A Special Devotional I wanted to share....
Eyes of Grace
Devotional date: Oct 21, 2004
By Mark Finley, On Solid Ground, 2003, RHPA
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. Eph. 1:18.
An online auction in the fall of 1999 captured the media's attention. The Los Angeles Times ran a feature story on it. It wasn't an auction of classic jewelry, sports cars, or vintage music. It was an auction of the eggs of eight of the world's most gorgeous models, eggs that when fertilized could become beautiful babies.
Here is the story. A California fashion photographer had acquired the rights to the models’ eggs. Interested couples could view the models on the photographers’ Web site. The photographer knew he could auction their eggs at quite a high price. The bids began at $15,000 and were to go as high as $150,000.
Our society looks at externals. It values good looks. When you really think about it, an auction like this places value on human beings based on how outwardly beautiful they are. It implies that those who are not as beautiful are not as valuable. It is the opposite of what the New Testament teaches.
Perhaps you don't realize it, but your Heavenly Father has placed an enormous value on you. But He didn't set a price on you based on your looks, or your bank account, or your position at work.
God looked at your heart. He looked at your heart when He gave up his one and only Son, and He was willing to pay an infinite price for you.
Peter wrote, "You were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, . . . but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:18, 19).
God placed an infinite price on you when Jesus laid down His life for you. He did that because He looked inside you. He saw something redeemable. He saw someone who could become a child of God. He saw someone who could become a new creation.
Just remember that. Remember that when you are reacting to other people. Remember that God has placed an infinite value on you. Look at others in the way God has chosen to look at you. See their potential. See what really matters most. God has placed an incalculable worth on you. He values you more than you can possibly imagine, and He values you for who you are, not how you look. This should fill our hearts with encouragement today.
Devotional date: Oct 21, 2004
By Mark Finley, On Solid Ground, 2003, RHPA
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. Eph. 1:18.
An online auction in the fall of 1999 captured the media's attention. The Los Angeles Times ran a feature story on it. It wasn't an auction of classic jewelry, sports cars, or vintage music. It was an auction of the eggs of eight of the world's most gorgeous models, eggs that when fertilized could become beautiful babies.
Here is the story. A California fashion photographer had acquired the rights to the models’ eggs. Interested couples could view the models on the photographers’ Web site. The photographer knew he could auction their eggs at quite a high price. The bids began at $15,000 and were to go as high as $150,000.
Our society looks at externals. It values good looks. When you really think about it, an auction like this places value on human beings based on how outwardly beautiful they are. It implies that those who are not as beautiful are not as valuable. It is the opposite of what the New Testament teaches.
Perhaps you don't realize it, but your Heavenly Father has placed an enormous value on you. But He didn't set a price on you based on your looks, or your bank account, or your position at work.
God looked at your heart. He looked at your heart when He gave up his one and only Son, and He was willing to pay an infinite price for you.
Peter wrote, "You were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, . . . but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:18, 19).
God placed an infinite price on you when Jesus laid down His life for you. He did that because He looked inside you. He saw something redeemable. He saw someone who could become a child of God. He saw someone who could become a new creation.
Just remember that. Remember that when you are reacting to other people. Remember that God has placed an infinite value on you. Look at others in the way God has chosen to look at you. See their potential. See what really matters most. God has placed an incalculable worth on you. He values you more than you can possibly imagine, and He values you for who you are, not how you look. This should fill our hearts with encouragement today.