Value 4

Hello Everyone!!

Quick Reminder:

This Sunday is Laborer's Sunday!!



In addition, in-person Bible Study will resume on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary.

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Continuing with the theme of VALUE, Minister Carmen taught us about valuing ourselves

Jeremiah 1:5-6

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Then said I: “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.”

He knew us before we were formed in the womb and we were sanctified. 

There was a plan and a purpose already established for us.

Believe Facts Over Fallacies

Facts vs. Fallacy

Fact: indisputable: unable to be challenged or denied.

Fallacy: mistaken belief especially one based on an unsound argument

Despite the facts, we somehow come up with fallacies

Example 1: 

Fact: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations

Fallacy: I cannot speak, for I am a youth.

[Yes, you are a youth, but that doesn't mean you can't speak; it just means you are a youth.]

We should avoid rebutting God's declarations, especially the ones He makes over us.

We are born again and have a new identity

Reference: 1 Peter 2:9 & 1 Corinthians 6:20

Isaiah 43:1

But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.

Don't forget who you are and whose you are.

Answer Only to Things Attached to Your New Identity

First Lady made great points from the standpoint of her name. 

Name is associated with us. When someone calls your name, you respond, and then you expect them to tell you what they want. We have that name and are addressed by that name. First Lady explained that basically, her first name is what it is no matter what, but because she made a decision to be married and enter a new covenant and space in life, her name has changed. She has taken on a new identity.

Her identity has changed based on a decision which resulted in a name change. With that decision, she has received a license to be called something else. With that court issued license, she has the right to fully embrace her new identity and leave behind the old identity. She shared that she has the legal right to ignore anyone who attempts to address her by who she was. She (and we) have no obligation to respond to what we used to be labeled as.

2 Corinthians 5:17

 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

We need to evaluate our lives to see what we're still connected to. Some things from the past identity don't belong and can't be brought in the new identity. Are we giving people a reason to continue to call us who we used to be? Are they being left to guess what we're identifying ourselves as or what we now go by? Our new identities should be just as evident as the two rings First Lady has on her left ring finger. No one has to guess whether it's there, we can clearly see it.

"God has called us too many new things for us to answer to what we used to be called."

Acts 9:1-6

Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 

2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”

Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”

Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Saul murdered Christians, but [when God puts His "but" in it...] He had an encounter with God, received new instruction, and eventually became Paul. He should no longer be labeled as Saul the murderer; he received a new name.

Remember Your Value Cannot Be Changed

"Your history doesn't alter your value."

You don't know the history of the $20 bill in your possession; what it paid for, where it came from, whose hands it's been in, but it still spends the same. People don't even consider what it was used for in the past, they just care about what it can do in the present. It's purpose never changed. Granted, it only works/is only accepted if it's used in the appropriate country/location. Though your history doesn't alter your value, your positioning can affect your usefulness. You're most valuable in your appointed location/position. It's up to you to walk in how you were created. You paint the picture of how valuable others will see you. It's your job to show others how valuable you are or they have the potential to misuse you out of ignorance of your worth.

1 Samuel 16:7

"...for man looks at the outward appearance..."

The value of the dollar bill is given to it when it's printed. In the same way, your value was set when you were formed. When your value was set, that was it. It cannot be changed. People will try to discredit your value, but they don't have the power to change it. 

the dollar is wrinkled and torn, but it is still a dollar, still spends the same and is still worth 1 dollar.

Your Creator Is There for Wholeness

A lot of times, if we find a torn dollar, we'll just tape it and make sure that's one of the first bills we spend so we no longer have to deal with it. According to First Lady's research, instead of taping and spending the dollar, you can trade in the mutilated bills for a new bill at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. However, it has to be identifiable as United States currency.

Tape even tears. Be made whole, not patched together with a temporary fix. 

We can go to our creator broken, torn, wrinkled, worn, looking like the mutilated bill, and be made whole as long as we're identifiable as His. We don't want to all of a sudden go to God and our hearts are foreign to Him.

1 Samuel 16:7

"...but the Lord looks at the heart.”

You, my friends, are VALUABLE!

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As usual, if you have anything to add, any comments to make, or any questions you'd like to ask, please leave a comment and get the conversation going!

Did you miss service and/or the Facebook Live or do you just want to experience the service again? If so, here's the link to Sunday's Service. 

          Sunday Service is every Sunday beginning at 9:30 am, and you, your family, and your friends more than welcomed to join us!

See you soon,