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- Apr 25, 2006
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Sparrows (1)
'...Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.' Luke 12:7 NKJV
In teaching us how to live, Jesus used sparrows to illustrate His point. For the next few days let's look at them: A worthless sparrow. 'Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God...Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.' (Luke 12:6-7 NKJV)
In Christ's day they didn't sell hamburgers, they sold sparrows on a stick that had been roasted over a fire. You could buy two of them for one copper coin. But you could get five for two copper coins; the vendor threw in the fifth one free. That meant it was worthless.
What was Christ's point? You are valuable in God's eyes! Do you feel like if you weren't around nobody would miss you; like your life means nothing? You'd be surprised how many people, even high-profile ones, struggle with a sense of inferiority and inadequacy.
When God called Jeremiah to be a prophet, he explained to God that he was afraid of people. So God said, 'Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you.' (Jeremiah 1:8 NKJV) When you feel worthless you conclude that others feel the same way too, so you begin to approach them fearfully, or aggressively, or even resentfully.
What's the answer? Remembering your worth in God's eyes! There is no rejection in His love, only complete acceptance. You're connected! You have a friend in high places. Jesus said, '...I have called you friends...' (John 15:15 KJV)
Will everybody accept you? No, but when you base your worth on God's love and acceptance, you're free to enjoy life.
Sparrows ( 2)
'I am like...a sparrow alone on the housetop.' Psalm 102:6-7 NKJV
A sparrow. The Psalmist wrote, 'I am like...a sparrow alone on the housetop.' Has your nest been torn apart by a storm? Have you lost your mate? Jesus can relate. His disciples didn't 'get Him'. They argued over who would be the greatest. They failed to pray with Him in His most difficult moments. On the cross He cried out, 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?' (Matthew 27:46 NKJV)
We smile at the story of the single lady who hung a pair of trousers on her bedpost, then sent God a letter: 'Father in Heaven, help me if you can. I've hung a pair of trousers here, please fill them with a man.'
Seriously, loneliness can be devastating to your self-worth. Young people wonder if they will ever find the right person to marry. Older people fear ending life all alone. The God Who knew that Adam was incomplete not only created Eve for him, but actually introduced them and brought them together. And He can do the same for you.
If you are widowed, divorced, or never married and want to find a mate, don't be anxious. God says, 'I know...where you dwell...' (Revelation 2:13 NKJV)
God knows your name, your address, and every detail about you. And better yet, He cares! And one more thought: sometimes loneliness is not the absence of affection but the absence of direction; not the absence of people but the absence of purpose.
So begin to reach out to others. Find a need no one is meeting, pour your life into it and watch how things begin to improve for you.
written by Bob Gass
'...Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.' Luke 12:7 NKJV
In teaching us how to live, Jesus used sparrows to illustrate His point. For the next few days let's look at them: A worthless sparrow. 'Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God...Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.' (Luke 12:6-7 NKJV)
In Christ's day they didn't sell hamburgers, they sold sparrows on a stick that had been roasted over a fire. You could buy two of them for one copper coin. But you could get five for two copper coins; the vendor threw in the fifth one free. That meant it was worthless.
What was Christ's point? You are valuable in God's eyes! Do you feel like if you weren't around nobody would miss you; like your life means nothing? You'd be surprised how many people, even high-profile ones, struggle with a sense of inferiority and inadequacy.
When God called Jeremiah to be a prophet, he explained to God that he was afraid of people. So God said, 'Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you.' (Jeremiah 1:8 NKJV) When you feel worthless you conclude that others feel the same way too, so you begin to approach them fearfully, or aggressively, or even resentfully.
What's the answer? Remembering your worth in God's eyes! There is no rejection in His love, only complete acceptance. You're connected! You have a friend in high places. Jesus said, '...I have called you friends...' (John 15:15 KJV)
Will everybody accept you? No, but when you base your worth on God's love and acceptance, you're free to enjoy life.
Sparrows ( 2)
'I am like...a sparrow alone on the housetop.' Psalm 102:6-7 NKJV
A sparrow. The Psalmist wrote, 'I am like...a sparrow alone on the housetop.' Has your nest been torn apart by a storm? Have you lost your mate? Jesus can relate. His disciples didn't 'get Him'. They argued over who would be the greatest. They failed to pray with Him in His most difficult moments. On the cross He cried out, 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?' (Matthew 27:46 NKJV)
We smile at the story of the single lady who hung a pair of trousers on her bedpost, then sent God a letter: 'Father in Heaven, help me if you can. I've hung a pair of trousers here, please fill them with a man.'
Seriously, loneliness can be devastating to your self-worth. Young people wonder if they will ever find the right person to marry. Older people fear ending life all alone. The God Who knew that Adam was incomplete not only created Eve for him, but actually introduced them and brought them together. And He can do the same for you.
If you are widowed, divorced, or never married and want to find a mate, don't be anxious. God says, 'I know...where you dwell...' (Revelation 2:13 NKJV)
God knows your name, your address, and every detail about you. And better yet, He cares! And one more thought: sometimes loneliness is not the absence of affection but the absence of direction; not the absence of people but the absence of purpose.
So begin to reach out to others. Find a need no one is meeting, pour your life into it and watch how things begin to improve for you.
written by Bob Gass
