May 31
Encouragement for Today
“What’s Your Value?”
Glynnis Whitwer, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member, Senior Editor, P31 Woman magazine, editor@proverbs31.org
Key Verse:
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (NIV)
Devotion:
I love Antiques Roadshow! I love the family stories, the treasures found in attics, the dirty tarnished lamp that ends up being a Tiffany, and the pleased looks on a granddaughter’s face when she learns she’s inherited a valuable prize.
The part that surprises me is how the appraisers evaluate the monetary worth of an item. It’s not always by age – some ancient books are worth very little. It’s not by usefulness – what can a painting reallydo? It’s not by cleanliness – an expert can see beneath the grime. It’s not by size – the tiniest items can be very valuable. It’s not by fancy design – a simple clay pot can soar in value. So how do they determine the value of an item?
A significant consideration in evaluating the value of any item is: What will someone pay for it? On Antiques Roadshow, it’s common to hear an appraiser say, “At a good auction, with motivated buyers, the price could go even higher.” Of course, no one on the Roadshow is ever going to part with her heirloom, but just in case …
Based on that understanding of value, what’s yours? You may have based your value on how well you perform – at work, at home, in relationships. You may have defined your worth by how well you look, how clean your house is, how well behaved your children are. Maybe you’ve tried to find your value in what others think or say about you. The truth is, your value is found in part by what Someone was willing to pay for you. And in that case, you are a treasure of great worth.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (NIV)
The Creator of the universe was willing to pay the price of His Son’s life as a ransom for ours. God longed for intimate eternal fellowship with us and paid the ultimate price to get it. Whenever you doubt your value, remember the price God paid for you. Kind of makes Antiques Roadshow pale in comparison, doesn’t it?
My Prayer for Today:
Heavenly Father, thank for seeing the value in me, when I have trouble seeing it myself. Help me to see myself as you see me – dearly loved and worth the sacrifice of Jesus. I thank you for that sacrifice. Help me to live a life pleasing in Your eyes. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Application Steps:
Identify two ways you have defined your value outside of God’s definition. Choose to believe the truth about yourself. Memorize one or two Scriptures that show God’s love for you.
Reflection Points:
Read the following Scriptures and identify what God thinks about you: Ephesians 1:4, Ephesians 1:5, Ephesians 2:10, Matthew 5:13, Matthew 5:14, Colossians 3:12
What is one God-given characteristic about yourself that you like?
How might your life change if you defined your worth by God’s definition?
How does your view of other people change, knowing God highly values them?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 1:4, “For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.” (NIV)
Proverbs 31:10, “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” (NIV)
Matthew 10:30-31, “And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (NIV)
Ephesians 1:5, “In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will – to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He Loves.” (NIV)
II Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (NIV)
Additional Resources:
Message of the Month Club
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/messageclub.html
P31 Woman Magazine
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/newsletter.html
Who Holds the Key to Your Heart, by Lysa TerKeurst
Originally published Tuesday, 31 May 2005.
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