Weekly Message 
                    THE VALUE OF SELF ESTEEM

How much then is a man better than a sheep?  (Matthew 12:12a)

I sometimes get in trouble when I tell people, who I esteem highly, that they are "special."  I am from the old school and the word "special" is a valued term that means exceptionally good, as I see it.  However there are many people walking around today with their heads hung low, and feeling very depressed.  Somehow, they have come to believe that their lives are meaningless. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Jesus placed great value on us.  He elevated human life far above plant and animal life.  We bear the image of the glory of God.  We are the center of God's created Universe.  God reached down and rescued us and restored us to himself.  Jesus Christ gave His for us because we were so valuable to Him.  He thought enough of us to shed His blood for us.  Knowing all of this, how can we not have self esteem for who we are in Christ.

When we have high self esteem, we will meet the challenges of the world with confidence and boldness.  We will not let others define us but we will take charge of our lives and know that we are just as valuable as anyone else.  We truly believe that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens.  We are not intimidated by others who seem to have the world's stamp of approval above our own.  We can say "I AM SOMEBODY" and mean it.

Do you believe that you valuable to God?  Is your self esteem high?  Do you understand your own self worth?  I hope so.  Because your self esteem is valuable.