordinary lengths to make it possible for you to spend Eternity with HIM. As a result of the sin (failure to obey GOD) of Adam and Eve, sin passed on to ALL OF US – INCLUDING YOU !! This SIN CAME FROM ADAM AND EVE AND IS REFERRED TO AS “THE ORIGINAL SIN" !! This meant that ALL OF US - (INCLUDING YOU) would exist (not live) in hell for all eternity. HOWEVER, IN GOD’S GREAT LOVE, HE was not willing for that to be OUR (AND YOUR) DESTINY !! So, HE devised a Plan of Redemption for US (AND THAT INCLUDES YOU) – a Plan that would make it possible for ALL OF US (AND YOU) to escape hell and gain Heaven.
The payment for sin (wages of sin is death) – Eternal death in hell. Therefore, it was necessary for GOD to devise a Plan to pay sin’s debt for US ( AND YOU) in order for US (AND YOU) to escape the penalty of sin and gain eternal life in Heaven. We are told in Scripture that this Plan was in place before mankind was Created by GOD. The “Salvation Plan” for US (AND YOU) was for GOD to come to earth in the form of a man, to voluntarily go to Calvary’s Cross, to shed HIS BLOOD, and give HIS OWN PHYSICAL BODY as a “SUPREME SACRIFICE” AS FULL PAYMENT FOR OUR SIN DEBT. This is exactly what HE did for ALL OF US (AND FOR YOU). HE gave HIS BLOOD AND BODY as THE FULL PAYMENT FOR OUR SIN !! HE BECAME HE WAY (THE ONLY WAY) FOR YOU TO GAIN FORGIVENESS OF ALL SIN AND TO GAIN ETERNAL LIFE WITH HIM IN HEAVEN.
Here is what HE requires of ALL OF US ( AND YOU). HE requires ALL OF US TO CONFESS OUR SIN TO HIM AND TO CONFESS AND TO ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST INTO OUR LIFE AS OUR SAVIOR AND LORD. When we do this, we are “BORN AGAIN.” We become GOD’S CHILDREN. ALL THINGS ABOUT US BECOME “NEW.” WE BECOME A CITIZEN OF HEAVEN. WE GAIN ETERNAL LIFE AND HAVE GOD’S PROMISE OF OUR “FOREVER” HOME IN HEAVEN. 4. WE (YOU) ARE OF SUCH GREAT WORTH TO GOD THAT HE CONSTANTLY HOLDS US (YOU) CLOSE TO HIM.
JESUS is speaking in John 10:27-30 where HE States, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them,and they follow Me;28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 " I and the Father are one." (NASU) When WE place our faith and trust in JESUS and accept HIM as our SAVIOR AND LORD, HE and THE FATHER HOLD US SECURELY – PROTECTED ALWAYS IN THEIR HANDS! 5. YOU ARE OF SUCH GREAT WORTH TO GOD THAT HE KEEPS YOU IN HIS GREAT LOVE AND CARE.
In Romans 8:35-39 we read this wonderful promise of GOD, “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?36 Just as it is written,"FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED." 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (NASU) Dear one, GET HOLD OF THIS TRUTH. NOTHING CAN EVER SEPARATE YOU FROM GOD AND HIS LOVE FOR YOU! You can “REST” in THE STRONG ARMS OF YOUR LOVING HEAVENLY FATHER – GOD ALMIGHTY!
6. YOU ARE OF SUCH GREAT WORTH TO GOD THAT HE IS ALWAYS WATCHING OVER YOU. Isaiah 42:6 states, "I am the LORD, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You.” (NASU) Although this is a specific promise given by GOD to Isaiah, it also applies to you! And in Psalms 17:8, David prays to God, “Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the shadow of Your wings.” (NASU) And finally, Psalms 33:18-21 states, assures you that GOD keeps HIS EYE upon you. Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness, 19 To deliver their soul from death And to keep them alive in famine.20 Our soul waits for the LORD;He is our help and our shield.21 For our heart rejoices in Him, Because we trust in His holy name.” (NASU)
7. GOD SEES YOU OF GREAT WORTH IN CHRIST JESUS.
When you placed your faith and trust in JESUS CHRIST, GOD (YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER) then sees you “PERFECTED” in JESUS CHRIST, HIS ONLY-BEGOTTEN SON. In Colossians 3:2-4 we read, Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” (NASU)
8. GOD SEES YOU AS A VITAL PART OF THE CHURCH – THE BODY OF JESUS CHRIST.
JESUS CHRIST IS THE “HEAD” OF THE CHURCH – HIS BODY! In Colossians 1:18 we read, “He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.” (NASU)
In Ephesians 1:22-23 we read, And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (NASU) GOD has seen fit to place ALL THINGS IN CHRIST JESUS. ALL THINGS COME TO US THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. HE IS OUR HEAD.
9. GOD HAS A WONDERFUL PLAN JUST FOR YOU: GOD HAS DESIGNED SOMETHING ESPECIALLY FOR YOU! In Isaiah 25:1 we read, "O LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness." (NASU) Nothing ever takes GOD by surprise. HIS Knowledge is complete for the past, present, and the future. HE remains in COMPLETE CONTROL OF ALL THINGS! In Jeremiah 29:11-13 we read, “For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, ' plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 12 'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 'You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” (NASU) Although this Scripture speaks specifically of Jeremiah, it applies to each one of us. Jonah (The Old Testament Prophet) seems to illustrate the Truth that GOD has a PLAN for each one of us. GOD gave Jonah a special job to do and at first Jonah said “NO” to GOD and tried his best to run away from the assignment. GOD devised a unique means of convincing Jonah to complete the Plan that GOD had for him to do! GOD’S PLAN IS ALWAYS THE VERY BEST FOR US!
10. GOD DESIRES TO BLESS YOU RICHLY:
I am more and more convinced of GOD’S GREAT ABUNDANCE OF BLESSINGS THAT HE WANTS TO GIVE US (AND THAT INCLUDES YOU!) Here are a few wonderful Promises from GOD’S WORD FOR YOU. In Ephesians 1:3 we read, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” (NASU) In Malachi 3:10 we read, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” (NASU)
In Luke 24:50-53 we read, “And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple praising God.” (NASU) You are GOD’S Child and HE Loves you with an EVERLASTING LOVE – A LOVE THAT IS CONSTANT AND UNCONDITIONAL. Remember that you cannot do anything that will cause GOD to Love you more than HE ALREADY DOES! The converse is also true. You cannot do anything that will make GOD Love you less than HE already Loves you! HE LOVES YOU UNCONDITIONALLY AND HE ALWAYS WANTS THE VERY BEST FOR YOU! REMEMBER, YOU ARE HIS SPECIAL CHILD AND HE LOVES YOU WITH THE PERFECT LOVE THAT IS HIS CHARACTER AS YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER!
If we could fathom the DEPTH OF GOD’S GREAT LOVE OR US AND HIS FATHERLY CARE FOR US, I BELIEVE THAT WE WOULD BE OVERWHELMED WITH AMAZEMENT AND GRATITUDE TO HIM and SEE OURSELVES AS GOD SEES US – PERFECTED IN CHRIST JESUS!! IN THE MEANTIME, WE WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY UNDERSTANDING! REMEMBER, Hebrews 11:6 STATES THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD WITHOUT FAITH! MEANWHILE, WE WHO KNOW THE WORTH OF PRAYER NEED TO KEEP ON PRAYING TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER – TO OUR GOD IN HEAVEN TO HAVE MERCY UPON US, OUR FAMILY MEMBERS, OUR FRIENDS, EVEN OUR ENEMIES, AND UPON OUR BELOVED NATION. WE ALSO NEED TO PRAY FOR PROTECTION FOR OUR JUDGES AND ALL OUR OFFICIALS. AND, WE NEED TO PRAY FOR ALL THOSE DELUDED SOULS THAT HAVE BOUGHT THE DEVIL’S LIES. GOD IN HEAVEN, PLEASE OPEN THEIR HEARTS AND EYES TO THE TRUTH – YOUR TRUTH – JESUS !!! AMEN AND AMEN !!
GIL HAMMOND (JUNE 24, 2022) (SEE ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES)
ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES:
GOD FORMED US IN THE WOMB OF OUR MOTHER.
Psalms 22:9-10 states, “Yet You are He who brought me forth from the womb; You made me trust when upon my mother's breasts.10 Upon You I was cast from birth; You have been my God from my mother's womb.” (NASU)
Psalms 71:6 states, By You I have been sustained from my birth; You are He who took me from my mother's womb; My praise is continually of You.” (NASU)
Psalms 127:3-5 states, Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. 5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies in the gate.” (NASU)
Ecclesiastes 11:5 states, “Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things.” (NASU)
Isaiah 44:2 states, “Thus says the LORD who made you And formed you from the womb , who will help you, 'Do not fear, O Jacob My servant; And you Jeshurun whom I have chosen.” (NASU)
Isaiah 44:24 states, “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, "’I, the LORD, am the maker of all things, Stretching out the heavens by Myself And spreading out the earth all alone,’” (NASU)
Isaiah 49:5 states, “And now says the LORD, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, To bring Jacob back to Him, so that Israel might be gathered to Him.” (NASU)
Jeremiah 1:5 states, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." (NASU)
Luke 1:15 states, "For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother's womb.” (NASU)
Luke 1:41 states, “When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb ; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” (NASU)
Galatians 1:15-16 states, “But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles.” (NASU)
JESUS CHRIST AS HEAD OF HIS CHURCH – HIS BRIDE:
In Ephesians 1:22-23 we read, “And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (NASU)
In Colossians 1:18 we read, “He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.” (NASU)
In Colossians 1:18 we read, “He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.” (NASU) And also in Ephesians 1:22-23 we read, “And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (NASU)
SCRIPTURES ON GOD’S BLESSING UPON US:
In Isaiah 25:1 we read, “O LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness." (NASU)
In Jeremiah 29:11-13 we read, “For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 12 'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 'You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” (NASU)
In Malachi 3:10 we read, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” (NASU”
In Luke 24:50-53 we read, “And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple praising God.” (NASU)
In Romans 4:7-8 we read, "BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED. 8 "BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT." (NASU)
In Galatians 3:13-14 we read, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us — for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE" — 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." (NASU)
In Ephesians 1:3 we read, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” (NASU)
In 1 Peter 3:8-9 we read, “To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; 9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.” (NASU)
DO YOU REALLY WANT GOD TO BLESS YOU? THEN BLESS HIM!
In Psalms 29:11 we read, “The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.” (NASU)
In Psalms 66:8 we read, “Bless our God, O peoples, And sound His praise abroad,” (NASU)
In Psalms 96:2 we read, Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.” (NASU)
In Psalms 100:4-5 we read, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. 5 For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations.” (NASU)
In Psalms 103:1-2 we read, “Praise for the LORD'S Mercies. A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits.” (NASU)
In Psalms 103:20-22 we read, “Bless the LORD, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word, Obeying the voice of His word! 21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You who serve Him, doing His will. 22 Bless the LORD, all you works of His, In all places of His dominion; Bless the LORD, O my soul!” (NASU)
In Psalms 103:20-22 we read, Bless the LORD, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word,Obeying the voice of His word! 21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts,You who serve Him, doing His will. 22 Bless the LORD, all you works of His, In all places of His dominion; Bless the LORD, O my soul!” (NASU)
In Psalms 104:1 we read, “Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty.” (NASU)
In Psalms 115:13 we read, “He will bless those who fear the LORD, The small together with the great” (NASU)
In Psalms 115:18 we read, “But as for us, we will bless the LORD From this time forth and forever. Praise the LORD!” (NASU)
In Psalms 134:2-3 we read, “Lift up your hands to the sanctuary And bless the LORD. 3 May the LORD bless you from Zion, He who made heaven and earth.” (NASU)
In Psalms 145:1-3 we read, “I will extol You, my God, O King, And I will bless Your name forever and ever. 2 Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever. 3 Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised, And His greatness is unsearchable.” (NASU)
In Philippians 4:4-8 we read, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” (NASU)