|
|
A DEVOTIONAL |
Today's
date is |
|
WORK
WITH YOUNG PEOPLE DEVOTIONS
|
The following words are contributed by one of our Local Preachers What are you worth? I wonder what went through your mind as you read the title. Did you immediately think of your bank balance - or lack of it! People are inclined to judge worth and success by material possessions, intellect, and status. What if through some misfortune all those things are lost - is the person then worth less? How do you value a human life? The courts of law try and answer this question, but if it was a member of your family, or a dearly -loved friend, who had been injured or killed; would any amount of money really compensate you? Sometimes we value ourselves, or others seem to, so little, that we find it hard to believe that we are of any use at all. But that is not how God sees us. If you read the story of David in the bible, you will notice that if it had been left to his family, he would have had no chance of being chosen as King of Israel. He wasn't thought to be sufficiently important to call to the meeting when a choice was being made. It goes on to say that man judges by outward appearances, but God sees the potential that lies at the heart of each person. (1 Samuel chapter 16) To Him, each one is a loved and wanted child, whom He knows by name, and He never stops being concerned for us. He wants every person to know they are always valued and accepted by Him whatever they are like, and whatever they have done. He loves us just as we are, but He also loves us too much to leave us as we are, for He wants us to become the people He knows we can be with His help. How much better and more confident we feel when we receive encouragement and praise, rather than constant criticism and disparagement. We are not all expected to have the same abilities and characteristics, because each one is a unique person, and not someone else's shadow or clone. We should rejoice in our differences, and be willing to learn from one another, and accept the contribution, big or small, each one can make for the good of all. 'There are varieties of gifts, but all are given by God's Holy Spirit. All are important.' (1Corinthians chap 12) God sent us Jesus to show us that there is no limit to His love - 'Greater love has no-one than to give his life for his friend.' - the ultimate sacrifice. Jesus gave his life that we might know how great is God's love for all people for all time. THAT IS HOW MUCH YOU ARE WORTH.
A PRAYER Dear God, You have time to listen to us whenever we turn to you; as if we were the only one in need of your presence. Quality time they call it these days. We don't have to make an appointment, or be in a special place, or say the 'correct' words; we just need to tell you what's on our mind and in our heart. When several things go wrong at once, it is easy to feel everything and everybody is against us. May we hold on to the fact that you are always for us, and will be beside us, surrounding us with your love, and helping us through all our difficulties. When we are experiencing a rewarding time with our family, friends, in our work and leisure, may we remember and rejoice that you are sharing the good times too. We thank you that there is nowhere your love cannot reach us, and nothing that can separate us from you, and that this truth was revealed to us by Jesus Christ. Amen |
A PRAYER Dear God, You have time to listen to us whenever we turn to you; as if we were the only one in need of your presence. Quality time they call it these days. We don't have to make an appointment, or be in a special place, or say the 'correct' words; we just need to tell you what's on our mind and in our heart. When several things go wrong at once, it is easy to feel everything and everybody is against us. May we hold on to the fact that you are always for us, and will be beside us, surrounding us with your love, and helping us through all our difficulties. When we are experiencing a rewarding time with our family, friends, in our work and leisure, may we remember and rejoice that you are sharing the good times too. We thank you that there is nowhere your love cannot reach us, and nothing that can separate us from you, and that this truth was revealed to us by Jesus Christ. Amen
A HYMN
1 Come let us
sing of a wonderful love,
2 Jesus, the
Saviour, this gospel to tell,
3 Jesus is
seeking the wanderers yet;
4 Come to my
heart, O Thou wonderful love, Robert Walmsley (1831-1905) Copied from HymnQuest 2005: CLUE Version HymnQuest ID: 51791
e |
