Today’s Scripture
day 16
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you
this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Romans 12:3-8 (NLT)
Big Idea
You have strengths and weaknesses — and that’s exactly how God designed you to be.
Today’s Thought
Years ago, one of the recurring characters on “Saturday Night Live” would regularly look into a mirror and utter these words: “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me.” (Seriously, it was so long ago that your parents may have those words memorized — ask them!)
When you look in the mirror every morning — and yes, some of you look MANY more times during the day — you probably don’t recite mantras to build up your self-esteem. But what do you see? What do you think about the person staring back at you? Are you proud? Embarrassed? Frustrated? Pleased? Unsure?
Most of us have mixed emotions when we look in the mirror. We see a person who has strengths and weaknesses. We wish all our weaknesses were strengths — and we wish we had other people’s strengths! Let’s use another word to describe this whole experience: Insecurity.
That’s right. We battle insecurities. All of us do. Seriously!
Some folks cover their insecurities with bold, brash behavior. People keep their distance, and the real person remains hidden. Others cover their insecurities with quiet, timid withdrawal. People can’t break through the walls, and the real person remains hidden.
this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Romans 12:3-8 (NLT)
Big Idea
You have strengths and weaknesses — and that’s exactly how God designed you to be.
Today’s Thought
Years ago, one of the recurring characters on “Saturday Night Live” would regularly look into a mirror and utter these words: “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me.” (Seriously, it was so long ago that your parents may have those words memorized — ask them!)
When you look in the mirror every morning — and yes, some of you look MANY more times during the day — you probably don’t recite mantras to build up your self-esteem. But what do you see? What do you think about the person staring back at you? Are you proud? Embarrassed? Frustrated? Pleased? Unsure?
Most of us have mixed emotions when we look in the mirror. We see a person who has strengths and weaknesses. We wish all our weaknesses were strengths — and we wish we had other people’s strengths! Let’s use another word to describe this whole experience: Insecurity.
That’s right. We battle insecurities. All of us do. Seriously!
Some folks cover their insecurities with bold, brash behavior. People keep their distance, and the real person remains hidden. Others cover their insecurities with quiet, timid withdrawal. People can’t break through the walls, and the real person remains hidden.
But God calls us to have sober, honest evaluations of ourselves as r12
Christians. God wants us to recognize that we have weaknesses — and
strengths. We can grow in our areas of strength and turn to others for help in
our areas of weakness.
What would happen if you decided to embrace your weaknesses? How much deeper would your friendships become if you spoke honestly about your fears and failures?
Here’s a challenge: This morning when you look in the mirror for the first — or fourth — time, remember that you are God’s wonderful, marvelous creation! And if you feel the need to say that out loud, go for it!
Prayer
God, You know my struggles every time I look in the mirror. I want to be
someone I’m not, and sometimes I wonder why You made me the way I
am. Give me a better, sober, honest evaluation of myself. You are Creator of
the universe, and You’re the master designer of my life. Help me to see You
working in me every time I look in mirror. Amen. What would happen if you decided to embrace your weaknesses? How much deeper would your friendships become if you spoke honestly about your fears and failures?
Here’s a challenge: This morning when you look in the mirror for the first — or fourth — time, remember that you are God’s wonderful, marvelous creation! And if you feel the need to say that out loud, go for it!
Prayer
Rawr I read it :P -- Tori Darden
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DIETlxquzY
ReplyDeletethanks for the link, I added it.
ReplyDeleteAwesome message! It is so true how we look in the mirror and wish to see something else! - Elizabeth Calhoun
ReplyDeleteThis is so true-gabby
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely something that i struggle with on a daily basis. - Ryan
ReplyDeleteThis is super true. - Jasmin
ReplyDelete